1. The Physical Geography of Europe
Unit 4 – Chapter 11

2. I. Section I
The Land

3. A. Seas, Peninsulas, and Islands
Struggle with the sea
Most of Europe lies within 300 miles of a seacoast
In the Netherlands, about 25% of the land lies below sea level
Dutch (people of Netherlands) have built dikes
With these dikes, they have reclaimed lands, called polders

4. Seas, Peninsulas, and Islands (Cont.)
The Northern Peninsulas
Europe is a large peninsula made up of smaller peninsulas
Scandinavian Peninsula – northern Europe
Glaciation occurred here and formed fjords
Jutland Peninsula – mainland part of Denmark

5. A. Seas, Peninsulas, & Islands (cont)
The Southern Peninsulas
Iberian Peninsula – SW edge of Europe – Spain & Portugal
Only 20 miles of water (Straight of Gibraltar) separates this peninsula from Africa
Apennine Peninsula – Italy – shaped like a boot
Peninsula is named after the Apennine Mountains located here (they include a volcano named Mt. Vesuvius)
Balkan Peninsula – SE Europe – Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, European part of Turkey

6. A. Seas, Peninsulas, & Islands (cont)
Europe’s Islands
Iceland
British Isles – Great Britain & Ireland (& many small ones)
Great Britain vs. United Kingdom vs. England – what is the confusion?
Islands in the Mediterranean Sea
Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, Cyprus, and many smaller ones

7. B. Mountains & Plains Mountain Regions Pyrenees Alps
Highest Peak – Mont Blanc
Some major rivers originate here
Carpathians
Apennine
Plains Regions
North European Plain (or Great European Plain)
Great Hungarian Plain

8. C. Water Systems Europe’s Rivers
Provide transportation links between major cities
Irrigate farmland
Provide electricity
Major Rivers
Thames
Rhine – most important river in Western Europe
Danube – most important river in Eastern Europe
Others – Seine, Rhone, Loire, Elbe, Vistula, Po, Dnieper

9. D. Natural Resources Coal – UK, Germany, Ukraine, & Poland
Iron Ore – N. Sweden, NE France, SE Ukraine
Bauxite, Zinc, Manganese
Peat – read paragraph on pg. 276

10. II. Section II
Climate & Vegetation

11. A. Water & Land Large variation in climates Answer:
What things could cause this?
Answer:
Northern Latitude
Relationship to the sea
Elevation

12. B. Western Europe Mostly Marine West Coast Climate Trees & Highlands
Deciduous & Coniferous trees
Timberline – mountain areas where the elevation is too high for trees to grow
Foehns – dry winds
Foehns can trigger avalanches

13. C. Southern Europe Mostly Mediterranean Climate
Some Humid Subtropical & Steppe
Mistral – strong north winds from the Alps
Siroccos – high, dry winds from North Africa
May bring high temperatures into the region
Chaparral – shrubs & small trees that grow here

14. D. Eastern & Northern Europe
Mostly Humid Continental Climate
Cold winters, hot summers
Mixed forests and some grasslands
Some Subarctic & Tundra Climate
Far northern areas
Permafrost located here
Obviously, little to no vegetation