1. Chapter 1 Physical Geography
Europe and Russia

2. 1:1 Land and Water Objectives:
Learn about the size, location, and population of Europe and Russia.
Examine the major landforms of Europe and Russia.
Find out about the waterways of Europe and Russia.

3. 1:1 Vocabulary Population density Peninsula Plateau
The average number of people living in a square mile or kilometer
Peninsula
A land area nearly surrounded by water
Plateau
A large raised area of mostly level land bordered on one side by steep cliffs/slopes

4. 1:1 Vocabulary Tributary Navigable
A river or stream that flows into a larger river
Navigable
Wide and deep enough for ships to travel through

5. Size, Location, and Population
Europe and Russia are parts of Eurasia, the world’s largest land mass.
This landmass covers 2 continents: Europe and Asia
Russia is on BOTH continents
The Ural mountains divide
Europe from Asia.

6. Size, Location, and Population
Location: much of Europe and all of Russia are farther north than the US.
Population: Europe is the 2nd smallest continent, BUT it has a large number of countries…47! Many countries are the size of US states. The exception is Russia.
Russia is the largest (size) country in the world. It is twice the size of the US.
Population: smaller European countries have a higher population density. Russia has a very small population density (22 people/sq. mile).

7. Major Landforms
Europe forms a
peninsula

8. Major Landforms
Look at the map on page 12. What do you notice about natural barriers in Europe?
There are no natural barriers. People in Europe can travel easily to other European countries.

9. Four major land regions
Northwestern Highlands
Steep slopes; thin soil; forests; raise goats and sheep
North European Plain
Productive farmland; largest cities in Europe
Central Uplands
Mountains and plateaus; mining; tourism
Alpine Mountain System
Home to the Alps, the highest mountain range; some small family farming

10. Plains, Uplands, and Mountains of Russia
Moscow and over large Russian cities are located in the North European Plains.
Ural Mountains divide Russia (Europe and Asia). The land east of the Urals is the uplands.
Uplands make up 75% of the land, but only 20% of population live there.
Continue east and you will find the West Siberian Plains – the largest plain in the world. This low, marshy land covers more than 1 million square miles!

11. Waterways
The Rhine River begins in the Alps and runs for 865 miles. Canals and tributaries connect the Rhine to Western Europe.
The Danube River is Europe’s 2nd longest river (1,770 miles) through 9 European countries.
The longest river, the Volga, stretches 2,291 miles through Russia.
Lakes: There are few lakes in Europe. Russia has lots of lakes; the largest freshwater lake is found in Russia. It contains 1/5 of the world’s fresh water supply.

12. 1:1 Review Which country is located in both Europe and Asia?
Russia
How does the land size of Europe differ from that of Russia?
Europe is small in size, but has more countries
What are the 4 major land regions in Europe?
Northwestern Highlands
North European Plain
Central Uplands
Alpine Mountain System

13. 1:2 Climate and Vegetation
Objectives:
Find out about the wide range of climates in Europe and Russia.
Learn about the major climate regions of Europe and Russia.
Examine the natural vegetation regions of Europe and Russia.

14. 1:2 Vocabulary Rain shadow Steppes Tundra Permafrost
The area on the dry, sheltered side of a mountain, which receives little rainfall
Steppes
The grasslands of fertile soil suitable for farming in Russia
Tundra
A cold, dry, treeless region covered with snow for most of the year
Permafrost
A permanently frozen layer of ground below the top layer of soil

15. A Wide Region of Climates
The wide range of climates can be attributed to the oceans.
Places near the oceans have a milder climate year around.
The North Atlantic Current carries warm
water from the tropics to northwestern
Europe.

16. Oceans and Climate
The oceans also affect how much moisture is dropped in the form of precipitation.
Winds blowing over the ocean pick up moisture and drop it as rain over land. Winds blowing from the west drop a large amount of rainfall. Western Europe is fairly wet.

17. Mountains and Rainfall
Mountains also affect the climate.
In Europe, areas west of the mountains receive heavy rainfall. Thus, Western Europe is very wet.
Why?
As winds rise up the mountains, they cool and drop their moisture. By the time the air reaches the other side, it is dry. The eastern side of a mountain is typically drier.

18. Major Climate Regions Turn to page 9 of your text book…
How many different climate regions does Europe and Russia have? 8
Which climate region is named after a major body of water?
Mediterranean
How do you think this climate differs from that of Northern Europe and Russia?
It is probably warmer because it is near the equator.

19. Natural Vegetation
Vegetation regions in Europe and Russia vary from ice cap to desert. Look at the map on page 21…
What is the major kind of vegetation dominates most of Europe?
Deciduous forest

20. Vegetation Regions Grasslands:
Major vegetation region in Europe and Russia
Most of the grasslands today are used for farming
In Russia the grasslands are called steppes.
These steppes are similar to the Great Plains in the US.

21. Vegetation Regions Mediterranean: Tundra:
A mix of trees, scrub, and smaller plants (usually less than 8 feet tall).
Tundra:
Winters last 9 months
Vegetation made up of grasses, mosses, and other plants that bloom only in the warmer months.

22. 1:2 Review How do oceans affect the climate?
Areas near the ocean are mild in climate
How does the North Atlantic Current affect northern Europe?
It carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to northwestern Europe and warms the winds that blow from the west.

23. 1:2 Review
What are the natural vegetation regions of Europe and Russia?
Forest, grassland, tundra, and Mediterranean
How are vegetation regions and climate regions related?
Climate affects the types of vegetation that can grow in an area.
What geographic features might make a person decide to like in Europe rather than in Russia?
Warmer, milder climate

24. 1:3 Resources and Land Use
Objectives:
Learn about the natural resources of Western Europe.
Find out about the natural resources of Eastern Europe.
Examine Russia’s natural resources.

25. 1:3 Vocabulary Loess Hydroelectric power Fossil fuel
A type of rich, dustlike soil
Hydroelectric power
The power generated by water-driven turbines
Fossil fuel
A source of energy that forms from the remains of ancient plants and animals

26. Resources of Western Europe
Western Europe is a wealthy region
This is partly due to the fact that Western Europe has many resources.
Those resources include: rich soil, water, and fuel

27. Resources of Western Europe
Fertile soil
Loess, moderate temperatures, and rainfall make great farmlands.
Abundant water
Not only for drinking and crops. Water is used to produce energy in many European countries.
Fuel
Include fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil

28. Resources of Eastern Europe
Many of the same resource found in Western Europe can also be found in Eastern Europe.
Fossil fuels
Rich soil
Hydroelectric power

29. Russia’s Resources
Russia has a larger amount of natural resources compared to the US.
Russia’s harsh climate, huge size, and un- navigable rivers are some of the reasons it has not been able to utilize its resources to make the country rich.
Russia is also not well suited for farming.

30. Russia’s Resources Fossil Fuels
Russia has the largest reserves of natural gas
In the top 5 of world’s leading oil producers
Estimated that Russia has 1/3 of the world’s coal reserves
Russia also has a large reserve of iron ore used to produce steel.

31. Russia’s Resources Forest, Fishing, and Energy Resources
Largest reserve of forests
Wood used to make paper, furniture, pulp, etc
Fishing is also a huge resource
Russia uses many of its fossil fuels to produce energy.
One of the world's largest producers of electricity

32. Russia’s Resources Russia’s Challenges
Most of the oil, natural gas, and coal are located in Siberia
Siberia is known for its brutal climate and isolation
Russia is so big that it is hard to transport goods
The rivers in Russia are either not navigable or flow in the wrong direction.
Pollution and protecting the environment

33. 1:3 Review Name Western Europe’s major natural resources.
Fertile soil
Water
Fuel
How is water used as a natural resources in Western Europe?
Drinking, watering crops, power

34. 1:3 Review
How do Western Europe and Russia differ in their use of natural resources?
Western Europe has developed its resources to become an important industrial region, while Russia has not been able to fully develop its resources
Why is Russia not as wealthy as Western Europe?
Russia has not been able to use its resources to earn money due to its size, the location of the resources, and the climate