Transcript Unit 4 Europe

Unit 4 Europe
Introduction
Physical Features
Landforms
Europe stretches from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Ural Mts. And from the
Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Islands
Great Britain
Ireland
Iceland
Peninsulas
Scandinavian
Iberian
Italian
Balkan
Four Major Landform Regions
Northwest Highlands
Northern European Plain
Central Uplands
Alpine Mountain System
Northwest Highlands
Ancient eroded region of rugged hills
and low mountains
Includes the hills of Ireland and
England, Scottish Highlands and
mountains of Scandinavia, Northwest
France, and parts of iberian Peninsula.
Northern European Plain
Stretches from Frances Atlantic coast to
the Ural Mts.
Mostly less than 500 ft above sea level.
Many rivers, river towns, and port cities.
Europe’s most important farming and
industrial area.
Central Uplands
Stretches Northeastward across Southern
Germany to the Bohemian Highlands.
Area of hills and small plateaus, with forested
slopes and fertile valleys.
Includes Massif Central of France and Jura
Mountains.
Old eroded region with low, rounded
mountains and hills.
Alpine Mountain System
Stretch from France’s Mediterranean
coast to the Balkan Peninsula.
Large, peaked mountains up to 14,000
feet.
Large snowfields and glaciers.
Avalanches are common.
Water
Europe is nearly surrounded by water.
Hundreds of good, natural harbors.
Most are located near the mouths of
navigable rivers.
The Rhine and Danube are Europe’s
most important rivers.
Climates
Three major climate types
Marine West Coast
Humid Continental
Mediterranean
Other smaller climate
Tundra
Subarctic
Humid Subtropical
Semiarid
North Atlantic Drift
Warm ocean current.
Originates off the coast of North
America and is fed by tropical waters of
the Gulf Stream
Western Europe enjoys relatively mild
climates compared to the rest of Europe
because of the North Atlantic Drift.
Plants and Animals
Human activities and pollution have
severely affected wildlife.
Many animals have become extinct.
Some animals only thrive in protected
areas.
Natural Resources
Most original forests were cleared centuries
ago.
Causes:
Clearing
Overgrazing
Pollution/Acid Rain
Good soils for farming.
Lemons
Oranges
Many different vegetables
Other crops:
Grapes
Olives
Potatoes
Wheat
Energy and Minerals
Relies heavily on imports
Lack sufficient supplies of critical
natural resources.
Oil, iron and other metals.
Oil and natural gas deposits beneath
the North Sea.