Transcript Chp 12
Unit #4: Europe Chp 12: Physical Geography of Europe Take Five… What is the main type of physical landform that is predominant in Europe? ? How can a little tiny country BE a country? What makes a country? Common DEFENDABLE borders Military Stable Political system Stable Economic system 17 of the world’s smallest countries each contain less than 200 square miles in area. If we combined the land area of these 17 countries, we would have a country just a bit larger than the state Rhode Island. Vatican City - 0.2 square miles - The world's smallest state, the Vatican has a population of 770, none of whom are permanent residents. The tiny country which surrounds St. Peter's Basilica is the spiritual center for the world's Roman Catholics (over 1 billion strong). Also known as the Holy See, Vatican City is surrounded by Rome, Italy. Monaco - 0.7 square miles - The tiny state of Monaco lies along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice. An impressive 32,000 people live in this state known for its Monte Carlo casinos and Princess Grace. It has been independent off-andon since the 13th century. Nauru - 8.5 square miles - The 13,000 residents of the Pacific island Nauru rely on diminishing phosphate deposits. The state became independent in 1968 and was formerly known as Pleasant Island. Tuvalu - 9 square miles - Tuvalu is composed of 9 coral atolls along a 360 mile chain in Polynesia. They gained independence in 1978. The former Ellice Islands are home to 12,000. San Marino - 24 square miles - Located on Mt. Titano in north central Italy, San Marino has 29,000 residents. The country claims to be the oldest state in Europe, having been founded in the fourth century. Liechtenstein - 62 square miles - This microstate of 34,000 is located on the Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps. Marshall Islands - 70 square miles - The atolls (including the world's largest, Kwajalein), reefs, and 34 islands (population 58,000) gained independence in 1986; they were formerly part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (and administered by the United States). Saint Kitts and Nevis - 104 square miles - This Caribbean country of 39,000 gained independence in 1983. Nevis is the smaller island of the two and is guaranteed the right to secede. Seychelles - 107 square miles - The 81,000 residents of this Indian Ocean island group have been independent of the United Kingdom since 1976. Maldives - 115 square miles - Only 200 of the 2000 Indian Ocean islands which make up this country are occupied by 340,000 residents. The islands gained independence from the U.K. in 1965. Malta - 122 square miles - This island is just south of the Italian island of Sicily. It became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964 and the British military were completely gone by 1979. The population is 400,000. Grenada - 133 square miles - This Caribbean country (population 90,000) became independent of the U.K. in 1974. It's located quite close to Venezuela. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 150 square miles - 117,000 people live on these Windward Caribbean islands which gained independence from Britain in 1979. Barbados - 166 square miles - About 280,000 people live on this Caribbean island, the farthest east of the Lesser Antilles. Barbados obtained independence from the U.K. in 1966. Antigua and Barbuda - 171 square miles - This Caribbean nation of 69,000 has been independent from the United Kingdom since 1981. The three islands which compose this country rely on tourism (as do many of the Caribbean countries and territories). Andorra - 180 square miles - The independent Principality of Andorra is co-governed by the President of France and the Spain's Bishop of Urgel. With just over 70,000 people, this mountainous tourist destination tucked in the Pyrenees between France and Spain has been independent since 1278. Palau - 191 square miles - Palau (also known as Belau) was a Trust Territory of Pacific Islands. It was formerly known as the Carolines and is composed of more than 200 islands in the Pacific; the population is about 20,000. It became independent in 1994. Say What??? 6 of the world’s 17 smallest countries are located in Europe Sec 1: Landforms and Resources What is a peninsula? Land that is surrounded by water on 3 sides Europe is essentially a series of large peninsulas Northern Peninsula—Scandinavian Peninsula Norway & Sweden Bordered by Norwegian Sea, North Sea and Baltic Sea Fjords—U shaped valleys that connect to the sea and filled with seawater after the glaciers melted Provide harbors Scandinavian Peninsula--Norway and Sweden Jutland Peninsula Forms part of Denmark and Germany It is surrounded by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Jutland Peninsula Iberian Peninsula Spain and Portugal Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterrean Sea The Pyrenees Mountains separate the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe Iberian Peninsula Italian Peninsula—The Boot… Italy & Vatican City Surrounded by Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionia Sea and Adriatic Sea Italian Peninsula Vatican City Home to the Pope Home to the Pope’s staff Home to the Sistine Chapel Vatican City Vatican City Sistine Chapel Vatican Guards—Swiss Guards Soooo…why Swiss Guards you say? "The Helvetians (Swiss soldiers) are a people of warriors, famous for the valour of their soldiers." 1506 protected Pope Julius II Pope Julius II granted them the title of "Defenders of the Church's freedom" The rest is history… Balkan Peninsula The Balkan States Surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, the Mediterrean Sea and the Aegean Sea Balkan Peninsula Take Five… Which mountain range cuts Italy off from the rest of Europe? Which mountain range restricts movement between France to Spain and Portugal? Which mountain range divides the eastern and western portions of Italy? Mountain ranges Mountains in Europe act as walls separating different groups of people and ultimately different countries Alps (Spreading across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria & the northern Balkan Peninsula) Pyrenees (Between France and Spain) Apennine (Italy) Balkan Mountains (Balkan States) Alps Wally Points… What’s the difference between mountains and uplands? Uplands Lower mountains or hills Kjolen in Scandinavia Brittany in France Meseta in Spain (plateau) Central Uplands in Germany Massif Central in France Rivers Danube (Dan u bu)—longest river in Europe-beginning in Black Forest (Germany) flowing to the Black Sea Rhine (Germany) Seine (Sign)—(France) Elbe (Denmark-Czech Republic) Po (Italy) Danube Rhine Seine River Elbe Po Take Five… Name one pro and one con for the European plains landforms. Fertile Plains Pro Con Plains make for easy invasion Northern European Plain Flatland has fertile soil and is ideal for farming France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany & Poland Other plains regions Sweden, Hungary, N. Italy Take Five… Complete the Skill Builder questions on page 276. Natural Resources Abundant natural resources including coal and iron Oil and natural gas Agriculture—grains, grapes, olives etc Timber Disparity of natural resources Not all countries in Europe have abundant or even the same natural resources Example: oil and natural gasses are available in some areas, but others, such as Ireland use peat as an energy resource Take Five… Sec #2: Climate and vegetation European Union