Europe's Physical Geography

Overview of Europe

Europe's Climate

Europe's Physical Geography

By K. Kallies

Europe's Oceans & Seas

Europe's Islands

Europe's Peninsulas

Europe's Mountains

Europe's Rivers

Other Features

Europe as a Continent

Europe is the second smallest continent in the world in land mass, and the 3rd most populated continent (after Asia and Africa). It is home to roughly 11% of the total population. It can also be argued that Europe is a peninsula since it is surrounded on three sides by different bodies of water: the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and several other smaller bodies of water to the south. Europe is home to close to 50 different countries ranging in size from just a few hundred acres to hundreds of thousands of square miles. Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe. The country measures roughly 109 acres and is home to about 825 people. Russia can be considered the largest country in Europe, making up roughly 40% of the land area, even though the country itself is split between two different continents. Europe is centrally located with the capability to connect with the rest of the world. Just about every part of Europe is close, within 300 miles, to the sea. It is home to many navigable waterways and most places are within a moderate distance from each other.

Summarize Europe in the flap called "Overview of Europe" in your foldable. It should be 4-5 sentences

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Europe's Climate

Much of Europe’s climate depends on the distance that region is from the sea. The closer a region is to the Atlantic Ocean & the warm currents, the warmer it will be. Western Europe is going to have a Marine Westcoast climate. They have warm summers and cool winters. The region enjoys a milder climate than most regions do at such a northern altitude. This is because of the warm westerly winds that blows across Europe from the oceans. There are no large mountain ranges to block this wind, and the winds carry moisture, which gives the region adequate rainfall. People who live far away from the Atlantic Ocean do not benefit from the influence of those warm westerly winds. As a result, much of Finland, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary have a Humid Continental climate. These places have cold, snowy winters & either warm or hot summers. In far northern Scandinavia, along the Arctic Circle, lies a band of Tundra climate. A Tundra climate often has permafrost (where the soil remains frozen all year around). No trees grow here, only mosses, which results in very limited agriculture. In most of Scandinavia, winter nights and summer days are extremely long. North of the Arctic Circle, there are winter days where the sun never rises and summer days when the sun never sets. This region is often called “The Land of the Midnight Sun”.

Summarize the Climate of Europe in the flap called "Europe's Climate" in your foldable. It should be 4-5 sentences

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Europe's peninsulas

questions to answer in foldable

1. Describe the Scandiavian Peninsula in 10-15 words. 2. Describe the Iberian Peninsula in 10-15 words. 3. Describe the Apennine Peninsula in 10-15 words. What did it "give birth" to? 4. Describe the Balkan Peninsula in 10-15 words.

key

Scandiavian Peninsula

Iberian Peninsula

Apennine Peninsula

Balkan Peninsula

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Europe's islands

questions to answer in foldable

1. Name the different island groups & Describe them in 15-20 words 2. Why does the area known as the 'British Isles' have so many names? 3. What Challenges has Greece faced?

key

Iceland & Greenland

Great Britain

Greece

Mediterranean

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eUROPE'S mOUNTAINS

There are many different mountain ranges located in Europe. Similar to how the Andes Mountains in South America acted as a barrier to restrict movement, so do the mountain ranges in Europe. The mountain ranges in Europe can be viewed as “walls” because they separate different groups of people and allow different cultures to develop in isolation.

questions to answer in foldable

1. What can the mountain ranges in Europe be viewed as? What do they do? 2. Name the major mountain ranges. 3. Name 1 thing special about each mountain range.

Key

Alps

Apennine Mountains

Balkan Mountains

Ural Mountains

Pyrenees Mountains

Carpathian Mountains

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Europe's Rivers

Rivers are very important to Europe. Many capital cities are located on the many rivers located in Europe. Rivers are Europe’s lifeline. The rivers flow from the inland mountains and highlands down to the coast. They have also built networks of canals for transportation and irrigation of crops. Many rivers in Scandinavia are short. Rivers on the Iberian Peninsula are shallow and narrow, which makes it difficult for large ships to travel.

questions to answer in foldable

1. Why are river important to Europe? 2. Name the major rivers 3. Name 1 or 2 special things about each river.

Key

Thames River

Danube River

Elbe River

Rhine River

Volga River

Po River

Seine River

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Europe's Oceans & Seas

questions to answer in foldable

1. How and why was the tunnel below the English Channel built? 2. What do you notice about the map about the Baltic Sea? Why do you think that? 3. According to the video, is the Caspian Sea a lake or a sea? 4. What is the future for the North Sea? Why?

Key

Baltic Sea

Arctic Ocean

Caspian Sea

Mediterrean Sea

English Channel

North Sea

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Other Features

questions to answer in foldable

1. Why is it called the "Land of the MIdnight Sun"? 2. What is the name of the soil that can be found in the Northern European Plain?

Key

Land of the Midnight Sun

Northern European Plain

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