The Geography of Europe

Unit 3 NotesSS6G8 The student will locate selected features of Europea. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map:

the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees,

Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula

Satellite View of Europe

Satellite View of Europe

3,800 square miles3,800 square miles

RREEGGIIOONNSS

RREEGGIIOONNSS

Continents by Size (sq. km.)

Continents by Size (sq. km.)AsiaAsia 44,579,00044,579,000

AfricaAfrica 30,065,00030,065,000

North AmericaNorth America 24,256,000 24,256,000

South AmericaSouth America 17,819,00017,819,000

AntarcticaAntarctica 13,209,00013,209,000

EuropeEurope 9,938,0009,938,000

Oceania (incl. Oceania (incl. Australia)  Australia)   7,687,000 7,687,000

Physical Map of Europe

Rhine River

Rhine River• Longest river in Germany• An important waterway for trade• Begins in Switzerland, winds

through Germany, France, Luxembourg, & The Netherlands

Label on your map

Rhine River

5

Physical Map of Europe

Danube

Danube River• 2nd largest river in Europe (Volga is first)• Flows through the 12 countries of Germany,

Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, and the Ukraine! – 1,770 miles long

• Played a vital role in the development of central Europe (trade & cultural diffusion)

Label on your Map

Danube

6

Why are most Why are most of the capitals of the capitals of Europe on of Europe on major riversmajor rivers??

Why are most Why are most of the capitals of the capitals of Europe on of Europe on major riversmajor rivers??

Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers

Paris, right bank of the SeineParis, right bank of the SeineParis, right bank of the SeineParis, right bank of the SeineLondon on the ThamesLondon on the ThamesLondon on the ThamesLondon on the Thames

Prague on the VltavaPrague on the VltavaPrague on the VltavaPrague on the Vltava Budapest on the DanubeBudapest on the DanubeBudapest on the DanubeBudapest on the Danube

Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers Capitals on the Rivers

Berlin on the SpreeBerlin on the SpreeBerlin on the SpreeBerlin on the SpreeMoscow on the Moscow RiverMoscow on the Moscow RiverMoscow on the Moscow RiverMoscow on the Moscow River

Rome on the TiberRome on the TiberRome on the TiberRome on the Tiber Vienna on the DanubeVienna on the DanubeVienna on the DanubeVienna on the Danube

What’sWhat’sthethe

answeranswer????

What’sWhat’sthethe

answeranswer????

Answer:Answer:Answer:Answer:

They are They are Europe’s lifeline!Europe’s lifeline!

They are They are Europe’s lifeline!Europe’s lifeline!

Physical Map of Europe

English Channel

The English Channel

• Small body of water that separates England from France

• 350 miles long• In the past, it was used as a good

system of defense for England• An important waterway for trade

Label on your Map

English Channel

10

Physical Map of Europe

Iberian Peninsula

Southern PeninsulasSouthern Peninsulas

Iberian Peninsula

Italian Peninsula

Balkan Peninsula

CrimeanPeninsula

Iberian Peninsula

• The Pyrenees form the northern border

• 2nd largest peninsula in Europe• Includes the countries of Spain &

Portugal

Label on your Map

Iberian Peninsula

9

Physical Map of Europe

Scandinavian Peninsula

Scandinavian Peninsula

Scandinavian Peninsula

• Largest peninsula in Europe (1,150 miles long)

• Consists of Norway, Sweden, and the northern region of Finland

• Region is rich in timber, iron, & copper

Label on your Map

Scandinavian Peninsula

2

Physical Map of Europe

Mediterranean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

• Important route for trade & cultural exchange

• “Crossroads for 3 continents” (Europe, Africa, & Asia)

• Covers an area of 965,000 square miles

• Name means “in the middle of the earth” (surrounded by land)

Physical Map of Europe

Mediterranean Sea

8

Physical Map of Europe

Alps

The Alps • Located in Austria, France,

Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, & Liechtenstein

• Major tourist destination • Extend for almost 700 miles!

Mt. Blanc in the AlpsMt. Blanc in the AlpsMt. Blanc in the AlpsMt. Blanc in the Alps

It’s the highest mountain in the Alps: 15,771 It’s the highest mountain in the Alps: 15,771 feet.feet.

Physical Map of Europe

Alps

7

Physical Map of Europe

Pyrenees

Pyrenees Mountains

• Form the natural border between France & Spain

• Extend for about 270 miles

Physical Map of Europe

Pyrenees

3

Physical Map of Europe

Ural Mountains

Ural Mountains• Considered the natural boundary

between Europe & Asia• Divide Russia: 1/4 is in Europe, 3/4 is in

Asia• 1,500 miles long!• Among the world’s OLDEST mountain

ranges• Huge deposits of gold, nickel, silver,

platinum, coal, iron, & other minerals

Ural Mountains: “The Great Ural Mountains: “The Great Divide”Divide”Ural Mountains: “The Great Ural Mountains: “The Great Divide”Divide”

It divides the European and Asian sections of It divides the European and Asian sections of Russia.Russia.

1500

miles

Physical Map of Europe

Ural Mountains

1

Physical Map of Europe

European Plain

The European Plain• Largest mountain-free landform in

Europe• Stretches from the Pyrenees in the

west to the Ural Mountains in the east

• Extends 2,000 miles• Successful agricultural area

European Plain

Northern European Plain

Physical Map of Europe

European Plain

4

Credits

• Original presentation retrieved from www.Slideshare.net Sept 24, 2011. Modifications made by B. Morgan and A. Healy

• Geography of the World: Europe: Land and Resources .  Prod. Academic Media Network, Inc..  Academic Media Network, Inc., 2006. Discovery Education. Web. 7 October 2011. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

• Segments: Introduction; Countries, Peninsulas,

Islands, and Rivers; Landforms