EUROPE UNIT 4:. Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of Europe Section 1 – Physical Features (pgs 291-294)

EUROPEEUROPE

UNIT 4:UNIT 4:

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of

EuropeSection 1 –

Physical Features

(pgs 291-294)

LandformsLandforms

Europe stretchesNorth to South:

Artic Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

East to West:

Atlantic Ocean Ural Mountains

Major IslandsMajor IslandsGreat Britain, Ireland & Iceland

Major PeninsulasMajor PeninsulasScandinavian Iberian,

Italian Balkan

4 Major Landform Regions4 Major Landform Regions

Northwest HighlandsNorthern European PlainCentral UplandsAlpine Mountain System

Northwest HighlandsNorthwest Highlandsrugged hills, low mountainsTo the NORTHIreland, England, Scotland, Scandinavia,

NW France, part of Iberian PeninsulaGlaciers & fjords carved landscapes during

last ice age

Northern European PlainNorthern European PlainTo the SOUTHCoastal plain with lots of rivers stretching

from France to Ural Mountains = river towns & port cities like Paris & Berlin

Many rivers, short distances, smooth terrain = travel, trade, & migration

Densely or Sparsely Populated?

Central UplandsCentral UplandsHills & small plateaus, fertile valleysStretches from France NE to S GermanyEroded region = rounded hills & mountainsKnown for coal & industry

Alpine Mountain SystemAlpine Mountain System Includes the Swiss Alps Stretches from France’s Mediterranean coast to

the Balkan Peninsula Many peaks higher than 14,000 feet Large snowfields and glaciers Also includes Carpathian Mountains in E. Europe

& Pyrenees Mountains in France & Spain Tectonic process created this region and continues

to cause earthquakes and volcanoes today

Europe’s Major Landform Regions

Northwest Highlands hills & low mountains, created by glaciers, many lakes, thin soils

Northern European Plain Broad coastal plain, many rivers

Central Uplands Hills & small plateaus, old & eroded, coal fields, fertile valleys

Alpine Mountain System High mountains, glaciers, tectonic activity (earthquakes)

Objective: Describe Europe’s major landform regions.

Water in EuropeWater in Europe Europe is a peninsula of

peninsulas (p.295) North Sea-important for

trade & fishing (Baltic Sea freezes in winter)

North Atlantic Ocean-Explorers, Fishers, Merchants

Natural harbors along coast are located near navigable (deep enough & wide enough for shipping) rivers=good for trade by sea

Water in Europe-Thames RiverWater in Europe-Thames Riverpronounced: [timz]England

Water in Europe-Seine RiverWater in Europe-Seine Riverpronounced: [la sɛn]France

Water in Europe-Rhine RiverWater in Europe-Rhine RiverRises in the Swiss Alps, NW through

Germany, enters the North Sea

Begins in the uplands of S Germany, E through 9 countries in Central & Eastern Europe, empties into the Black Sea

The Danube River is 1,771 miles long and the second longest river in Europe after the Volga.

Water in Europe-Danube RiverWater in Europe-Danube River

Water in EuropeWater in EuropeMajor Challenge:

POLLUTION

entering ocean from rivers

SEASN orth Sea B lack Sea

Ba ltic SeaM ed ite rranean Sea

R IVER SR hine R iver D anube R iver

E lbe R iver Se ine R iverTham es R iver

STR AIT SBosporus S tra itEnglish C hannelS tra it o f G ibra lta r

O C EAN SArctic O cean

A tlan tic O cean

Europe's M ajor Bodies of W ATE R

Objective: Identify the major rivers and bodies of water found in Europe.

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of

EuropeSection 2 –

Climates and Biomes

(pgs 296-298)

Europe: 3 Major ClimatesEurope: 3 Major Climates

Marine West CoastHumid ContinentalMediterranean

Marine West Coast ClimateMarine West Coast Climatethroughout N & W EuropeAtlantic storms bring clouds & rainSnow & frost in winterMild temperaturesCloudy, drizzly days are common

Humid Continental ClimateHumid Continental Climate4 distinct seasonsSevere wintersSummer droughts hurt Hungary & Romania

Mediterranean ClimateMediterranean ClimateSeparated from other 2 climates by high

mountains like the AlpsMost rain occurs during mild winterLong, dry, sunny summers in S Europe

4 Minor Climates4 Minor ClimatesSubartic (Norway, Sweden,

Finland)Tundra (Iceland & N

Scandinavia)Humid Subtropical (S, SE of

Alps)Semiarid (parts of Spain

blocked from ocean by mountains)

Climates of Europe

Major Climates Minor Climates

Marine West CoastMild temperatures, clouds & fog

SubarticFound in Northern Norway Sweden & Finland

Humid ContinentalDistinct seasons, cold winters, mild to cool summers

TundraNorthernmost Denmark, Norway & Sweden (Scandinavia) & Iceland

MediterraneanMild & rainy winters, long summers

Humid SubtropicalSouth & southeast of the Alps

SemiaridIn Spain where mountains block the rainfall

North Atlantic DriftNorth Atlantic Drift

The North Atlantic Drift (which is an ocean current) warms the air above it. The current is then carried over Europe by winds. This creates moderate temperatures and precipitation in northern Europe.

warm, moist air creates mild temperatures & rain in NW Europe = good for farmers and sea movement (no ice in water)

Objective: Analyze how ocean currents affect Europe’s climates

Plants & Animals: Plants & Animals: 4 Major Biomes4 Major Biomes

Objective: Identify the biomes found in Europe.

Temperate Forest

Mediterranean Scrub Forest

Boreal Forest

Tundra

•Covers most of Europe•ash, beech, maple, oak trees•badgers, deer, many birds

•southern Europe•small trees, shrubs, drought-resistant plants•wild boars, wild sheep

•northern & central Europe•spruce, fir, pine trees

•far northern Europe•treeless•frozen ground most of the year•migratory birds, reindeer, foxes

Temperate Forest (most of Europe has this)

Mediterranean Scrub Forest

Boreal Forest

Tundra

Human activities harming plants & animals:

Hunting leads to animal extinction

Logging depletes forests and harms animal habitats

Pollution harms waterways and animals drinking water

Chapter 13 – Natural Environments of

EuropeSection 3 –

Natural Resources

(pgs 299-301)

Natural Resources in EuropeNatural Resources in Europe

ForestsSoilsFisheriesMineralsEnergy

Natural Resources-ForestsNatural Resources-Forests

Problems:Clearing & overgrazingAir pollution & acid rain

Solutions:Reforestation & Forest Protection Programs

for Sweden & Finland

Natural Resources-SoilsNatural Resources-Soils

More than half of Europe’s land area is used for farming

Some soils developed from loess (fine-grained windblown soil that is very fertile)

River valleys are major farming centers Efficient methods & modern technology help

Europe have crop yields among the highest in the world (Chemical fertilizers, crop rotation, machines to plant & harvest)

Natural Resources-FishingNatural Resources-Fishing

Throughout history, an important part of Europe’s economy = fishing

Warm North Atlantic Drift mixes with cold polar waters (Iceland, Norway, Spain, Denmark)

Problems=Overfishing & coastal pollution

Objective: Locate Europe’s forest, soil, and fishery resources.

Forest Soil Fisheries

Sweden & Finland

Loess in Northern European Plain

&

Alluvial soil in Southern Europe

North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and North Sea

Natural Resources-MineralsNatural Resources-MineralsTo meet industry & energy needs, Europe

heavily imports mineralsLack oil, iron, & other metals(oil & gas come from Asia, Russia, Africa)BUT, they have large deposits of coal

(Germany-one of world’s largest, Britain, Poland)

Iron ore, uranium, lead, zinc, marble

The yellowish translucent amber is often made into jewelry.

The world’s largest deposits of amber are found along the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Some date back to 60 million years

ago.Preserved bodies of ancient insects have been found inside some deposits.

Natural Resources-EnergyNatural Resources-Energy

Europe’s main oil & natural gas lie beneath North Sea (especially helps Norway & Britain)

Hydroelectricity is produced in Norway, Sweden, & Switzerland.

France has ocean tidal power & solar power Iceland has geothermal energy Nuclear power (France, Belgium, Bulgaria, &

Sweden)

N orthw est H igh landsco a l, o il, na tu ra l g as

iro n o re , n u c le ar p o w erh yd ro e le c tric ity

C entra l U plandsfe rt ile so ils , co a l,

n u c le a r p o w er

N orthern European P la infe rt ile so ils , co a l,

n a tu ra l g asn u c le a r p o w er

A lp ine M ounta in Systemh yd ro e le c tric ity

m a rb le , le adz in c , o the r m e ta ls

E urope 's N atura l & E nergy R esource s

Objective: Identify the energy and mineral resources of Europe.

Europe’s Main Energy ResourcesENERGY SOURCE LOCATION

Coal Germany, Britain, Poland

Oil & Natural Gas North Sea region

Hydroelectric Power Norway, Sweden, Switzerland

Ocean Tidal Power & Solar Power

France

Nuclear Power France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Sweden