THE GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE

Pages 316-319

Objectives

Describe Europe’s main geographic features

Explain how they have contributed to the growth of civilization there

What are the seven continents?

Asia Africa North America Europe Antarctica South America Australia

Eurasia

Europe is the world’s smallest continent

However, it connects with Asia to create the world’s largest landmass, called Eurasia

How is Europe both a small and big land mass? Small: second

smallest continent Big: a part of

Eurasia

On what ocean does western Europe face? Southern Europe? Western: The

Atlantic Southern: The

Mediterranean

Why would you expect Europeans to use waterways extensively?

Locate the Ural and Caucasus Mountains

They are considered to be the border between Europe and Asia.

URAL MO

UNTAINS

CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS

Unusual features of Europe

Spouting geysers (Iceland)

Huge glaciers (Alps) Waterways: rivers

and canals, seas and bays, harbors and channels

What else do you notice about Europe? Many peninsulas,

islands Fjords – where sea

surges in between cliffs (Scandinavian peninsula)

Fjord

European Climate What kind of climate

does Europe have? Generally temperate

(mild)

How does climate influence how people develop their culture? It affects what they

can grow and the comfort or discomfort of their lives

Deforestation What is

deforestation and how does it relate to Europe?The process of

clearing forests from the land

It took place in Europe mostly after 1100 A.D.

North European Plain

The most fertile farmland in Europe is found in this region

A long growing season helps farmers to grow crops like wheat in the plain’s rich soil

Why might a broad sweeping area like this also encourage warfare? No natural barriers to

invaders

Bounty from Rivers and Seas

Jagged coastline creates natural harbors that help to protect boatsFishing has always been

important to the European economy

Over 2,000 years ago, river power was used to turn waterwheels that ground wheat

Traders transported goods on Europe’s long, navigable rivers

Why is it possible to travel from Britain to the Ural Mountains without ever leaving a boat? Waterways, whether

they are natural or human-built, connect all Europe from west to east

Seine River Paris, France (one

of the world’s largest cities) grew alongside the Seine

Europeans have developed thriving economies by using rivers for power and transportation

Sum it Up Europe, Earth’s

second-smallest continent, had a long, jagged coastline

Closeness to the sea has had important effects on Europe’s climate and economy

Europe’s rivers and seas are great sources of fish

Waterways are also used for transportation and power

Think About It What makes the

climate of Europe temperate? Warming winds from

the sea

Name a trade that has always been important to the European economy fishing

How did the waterways of Europe affect life there? They gave people food,

power, transportation, trade, and power

Explain why the following statement is a fact or an opinion – “Europe’s navigable rivers help in the transport of goods.” It is a fact because it

can be proven by information about the amount of shipping along rivers that is carried on each year