Physical Geography of

Europe

Chapter 12

FJORDS- STEEP U-SHAPED VALLEYS THAT CONNECT TO THE SEA AND THAT FILLED WITH SEAWATER AFTER GLACIERS MELTED.

UPLANDS- HILLS OR LOW MOUNTAINS THAT MAY ALSO CONTAIN MESAS AND HIGH PLATEAUS.

NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT-A CURRENT OF WARM WATER FROM THE TROPICS, FLOWS NEAR EUROPE’S WEST COAST

Chapter 12Vocabulary Words

Landforms and Resources

•Major Peninsulas•Scandinavian – Norway and Sweden

•Jutland -Denmark

•Iberian –Spain and Portugal

•Italian -Italy

•Balkan –Adriatic, Mediterranean, Aegean Sea’s

•Major Mountains•Alps

•Stretch across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Northern Balkans

•Pyrenees•Border between France and Spain

•Major Rivers• Rhine –flows south

to north from the Alps bordering Switzerland , through Germany and entering the North Sea through the Netherlands

• Danube –cuts through the heart of Europe from West to East, linking Europe to the Black Sea

Resources

• Europe is known for the following resources:• Petroleum• Copper• Iron ore• Lead• Silver• Uranium and Zinc

Climate of Europe

• North Atlantic Drift•Current of warm water from the

tropics• Mistral

•Cold, dry wind from north• Sirocco

•Hot, steady wind from North Africa (this is why the Mediterranean Sea is so warm)

Human Environment Interaction

Waterways for Commerce: Venice’s Canals

Builders sunk wooden pilings into the ground to help support the structures above. The city is gradually sinking due to compressions of these pilings and rising sea levels.