Unit 6: EuropeIntroduction to Europe
Land area compared to the United States
Europe consists of 44 nations and is about ¾ of the United States.
Examples: United Kingdom = Wyoming Germany = Washington and Oregon
Population compared to the United States
US Population = 300 millionEurope Population = 500 million
Examples - 5 European countries = United States Germany – 80 million Italy – 60 million France – 60 million United – 60 million Spain – 40 million Total – 300 million
Age of Europe compared to the United StatesEurope – London is about 2,000 years old.United States – Founded in 1775. (Europe’s
kid)
TerminologyEurope – ContinentUnited Kingdom – CountryEngland – StateGreat Britain - Island
Physical GeographyEurope is known as the Peninsula of Peninsulas
Scandinavian Peninsula – Norway and Sweden Land of the Midnight Sun” – because of the long days of light in
summer. Scandinavian Peninsula and the Black forest suffers from Acid Rain fjords – long steep sided inlets.
Jutland Peninsula – Denmark and parts of Germany
Iberian Peninsula – Spain and Portugal (Pyrenees Mountains)
Italian Peninsula – Italy
Balkan Peninsula – Balkans (Various Mountains)
Mountains: # 1 contributor to the ethnic diversity.Pyrenees - Southern Europe’s Younger Mts.
High-sharp peaks are about 11,000 ft.Alps – Created by glaciers – isolated Italy from
the rest of Europe.
RiversDanube – Starts in Germany and empties into
the Black Sea. Main – Danube Canal – connects the Danube River and
the Main River which links the Black Sea and the North Sea.
Rhine – Starts in the Netherlands and empties into the North Sea.
North European PlainStretches from southeastern England and
western France to Russia.
Most fertile land in the world.
Southern edge of the North European Plain is especially fertile because of loess: fine, rich , wind-borne soil left from glaciers.
33% of Europe’s land is suitable for Farming.
Central UplandsConsists of low rounded mountains and high
plateaus with scattered forests.Meseta
Spain’s Central PlateauMassif Central
France’s Central HighlandsPolders -
Land taken from the sea Polders make up 40% of the Netherlands.
Natural ResourcesToday Europeans rely heavily on:
CoalOilGasNuclear PowerHydro Power
North Sea Oil (1959) – Major source of oil for the world.
ClimateEurope’s northern latitude and its proximity to
the sea influences the Climate and Vegetation.
North Atlantic Current:Warm current of the Atlantic that creates
a mild climate.Causes Northern and Eastern Europe to have
a colder climate than most western and southern Europe because of their distance from the warming effects of the ocean.
High Latitude RegionsBitterly cold winters – short cool
summers.Tundra region is covered in permafrost
(permanently frozen land) and little vegetation.Examples: Mosses, small shrubs, and
wildflowers
Mid-Latitude RegionsWestern Europe
Marine West Coast Climate: Mild winters, cool summers, and abundant rainfall.
Southern EuropeMediterranean Climate: Hot and dry
summers, mild rainy winters.Humid Subtropical Climate: Hot and humid
summers, cool winters. Eastern Europe
Humid Continental Climate: All four seasons.
Dry RegionsSoutheastern and Southwestern Europe:
Steppe Climate: Dry, cold grasslands, hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall.