Europe and Russia7th Grade UBD - Unit 6 – Europe

Main Idea

Europe is a continent with

varied geographic features,

abundant natural resources,

and a climate that can

support agriculture.

The development of Europe’s

diverse cultures has been

shaped by the continent’s

diverse geography.

The Geography of Europe

Today, cars, airplanes,

and trains are common

forms of high speed

transportation across

Europe.

Before the 19th century,

however, the fastest

form of transportation

was to travel by water.

Waterways

Water surrounds the continent of Europe to the

north, south, and west.

Europe also has many rivers. The highly traveled

Rhine and Danube rivers are two of the most

important.

For hundreds of years, these and other waterways

have been home to boats and barges carrying

people and goods inland across great distances.

Key Term

Europe-

The world’s

second-

smallest

continent; a

peninsula of

the Eurasian

landmass.

Key Term

Russia- A

country in

northern

Eurasia; it is

the largest

country in

term of size

in the world.

Key Ideas- Land and Water

Europe, in general, has a much higher population

density than most of the world. By comparison,

Russia has a much lower population density.

Europe is a small continent. Only Australia is

smaller.

Europe’s bays include many harbors, or sheltered

bodies of water, where ships can dock enabling

Western European countries to become world

leaders in the shipping industry.

Europe and Russia’s PopulationVideo- Europe and Russia’s Population

Europe and Russia

Europe, in general, has a

much higher population

density than most of the

world. By comparison,

Russia has a much lower

population density.

Few people live in the vast

plains and mountains of

Eastern Russia. The poor

soil and cold climate make

it a difficult place to live.

Key Term

Population

Density-

The

average

number of

people

living in a

given area.

Size and Location

Europe and Russia are

parts of Eurasia, the

world’s largest landmass.

This landmass is made up

of two continents, Europe

and Asia.

The Ural Mountains mark

the dividing line between

Europe and Russia.

A Small Continent and a Large Country

Some 48 countries are

located in Europe; most

are small.

Many are the size of an

average state in the

United States.

Russia on the other hand

is almost twice the size

of Canada or the United

States.

Major Landforms of Europe

The continent of

Europe has lots of

peninsulas and bays.

Europe’s bays have

enabled Western

European countries to

become world leaders

in the shipping

industry.

Major Landforms of Russia

Russia lies on the Arctic

Ocean. This body of

water is frozen for most

of the year and cannot

be used for shipping.

However, there are no

physical features

between Russia and

Europe that form travel

barriers.

Plains and Uplands of Europe

Within Europe are four

major land regions:

the Northwestern

Highlands, the North

European Plain, the

Central Uplands, and

the Alpine Mountain

System.

North European Plain

Half of Europe is covered

by the North European

Plain.

It includes most of the

European part of Russia.

This region is the most

important region since it

has the most productive

farmland and the largest

cities in Europe.

North European Plain

The North European Plain stretches from

the coast of France to the Ural

Mountains.

The North European Plain is the location

of some of the world’s richest farmland.

Russian Plains and Uplands

Europe and the Western

part of Russia share the

North European Plain.

Russia’s largest cities,

Moscow and St. Petersburg,

are in this region.

There are more people

living in this region than in

any other part of Russia.

Russian Plains and Uplands

To the East of the Urals is

the Asian part of Russia-

a region known as

Siberia.

This region makes up 75

percent of Russian

territory, but it has only

about 20 percent of

Russia’s people.

The Deepest Lake on Earth

Lake Baikal, Russia,

holds about one fifth

of Earth’s fresh water.

More than 300 rivers

and streams flow into

Lake Baikal from the

surrounding

mountains.

The Deepest Lake on Earth

Because Lake Baikal

holds so much water,

it affects the weather

in the area around it.

The land near the

lake is cooler in the

summer and warmer

in the winter.

Key Term

Tributary

- A river

or stream

that flows

into a

larger

river.

Lake BaikalVideo- Lake Baikal

Eyewitness to HistoryReading Activity- Eyewitness to History 15

Questions

1. What are two examples of ways in which

physical features have affected life in Europe

and Russia?

2. Think about the areas of Europe and Russia

that are most densely populated. What

physical features attract people to settle in

those areas?

Answers

1. What are two examples of ways in which physical features

have affected life in Europe and Russia? Good harbors have enabled European countries to become world

leaders in the shipping industry. Few people live in the vast plains

and mountains of eastern Russia. The poor soil and cold climate

make it a difficult place to live.

2. Think about the areas of Europe and Russia that are most

densely populated. What physical features attract people

to settle in those areas? People are attracted to areas that have good soil, access to

freshwater and other natural resources.

A Land of Varied RichesReading Handout- A Land of Varied Riches

Independent Activity

Write a paragraph about

what you would see if

you flew in a plane over

Europe and Russia.

Then explain what

physical features would

you see. Next, draw a

picture of some of those

features. (10 minutes)

Key Ideas- Climate and Vegetation

Warm water from the Gulf of Mexico brings mild

weather to much of Europe.

The North European Plain was once covered by

grasslands, called prairies. Like the forests, most of

the prairies have been cleared away.

The natural vegetation, or plant life, of Europe and

Russia is as varied as the climate. Vegetation

regions are related to climate regions.

Oceans Affect Climate

Areas that are near

the ocean or sea

have fairly mild

weather year round.

Areas that are far

from the ocean have

extreme weather.

Oceans Affect Climate

Winds blowing

across the ocean

pick up a great deal

of moisture.

When these winds

blow over land, they

drop the moisture in

the form of rain.

The Gulf StreamVideo- The Gulf Stream

Key Term

The Gulf

Stream- The

current of

warm water

which flows

across the

Atlantic Ocean

from the Gulf

of Mexico

towards

Europe.

Mountains Affect Rainfall

As wind rises up a

mountain, it cools and

drops moisture. The air

is dry by the time it

reaches the other side

of the mountain.

Areas away from the

wind are in a rain

shadow.

Key Term

Rain

Shadow- An

area on the

sheltered

side of a

mountain

that receives

little rainfall.

The Vegetation of Europe and Russia

The natural

vegetation, or plant

life, of Europe and

Russia is as varied

as the climate.

Vegetation regions

are related to

climate regions.

Forests and Grasslands of Europe

The natural vegetation of

much of Europe is forest.

However, most of these

forests have been cleared

to make way for farms,

factories, and cities.

Much of Europe was also

once covered by

grasslands, called

prairies. Like the forests,

most of the prairies have

also been cleared.

Key Term

Prairies- An

area of

grassland.

Forests and Grasslands of Europe

Today, the largest

forests are found only in

Northern Europe and at

high altitudes in the

mountains.

In Northern Europe

forests, such as the

Black Forest are still

being cut for lumber.

Key Term

The Black

Forest- A

hilly forest

region in

Germany

that is still

being cut for

lumber.

The Russian Tundra, Forests, and Grasslands

Russia has three great

vegetation zones: the

tundra, forest, and the

grasslands.

The tundra and forest

zones extend across

Siberia. Grasslands

cover southwestern

Russia.

Key Term

Tundra- A

region where

temperatures

are always cool

or cold and

where only

certain plants,

such as low

grasses, can

grow.

Key Term

Permafrost

- Soil that is

permanently

frozen.

Key Term

Taiga- An

enormous

Russian

forest, it is

the largest

forest in the

world.

Question

1. What different climates and kinds of

vegetation does Europe and Russia

have?

Answer

1. What different climates and kinds of

vegetation does Europe and Russia have? The natural vegetation of much of Europe is

forest and grasslands. However, many have

been cleared away. Russia has three great

vegetation zones: the tundra, forest, and the

grassland.

Reach Into Your Background

The United States

has many natural

resources. Which

resources do you

think are most

important? Why? (5

minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Natural Resources

Europe's most important natural

resources include fertile soil, water, and

fuels.

Russia is one of the world’s largest

producers of oil and has the largest

reserve, or available supply, of natural

gas in the world.

Resources of Western Europe

Europe is a wealthy region

and a world leader in

economic development.

Part of this wealth and

success comes from Europe’s

rich supply of natural

resources.

Europe’s most important

natural resources includes

fertile soil, water, and fuels.

Fertile Soil

Much of Europe is

covered with rich,

fertile soil, especially

the region’s river

valleys.

Good soil, plentiful

rain, and a long

growing season

enables European

farmers to produce

abundant crops.

Importing Change

During the 1400s

Europeans began exploring

other lands and

continents.

They traded for and took

new plants and animals

they encountered back

home with them to Europe.

The Columbian Exchange The exchange of plants

and animals between

hemispheres is known as

the Columbian Exchange.

During this exchange

many plants and animals

moved between Europe

and the Americas.

Importing Change

Some of the plants

and animals that

were only available

in the Americas

before the 1400s

were potatoes,

maize, tomatoes,

and turkey.

The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange

introduced new items

into the Eastern and

Western hemispheres.

This global exchange of

goods permanently

changed Europe, Asia,

Africa, and the Americas.

Key Term

The Columbian

Exchange- The

transfer of

people, ideas,

plants, animals,

& diseases

between the

Americas,

Europe, Asia,

and Africa.

The Columbian ExchangeReading Handout- The Columbian Exchange

Crash CourseVideo- Crash Course The Columbian Exchange

An Excellent Supply of Water

Many countries in Europe

have good locations for

the development of

hydroelectric power.

Damming rivers usually

creates or enlarges

reservoirs.

Dams make people’s lives

easier, but they also have

negative effects.

Harmful Effects

While these reservoirs can

be useful, in some cases

reservoir waters flood

surrounding lands,

destroying farmland or land

that had been used for

other purposes.

Some reservoirs have

become contaminated and

are unable to be used for

their intended purpose.

Key Term

Hydroelectri

city- Electric

power that is

produced by

running water,

usually with

dams.

Key Term

Reservoir -

The body of

water that fills

up behind a

dam.

Fuels

Like flowing

water, fossil

fuels provide a

source of energy

for industries.

They include

coal, oil, and

natural gas.

Fuels

An abundance of coal,

along with another iron

ore gave Europe a head

start in the 1800s,

when industries grew

rapidly.

Today, Europe remains

a leading world

industrial power.

The Industrial Revolution Parts of Europe are rich

in coal and iron.

Coal was especially

valuable as Europe

entered the Industrial

Revolution.

During the Industrial

Revolution, Britain and

other countries in Europe

built large factories.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial

Revolution started in

Great Britain and soon

spread elsewhere.

Britain fueled an

Industrial Revolution,

which changed

society.

The Industrial Revolution

Workers benefited eventually,

but at first they suffered bad

working and living conditions.

Other nations followed

Britain’s example and

industrialized.

Thinkers reacted to these

changes by developing new

views of society.

Reformers pushed for changes

to make society better.

Key Term

The Industrial

Revolution- A

period in

European history

during the early

1800s when

products once

made by hand in

homes began to

be made by

machines in

factories.

The Industrial RevolutionReading Handout- The Industrial Revolution

Crash CourseVideo- Crash Course- Coal, Steam, and The Industrial Revolution

Resources of Russia

Russia has developed

its natural resources

far less than Europe.

Russia’s harsh climate,

huge size, and few

navigable rivers have

made it difficult to turn

resources into wealth.

Russia’s Fossil Fuels and Iron Ore

Russia is one of the world’s

largest producers of oil and has

the largest reserve of natural

gas in the world.

Scientists estimate that the

country has about one third of

the world’s coal reserves.

Russia also has the world’s

greatest reserves of iron ore,

which is used to make steel.

Key Term

Reserves-

The available

supply of

something.

Russia Huge Size

Russia’s huge size

presents a major

challenge to the county.

Russia is continually

finding ways to move

resources around.

Pipelines carry oil and

natural gas, and

railroads transport coal.

Siberia’s Forests

Siberia’s forests

are one of Russia’s

most important

resources.

Unlike coal and oil,

forests are

renewable

resources if they

are managed

carefully.

Questions

1. What are the major natural resources of

Europe and Russia?

2. Russia is richer in resources than Western

Europe. Yet Russians are generally not as

wealthy as Western Europeans. How does

geography help explain this?

Answers

1. What are the major natural resources of Europe and Russia?

Europe's most important natural resources include fertile

soil, water, and fuels. Russia on the other had has large

supplies of natural gas, iron ore, timber and coal reserves.

2. Russia is richer in resources than Western Europe. Yet

Russians are generally not as wealthy as Western

Europeans. How does geography help explain this?

Russia’s harsh climate, huge size, and few navigable rivers

have made it difficult to turn resources into wealth.

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)