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.