Europe has diverse landforms that have influenced its development, including many peninsulas and mountain ranges. It is located at lower latitudes than much of the continental United States, giving it a generally milder climate. Major physical features include the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines, and Ural Mountains, as well as rivers like the Danube, Rhine, Thames, and Volga that have historically aided trade and travel. The Mediterranean Sea remains an important trade route, while other surrounding seas and oceans further connect Europe to the wider world.
2. Landforms of Europe
• Europe is
composed of
many
peninsulas and
islands.
• Europe’s
landforms also
include large
plains and
mountain
ranges.
3. Landforms of Europe
• “Peninsula of Peninsulas”- Europe is a
large peninsula of Asia, plus there are
many peninsulas jutting out from it also.
4. Northern Peninsulas
Northern Peninsulas:
• 1. Scandinavian Peninsula
occupied by Norway &
Sweden
• 2. Jutland Peninsula forms
the largest part of Denmark
& a small part of Germany.
5. Fjords
• Fjords- U-shaped valleys that
connect to the sea, & filled with
seawater after glaciers melted.
– Created by glaciers
– Common in Norway
6.
7. Southern Peninsulas
Southern Peninsulas
• 1. Iberian Peninsula is home to
Spain & Portugal
• 2. Italian Peninsula is home to
Italy.
• 3. Balkan Peninsula is
bordered by the Adriatic,
Mediterranean, & Aegean Seas.
8.
9. Islands
• European Islands- Iceland,
Greenland, Ireland, Great
Britain, Sicily, Sardinia,
Corsica, Ibiza, & Crete
11. The Alps
• The Alps are
Europe’s most
famous mountain
chain
– arc across France,
Italy, Germany,
Switzerland,
Austria, & the
northern Balkan
Peninsula.
– Cuts off Italy from
the rest of Europe
12. The Pyrenees and Apennine Mtns.
• Pyrenees Mountains create a natural
border between France and Spain and the
Iberian Peninsula
• The Apennine Mountains divide the Italian
Peninsula between east & west.
13. The Balkan Mountains
• Balkan Mountains block off the Balkan
Peninsula from Europe.
• The Caucuses Mountains form a natural
barrier between Europe and Asia to the south
14. The Ural Mountains
• The Ural
Mountains
form a natural
barrier between
Europe and
Asia.
15.
16. Rivers
• Throughout
Europe there is
a network of
rivers.
• They transport
goods between
coastal harbors
& inland region,
aiding economic
growth.
17.
18. Rivers
• The Danube River touches 9 countries over
its 1,771 mile length, it links Europeans to the
Black sea.
• The Rhine River has served as a watery
highway for centuries. It flows 820 miles from
the interior of Europe north to the north sea.
• The Seine River is a major river and
commercial waterway that flows through Paris
and the country of France.
• These and many other rivers connect
Europeans and encourage trade and travel
20. Rivers
• The River Thames is a major river that flows
through southern England, specifically London.
21. Rivers
The Volga River
is longest river
in Europe.
– 15th longest in
the world
– -flows 2,300
miles south
from Moscow
– carries 60% of
Russia’s river
traffic
– Empties into the
Caspian Sea
22.
23. Oceans and Seas
• Europe is also surrounded by oceans
and seas.
• In fact, most places in Europe are only
about 100 miles from an ocean or sea.
• The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west
and the Arctic Ocean to the North.
• Major seas include the sunny
Mediterranean Sea, the frigid North
and Baltic Seas and the prosperous
Black Sea.
24. Oceans and Seas
• The North Sea is home to many
oil rigs but is very turbulent and
dangerous sea.
• The frigid Baltic Sea is important as
it is the only access to the sea for
Russia, Poland and other small
countries.
• The Black Sea is a large sea that
connects Europe and Asia through
trade networks. The Danube River
flows into the Black Sea.
26. Mediterranean Sea
• The Mediterranean Sea is
Europe’s largest and most
important sea.
• It is still a major trade
network, as it was in ancient
times.
• Many waterways are linked
such as the Atlantic Ocean,
Black Sea and many rivers.
• It’s name literally translates to
“Middle Earth” in Latin. Medi
meaning middle and terra
meaning earth.
29. Fertile Plains
• Northern European Plain is the most fertile
agricultural regions of the world. It stretches a
huge curve across parts of France, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, &
Poland.
• Relatively flat, very desirable agricultural land,
but the plain’s flatness has also allowed armies
& groups of invaders to use it as an open route.
• Other, smaller, fertile farming plains:
– Sweden, Hungary, northern Italy’s Lombardy
30.
31. Europe’s Climate
• Much of Europe
has a relatively mild
climate because of
ocean currents and
warm winds.
• Eastern Europe
has a harsher
climate because it
is farther from the
Atlantic Ocean.
32. Europe’s Climate
• North Atlantic Drift- current of
warm water from the tropics
– Prevailing westerlies pick up
warmth from this and helps give
Europe a mild climate
33. Europe’s Climate Types
• Marine west coast climate - warm summers,
cool winters throughout most of Northern &
West Central Europe because of closeness to
the Atlantic Oceans & the North Sea.
– Spain, France, Germany, British Isles, coastal
Scandinavia
35. Europe’s Climate Types
• Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers; mild,
wet winters
– Italy, Greece and southern Spain, France
36. Europe’s Climate Types
• Tundra climate in far northern Scandinavia,
along Arctic Circle
– permafrost with no trees, only mosses, lichens
• South of tundra is subarctic climate: cool with
cold, harsh winters