Europe's geography has greatly influenced how Europeans live. Its proximity to water, including seas and major rivers, has led to important sailing, fishing, and trade industries. Mountains like the Alps have divided cultures but also provided protection. Europe's climate zones ranging from mild and wet in the northwest to hot and dry in the south have determined what crops are grown and how people have built shelters. Overall, Europe's landforms, resources, and climate have all shaped settlement patterns and economies over history.

1. Physical Geography of Europe

2.  Ch. 10-1 notes- European
geography
 Map questions- answer on a
separate piece of paper.
 Atlas activity #35 or #34
 Movie if time
 Student news
 Map quiz Friday

3.  Europe’s landforms include high, snowcapped
mountains and broad, fertile plains that are
good for farming. Europe might be most
influenced, however, by its nearness to water.
A number of oceans and seas border Europe’s
countries. Europe also has many important
rivers.
 How do people use waterways?

4. Background- Land and Climate
•Proximity to either ocean or rivers
(Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea)
•Canals used to transport goods
•History of expert sailors, fishers, trade
•Nearness to water Movement of
people and ideas (religions,
Enlightenment)

5. Background: Current Issues
•Home to many different ethnic groups
•Recent immigration among countries is adding
to ethnic diversity (from Asia and Latin America)
•Population is declining (having fewer children)
•Population of older people is rising
#1- What are some problems/challenges because of this
(population is rising)?  Write in your notebook!

7. Europe - Geography
•Many countries border rivers or oceans- most are
within 100 miles of an ocean
•Many countries are peninsulas
•Few are landlocked- do not border an ocean
or sea
#2- How would these countries’ geographic location
affect their economy?

8.  Geographic factors influence where people
settle.

9.  Europe’s landforms
& waterways have
greatly influenced
where & how
Europeans live.
What landforms can we find
in our community?

10.  Europe is not a
separate landmass
 To the east, it is
connected to Asia.
 To the west, it
borders the Atlantic
Ocean.

11.  Europe is also
bordered by the
Baltic, North,
Mediterranean, &
Black Seas.
 Most land is within
300 miles of a
coast.
 Few countries are
landlocked.
A landlocked country does
not border a sea or ocean.

12. Rivers
• Network of rivers bring people, goods together
− allows goods inland from coastal harbors, aids
economic growth
• Two major, castle-lined rivers have historically acted as
highways
− Rhine flows north 820 miles from interior to North Sea
− Danube flows east 1,771 miles, through 9 countries, to
Black Sea
• These and many other rivers connect Europeans
− encourage trade and travel

13. #3- How has living by water shaped
the lives of Europeans (in history and
today)?

14.  Access to water led
to sailing & fishing
industries.
 Easy movement to
other continents.
 European culture
has influenced
many parts of the
world.

15.  Europe is one giant
peninsula.
 Numerous other
peninsulas jut out
from Europe.
 Major islands
include Great
Britain, Ireland,
Iceland, Sicily,
Crete, & Cyprus

16.  Divided nature of
Europe led to many
different cultures
developing.
 Today, Europe is
home to more than
40 countries.

17. Islands of Europe
•Larger: Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland in
North Atlantic
•Smaller: Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete in Mediterranean

18. Plains- Northern European Plain
•One of the most fertile agricultural regions in
world
•Curves across France, Belgium, Netherlands,
Denmark, Germany, Poland
− flat agricultural land produces vast
quantities of food
-Mineral resources- iron ore, coal

20.  Densely populated
area.
 Cities include
Berlin, London &
Paris.
 2 other plains =
Hungarian Plain
east of the Alps &
Ukrainian Steppe
north of Black Sea.

21.  Highlands mark the
northern &
southern borders of
the Northern
European Plain.
 Largest mountains
are the Alps of
southern Europe.
 Tallest mountain =
Mont Blanc in
France.

22. Mountains and highlands
The Alps is Europe’s most famous mountain chain
• − crosses France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland,
Austria, Balkans
• − cuts Italy off from rest of Europe
•Balkan Mountains block off peninsula, separate
ethnic groups

23.  Switzerland is
isolated due to
mountains.
 Has never been
invaded during
European wars.
A pass is a low area between
mountains allowing the
movements of people &
goods.

24.  Glaciers have
stripped the soil of
Iceland &
Scandinavia leading
to sheep farming.
 The Central
Uplands south of
Poland contain rich
deposits of coal.

25. #4: How has geography (mountains)
influenced culture in Europe?
#5: How have mountains influenced
European wars?

26.  There is an abundance of rivers, lakes, and
other waterways.
 Many are navigable: wide & deep enough for
ships to use.
 Rivers used to move goods to the coast.

27.  Canals link many
rivers.
 River valleys home
to large numbers of
people.
 Rivers also used to
generate electricity.
 Lakes used for
recreation &
tourism.

28.  How have Europeans improved their water
transportation network?

29.  Europe has valuable
resources that
strengthen its
economy.
Think of the products that
you use every day. What are
these products made of?

30.  Coal is a major
energy source.
 Fueled the
industrial
revolution.
 ½ of world’s coal
comes from Europe.

31.  Largest oil field
beneath North Sea.
 Gas heavily taxed.
 Highest gas prices
in world.
 Europe also uses
hydroelectric &
wind power.

32.  1/3 of the world’s
iron ore.
 Manganese for
making steel.
 Marble, granite,
forests for lumber.
 Rich farmland
including most of
the world’s rye,
oats, & wheat.
 More potatoes than
anywhere else.
 Fish industry.

33.  Where are Europe’s most productive oil
fields?

34.  Europe’s plentiful
resources have
helped its economy,
but environmental
problems are a
growing concern.
Do you recycle at home and
try to use energy wisely?

35.  Industrial growth
has hurt the
environment.
 Acid rain is
destroying forests.
 Acid rain killing
wildlife in
waterways.
 Historic buildings
damaged by acid
rain.

36.  Sewage, garbage, &
industrial waste has
been thrown in
waterways.
 Farm runoff killing
river fish.

37.  Governments
limiting use of
chemicals in
factories.
 Lime being added
to lakes.
 Waste treatment
facilities
 Recycling

38.  How does runoff contribute to water
pollution?

39. 1. Complete 3-2 guided reading, pp. 9-11 in
packet
2. Finish for HW

40.  Wind patterns and water currents shape
Europe’s climate.

41.  Wind patterns and
water currents
shape Europe’s
climate.
Doesn’t a cool breeze feel
great on a hot day?

42.  Europe is more mild
than the U.S.
 Warm prevailing
winds blow off the
Atlantic Ocean.
 Warm winds from
Africa help
southern Europe.
 Blustery winds from
Asia cool eastern
Europe.

43.  Why does northwestern Europe have a mild
climate?

44.  Europe has eight
climate zones, each
with different
vegetation.
What is your ideal climate?

45.  Northwestern &
central Europe.
 Mild temperatures
 Long growing
seasons.
 Summers shorter &
cooler
 Lots of precipitation

46.  Forests thrive here.
 Deciduous trees
lose their leaves in
autumn.
 Coniferous trees
grow in colder
areas.
 Forests still used
for lumber, paper,
charcoal, &
turpentine.

47.  Eastern and parts of
northern Europe.
 Cooler summers &
colder winters.
 Less rain & snow.
 Mixed forests.

48.  Southern Europe
 Hot, dry summers
 Mild, wet winters
 Alps block chilly
winds from
reaching this area.
 Warm winds from
Africa create humid
conditions.

49.  Must grow drought
resistant plants
 Olive trees & grape
vines
 Forests are rare.

50.  Parts of Norway,
Sweden, & Finland.
 Lots of evergreens
 Tundra is treeless
 Short nights in
summer.
 Short days in
winter.
 Depression.

51.  Alps & Carpathians
 Cooler climate
 Sturdy trees, then
bare peaks.

52.  Steppe Zone: part
of Ukraine.
 Steppes are dry,
treeless plains.
 Humid subtropical
zone along Adriatic
Sea.
 This zone has hot,
wet summers.

53.  Many European
leaders believe
global
temperatures are
rising.
 Now encouraging
changes in energy
use.

54.  How do mountains affect southern Europe’s
Mediterranean climate zone?

55.  Please respond to the following:
How have waterways, other geographic features,
and climate affected the way people live in Europe?
1. Thesis statement
2. 3 sub-topics to choose:
1. Waterways
2. Mountains/highlands
3. Natural resources
4. Environmental issues
5. Climate zones
Conclusion- bring back to thesis- how do
each of these affect people’s lives?