1. Natural Environments of Europe
World Geography Today
4/15/2017
Natural Environments of Europe
Preview
Section 1: Physical Features
Section 2: Climates and Biomes
Section 3: Natural Resources
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 13

2. Section 1: Physical Features
Read to Discover
What are Europe’s major landform regions?
What are the region’s main rivers and bodies of water?

3. Section 1: Physical Features
Major Islands—Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland
Major Peninsulas—Scandinavian, Iberian, Italian, Balkan
Landform Regions of Europe
Northwest Highlands—Ancient eroded region of rugged hills and low mountains
Northern European Plain—Broad coastal plain with rivers
Central Uplands—Hills and small plateaus, with forested slopes and fertile valleys
Alpine Mountain System—Europe’s major mountain ranges

4. Section 1: Physical Features
Question
What are the major bodies of water in Europe?

5. Section 1: Physical Features Europe’s Major Bodies of Water
Seas
North Sea, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea
Rivers
Rhine, Danube, Guadalquivir, Elbe, Seine, Thames
Europe’s Major Bodies of Water
Oceans
Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
Straits
Bosporus, Gibraltar, English Channel

6. Section 2: Climates and Biomes
Read to Discover
How do ocean currents affect the distribution of Europe’s climates?
Which biomes are found in this region?

7. Section 2: Climates and Biomes
Ocean Currents and Climate
The North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current, creates a warm, moist air mass that is blown by westerly winds across Europe, bringing mild temperatures and rain.
Without the effects of this current, Europe would have a colder climate.

8. Section 2: Climates and Biomes
Temperate Forest—Ash, beech, maple, oak; badgers, deer, birds
Mediterranean Scrub Forest—Small trees and shrubs; wild boars, wild sheep
Boreal Forest—Evergreen trees
Tundra—Usually frozen; swamps and marshes; migratory birds, reindeer, foxes

9. Section 2: Climates and Biomes
Question
What are the locations, plants, and animals of Europe’s biomes?

10. Section 2: Climates and Biomes Mediterranean Scrub Forest
Temperate Forest
Mediterranean Scrub Forest
Boreal Forest
Tundra
• Covers most of Europe
• Ash, beech, maple, oak trees
• Badgers, deer, many birds
• Southern Europe
• Small trees, shrubs, drought-resistant plants
• Wild boars, wild sheep
• Northern and central Europe
• Spruce, pine, fir trees
• Far northern Europe
• Treeless, frozen ground most of the year
• Swamps
• Migratory birds, reindeer, foxes

11. Section 3: Natural Resources
Read to Discover
Where are Europe’s forest, soil, and fishery resources located?
What energy and mineral resources are found in this region, and where are they located?

12. Section 3: Natural Resources
Question
What resources are found in each of Europe’s physical regions?

13. Section 3: Natural Resources
Northern European Plain
Northwest Highlands
Fertile soils, fishing, coal, natural gas, uranium, ocean tidal, solar power, nuclear power
Europe’s Natural and Energy Resources
Forests, fishing, coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, hydroelectricity, geothermal power, nuclear power
Alpine Mountain System
Central Uplands
Fertile soils, fishing, marble, lead, zinc, other metals, hydroelectricity
Fertile soils, coal, nuclear power

14. Section 3: Natural Resources
Forests
Timber-producing forests are found in Sweden and Finland.
Many forests are depleted, but reforestation and protection programs exist.

15. Section 3: Natural Resources
Soils
Northern European Plain has excellent soil.
Southern Europe has good alluvial soils (examples: Italy’s Po Valley, Spain’s Guadalquivir River valley).

16. Section 3: Natural Resources
Fisheries
Fishing occurs along all coasts.
Best fisheries are in North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and in North Sea.

17. Section 3: Natural Resources
Minerals
Coal—Germany (Ruhr field), Britain, Poland
Iron Ore—Sweden, France
Uranium—France
Lead, Zinc, Other Metals—Spain, southern Europe
Marble—Italy, southern Europe

18. Section 3: Natural Resources
Energy Sources
Oil and Gas—North Sea (Norway, Britain, Netherlands)
Hydroelectricity—Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
Ocean Tidal and Solar—France
Geothermal—Iceland
Nuclear Power—France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Sweden

19. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
4/15/2017
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
How have tectonic processes shaped the physical environment of Europe?
Where can you find glacially scoured landscapes in Europe? What are these landscapes like?
What are Europe’s three major climate types?
Which biome do large parts of northern and central Europe have? How have people affected it?
Where are Europe’s best fisheries located?
Chapter 13