European Geography You will study the geography of Europe and the Eurasian land mass including location, topography, waterways, vegetation, and climate and their relationship to ways of life in Medieval Europe.

Vocabulary Topography: Shape & elevation of land. Waterways: Channel of water (rivers, canals, ect…) Vegetation: Plant life Climate: Weather

Location Europe is actually part of Eurasia, the large landmass that includes both Europe and Asia. Geographers consider the Ural Mountains to be the boundary between the two continents.

Topography Mountain ranges cover much of southern Europe. The Northern European Plain is very flat. It begins just north of the Alps Mountains and extends to the top of the Scandinavian Peninsula .

Climate and Vegetation Southern Europe – largely warm and sunny; shrubs and trees are common Northwestern Europe – Mild, cool, wet climate; freezing weather in winters limit growing seasons Scandinavia (northern most) – very cold, snows all year; few plants can survive Glaciers in Scandinavia

Geography and Life in the Middle Ages Southern Europe Lived on coastal plains and river valleys to farm In the mountains people were herders Access to coast made trade and fishing easy Northern Europe Used rivers for transportation Flat land made invasions a big problem