Geography of Europe

Europe  Second smallest continent on Earth  Ural Mountains are in the east –These form a natural separation of Europe from Asia

 Europe has four major land regions –Northwest Mountains  Thin rocky soil poor for farming –North European Plain  Flat rolling land with fertile farmland –Central Uplands  Includes low mountains, high plateaus, and forests  It is rocky but farming still possible –Alpine Mountain System  It includes the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains  Farming possible in the valleys

Ural Mountains

The Alps

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Carpathian Mountains

Europe’s River System  Most rivers serve as transportation routes for trade  Volga River –Europe’s longest –It flows from Russia to Caspian Sea  Danube –Europe's 2 nd longest  Rhine River –It is the main part of one of the busiest river systems –It flows from the Alps to the North Sea

Volga River thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdo...

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Danube River

Rhine River

Reasons for Climate  North Atlantic Drift-powerful ocean current that continues the Gulf Stream northeast –It has a warming effect on the climate –Helps to bring precipitation throughout the year –Because of this Europe has milder weather than parts of Asia and North America at the same latitude.

Lesson 1 Review Questions  What landform separates Europe from Asia?  What are the four major land regions in Europe. –Describe them  What is the main use for Europe’s rivers?  What is Europe’s longest river?  What is Europe’s second longest?  Why is the Rhine River important?  What is the climate like across most of Europe? How is this connected to the North Atlantic Drift?