1. Eastern Europe Physical Geography

3. Physical Geography of Eastern Europe
Landforms
The area is characterized by several mountain ranges that are extensions of the Swiss Alps.
Lowlands within this region have a karst topography, areas of barren and rocky ground.
The Balkan Peninsula’s rugged landscape makes traveling over land difficult, thereby increasing the importance of waterways for transportation.
The Balkan Mountains provide a climate barrier between the Danube River valley and the transitional climate south of the mountains.

4. Karst Topography

5. Balkan Mountains

6. Water Systems
Large rivers and seas act as natural borders between countries and are important to economic activities in the region.
The Danube is the second largest river in Europe, passing through nine countries and emptying into the Black Sea.
The Vistula River in Poland serves many major cities and industrial centers, including Warsaw.
Other waterways, such as the Oder River, branch out from the main rivers to provide access inland.

7. Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Physical Geography of Eastern Europe
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Much of Eastern Europe has a humid continental climate.
The Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, along with the Hungarian Plain, make up the Danube region.
Some coastal regions along the Black Sea have micro- biomes.
The Carpathian Mountains contain large energy reserves, while areas around the Baltic Mountains rely on water as a natural resource.

9. Russian Core Physical Geography

10. Physical Geography of the Russian Core
Landforms
The Ural Mountains form a natural barrier between European Russia and Siberian Russia.
The majority of the Russian population lives in the southern part of the Northern European Plain where there are waterways and fertile soil.
Ukraine, the second largest European country, has vast stretches of plains and plateaus.
Belarus, the smallest of the three Slavic republics that were once part of the Soviet Union, is a landlocked country with many lakes.

12. Physical Geography of the Russian Core
Water Systems
The longest river in Europe, the Volga, along with its tributaries, is an important commercial, transportation, and hydroelectric resource in Russia.
The Dnieper River in Ukraine creates hydroelectric power, enables commerce, and provides fresh water.
Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world’s oldest and deepest lake, is home to many unusual freshwater marine species.

14. Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Physical Geography of the Russian Core
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Russia’s vast expanse of land lies at a high latitude, resulting in cold, snowy winters.
The interior of the country experiences continentality, or the effect of extreme variation in temperature and very little precipitation.
Much of Russia’s abundant natural resources are in remote and climatically unfavorable areas, making them difficult to utilize.