1. The Physical Geography of Europe
Chapter 11, Section 1: The Land

2. Important Vocabulary
Glaciation: the process in which glaciers formed and spread.
Loess: a fine, rich, wind-borne soil from glaciers.
Dike: large banks of soil and stone to hold water.
Polder: reclaimed land from the sea.
Fjord: long, narrow steep-sided inlets.

3. Map of Europe

4. Mountains & Plains
Mountain ranges: Ben Nevis (British Isles) and The Alps (Southern Europe)
Broad plains with very fertile lands and rivers.
Grains, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.

5. Seas, Peninsulas, and Islands
Europe touches the: Atlantic Ocean, Baltic, North, Mediterranean, Irish, Aegean, and Black Seas.
Europe is a large peninsula made-up of smaller ones.
Various islands: Iceland, British Isles, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, and Cyprus.

6. Water Systems
Many of Europe’s rivers flow from mountains and highlands to the coasts. Rhine and Danube River.
Natural waterways (canals) used for navigation, transportation, irrigation, and electricity.

7. Natural Resources
Europe has a lot of coal, iron, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear power.
Mineral resources: bauxite (aluminum), zinc, and manganese (iron).

8. The Physical Geography of Europe
Chapter 11, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

9. Important Vocabulary
Permafrost: permanently frozen soil below the surface.
Timberline: elevation above which trees cannot grow.
Mistral: a strong north wind from the Alps.
Sirocco: hot, dry winds from Northern Africa.
Foehn: dry, winter winds. From mountains to valleys and plains.
Avalanche: destructive masses of ice, snow, and rock sliding down mountainsides.

10. Influences on Climate
Europe varies from cold, tundra to warm, fertile lands.
Latitude, water, and winds influence the climate.

11. Climate Regions
High-Latitude: bitter, cold winters and short, cool summers.
Western Europe: mild winters, cool rainy summers.
Southern Europe: hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Eastern Europe: cold, snowy winters and hot summers.
Southeastern and Southwestern Europe: dry, cold winters and hot summers.