1. January 7, 2014 Agenda Physical Geography – Europe
Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent
Widely regarded as the “cradle of civilization,”
Agenda
Physical Geography – Europe
Mesopotamia is Greek for “land between two rivers.”
Sumerians (3500 to 2300 B.C.), the developers of writing
Babylon ( B.C.), led by Hammurabi, who developed the eye-for-an-eye legal code
Assyria ( B.C.), the masters of warfare and the first people to effectively use chariots.
The culture of Mesopotamia spread to Palestine, Greece and Rome and became components of our culture today.
Sumerians (3500 to 2300 B.C.), go from hunter-gatherer society to agricultural (farming)

2. Warm-Up
What type of landforms might isolate cultures from each other?

3. Europe Physical Geography Map

4. Current Europe Political Map

5. Current Physical and Political Map of Europe - Layers of Information

6. Mountains Alps Apennine Balkan Pyrenees Serve as a barrier
Isolate cultures

9. Peninsulas
Peninsula – a piece of land nearly surrounded on all sides by water
Northern
Scandinavian
Jutland
Southern
Iberian
Italian
Balkan
How would being
surrounded/near water
affect way of life?

10. Oceans and Seas North Sea Bay of Biscay Mediterranean Sea Adriatic Sea
Baltic Sea
Norwegian Sea
Black Sea
Aegean Sea
English Channel

11. Rivers Benefits transport goods between interior and coastal cities
Aided movement of ideas

12. Danube Touches 9 countries
Connects to central Europe to Russia and Middle East

13. Rhine River
Connects Central Europe to England

15. Northern European Plain
One of World’s most Fertile Regions
Flatness, provided an easy entrance for invaders throughout History.

16. Unique Features Fjords Polders Canals
Steep valley’s carved by Glaciers and then filled with seawater
Polders
Land in the Netherlands that is drained and dried
Canals
City of Venice made up of Islands
Boat is primary source of travel

17. FJORDS

18. How do you create a Polder?

19. Zuider Zee The Dutch built a dike across its entrance.
It gradually became a freshwater lake.
Allowed Dutch to reclaim once flooded land.

20. Zuiderzee - Video (7 min.)

22. Resources Coal and Iron Oil Land Large supply
Peat – partially decayed plant matter used in Ireland burned as an energy source
Oil
Found in the North Sea
Land
33% Suitable for Agriculture
World average is 11%

23. Major Factors that influence climate in Europe
Ocean Currents
North Atlantic Drift
Warm water current that moderates the temperature
Winds
Mistral – cold wind from North
Sirocco – Warm wind from Africa
Mountains
Block winds and moisture
Prevailing westerlies (wind) blow West to East

24. Key Terms + Main Ideas Review
Physical Geography is responsible for:
Isolating cultures
Varied Climates
Humans have had to adapt by:
Becoming excellent sailors
Living in unique areas
Venice - Canals
Netherlands – Polders