EUROPE EUROPE

Geographic Geographic CharacteristicsCharacteristics

– Western edge of EurasiaWestern edge of Eurasia– Pervasive Pervasive world influenceworld influence– IndustrializedIndustrialized– Numerous Numerous nation-states nation-states – Urbanized Urbanized populationpopulation– High standards of living in more developed High standards of living in more developed

countriescountries– East v. West differencesEast v. West differences– Unusual continent as a peninsula of peninsulasUnusual continent as a peninsula of peninsulas

Importance of LocationImportance of Location

Centrally located with capability of Centrally located with capability of contact with rest of world.contact with rest of world.

Every part of Europe is close to the Every part of Europe is close to the sea (within 300 miles).sea (within 300 miles).

Navigable waterwaysNavigable waterways Moderate distancesModerate distances

PHYSICALLANDSCAPES

• Alpine Areas: The Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Carpathians

• Peninsulas: Scandinavia, Jutland, Italian, Iberian, Balkan

• North European Plains (bread basket)

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EuropeEurope’’s Islandss Islands• Iceland, an island south of the Arctic Circle in the Iceland, an island south of the Arctic Circle in the

North Atlantic Ocean, features volcanoes, hot North Atlantic Ocean, features volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers.springs, and geysers.

• The British Isles–primarily Ireland and Great Britain–The British Isles–primarily Ireland and Great Britain–are cool, hilly, and rainy. are cool, hilly, and rainy.

• In the Mediterranean, five large islands–Sicily, In the Mediterranean, five large islands–Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Crete–all have Corsica, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Crete–all have rugged terrain and volcanic mountains.rugged terrain and volcanic mountains.

• GreeceGreece’’s nearly 2,000 islands in the Aegean Sea s nearly 2,000 islands in the Aegean Sea have rugged landscapes and a sunny climate that have rugged landscapes and a sunny climate that attracts touristsattracts tourists

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Marine West Coast dominates Western Europe because warm air from Atlantic Ocean (North Atlantic Drift) is carried inland by prevailing Westerlies (wind).

The dry summers of Mediterranean climate are found along the Mediterranean coastline (Southern Europe.

Europe’s Climates

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North Atlantic DriftNorth Atlantic Drift

Generalizations on ClimateGeneralizations on Climate

• Countries closer to warm Atlantic ocean Countries closer to warm Atlantic ocean current N. Atlantic Drift) and winds have current N. Atlantic Drift) and winds have milder temperatures than those farther east milder temperatures than those farther east and north. and north.

• European climates vary according to European climates vary according to distance from the sea (idea of distance from the sea (idea of continentalitycontinentality).).

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Most of Europe is Temperate Mixed Forest, that is typically cleared for farming. Areas of Scandinavia are Coniferous forests while the Mediterranean coastline has scrubby vegetation known as chaparral.

Land Use is typically Mixed Farming or Dairy Farming. Mediterranean farming would include the wine industry and olive oil production. Much of the highlands in the British Isles is used for grazing.

Biomes and Land Use in Europe

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SUBDIVISIONS OF THE REALMSUBDIVISIONS OF THE REALM

Western EuropeWestern Europe Eastern EuropeEastern Europe British IslesBritish Isles Northern EuropeNorthern Europe Mediterranean Mediterranean

EuropeEurope

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