Europe: Physical Geography Part 1

Polders:

• land reclaimed from the sea or river

• starts in France

• moves eastward across Europe

• flat stretches of rich soil

The Northern European Plain- Paris and Berlin lie here

• starts in France

• moves eastward across Europe

• flat stretch of rich soil and multiple rivers

• used for settlement

• underneath lie deposits of coal and iron

The Alps

• highest and longest mountain range in all of Europe

• create a barrier between Central & Mediterranean Europe

• forms a crescent shape

• between the Northern European Plain and the Italian and Balkan peninsulas

• jagged, sharp mountains

Mediterranean & Central Europe are also known as...

• Southern Europe

• Central Europe

• Northern Europe

• Eastern Europe

Pyrenees

• located between France & Spain

• form a barrier between the Iberian Peninsula & Central Europe

• occupy similar longitudes as the Alps, but the separation between the 2 ranges make each distinctive from one another

• located in Eastern Europe

Carpathian Mountains

• Eastern Europe

• define much of the southeastern side of Europe

• divide the Balkan Peninsula from the eastern portion of the European Plain

• form a boundary between the northern and southern areas of Europe

• runs from France eastwards to Ukraine and beyond

Iberian Peninsula

• located in southwest Europe

• home to Spain and Portugal

• separated from Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar

• African & Muslim cultures intermingle due to changes in rule

• home to the tiny nation of Andorra

Italian Peninsula

• located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea

• has been at the center of Ancient & European history

• a.k.a Italian Boot

• ancient center of the Roman Empire, which has defined much of European culture

• spaghetti, pizza, and pasta originate here

Balkan Peninsula

• forms parts of Central & Eastern Europe

• has a diverse culture and history

• inhabited by Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe

• Ottoman Empire controlled the area for hundreds of years

• resides in Northern Europe

Scandinavian Peninsula

• resides in Northern Europe

• has a rugged landscape with many high mountains that run north to south in the center

• from here the Vikings set sail to raid and pillage the rest of Europe

• divides the Baltic and North seas from one another

• comprised of the islands of Great Britain & Ireland