Chapter 12Chapter 12

The Peninsula of PeninsulasThe Peninsula of Peninsulas

Peninsulas and IslandsPeninsulas and Islands

• A A peninsulapeninsula is a piece of is a piece of land land that that is bordered on three sides by is bordered on three sides by water.water.

• Europe is a large peninsula made Europe is a large peninsula made up of smaller ones.up of smaller ones.

• Because of these peninsulas, Because of these peninsulas, most locations in Europe are no most locations in Europe are no more than 300 miles from an more than 300 miles from an ocean or sea.ocean or sea.

Mountains and UplandsMountains and Uplands

• The mountains of Europe make it The mountains of Europe make it difficult for people, goods and difficult for people, goods and ideas to move easily from one ideas to move easily from one place to another.place to another.

• The Alps are the most famous The Alps are the most famous mountain chain in Europe. (France, mountain chain in Europe. (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the northern Balkan Peninsula and the northern Balkan Peninsula are contain the Alps). are contain the Alps).

Linking EuropeLinking Europe

• Rivers act as a major Rivers act as a major transporting system to bring transporting system to bring people and goods together. ( 2 people and goods together. ( 2 major European rivers are the major European rivers are the Rhine and Danube).Rhine and Danube).

European ResourcesEuropean Resources

• Coal and iron ore are two of Coal and iron ore are two of Europe’s most important natural Europe’s most important natural resources. resources.

• Nearly 33% of Europe’s land is Nearly 33% of Europe’s land is suitable for farming. (Grains, suitable for farming. (Grains, grapes and olives).grapes and olives).

• Timber from the Alps and the Timber from the Alps and the Scandinavian Peninsula is Scandinavian Peninsula is extremely important.extremely important.

How resources How resources shape European lifeshape European life

• Resources directly affect the foods Resources directly affect the foods people eat, the jobs they hold, the people eat, the jobs they hold, the house in which they live and even house in which they live and even their culture. their culture.

Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation

• Snow-packed mountains, hot springs, sunny beaches and other unique natural phenomena all contribute to tourist attractions in Europe.

North Atlantic DriftNorth Atlantic Drift

• NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT- A current of warm water flowing near Europe’s west coast. It warms westerly winds that elevate temperature and carry moisture.

The MediterraneanThe Mediterranean

• Parts of Europe that benefit from the Mediterranean are southern Spain and France, Italy, Greece and parts of the Balkans.

Land of the Midnight SunLand of the Midnight Sun

• Trees do not grow in upper Scandinavia because the subsoil is always frozen.

• The cold weather limits agriculture in southern Scandinavia.

VeniceVenice

• Due to the fact that Venice is made up of islands and canals water transport is extremely important.

• The city of Venice grew because it is on the Adriatic Sea, which is a good location for a port and for trade.

• Problems Venice faces today include: sinking, pollution, flooding and algae.

DeforestationDeforestation

• Clearing of forests for fuel and building as well as industrial pollution have led to deforestation throughout Europe.

• Acid rain, caused by sulfur emission from factories combined with water vapor, has affected one-fourth of Europe’s forest land.