Europe Geography

SS6G8: The student will be able to locate selected features of EuropeSS6G9: The student will discuss environmental issues in EuropeSS6G10: The student will explain the impact of location, climate, natural resources, and population distribution on Europe

ELEMENTS Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the

Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula 

Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and United Kingdom 

Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine 

Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of the United Kingdom and Russia affect where people live and how they trade. 

Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Germany and Italy affect where people live and how they trade

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What are the major physical features of

Europe, and where are they located on a map?

What are the major countries of Europe, and where are they located on a map?

How do the factors of climate, access to water, and natural resources affect where Europeans choose to live and work?

What environmental concerns do countries in Europe face?

How are specific European countries addressing specific environmental concerns (acid rain in Germany, and air pollution in England)?

How has the nuclear disaster that occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine affected the region and other surrounding areas?

THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF EUROPE

Europe lies between the continents of Asia to the east and Africa to the south

Europe contains many key physical features: Rivers▪ Danube River▪ Rhine River

Major water bodies▪ Mediterranean Sea▪ English Channel

Mountains▪ Alps▪ Pyrenees▪ Ural

Other landforms▪ Iberian Peninsula▪ Scandinavian Peninsula

KEY COUNTRIES OF EUROPE Belgium France Germany Italy Poland Russia Spain Ukraine United Kingdom Other countries include: Finland, Sweden,

Portugal, Switzerland and the Netherlands

MAP OF EUROPE

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN EUROPE

Acid Rain Rain mixed with pollutants becomes acid rainGermany faced acid rain problems in the early 1900s due to coal burningAcid rain destroys forests, it pollutes rivers and lakes, kills fish and eats away materials for buildingsLaws have been put in place to prevent coal burning and to reduce factory chemicals

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN EUROPE

Air pollution Caused mainly from emissions from vehicles and from ozoneSmog is the worst kind of air pollution, which causes deathThis problem occurs often in the United Kingdom

ChernobylA nuclear reactor exploded at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine in 1986Toxic radiation stayed in the air and destroyed land and animals 135,000 people were evacuated and 30 killedThe area of Chernobyl today is one of the most polluted areas on the planet

LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF UNITED KINGDOM

United Kingdom Location▪ Made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland▪ Located on a small island

Climate▪ Has warm ocean water thanks to the Gulf Stream current▪ Moist climate and has heavy rainfall

Natural Resources▪ Coal, Oil, Natural Gas

Population Distribution▪ Most people live in the urban cities▪ Many work in service industries like banking, insurance and

tourism▪ Some work in steel, iron and electronics

LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF RUSSIA

Russia Location▪ Stretches into two continents (Europe and Asia)▪ Largest country in the world

Climate▪ Has a very cold climate▪ Little to no rainfall▪ Not good for growing crops

Natural Resources▪ Coal, Oil, Natural gas, lumber▪ Resources are hard to distribute because of the climate

Population Distribution▪ Most people live in the western part of the European Plain▪ Many people work in mining, manufacturing and fishing

LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF ITALY

Italy Location▪ Located below the Alps and Pyrenees

Climate▪ Has a moderate climate with cool winters▪ Mostly covered by mountains▪ Not good for growing crops

Natural Resources▪ Very few resources▪ Most items are imported

Population Distribution▪ Most people live in the northern part of country▪ Many people work in industry and agriculture and tourism

LOCATION, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF GERMANY

Germany Location▪ Located in central Europe

Climate▪ Has a moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters▪ Great weather for agriculture

Natural Resources▪ Coal, iron ore

Population Distribution▪ One of the largest populations in Europe▪ Many people live in cities and towns▪ Most work in steel, manufacturing, automobile production

and building materials