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Europe: Physical Environment

Major Geographic Qualities of Europe.

The European natural environment displays a wide range of topographic, climatic, vegetative, and soil conditions and is endowed with many industrial resources.

Major landform Regions

Western Highlands Northern Lowlands Central Uplands Alpine Region

Western Highlands

Mostly in northern and western Europe

Low mountains and rugged hills

Oldest landforms, eroded by glaciers and time

Northern Lowlands

Broad coastal plain Farming region Major cities Rivers made travel

and trade easy

Central Uplands

North of the Alps Rounded mts and

hills Major coal deposits Industrial areas

Alpine Region

High mountains Glaciers and

snowfields Mountain passes

used for travel and trade

Caused by collision of tectonic plates

Water

Surrounding seas important for fishing and trade

Natural harbors near navigable rivers

Canals connect rivers on the plains

Climate Regions

Marine West Coast Humid Continental Mediterranean Subarctic Highland

Marine West Coast

Marine West Coast High rainfall areas

with mild temperatures

Temperate forests

Humid Continental

Humid Continental Interior regions Four seasons –

brutal winters Mixed forests

Mediterranean

Mediterranean coastal areas Rainy winters dry

summers Scrub woodland

Subarctic

Subarctic Long winters, short

summers Evergreen forests

Highlands

Highland Varies by elevation Tree line

Natural Resources Wide areas of fertile

farmland with mild climate

Excellent fishing banks

Mineral deposits Rivers for trade and

hydroelectric power