Chapter 1Physical Geography

1:1 Land and Water

Objectives: Learn about the size, location, and

population of Europe and Russia. Examine the major landforms of Europe

and Russia. Find out about the waterways of Europe

and Russia.

1:1 Vocabulary

Population density The average number of people living in a

square mile or kilometer Peninsula

A land area nearly surrounded by water Plateau

A large raised area of mostly level land bordered on one side by steep cliffs/slopes

1:1 Vocabulary

Tributary A river or stream that flows into a larger

river Navigable

Wide and deep enough for ships to travel through

Size, Location, and Population Europe and Russia are parts of

Eurasia, the world’s largest land mass.

This landmass covers 2 continents: Europe and Asia

Russia is on BOTH continents The Ural mountains divide Europe from Asia.

Size, Location, and Population Location: much of Europe and all of

Russia are farther north than the US. Population: Europe is the 2nd smallest

continent, BUT it has a large number of countries…47! Many countries are the size of US states. The exception is Russia.

Russia is the largest (size) country in the world. It is twice the size of the US.

Population: smaller European countries have a higher population density. Russia has a very small population density (22 people/sq. mile).

Major Landforms

Europe forms a peninsula

Major Landforms

Look at the map on page 12. What do you notice about natural barriers in Europe? There are no natural barriers. People in

Europe can travel easily to other European countries.

Four major land regions Northwestern Highlands

Steep slopes; thin soil; forests; raise goats and sheep

North European Plain Productive farmland; largest cities in

Europe Central Uplands

Mountains and plateaus; mining; tourism Alpine Mountain System

Home to the Alps, the highest mountain range; some small family farming

Plains, Uplands, and Mountains of Russia Moscow and over large Russian cities

are located in the North European Plains.

Ural Mountains divide Russia (Europe and Asia). The land east of the Urals is the uplands. Uplands make up 75% of the land, but only

20% of population live there. Continue east and you will find the West

Siberian Plains – the largest plain in the world. This low, marshy land covers more than 1 million square miles!

Waterways

The Rhine River begins in the Alps and runs for 865 miles. Canals and tributaries connect the Rhine to Western Europe.

The Danube River is Europe’s 2nd longest river (1,770 miles) through 9 European countries.

The longest river, the Volga, stretches 2,291 miles through Russia.

Lakes: There are few lakes in Europe. Russia has lots of lakes; the largest freshwater lake is found in Russia. It contains 1/5 of the world’s fresh water supply.

1:1 Review

Which country is located in both Europe and Asia? Russia

How does the land size of Europe differ from that of Russia? Europe is small in size, but has more

countries What are the 4 major land regions

in Europe? Northwestern Highlands North European Plain Central Uplands Alpine Mountain System

1:2 Climate and Vegetation Objectives:

Find out about the wide range of climates in Europe and Russia.

Learn about the major climate regions of Europe and Russia.

Examine the natural vegetation regions of Europe and Russia.

1:2 Vocabulary

Rain shadow The area on the dry, sheltered side of a

mountain, which receives little rainfall Steppes

The grasslands of fertile soil suitable for farming in Russia

Tundra A cold, dry, treeless region covered with

snow for most of the year Permafrost

A permanently frozen layer of ground below the top layer of soil

A Wide Region of Climates The wide range of climates can be

attributed to the oceans. Places near the oceans have a milder

climate year around. The North Atlantic Current carries

warm water from the tropics to northwestern Europe.

Oceans and Climate

The oceans also affect how much moisture is dropped in the form of precipitation.

Winds blowing over the ocean pick up moisture and drop it as rain over land. Winds blowing from the west drop a large amount of rainfall. Western Europe is fairly wet.

Mountains and Rainfall

Mountains also affect the climate. In Europe, areas west of the

mountains receive heavy rainfall. Thus, Western Europe is very wet.

Why? As winds rise up the mountains, they

cool and drop their moisture. By the time the air reaches the other side, it is dry. The eastern side of a mountain is typically drier.

Major Climate Regions

Turn to page 9 of your text book… How many different climate regions does

Europe and Russia have? 8

Which climate region is named after a major body of water? Mediterranean

How do you think this climate differs from that of Northern Europe and Russia? It is probably warmer because it is near the

equator.

Natural Vegetation

Vegetation regions in Europe and Russia vary from ice cap to desert. Look at the map on page 21…

What is the major kind of vegetation dominates most of Europe? Deciduous forest

Vegetation Regions

Grasslands: Major vegetation region in Europe and

Russia Most of the grasslands today are used

for farming In Russia the grasslands are called

steppes. These steppes are similar to the Great

Plains in the US.

Vegetation Regions

Mediterranean: A mix of trees, scrub, and smaller plants

(usually less than 8 feet tall).

Tundra: Winters last 9 months Vegetation made up of grasses, mosses,

and other plants that bloom only in the warmer months.

1:2 Review

How do oceans affect the climate? Areas near the ocean are mild in climate

How does the North Atlantic Current affect northern Europe? It carries warm water from the Gulf of

Mexico to northwestern Europe and warms the winds that blow from the west.

1:2 Review What are the natural vegetation

regions of Europe and Russia? Forest, grassland, tundra, and

Mediterranean How are vegetation regions and

climate regions related? Climate affects the types of vegetation

that can grow in an area. What geographic features might

make a person decide to like in Europe rather than in Russia? Warmer, milder climate

1:3 Resources and Land Use Objectives:

Learn about the natural resources of Western Europe.

Find out about the natural resources of Eastern Europe.

Examine Russia’s natural resources.

1:3 Vocabulary

Loess A type of rich, dustlike soil

Hydroelectric power The power generated by water-driven

turbines Fossil fuel

A source of energy that forms from the remains of ancient plants and animals

Resources of Western Europe Western Europe is a wealthy region

This is partly due to the fact that Western Europe has many resources.

Those resources include: rich soil, water, and fuel

Resources of Western Europe Fertile soil

Loess, moderate temperatures, and rainfall make great farmlands.

Abundant water Not only for drinking and crops. Water is

used to produce energy in many European countries.

Fuel Include fossil fuels like natural gas, coal,

and oil

Resources of Eastern Europe Many of the same resource found in

Western Europe can also be found in Eastern Europe.

Fossil fuels Rich soil Hydroelectric power

Russia’s Resources

Russia has a larger amount of natural resources compared to the US.

Russia’s harsh climate, huge size, and un-navigable rivers are some of the reasons it has not been able to utilize its resources to make the country rich.

Russia is also not well suited for farming.

Russia’s Resources

Fossil Fuels Russia has the largest reserves of

natural gas In the top 5 of world’s leading oil

producers Estimated that Russia has 1/3 of the

world’s coal reserves

Russia also has a large reserve of iron ore used to produce steel.

Russia’s Resources

Forest, Fishing, and Energy Resources Largest reserve of forests

Wood used to make paper, furniture, pulp, etc

Fishing is also a huge resource Russia uses many of its fossil fuels to

produce energy. One of the world's largest producers of

electricity

Russia’s Resources

Russia’s Challenges Most of the oil, natural gas, and coal are

located in Siberia Siberia is known for its brutal climate and

isolation Russia is so big that it is hard to

transport goods The rivers in Russia are either not

navigable or flow in the wrong direction. Pollution and protecting the environment

1:3 Review

Name Western Europe’s major natural resources. Fertile soil Water Fuel

How is water used as a natural resources in Western Europe? Drinking, watering crops, power

1:3 Review

How do Western Europe and Russia differ in their use of natural resources? Western Europe has developed its resources to

become an important industrial region, while Russia has not been able to fully develop its resources

Why is Russia not as wealthy as Western Europe? Russia has not been able to use its resources to

earn money due to its size, the location of the resources, and the climate