CH. 12- Europe “The Peninsula of Peninsulas” Ch. 12.1 “Landforms and Resources” • Peninsulas and Islands 1. Northern Peninsulas (Norway & Sweden) – Fjords: steep u-shaped valleys, cut by glaciers, provide excellent harbors for fishing boats Jutland Peninsula 2. Southern Peninsulas Iberian Peninsula Italian Peninsula Balkan Peninsula • Italian penisula- • Iberian Penisula – Italy and the Portugal and Spain Sicilian island • Balkan –Contains Greece, Bulgaria, Yugolslavia, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia Great Britain 3. Islands Iceland Greenland *Both Iceland and Greenland were settled by Scandinavians: people who are from Norway and /or Sweden Mountains and Uplands 1. Mountains in Europe separate groups of people • Alps Mountains and Uplands Cont. 2. Uplands: Meseta Mountains • Hills or very low mountains that may also contain mesas and high plateaus 1. Kjolen Mountains (Scandinavia) 2. Brittany (France) 3. Meseta (Spain) 4. Massif (Central France) Rivers “Europe's Links” • Rivers used to transport goods and ideas between coastal harbors and inland • Two major rivers: Rhine River Danube River Fertile Plains • Northern European Plain – One of the most fertile agricultural areas of the world • Stretches across France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Poland Resources • Two most abundant are coal and iron ore. – Ruhr Valley (Germany) – Alsace-Lorraine (France) • North Sea Floor holds deposits of oil and Natural Gas • Peat: partially decayed plant matter that is found in bogs 12.2 “Climate and Vegetation” • Westerly Winds control the cold temp on Atlantic coast of Europe – North Atlantic Drift: warm water flows near Europe’s West Coast • Alps create harsh climate zone by trapping weather systems – high elevation = colder climate Mediterranean • From Southern Spain to Greece • Mistral: cold dry wind from north • Sirocco: hot steady wind blows from N. Africa to S. Europe Land of the Midnight Sun • Northern Scandinavia • Land is permafrost • No trees, moss or lichen • Winter nights long, days short • Summer days long, nights short 12.3 “Human Environment Interaction” • Dutch Netherlands – Much of land is below sea level therefore prone to floods Netherlands – Seaworks: structures used to control sea • Dikes: earthen dams • Polders: process that reclaim land by diking and draining • Terpens: platforms that provide safety during floods or high tides – Zuider Zee- arm of the N. Sea, now freshwater lake Terpens Venice • Movement of people and goods is dependent upon using the 150+ canals • Weight of buildings is compressing the ground forcing the city to sink • Pollution from sewer, boats, saltwater Deforestation • Forests cleared for fuel, or for building structures • Acid Rains, by product of waste emissions (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide) 3, 2, 1s • 3 things you found out • 2 things you found interesting • 1 question you still have .