Chapter 9.1 I. Geography of Europe 7.6.1 • Because Europe has many types of landforms and climates, different ways of life have developed there. A. The physical features of Europe vary widely from region to region. 1. Europe is a small continent, but it is very diverse. Many different landforms, water features, and climates can be found. 2. Topography is the shape and elevation of land in a region. B. Regions of Europe • These ranges cover much of southern 1. Mountain Europe. The Alps, with peaks 15,000 Ranges feet high, have large snowfields and glaciers. • The land is much flatter. It is covered 2. North of the with thick forests and fertile soil. Alps • This area has most of Europe’s rivers, 3. Northern which are formed from the melting of European snow. Plain 4. Far Northern • Many rugged hills and low mountains Europe cover this area. C. Climate 1. Southern 2.Northwestern Northwestern 3. Scandinavia Europe EuropeEurope • Freezing and • Warm and sunny • Mild and cooler cold • Drier with less • Wetter with more • Large amounts of rain rain snowfall D. Geography has shaped life in Europe, including where and how people live. • The different types of climates and landforms made a difference in where people lived and what types of crops they could grow for food. E. Southern Europe 1. Most people lived on coastal plains or in the valleys, where the land was flat enough to farm. 2. Crops like grapes and olives were suited to this type of geography. 3. Herds of sheep and goats were raised in the mountains. 4. There were many peninsulas, so people didn’t live far from the sea. Many people became traders and seafarers. F. Northern Europe 1. Towns grew up along the rivers which had access to the sea. 2. Rivers also provided protection from invaders. 3. Farmers grew crops in the fertile fields that surrounded the towns. 4. The lack of mountains was good for farming, but it made the towns easier to be invaded by enemies. .