Physical Geography of Europe
Topographical map of Europe
Europe is one of the smallest continents, but it forms the western part of a large landmass called Eurasia. Several images may come to mind when you think of Europe’s physical geography. The European landscape includes a variety of features, from the snow-capped Alps Mountains to the warm beaches on the Mediterranean Sea. In this topic, you will take a closer look at Europe’s varied and beautiful landscapes.
Essential Question
- What are the major physical and environmental features of Europe?
Warm-Up
Take a moment to examine the following images. These images depict a few different physical landscapes from Europe and North America. As you compare the physical characteristics of the continents, think about answers to the following questions:
- In what ways do Europe and North America share similar terrain?
- In what ways do Europe and North America share similar climates?
- In what ways do you think the physical geography of Europe affects the livelihood of its people?
Pictured clockwise from top left: the Alps, grassland in Ireland, middle latitude forest in Germany, coastal Mediterranean climate in Greece
Pictured clockwise from top left: the Rockies, grassland in Kansas, middle latitude forest in Virginia, coastal Mediterranean climate in California