Chapter 13 Lesson 1 Physical Geography of Eastern

Chapter 13 : Lesson 1 Physical Geography of Eastern Europe

Essential Question How do mountains and plains define Eastern Europe?

Physical Geography of Eastern Europe Landforms • The area is characterized by several mountain ranges that are extensions of the Swiss Alps. • Lowlands within this region have a karst topography, areas of barren and rocky ground. • The Balkan Peninsula’s rugged landscape makes traveling over land difficult, thereby increasing the importance of waterways for transportation. • The Balkan Mountains provide a climate barrier between the Danube River valley and the transitional climate south of the mountains.

Karst: terrain dominated by limestone bedrock and characterized by rocky ground, caves, sinkholes, underground rivers, and the absence of surface streams and lakes

Karst Topography

Question: What do you think is an advantage and a disadvantage of a rugged physical geography such as that found in the Balkan Peninsula?

Water Systems • Large rivers and seas act as natural borders between countries and are important to economic activities in the region. • The Danube is the second largest river in Europe, passing through nine countries and emptying into the Black Sea. • The Vistula River in Poland serves many major cities and industrial centers, including Warsaw. • Other waterways, such as the Oder River, branch out from the main rivers to provide access inland.

Physical Geography of Eastern Europe Climate, Biomes, and Resources • Much of Eastern Europe has a humid continental climate. • The Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, along with the Hungarian Plain, make up the Danube region. • Some coastal regions along the Black Sea have microbiomes. • The Carpathian Mountains contain large energy reserves, while areas around the Baltic Mountains rely on water as a natural resource.

Physical Geography of the Russian Core Climate, Biomes, and Resources • Russia’s vast expanse of land lies at a high latitude, resulting in cold, snowy winters. • The interior of the country experiences continentality, or the effect of extreme variation in temperature and very little precipitation. • Much of Russia’s abundant natural resources are in remote and climatically unfavorable areas, making them difficult to utilize.

World Map Project: label and color the countries of Eastern Europe Include: • All the Countries of Eastern Europe • Swiss Alps • Balkan Mountains • Danube River • Vistula River • Oder River • Black Sea

Review Questions: Chapter 13 : Lesson 1 Read pages 314 -318 and answer Review Questions on page 318. Hand in Google Class Room.