Europe SS 6 G 8 a Locating Physical

Europe SS 6 G 8: a Locating Physical Features of Europe

a. Locate on a world and regional political- physical map: the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula. Essential Question 1. What are the major physical features of Europe and where are they located?

Major Mountains of Europe The Pyrenees separate Spain and France The Ural Mtns. ALPS s ne ni en Ap Pyrenees The Alps are shared by Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France The Apennines run almost the entire length of Italy The Urals separate the European part of Russia from the Asian part of Russia

To get to know Europe, you must understand its features. Take a look at your map. The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern side of the U. S. , but on the western side of Europe. Look at the large island off the northwest coast of Europe. The water that separates the island from the rest of the continent is the English Channel. If you go south along the coast of Europe you will reach another large body of water called the Mediterranean Sea.

Europe has many peninsulas. The landmass found where the Mediterranean Sea joins the Atlantic Ocean is called the Iberian Peninsula. Moving north from this peninsula you will cross the Pyrenees Mountain: a natural border between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. The Pyrenees also forms the western border of the European Plain. This plain extends from France to Russia and ranges from 50 to 1, 500 miles wide. Some of the world’s best farmland is on this plain.

Put your finger on the Pyrenees Mountain. Move east crossing the European Plain and the Rhine River. The Rhine River begins in the Alps, the mountain range that forms the southern border of the European Plain. Another important river located in the European plain is called the Danube River. Both rivers form natural political boundaries for many European countries.

Continue north from the Alps to the Scandinavian Peninsula. This is the largest peninsula in Europe. Go east from there to the Ural Mountains. This mountain marks the northern border between the continents of Europe and Asia.

Europe SS 6 G 8: b Locating Countries of Europe

b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and United Kingdom. What are the major countries of Europe and where are they located?

European countries you must know: Belgium France Germany Italy Poland Russia Spain Ukraine United Kingdom of Great Britain

There are both large and small countries that make up Europe. Find the United Kingdom and put your finger on it. It is an island country off the northwestern coast of Europe. The U. K. contains the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland many other smaller islands. Move south across the English Channel to the country of France has many natural borders: Pyrenees, Alps, and the English Channel

From France move southwest across the Pyrenees and enter the country of Spain located on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east. Move east from this sea and the boot shaped peninsula of Italy. The country of Italy also includes two of the largest Mediterranean islands, Sardinia and Sicily.

Moving north from Italy, you will cross the Alps and enter the country of Germany, located in Central Europe. Germany is bordered on the west by the tiny country of Belgium. On Germany’s eastern border is the country of Poland. Move southeast to find Ukraine. One of the largest countries in Europe. It is mostly plateaus and fertile plains. The Danube River forms one of Ukraine's natural borders.

Continue northeast into Russia, the largest country in the world. Russia covers all of southern Asia and almost half of Europe.