Exploring European Geography and Landscapes

• Europe is the second smallest continent in size.
• There are around 44 countries in Europe.
• Approximately 743 million people live in Europe.
• Europe is the third largest continent when ranked by population.
• Most countries in Europe use the Euro as their currency.

Landscape

• Europe spans about 4000 kilometers from north to south.
• Europe has a wide variety of landscapes.
• The landscapes include vast forests in Russia and high mountain ranges.
• Europe has few deserts.
• A large proportion of its land is suitable for farming.
• More than half of Europe is fairly flat plains.
• Glaciers in parts of Northern Europe have created rocky landscapes.
• Southern Europe has land that extends into the Mediterranean Sea.

Highest mountain

• The highest mountain in Europe is Mount Elbrus in Russia, which is 5,642 m / 18,510 ft high.
• Mount Elbrus is part of the Caucasus mountain range.
• The highest peak in the European Alps is Mont Blanc.
• Mont Blanc is 4,810 m/ 15,781 ft high and sits on the border of Italy and France.
• The Alps are the longest and highest mountain range located entirely in Europe.

Data Bank

• Europe is the only continent without deserts.
• Europe has a long coastline, approximately 66,000 km.
• Finland is 5% forested and has the most trees in Europe.

The European Union

• After World War II, much of Europe was damaged and needed to be rebuilt.
• Countries decided to collaborate to maintain peace.
• In 1957, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed to develop farming, industry, and increase wages.
• This agreement was the start of the European Union.

Weather

• Most of Western Europe has a moist and moderate climate.
• Eastern Europe has cold winters and hot summers.
• Areas near the Mediterranean Sea have hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Largest Country and Capital

• The European part of Russia covers more area than any other country.
• The three largest countries in Europe are Russia, the Ukraine, and France.
• The largest capital city in Europe is Moscow.
• Moscow has over 13 million inhabitants within city limits.
• Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city with 5.3 million inhabitants.
• Moscow is the largest city entirely on the European continent.

Rivers

• The Volga River runs through Russia.
• The Volga is the longest river in Europe at 2,294 miles long.
• The Volga is so wide that you cannot see the other side in places.
• One of the biggest battles of World War 2 was fought on the banks of the Volga River.
• Huge sturgeon fish are found living in the water.

The European Union

• The European Union (EU) works to improve people's lives.

Trade

• All the countries in the EU cooperate over trade.
• Producers don't have to pay a tax when they take their goods into another country.

Joint Projects

• Different countries in the EU work together on big, expensive projects.
• Joint projects include building aeroplanes and scientific research.

Farming

• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) tries to ensure reasonable food prices.
• The CAP ensures that farmers are properly paid for their goods.

Working Conditions

• Within the EU, people can work in any member country without requiring special permission.
• Laws exist for work hours, safety, and levels of pay.

Fishing

• Fish stocks around Europe are decreasing.
• The EU has passed laws regarding when fishing boats can go out to sea, where to fish, and the type of nets they can use.

Environment

• Many countries in the EU face similar pollution problems.
• Laws have been agreed to protect the environment and reduce pollution levels.

Data Bank

• The EU has a population of over 500 million people.
• Each year, 80,000 ships call at EU ports.
• The EU is the world's biggest aid donor.

England

• England is the largest part of the United Kingdom.
• London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom.
• England is located on the island of Great Britain, west of mainland Europe.
• The English Channel separates England from France.
• Scotland is to England's north, and Wales to its west.

Landscape

• Most of England is covered with hills, though there are plains in the central and southeastern regions.
• The Cumbrian Mountains are in the northwest, including Scafell Pike.
• Scafell Pike is 3,210 feet (978 meters) high and is the highest point in England.
• The Pennines are lower mountains in the north and center of England, and the shores are lined with cliffs and bays.
• The longest river in England is the Thames.
• The Thames flows through a large part of southeastern England.
• Other large rivers in England are the Severn and the Trent.
• England has few notable lakes, the largest being Windermere in the Lake District.

Climate

• The climate in England is temperate maritime, meaning it is mild.
• Temperatures usually do not go far below 0°C in winter and not much above 32°C in summer.
• England is warmer and sunnier than the other countries that make up the United Kingdom.
• The south coast of England has the least cloud cover.
• Mountainous areas, alongside the north and west of England, experience more cloud cover.
• The Lake District is the wettest area.
• Eastern England is the driest.
• The south coast has more sunshine than any other area in England.

Settlement

• Most of England's population lives in cities.
• The Greater London area, in the southeast, is the largest city area.
• Other major English cities include Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester.
• Motorways and railways spread from London to all parts of the country.
• About 50 million people use Heathrow airport every year.
• London, the West Midlands, and northern England are important industrial areas.
• London is an international centre for banking and insurance.

Transport

• Motorways and railways spread from London to all parts of the country.
• About 50 million people use Heathrow airport every year.