Landforms of Europe Quiz

Landforms of Europe

• Landforms are natural surface features, like mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, and coasts.
• Topographical maps display landforms like mountains, valleys, and rivers.
• Europe's land area is comparable to the U.S.

Mountains, Valleys, and Canyons

• Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany) are Europe's largest mountain range.
• Pyrenees (Northern Spain), mountains in Norway, Greece, Italy, and the Balkans exist.
• Highest mountains (Europe):
  • Mount Ararat (Turkey): 16,854 ft
  • Mont Blanc (Alps): 15,782 ft
  • Monte Rosa (Swiss Alps): 15,203 ft
  • Mount Elbrus (Russia): 18,510 ft (highest in Europe).
• Europe's famous valleys:
  • Loire Valley (France): known for castles and wine.
  • Rhone Valley (France): homes to the Matterhorn.
  • Danube River Valleys (Germany and beyond)
• Tara River Canyon (Montenegro): Europe's largest canyon, 4,265 ft deep.
• This canyon is proposed for UNESCO designation.

Rivers and Lakes

• Danube River (1,780 miles): Europe's longest river, flowing through multiple countries to the Black Sea (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria).

• Elbe River (Germany/Czech Republic):

  • Historically important for trade.
  • Part of the border between East/West Germany.
  • Links important cities.

• Loire River (France):

  • Starts in the Alps.
  • Flows into the ocean north of the Bay of Biscay.

• Rhine River (Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands):

  • 776 miles long.
  • Important for historical trade.
  • Flows into the North Sea.

• Europe's lakes:

  • Largest in political Europe: Lake Vanern (Sweden), 5,655 sq km.
  • Largest in geographical Europe (including Western Russia): Lake Ladoga (Russia): 17,700 sq km.
  • Largest in Western Europe: Ijsselmeer (Netherlands), 1,100 sq km.