World Geography Chapter 12 Study Guide

Which rivers flow into the North Sea? Which empty into the Mediterranean Sea?

The Rhine and the Elbe flow into the North Sea. The Ebro, Rhone, and Tiber Rivers empty into the Mediterranean Sea.

How much of Europe's land is suitable for farming? Which are the most common crops?

About 33% of Europe's land is suitable for farming. The most common crops are grains, grapes, olives, and even cork.

Describe the location and function of the Danube and Rhine Rivers.

The Rhine flows 820 miles from the interior of Europe north to the North Sea. The Danube cuts through the heart of Europe from west to east. Touching nine countries over its 1,771 mile length, the Danube River links Europeans to the Black Sea. These rivers are used to transport goods between coastal harbors and the inland region, aiding economic growth and they bring people and goods together. Historically, the rivers also have aided in the movement of ideas and to this day they are helping connect Europeans to the rest of the world, encouraging both trade and travel.

Where are major petroleum deposits found in Europe?

Oil and natural gas are found beneath the North Sea floor. Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark now pump oil from rigs as far as 400 miles out in the ocean.

Where are the Apennines? Where is the Balkans?

Running like a spine down Italy, the Apennine Mountains divide the Italian Peninsula between east and west. The Balkan Mountains block off the Balkan Peninsula from the rest of Europe.

What resources does Europe have in abundance? Why are those resources important?

Europe has coal, iron ore, oil, and natural gas in abundance. Coal and iron ore are needed to create steel for an industrialized economy. Oil and natural gas is important because the North Sea oil fields are major sources of petroleum for the world.

Where is the "Land of the Midnight Sun"? What is the terrain and climate of this area?

The "Land of the Midnight Sun" is along the Arctic Circle in far northern Scandinavia and lies a band of tundra climate. This land in such a climate is often in a state of permafrost and no trees grow there, only mosses and lichens can survive. This region is very cold with harsh winters.

Describe the three Southern peninsulas.

The southern part of Europe contains three major peninsulas which are the Iberian, the Italian, and the Balkan Peninsulas. The Iberian Peninsula is home to Spain and Portugal. The Italian Peninsula is home to Italy. It is shaped like a boot, extends into the Mediterranean Sea, and has 4,700 miles of coastline. The Balkan Peninsula is bordered by the Adriatic, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean Seas.

What are "uplands"? What are the uplands of Spain, Germany, and France called?

Uplands are hills or very low mountains that may also contain mesas and high plateaus. The uplands of Spain are the Meseta. The uplands of France are the Massif Central. The uplands of Germany are the Central Uplands.

Which parts of Europe enjoy a Marine West Coast climate? How does the North Atlantic Drift affect temperature and rainfall?

A marine west coast climate exists in much of Europe, from northern Spain across most of France, Germany, western Poland, the British Isles, and coastal Scandinavia. The nearby ocean and the dominant winds crease this mild climate. The North Atlantic Drift, a current of warm water from the tropics, flows near Europe's west coast. The prevailing westerlies, which blow west to east, pick up warmth from this current and carry it over Europe. No large mountain ranges block the winds, so they are felt far inland. They also carry moisture, giving the region adequate rainfall.

Describe a Mediterranean climate. Which areas enjoy this climate?

A mild climate lures people to live and vacation in the region bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This Mediterranean climate extends from southern Spain and France through Italy and Greece and other parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Summers are hot and dry with clear, sunny skies, while winters are moderate and wet. One reason for the climate is that mountain ranges block cold north winds from reaching the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas.

Describe the unique environment of Venice, Italy. What is the advantage of having both streets and canals in Venice?

About 120 islands and part of the mainland make up the city of Venice. Venice is found at the north end of the Adriatic Sea and because of this, Venice makes a good trading port. Two of the largest islands are San Marco and Rialto. Moving people or goods in Venice depends upon using the more than 150 canals that snake around and through the islands. The advantage of having both streets and canals in Venice is you can get from one place to another in two ways: take a boat or walk. Also, almost anything that is moved on wheels elsewhere is moved by water in Venice.

How did climate affect the Ancient Greeks?

Because of Greece's mild climate, the ancient Greeks spent lots of time outdoors. Greek men liked to talk with their friends in the marketplace. They also enjoyed sports. Large crowds gathered for athletic contests that were held during religious festivals.

Define dike, polder, seaworks, terpen.

Dikes are earthen banks that hold back the sea. Land that is reclaimed by diking and draining is called a polder. The Dutch erected seaworks which are structures like dikes that are used to control the sea's destructive impact on human life. Terpen are high earthen platforms that provide safe ground during floods.

Why is Europe called "a peninsula of peninsulas?" How does this affect the European way of life?

Europe is called "a peninsula of peninsulas" because Europe is a large peninsula stretching to the west of Asia and Europe itself has many smaller peninsulas. Because of these peninsulas, most locations in Europe are no more than 300 miles from an ocean or sea. The European way of life involves using the bodies of water for both business and pleasure.

How is acid rain produced? How much of Europe's forest land has been affected by acid rain?

Europe's factories produce high amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. These combine with water vapor and oxygen to form acid rain or snow. Winds carry the emissions to other parts of Europe, affecting an estimated one-fourth of all European forests.

Why did Europeans engage in deforestation?

Forests provided wood to burn for fuel and to use as building material for ships and houses. When Europeans began to develop industry in the 1700s and 1800s, they needed even more wood to make charcoal for blast furnaces.

Define "fjord." What economic activity is supported by the presence of fjords?

In Norway, glaciers carve out fjords, which are steep U-shaped valleys that connect to the sea and that are filled with seawater after the glaciers melted. The economic activity supported by the presence of fjords is fishing. Fjords provide excellent harbors for fishing boats.

Define mistral and sirocco.

In winter, the Mediterranean coast of France receives the mistral which is a cold, dry wind from the north. The sirocco is a hot, steady south wind that blows from North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea into southern Europe.

What is "peat"? How have the Irish utilized peat?

Peat is partially decayed plant matter found in bogs. The Irish utilized peat by cutting peat from large beds and burning it as fuel because Ireland lacks in energy sources.

What problems face Venice today?

Severe water pollution threatens historic Venice. Industrial waste, sewage, and saltwater are combining to eat away the foundations of buildings and damage the buildings themselves. Erosion has allowed increased amounts of seawater into the lagoon. Because of this, floods also endanger the city. Agricultural runoff flowing into Venice's harbor creates conditions that promote algae growth, sometimes called "killer algae." These algae grow rapidly and, after they die, decay. The decaying process uses up oxygen in the water, so the fish also die. Dead fish attract insects and create a stench, especially in warm weather.

Where are the Alps located? How have they affected migration and trade? How do they affect climate?

The Alps arc across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the northern Balkan Peninsula. They cut Italy off from the rest of Europe. The Alps are viewed as walls because they separate groups of people. The Alps make it difficult for people, goods, and ideas to move easily from one place to another. The Alps also affect climate. For example, chilly north winds rarely blow over the Alps into Italy, which has a mild climate as a result.

Which areas in Europe have harsher climates? Why?

The Alps are one of the places in Europe where it has harsher climates. Because of their high elevation, the Alps have a much colder climate. People who live far from the Atlantic Ocean do not benefit from the moderating influence of the westerlies. As a result, much of Sweden and Finland and the eastern parts of Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary have a humid continental climate, as does all of Romania.

How and why did the Dutch "reclaim" land from the sea? What was the function of a windmill?

The Dutch reclaimed land from the sea because the Dutch needed more land for their growing population. The Dutch reclaimed the land by diking and draining which is called a polder. The Dutch erected seaworks, structures that are used to control the sea's destructive impact on human life. Those seaworks include dikes and high earthen platforms called terpen. The dikes hold back the sea, while the terpen provide places to go for safety during floods and high tides. In the 1400s, the Dutch began using their windmills to power pumps that drained the land.

Where is the Jutland peninsula? How is it different than the Scandinavian Peninsula?

The Jutland Peninsula is directly across the North Sea from Scandinavia. Jutland forms the largest part of Denmark and a small part of Germany. Its gently rolling hills and swampy low-lying areas are very different from the rocky land of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Why was Zuider Zee transformed into Ijsselmeer?

The Zuider Zee was an arm of the North Sea that is now a freshwater lake. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Dutch perfected a plan to build dikes all the way across the entrance to the Zuider Zee. Since no salt water flowed into that body of water, it eventually became a freshwater lake. It is now called the Ijsselmeer.

Which countries are on the Scandinavian Peninsula? Which seas surround this peninsula?

The countries on the Scandinavian Peninsula are Norway and Sweden. The Norwegian, the North, and the Baltic Seas surround this peninsula.

Where is the most productive agricultural land in Europe? Historically, why has this area been an area of concern?

The most productive agricultural land in Europe is the Northern European Plain, which stretches in a huge curve across parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Poland. However, the plain's flatness has also allowed armies and groups of invaders to use it as an open route into Europe.

What crops are grown in the Mediterranean? Why is tourism a popular industry there?

The region's major crops are citrus fruits, olives, grapes, and wheat. A mild climate lures people to live and vacation in the region bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The sunny Mediterranean beaches attract thousands of people, making tourism a major industry in the region.