World Geography - Physical Geography of Europe - Journal and Practice 80-100%

(Journal) The three countries in Europe's "Black Triangle" are working to reduce air pollution. However, as energy needs rise and personal automobiles grow in popularity, this job becomes increasingly difficult. Imagine that you're a leader in charge of supporting the efforts of these countries. What are two steps you would take to encourage citizens to pollute less? << Read Less

(Journal) In shape the "triangle" is more similar to a crescent, an industrial corridor roughly 60 kilometers wide, lying on either side of the northern Czech border extending from the German town of Bad Brambach on the west to the Polish town of Bystrzyca Kłodzka at the eastern end.[3] The approximate center is the national tripoint at Zittau. Politically the "triangle" consists of Germany's two local administrative regions surrounding Dresden and Chemnitz, amounting to about 14,000 square kilometers, with a population of 3.36 million people (as of 2002). The southwest portion of Poland's Lower Silesian Voivodeship, amounting to 8,500 square kilometers, with a population of 1.3 million. Four regions of the Czech Republic (Hradec Králové, Karlovy Vary, Liberec and Ústí nad Labem), amounting to 12,000 square kilometers and a population of 1.59 million. The Polish portion includes the southernmost "panhandle" of the Gmina Bogatynia, where the vast Turów strip mine has extracted lignite resources since 1904. The entire area is framed by mountain ranges which form a local climate, trapping air and intensifying the effects of the air pollution. After the Revolutions of 1989 in Eastern Europe, in June 1991 the three nations signed a joint declaration of cooperation to address the Black Triangle's environmental issues. They later coordinated with the European Commission, which has funded small projects and measurement initiative through its Phare program. This has resulted in significant improvement in human health, the health of forests, and levels of pollutants. In 1991 after German reunification SDAG Wismut was transformed into the Wismut GmbH company, owned by the Federal Republic of Germany, which is now responsible for the restoration and environmental cleanup of the former mining and milling areas.

In the Netherlands, land that has been reclaimed from the sea is called a __________. A. dike B. polder C. peninsula D. fjord

B. polder

Analyze the photo below and answer the question that follows . Image by Markus Braun Many European nations have invested in improving sources of renewable and alternative energy. The panels on this German house are harvesting __________. A. nuclear power B. solar power C. wind power D. hydroelectricity

B. solar power

Which of the following countries was not part of the heavily industrialized Black Triangle of Eastern Europe? A. Poland B. the United Kingdom C. the Czech Republic D. East Germany

B. the United Kingdom

__________ are strong winds that roll off of the southern slopes of the Alps toward the Mediterranean Sea. A. Polders B. Foehns C. Mistrals D. Siroccos

C. Mistrals

While staying in Sicily on a vacation, you have to evacuate because of a potential natural disaster occurring at Mount Etna. Based on what you learned about Mount Etna, which danger would you most likely be facing? A. an avalanche B. a mudslide C. a volcanic eruption D. a flood

C. a volcanic eruption

In Scotland, many lakes and inlets are called __________. A. polders B. fjords C. lochs D. mistrals

C. lochs

You are going to visit friends living on Italy's coast. You'll be visiting an area with a Mediterranean climate and a chaparral ecosystem. What will you pack? Based on what you know about this geographic location and its climate, explain your wardrobe decisions.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: (Students should identify the qualities of a Mediterranean climate: mild temperatures, warmer and drier summers, mild and rainier winters, lots of sunshine, and ocean breezes. When visiting a chaparral ecosystem, students could expect to see trees such as olives and cork oaks. Students should prepare for a warm, mild climate.)

In this lesson, we discussed the Black Triangle and the effect of industrialization on Europe's environment. How can industrialization harm the environment? In a short paragraph, describe two environmental issues related to industrialization.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: (Students' responses may address issues like acid rain, air pollution, deforestation, or contamination. Students should choose two issues to address. Their answers should explain these problems and note why they are related to industrialization in Europe. For example, when discussing pollution, students may write about the Black Triangle. In Central and Eastern Europe, where heavy industrialization took place, air pollution referred to as the "black cloud" has been created by factories and lenient industry regulations.) My answer Industrialization effects the environment because people are constantly cutting down trees and not replanting a new one in its place, so this causes trees to transfer to a renewable recourses to a non renewable. One environmental issue it causes it that it makes animals have to find better places to live away from the city life and when they don't the animals end up coming into the city and disturbing the life we know now. A village in Africa actually has to share their homes and stores with monkeys because the monkeys have no where else to live so they eventually came into the city and made homes there. The environment is also being destroyed because when you pull a plant of tree out of the ground the wind starts to blow and there is nothing to hold the dirt in place any more so things like dust storms and drying out the nutrients in the ground can also occur.

The Gulf Stream is a major ocean current. Where does this current travel, and how does it affect climate conditions in Europe?

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: (Students' responses should identify the Gulf Stream's location in the north Atlantic Ocean.) The Gulf Stream, located in the north Atlantic Ocean, has an important effect on climate, transportation by sea, and the circulation of nutrients and waste in the ocean. It works together with the North Atlantic Drift to bring warm air from equatorial regions across Europe. This changes Europe's climate by providing mild temperatures and more rain. As a result, farmers can grow more crops, and fewer freezing temperatures damage goods. My answer This strong current of warm water influences the climate of the east coast of Florida, keeping temperatures there warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the other southeastern states. Since the Gulf Stream also extends toward Europe, it warms western European countries as well.

What steps are being taken to address the environmental challenges brought on by industrialization in Europe? Describe two examples of renewable forms of energy.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: (Students' responses should include at least two examples of alternative and renewable sources of enery. Students may discuss hydroelectricity, wind power, or solar power. Students may also address new reforms and laws related to environmental challenges. Governments, special interest groups, educators, and businesses are working together to find solutions in water cleanup, protect endangered animals, preserve and protect natural and historical landmarks, and find alternate energy sources.)