What Is The Geography of Europe and Russia?

Europe is really one big peninsula attached to Asia. A peninsula is land that has water on three sides. Look at the map. You'll see that Europe breaks into smaller peninsulas. Notice that many bodies of water wash along Europe's coast. These seas provide food. They also make trade possible with other countries.

Many mountain ranges stretch across Europe. The Alps are Europe's highest mountains. They sweep through nine countries— from Spain to the Balkan Peninsula. Many of Europe's major rivers have their source in the Alps. The rivers connect many inland cities with coastal ports.

In Europe, there are four major land areas. They are the Northwestern Highlands in the far north, the North European Plain, the Central Uplands, and the Alpine Mountain System. Locate these four areas on the map.

The Northwestern Highlands are old mountains. They are not good for farming. The North European Plain includes most of European Russia and reaches all the way to France. It is very rich farmland. It is also home to some of Europe's largest cities. Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia's largest cities, are here. In fact, more people live in this area than in any other part of Russia. The best farmland in Russia is in the North European Plain. This area includes the Don and Volga Rivers.

The Central Uplands are in the middle of southern Europe. It is made up of plateaus and mountains. This land is rocky with thin soil. People raise goats and sheep here. The Alps are the highest mountains in the Alpine Mountain System. Many people vacation here. Others have small farms in the valleys.

This chart shows the different elevations of the four European land areas.

Physical Map of Europe

What Is the Climate Like?

Most of Europe has a mild climate. In fact, London is farther north than any city in the continental United States (48 states). Yet London has a very mild climate. Palm trees even grow in a part of western England! Why? The reason is the Gulf Stream, which becomes the North Atlantic Current. It carries warm water and moist, warm air to northwestern Europe. The weather is good for growing crops. It also keeps ports open. Norway's western coast is open all year.

Along the Mediterranean Sea, the climate changes. It becomes hot and dry in the summer. Winters are mild.

Europe's northernmost countries have colder winters than in the south. Inland, for those countries away from an ocean or sea, the climate is colder and drier.

Climate Map of Europe

How Is the Land in Europe Used?

Europe has some of the richest farmland in the world. Cattle and sheep also graze in Europe's many grassy pastures.

The Netherlands uses some of its land for tulip farms.

Land Use in Europe