Climates in Europe:
1. Tundra-contains 'permafrost', which is permanently frozen ground from 6'' to 2' deep (ex. Northern Russia)
2. Marine West Coast-tempered by nearness to the ocean (ex. most of Western Europe)
3. Cool Summer Continental-temperature extremes, average summer is in the mid 70s, with cold to very cold winters (ex. Eastern Europe)
4. Mediterranean-long, hot dry summers, rain in the winter (ex. Italy and Greece)
5. Highlands-varies with height above sea level (ex. parts of France, Switzerland, and the Alps)
*Transhumance comes into play in some of these climates, which is the herding back and forth of animals for winter and summer pasturage.
Vegetation Regions in Europe:
1. Tundra-no trees, scrub bushes, mosses and lichens; no trees in summer, snow and frozen in winter (ex. Northern Russia)
2. Taiga-(ex. Norway, Finland, and Sweden)
The Forest Belt: coniferous trees-cone bearing, needleleaf trees
decidious trees-broadleaf trees
mixed forest-both together
3. Steppe-grasslands, livestock and growing of grains are prevalent (ex. European Plain and part of Russia)
4. Mediterranean-xerophytic vegetation, needs to withstand summer drought (ex. Greece)
5. Highlands Climates-climate can change in a short distance, altitude affects tree growth (ex. Switzerland, near the Alps)
*The Sun is not as high in Europe, it is only at 23°
Physiographic Regions:
1. North European Highlands-fjords, icier areas (ex. Norway, Sweden, and Finland)
2. North European Plain-farms, rural areas (ex. most of Poland, Belarus, the Netherlands)
3. Central Uplands-terraces, agriculture (ex. Czech Republic, most of Germany, northern Switzerland)
4. Alpine Mountain System-made up of numerous mountain ranges, largest being the Alps (ex. parts of France, Switzerland, Italy)
--During the ice ages most of Europe was covered with ice, but over time the climate changed. The forest was once closer to the Mediterranean but moved further north as the ice receded.
Comments