The Physical Features of Europe

Physical Features of Europe

Europe is the second smallest continent . It is located in the Northern and mid –land hemisphere of the earth . It has an area about 104,98,000 sq.km of the total land . Europe stretches from 35^oN to 71^oN latitude and 24^oW to 65^oN longitude .The average length of the continent from east to west is 6400 km and the average width is 4800 from the south to north. It is surrounded by oceans and seas from three sides . The important attractions of the continent are the longest coastlines among all the continents with oceans , sea , islands , bays and gulf.

Physical featuresIt is described as the peninsula of peninsulas . A peninsula is the piece of land surrounded by the water on three sides . It is the peninsula of the Eurasian supercontinent is bordered by the Arctic ocean to the north , the Mediterranean , Black and Caspian sea to the south , the Atlantic ocean to the west . Gibraltar strait which has the width of 14km between Spain and Mediterranean which separates the continent of Africa. The Ural mountains and the Ural River separate from Asia.

On the basis of their landform Europe is divided into three major physical division :

1. The Southern Mountains: The southern part of Europe is formed by a number of mountains and plain. The southern mountain is as young fold mountains . During Alpine when the Himalayas were formed. This region includes all the Pyrenees , Apennines , Dinaric Alps etc. The highest mountain peak Mount Elbrus ( 5,642 m) (18,510 feet) is the highest mountain in the Caucasus mountain of Russia.
2. The North- Western Highlands: The highlands of north and north- west from Norway and Sweden in the east and Scotland in the west . The western edge of Europe and define the physical landscape of Scandinavia. Norway ,Sweden ,Denmark , etc. These highlands are defined by hard ancient. Many of European fjords are located in Iceland and Scandinavia.
3. The Central European Plain: The Central European plain extends from the Southern United kingdom to east up to Russia. The most of the European plain lies below 152 meters in elevation. It is home to many navigable rivers , including the Rhine , order, and the Vistula. The Danube is the largest river of Europe. Due to favourable climate and good production, this is the most populated region of Europe.

Climate

From the Far – North where it is very cold , with much snow , a long period of darkness in the winter and short summer with temperatures with temperatures near freezing. Due to its temperate zone and the having the longest coastal line, most part of Europe has a temperate climate. Whereas in the Eastern part of Europe, it has the humid continental type of climate.

Natural Vegetation

Europe lies mostly in the North Temperate Zone . The vegetation of Europe is not as big as in Asia. The natural vegetation of Europe can be divided into five types .They are explained below:

1. The Mediterranean Vegetation: The Mediterranean Vegetation is found in the Mediterranean region of southern Europe .The trees like olive ,lavender and laurel are mostly found.
2. The Temperate Forest: The temperate forest is found in central and South – West part of it .The type of vegetation is called the deciduous forest . The trees like ash, elm etc.
3. Tundra Vegetation: This types of vegetation is found in the extreme north. Mostly this parts is cover with snow throughout the year .In this vegetation we can found here are mosses , lichens and bushes and reindeer, polar bear and wolves are some of the examples of wild animals .
4. The Coniferous Forest: In the southern part of tundra region ,which is also called Taiga is also found in coniferous forest .Some example of trees that are found in the region are fir, pain, spruce etc and the animals that are found in the region are the lynx ,mink etc.
5. The Steppes: In the eastern part of Europe the steppes is found . It is plain which treeless .This types of grassland are found in the countries like Romania, Russia etc.