Physical Features of Europe

Europe is the second smallest continent. It is located in the Northern and midland hemispheres of the earth. It has an area of about 104,98,000 sq. km of the total land. Europe stretches from 35∘N to 71∘N latitude and 24∘W to 65∘N 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.

Political Map of Europe

Physical features

It is described as the peninsula of peninsulas. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by 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 has a width of 14km between Spain and the 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 divisions:

1. The Southern Mountains: The southern part of Europe is formed by a number of mountains and plains. The southern mountain is as young as 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 defines the physical landscape of Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, etc. These highlands are defined by hard ancient. Many European fjords are located in Iceland and Scandinavia.
3. The Central European Plain: The Central European plain extends from the Southern United kingdom to the east up to Russia. 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 in Europe. Due to favorable 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 near freezing. Due to its temperate zone and having the longest coastal line, most part of Europe has a temperate climate. Whereas 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 the central and southwest parts of it. The type of vegetation is called the deciduous forest. The trees like ash, elm, etc.
3. Tundra Vegetation: This type of vegetation is found in the extreme north. Mostly this part is covered with snow throughout the year. In this vegetation, we can found here are mosses, lichens, and bushes, reindeer, polar bears, and wolves are some examples of wild animals.
4. The Coniferous Forest: In the southern part of the tundra region, which is also called Taiga is also found in coniferous forests. Some examples 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 are found. It is plain which treeless. These types of grassland are found in the countries like Romania, Russia, etc.