EUROPE

Europe is a continent whose boundaries are generally regarded as being: the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Ural Mountains and Ural River (or Emba River) in the east, the Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountains (or the Kuma-Manych Depression) and Black Sea in the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Together with Asia, Europe forms the supercontinent Eurasia, of which Europe is the western fifth.

In terms of population it is the third largest continent after Asia and Africa. The population of Europe in 2001 was estimated to be 666,498,000: roughly one seventh of the world's population.

Geographically Europe is a part of the larger landmass known as Eurasia. The continent begins at the Ural Mountains in Russia, which define Europe's eastern boundary with Asia. The southeast boundary with Asia isn't universally defined. Most commonly the Ural or, alternatively, the Emba River can serve as possible boundaries. The boundary continues with the Caspian Sea, and then the crest of the Caucasus Mountains or, alternatively, the Kura River in the Caucasus, and on to the Black Sea; the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles conclude the Asian boundary.

However, some geographers consider Azerbaijan's and Armenia's southern border with Iran and Turkey's southern and eastern border with Syria, Iraq and Iran as the boundary between Asia and Europe because of political and cultural reasons. The Mediterranean Sea to the south separates Europe from Africa. The western boundary is the Atlantic Ocean, but Iceland, much farther away than the nearest points of Africa, is also often included in Europe. There is ongoing debate on where the geographical centre of Europe is. For detailed description of the boundary between Asia and Europe.

The idea of a European "continent" is not universally held. Some non-European geographical texts refer to a Eurasian Continent, or to a European "sub-continent", given that "Europe" is not surrounded by sea and is, in any case, much more a cultural than a geographically definable area.

In terms of shape, Europe is a collection of connected peninsulas. The two largest of these are "mainland" Europe and Scandinavia to the north, divided from each other by the Baltic Sea. Three smaller peninsulas—Iberia, Italy and the Balkans—emerge from the southern margin of the mainland into the Mediterranean Sea, which separates Europe from Africa. Eastward, mainland Europe widens much like the mouth of a funnel, until the boundary with Asia is reached at the Ural Mountains.

Land relief in Europe shows great variation within relatively small areas. The southern regions are mountainous, while moving north the terrain descends from the high Alps, Pyrenees and Carpathians, through hilly uplands, into broad, low northern plains, which are vast in the east. An arc of uplands also exists along the northwestern seaboard, beginning in the western British Isles and continuing along the mountainous, fjord-cut spine of Norway.

This description is simplified. Sub-regions such as Iberia and Italy contain their own complex features, as does mainland Europe itself, where the relief contains many plateaus, river valleys and basins that complicate the general trend. Iceland and the British Isles are special cases. The former is a land unto itself in the northern ocean which is counted as part of Europe, while the latter are upland areas that were once joined to the mainland until rising sea levels cut them off.

The few generalizations that can be made about the relief of Europe make it less than surprising that the continent's many separate regions provided homes for many separate nations throughout history.

Geology

The Geology of Europe is hugely varied and complex, and gives rise to the wide variety of landscapes found across the continent, from the Scottish Highlands to the rolling plains of Hungary.

Rivers

Major islands

Iceland, Faroe Islands, Great Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man, Rockall, the rest of the British Isles, Gibraltar, Azores, Madeira, Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Ionian Islands, Crete, Aegean Islands, Åland Islands, Gotland, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Jan Mayen, and Svalbard.

Plains and lowlands

Mountain ranges

Forces that effect our weather - an excellent website created for the Annenberg Project. With activities and a storm chaser simulator, Well-written topics include: The Atmosphere, Ice and Snow, Powerful Storms, etc. Each section includes topical links, and "find out more" tutorials, such as Ozone Depletion under Atmosphere.

Globalization - from PBS - in an effort to promote understanding - site is called commanding heights.

Geographers Craft - site at the University of Colorado that explains and has many definitions for GIS.

Globalization, Limits on theory - PDF article by Henry Wai-chung Yeung Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore 117570 geoywc@nus.edu.sg Forthcoming in ‘Special Issue on Global Economic Change’, Economic Geography, Vol.78(3), July 2002.

Geography games - This site links you to over 40 geography games such as match the state flag to the state...

Geography Guide- Mining Co.'s Geography site. includes weekly articles about geography, annotated links to hundreds of the best sites for maps and geographical information, an online world atlas, a glossary, weekly quizzes, a bulletin board and chat room for those interested in geography, and much more.currently includesover 800 pages.

Geography Teacher - Over 600 links to resources, references, and lesson plans for high school students and teachers of geography organized by topic. Great Resource.

National Geographic Xpeditions - This website from the National Geographic Society contains an Atlas with printable maps; a Forum for exchanging geography ideas; Standards, ideas and activities; and the Xpedition Hall.

National Weather Service - From local to world weather, up to the minute: active flood warnings, severe thunderstorms, etc;

Passport to the World - Grades 4-6 (This can also be adapted for higher grades.) Here's a world geography unit that takes two to four weeks to complete. Students make or actually get a passport, then explore the world by participating in a variety of activities. Students will also enhance their skills in research, navigating the internet, composition, spelling, correspondence, cooking, presentation, money management, photography, map making, and even shopping!

Radar and Sattelite - Click on any city on the map to get current radar and satellite images. A good resource for advanced weatherstudents, to practice reading and interpretation of satellite imaging.

Six Flags theme parks - take a journey around the United States and visit one of the 25 sites. The Six Flags site has almost all the animation and excitement to be found in their parks! Their first park opened in Texas. They may now be found in such diverse places as Baltimore, Albany,Wild Safari in New Jersey, Denver, Oklahoma City, or Waterworld in Concord, CA., amongst others.

Tierra Firma Geography WAMFU - Harker Heights High School Geography Page: Interactive learning experience for elementary students --maintained by high school students.