Main Idea 1:

The physical features of Northern Europe

include low mountain ranges and
jagged coastlines.

• Physical geography of Northern Europe changes

greatly from one location to another.
• Two regions make up Northern Europe.
– British Isles—a group of islands located across the
English Channel from the rest of Europe
– Scandinavia—a region of islands and peninsulas in far
northern Europe, including Iceland to the west

Holt McDougal,
 Physical Features
Hills and Farmland and Effects of
Mountains Plains Glaciers
• Rugged hills • Fertile farmland • Jagged
stretch across and plains coastlines cut
Iceland, stretch across by glaciers
northern southern parts
Scotland, and of British Isles • Fjords, narrow
Scandinavia. and inlets of the sea
Scandinavia. set between
• The Kjolen high, rocky
Mountains • Ireland’s rolling, cliffs, formed as
divide Norway green hills glaciers melted.
from Sweden. provide rich
farmland. • Thousands of
• Rocky soil and lakes carved
uneven terrain • Wide valleys in out by glaciers
make farming Denmark and
difficult. England also
have fertile soil.
• Fewer people
live there.

Holt McDougal,
 Main Idea 2:
Northern Europe’s natural resources include
energy sources, soils, and seas.

• Oil and natural gas deposits under the North Sea

• Hydroelectric energy produced by lakes and rivers
Energy
• Geothermal energy, or energy from the heat of Earth’s
interior, from Iceland’s hot springs

• Large areas of timber-producing forests stretch across

Forests Finland and Scandinavian Peninsula.
and
• Fertile soils provide rich farmland for crops.
Soils
• Livestock like sheep and dairy cattle are common.

• North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean

Seas
provide rich stocks of fish.
and
Oceans • Fishing is key industry in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.

Holt McDougal,
 Main Idea 3:
The climates of Northern Europe range from
a mild coastal climate to a freezing
ice cap climate.
• Much of Northern Europe lies near Arctic Circle.
• North Atlantic Drift, an ocean current that brings warm, moist
air across the Atlantic Ocean, results in Northern Europe’s mild
climates.
• Much of Northern Europe has a marine west coast climate.
– Denmark, the British Isles, and western Norway
• Other parts have a humid continental climate.
– Central Norway, Sweden, and southern Finland
• Far north are colder climates.
– Northern Scandinavia has a subarctic climate.
– Iceland has tundra and ice cap climates.

Holt McDougal,