EUROPE & RUSSIA: Geographic Factors & Natural Resources
Chapt 14, Sect 3
1.
Where do fossil fuels come from, and how do they benefit Europe and Russia?
Fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) come from the decaying remains of ancient plants
and animals. They are found in abundance in parts of Europe, Russia, and the
surround seas. Fossil fuels are energy resources for industry and individuals: oil
(petroleum) is used for cars; natural gas is used to heat homes; and coal is used in
the generating of electricity and by industry.
2.
How are water resources used in Europe and Russia?
Water uses: personal use, irrigation of crops, transportation, hydroelectricity, and
in manufacturing.
3.
What geographic features contribute to the fertile soil of Europe and Russia?
Over thousands of years, flooding rivers have left alluvial soil on top of the soil and
winds have deposited dust-like soil called loess all across the North European Plain.
Rich soil, plentiful rainfall, and long growing seasons have enabled farmers to
produce abundant crops.
fossil fuels
fuels – coal, oil, natural gas – that come from the decaying remains of ancient plants and
animals
non-renewable
resources
resources that cannot be replaced once they are used up
turbines
machines that spin to generate electricity
hydroelectric power
electricity generated by moving water
loess
dust-like soil that is moved by wind
North Sea
the large body of water east of Great Britain, south of Scandinavia, and west of Europe;
source of much petroleum
Ruhr Valley
German river valley with large coal deposits
Silesia
the place were Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic come together; a region with
large coal deposits
Ukraine
large country in Eastern Europe (a former Soviet Union state) with rich coal resources
EUROPE & RUSSIA: Geographic Factors & Natural Resources
NATURAL RESOURCES
OF EUROPE
Hydroelectricity
Bauxite
Coal
Chapt 14, Sect 3
NATURAL RESOURCES
OF RUSSIA
Iron
Phosphates
Gold
Diamonds
Natural gas
BOTH
Copper
Petroleum
Lead
Nuggets:
 Europe is a wealthy region and a world leader in economic development due to its
abundant natural resources.
 Russia has a wide variety of natural resources, but its harsh climate, frozen rivers,
and huge transportation distances make it difficult to turn these resources into
wealth.
 Millions of years ago, marine plants and animals (plankton) died and settled on the
ocean floor. Mud and sand covered up this material, and the weight of the sand and
mud gradually changed the plankton into oil.
 Oil drilling is the North Sea is expensive and dangerous, but the oil is so plentiful
countries pay high salaries to recover this oil.
 Over millions of years the pressure of materials heaped on top of decay plant
materials create peat deposits, which eventually because brown coal (soft coal)
which is used by industries worldwide.
 Russian and Ukraine have 1/3 of the world’s coal resources.
 Hydro is the Greek word for water.
 Norway gets almost all of its power from hydroelectricity.
 Except in the Southern and Western portions of the country, the frozen rivers in
Russia and Siberia cannot be used to generate electricity.
 Polluted rivers in Russia must be restored before they can be used for
hydroelectricity.
 In the Ukraine, a black soil called CHERNOZEM is very fertile, and is extremely
important for food production in that country.
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SUMMARY: Europe and Russia are rich in both renewable and non-renewable resources.