I.
A.
Chapter 13
Natural Environment of Europe

Europe is a complex variety of
landforms, islands, and peninsulas.
Major islands include Great Britain,
Ireland, and Iceland.
Major peninsulas include the
Scandinavian, Iberian, Italian, and
Balkan Peninsula.
B.
Europe can be divided into four major
landform regions. These regions are
the Northwest Highlands, the Northern
European Plain,
the Central Uplands,
and the Alpine mountain system.
The Northwest Highlands is an ancient
eroded region of rugged hills and low
mountains.

C.
To the south lies the Northern
European Plain. Most of the plain is
less than 500 feet above sea level.

Many rivers flow across it before
reaching the ocean. As a result, river
towns and port cities have developed
there. Large cities, such as Paris
(France) and Berlin (Germany), are
located in this region.

D.
Today the Northern European Plain is
Europe’s most important farming and
industrial area.

The third major landform region is the
Central Uplands. This is area of hills
and small plateaus, with forested slopes
and fertile valleys.
Many of Europe’s productive coal fields lie
in the Central Uplands. A number of
industrial towns and cities grew near coal
deposits.

E.
The last and youngest region is the
Alpine mountain system, which
includes the Alps, Europe’s major

mountain range.