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Prepare to Read
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Section 1 Land and Water
Objectives
1. Learn about the size, location, and population of Europe and Russia.
2. Examine the major landforms of Europe and Russia.
3. Find out about the waterways of Europe and Russia.
Set a Purpose for Reading When you set a purpose for reading, you give
yourself a focus. Think of this focus, or purpose, as a pair of eyeglasses that
will help you read more clearly.
Before you read this section, look at the objectives above, then flip
through the next two pages and read the headings. Use this information to
set a purpose for reading the section. What are you curious about? What
would you like to know about the geography of Europe and Russia? Read
to satisfy that curiosity—that’s your purpose for reading.
Vocabulary Strategy
Using Context to Determine Meaning When you come across new words
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in your textbook, or in this workbook, they are often defined for you.
Sometimes the definition appears in a separate sentence. Sometimes there
may be a brief definition in the same sentence. The word or may be used
to introduce the definition. Look at the following examples.
The Central Uplands are a region of highlands, made up of mountains and
plateaus. Plateaus are large raised areas of mostly level land bordered on one or more
sides by steep slopes or cliffs.
The people of the Netherlands created polders, or patches of new land.
The underlined words are defined in context. In these examples, the
definitions appear in italics. Look for definitions in the context as you
come across unfamiliar words in your reading.
Section 1 Summary
Major Landforms
The continent of Europe forms a peninsula, or a body of
land nearly surrounded by water. The European penin-
sula juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this,
15 Europe has many good harbors. Much of Russia lies on
the Arctic Ocean, which is frozen most of the year.
Europe has four major land regions. See the chart
below to learn about these regions.
Europe’s Land Regio s n Target Reading Skill
Regio n Ch r ct er i s t i c s
a a
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Key Terms
population density (pahp yuh LAY shun DEN suh tee) n. the average
number of people living in a square mile or a square kilometer
peninsula (puh NIN suh luh) n. a land area nearly surrounded by
water
plateau (pla TOH) n. a large raised area of mostly level land
bordered on one or more sides by steep slopes or cliffs
Chapter 1 Section 1 7
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TH
Key Terms
tributary (TRIB yoo tehr ee) n. a river or stream that flows into a
larger river
navigable (NAV ih guh bul) adj. wide and deep enough for ships to
travel through
8 Reading and Vocabulary Study Guide
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Prepare to Read
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1 Section 2 Climate and Vegetation
Objectives
1. Find out about the wide range of climates in Europe and Russia.
2. Learn about the major climate regions of Europe and Russia.
3. Examine the natural vegetation regions of Europe and Russia.
Predict Making predictions about what you will learn is one way to set a
purpose for reading. It also helps you remember what you have read.
Before you begin reading, preview the section. Look at the section title
and objectives above, then the headings. Also preview any maps. Then
predict what the section will tell you. Based on your preview, you will
probably predict that this section will tell you about the climate and
vegetation of Europe and Russia.
List two facts that you expect to learn about the climate and vegetation
of Europe and Russia.
Prediction 1: ____________________
Prediction 2: ____________________
As you read, check your predictions. Were they right? If they were not
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very accurate, you may need to pay closer attention while you preview
the section.
Vocabulary Strategy
Chapter 1 Section 2 9
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Section 2 Summary
A M E R I C A
40° N 40° N
BAHAMAS
0° 10° E
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now. rain. Areas east of mountains get less rain. The moun-
New Predictions: tains cause this difference. As winds rise up a moun-
tain, they cool and drop their moisture. The air is dry by
____________________
the time it reaches the other side of the mountain. Areas
____________________ 15 on the side away from the wind are in a rain shadow.
Oceans and mountains both affect the climates of
Reading Check Europe and Russia.
What factors affect the climates of Major Climate Regions
Europe and Russia?
There are four main climate regions in Europe and
____________________ Russia. The humid continental climate region has long,
____________________ 20 cold winters and hot summers. The subarctic climate
____________________ region has short summers and long, cold winters. Sub-
arctic regions include places like Irkutsk, Russia. The far
north areas of Europe and Russia have an arctic climate.
Key Term
rain shadow (rayn SHAD oh) n. the area on the dry, sheltered side
of a mountain, which receives little rainfall
Te k
E
____________________ ____________________
____________________
Key Terms
steppes (steps) n. the grasslands of fertile soil in Russia
tundra (TUN druh) n. a cold, dry, treeless region covered with snow
for most of the year
permafrost (PUR muh frawst) n. permanent layer of frozen ground
below the top layer of soil.
Chapter 1 Section 2 11
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Prepare to Read
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Section 3
Resources and Land Use
Objectives
Preview and Ask Questions Before you read this section, preview the
section objectives shown above. Then look at the title and headings on the
next two pages to see what the section is about. What do you think are the
most important concepts in this section? How can you tell?
After you preview the section, write two questions that will help you
understand or remember important concepts or facts in the section. For
example, you might ask yourself:
• What natural resources are located in Europe?
• What types of natural resources does Russia have?
Find the answers to your questions as you read.
Keep asking questions about what you think will come next. Does the
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text answer your questions? Were you able to predict what would be
covered under each heading?
Vocabulary Strategy
Section 3 Summary
Target Reading Skill
clues to what it
xt
Resources of Eastern Europe means. Circle the
words or phrases
Eastern Europe has natural resources like those of West- that help you learn its meaning. In
25 ern Europe. Ukraine, a large country in Eastern Europe, your own words, write down the
has coal deposits. It also has oil and natural gas. Howev- meaning of the term.
er, the most important resource in Ukraine is probably its
____________________
soil. The region’s black soil is very fertile. Because of the
____________________
fertile soil, farming is very important in Ukraine.
____________________
Reading Check
What important natural resources
Key Terms are located in Ukraine?
Chapter 1 Section 3 13
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Resources of Russia
30 Russia has many more natural resources than the
United States does. But Russia’s harsh climate, huge
size, and few navigable rivers have made it difficult to
turn the country’s resources into wealth. Russia has few
places fit for farming. Most places lack one or more of
35 the key elements for farming: favorable climate, good
soil, and plentiful water.
Electricity
Forests Oil
Natural Resources
of Russia
Minerals
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Pipelines carry oil and natural gas. Railroads carry coal.
They have to transport these resources to the industrial
Reading Check centers in Russia.
45 Collecting the natural resources causes another
Where are many of Russia’s natural
problem—protecting the environment. Some of the
resources located?
world’s worst cases of pollution are found in Russia,
____________________ especially in Siberia.
____________________
Review Questions
____________________
1. How is water used as a natural resource in Western
Europe?
____________________
____________________
Chapter 1 Assessment
2. Where are Russia’s largest cities and most of its industries located?
A. in the Northwestern Highlands
B. in the North European Plains
C. in the Central Uplands
D. in the Alpine Mountain System
5. Why has it been difficult for Russia to turn its natural resources into
wealth?
A. Russia has very few deposits of natural resources.
B. Most of Russia’s natural resources are located far away in Siberia.
C. Many of its resources, such as the forests, were used up long ago.
D. Pipelines to carry oil still need to be built.
Chapter 1 Assessment 15
Waterways, such as rivers and lakes, are crucial for providing water, transportation, and hydroelectric power. The major rivers include the Rhine River, which starts in the Alps and travels through Western Europe; the Danube River, passing through nine countries to the Black Sea; and the Volga River, the longest in Europe, flowing through Russia to the Caspian Sea. These waterways facilitate economic activities like trade and industry, although Russian rivers like the Volga are not navigable year-round due to freezing .
Russia faces challenges in utilizing its natural resources due to its harsh climate, vast size, and limited infrastructure. The majority of these resources are located in remote areas like Siberia, which are difficult to access due to the severe weather and lack of navigable rivers. Additionally, there are environmental concerns and the need for extensive infrastructure development, such as pipelines and railways, to transport resources from Siberia to industrial centers, further complicating the situation .
The Ural Mountains serve as a natural geographical divider between European Russia to the west and Siberian Russia to the east. This distinction affects climate, population distribution, and economic activities. The European side is more developed and populous, while the Siberian side is characterized by a harsh climate and sparse population, impacting resource extraction and transportation .
Loess is an important soil type in Europe because it is rich and dust-like, making it highly fertile and ideal for agriculture. It is found predominantly on the North European Plain, where wind has deposited it over thousands of years. The combination of loess, sufficient rainfall, and moderate temperatures enables farmers to grow abundant crops, playing a crucial role in supporting Europe's agricultural productivity .
Extracting natural resources in Russia, particularly in Siberia, has significant environmental impacts. The processes involved in mining, drilling, and transporting resources often lead to pollution, which can be among the worst in the world. The fragile Arctic environment is particularly vulnerable to oil spills, deforestation, and industrial waste, leading to long-lasting damage .
The North Atlantic Current plays a crucial role in moderating the climate of northwestern Europe. It brings warm water from the Gulf Stream across the Atlantic, which helps create a milder climate than would be expected at such northern latitudes, resulting in milder winters and cooler summers .
Western Europe's economic wealth is significantly boosted by its natural resources, such as fertile soil, water, and fossil fuels. The fertile soil helps in agricultural productivity, water is essential for drinking, farming, and hydroelectric power, and fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal provide energy sources for industries. These resources, combined with favorable climatic conditions, contribute to the region's leadership in global economic development .
Russia has a very low population density compared to European countries, which typically have high population densities. This is partly due to Russia's vast land area, much of which has a harsh climate and is not conducive to high population density, such as Siberia. European countries are smaller, more temperate, and more urbanized, leading to higher population densities .
Europe's major land regions include the Northwestern Highlands, characterized by old mountains and thin soil; the North European Plains, which cover more than half of Europe and are known for their fertile farmland and large cities; the Central Uplands, composed of mountains and plateaus that are not ideal for farming; and the Alpine Mountain System, located in southern Europe, which includes the Alps .
The Rhine and Danube rivers are vital to European economies as they provide major transport routes that facilitate the movement of goods and raw materials. The Rhine River, with its extensive network of canals and tributaries, reaches deep into industrial and urban centers, while the Danube connects several countries, offering trade routes across Central Europe. These waterways support industries, agriculture, and energy generation, contributing significantly to regional economic integration and development .