EUROPE -LAND CLIMATE AND NATURAL VEGETATION-CHAPTER 8-GEOGRAPHY

Q1) Name the waterbodies that surround Europe on three sides.

Ans) The continent of Europe is surrounded by water bodies on three sides – the
Arctic Ocean in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the West and the Mediterranean
Sea in the South.
Q2) Name the Balkan states.
Ans) The Balkan states are Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and former Yugoslavian
countries of Albania, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia- Herzegovina,
Croatia, Slovenia.
Q3) What are fjords?
Ans) At many places along the coast, the deep glacial valleys have been drowned
and with sea water. These narrow and deep inlets of the sea, with steep rocks on
both sides, are called fjords. Their formation has made the coastline highly indented.
Q4) Name the plateaus and mountains that together make up the central highlands.
Ans) South of the Central Plains are a series of plateaus and mountains. They are
i) Meseta in Spain
ii) Central Massif and Vosges in France
iii) Black Forest and Harz Mountains in Germany
iv) Ardennes in Belgium
v) Bohemian Plateau in the Czech Republic
Q5) Name five rivers each of eastern Europe and western Europe respectively.
Ans) Rivers in the west include Guadalquivir, Tagus, Douro, Ebro, Garonne, Rhone,
Po, Loire, Seine, Thames, Rhine, Weser, Elbe, Oder and Vistula.
Rivers in the east include the Ural, Volga, Northern Dvina, Western Dvina, Don,
Dnieper, Dniester and Danube.
Q6) Which is the second longest river of Europe? Where does it rise and where does it
drain into? Name the region through which it flows.
Ans) Danube is the second longest river of Europe. Its source is Alps and its mouth
is Black sea. It flows through central and east European countries.
Q7) Where is continental type of climate found in Europe? Mention the characteristics
of this climate.
Ans) The eastern and central parts of Europe experience continental type of
climate. These regions are far away from the moderating influence of the sea and
hence the annual range of temperature is high. The temperature difference
increases from west to east, as one goes farther from the sea. Summers are short
and hot, while winters are long and cold. Rainfall occurs mainly in summer but the
amount is relatively low because the Westerlies are almost dry when they reach
these places.
Q8) Where are the Steppe grasslands located? What type of wildlife is found here?
Ans) Steppe grasslands are temperate grass lands of South eastern Europe, north
of the Black sea The wild life found here are Wild donkey, antelope, wild sheep ,
fox , hare burrowing animals
Q9) Mentions the adaptations of the Mediterranean vegetation that help them to
withstand long dry summers.
 EUROPE -LAND CLIMATE AND NATURAL VEGETATION-CHAPTER 8-GEOGRAPHY

Ans) Evergreen trees can tolerate long dry summers, have deep roots, thick
barks, small waxy leaves. E.g. Olive, Hemlock, Lavender.
Q10) Name the largest freshwater lake of Europe.
Ans) Lake Ladoga in Russia is the largest freshwater lake of the continent.
Q11) Name the largest islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ans) The largest islands in the Atlantic Ocean are Iceland and Ireland
Q12) What is the North Atlantic Drift?
Ans) The North Atlantic Drift is a warm ocean current, which is an extension of the
warm Gulf stream. It flows along the coast of north west Europe. Winds blowing
over this current become warm and raise the temperature of the coastal areas. In
fact, the warming effect of the North Atlantic Drift keeps the ports of North western
Europe free of ice even in winter.
Q13) Which is the only form of winter precipitation in the arctic region of Europe?
Ans) Snow is the only form of winter precipitation in the arctic region of Europe.
Q14) What kind of climate can be experienced in western France, Belgium and the
Netherlands?
Ans) Marine climate prevails in north of Spain, western France, Belgium , the
Netherlands, Denmark , the British Isles, Iceland and Norway.
Q15) Name the animals found in the coniferous forests of Norway and the Ural
Mountains.
Ans) The animals found in coniferous forests of Norway and the Ural Mountains
are Fox, lynx, sable, squirrel, mink, brown bear, badger, wolf.
Q16) State the kind of vegetation found in the Mediterranean forests of Europe.
Ans) Mediterranean forests of Europe have evergreen trees, can tolerate long, dry
summers, have deep roots, thick barks, small and waxy leaves ; olive, hemlock,
myrtle, lavender, laurel; oranges, lemons, figs, apples, pears, olives, grapes.
Q17) Which is the unique physical features of Europe?
Ans) The unique feature of Europe is its rugged and indented coastline.
Q18) Name the four major physical divisions of Europe.
Ans) Europe can be divided in to the following major physical divisions:
i) The North-western Highlands
ii) The Central Plains
iii) The Central Highlands
iv) The Alpine Mountains System
Q19) Name some active volcanoes in the Alpine Mountain system of Europe.
Ans) The active volcanoes in the Alpine Mountain system are Mt Vesuvius, Mt
Etna and Mt Stromboli.
Q20) Which is the highest mountain peak in all of Europe?
Ans) Mt Elbrus in the Caucasus range, is the highest mountain peak in Europe.