Unit 2 We preserve landscape

 UNIT 2. WE PRESERVE LANDSCAPE

How does climate influence landscapes

  Climate is the characteristic state of the atmosphere over a long period of time while weather                 is  the characteristic state of the atmosphere over a short period of time.

               There are several factors that are going to consider  in the climate of an area:

                1) Temperature: Is how hot is the air in that area. Normally, during the seasons changes of                         temperature are going to happen.

                2) Precipitation: Is the amount of water that is going to fall.

            The Earth has different climates because some factors are going to influence in the temperature               and precipitation

                    - Proximity to the Equator: Not all areas of the Earth receives the same amount of sun                              rays.  The zones closer to the Equator are going to receive a more direct exposure than                         others.

                    - Proximity to the sea: The sea breezes prevent extreme changes of temperature. As a result, the zones next to the ocean are going to suffer less extreme changes of temperature.

                    - Altitude:  The altitude of an area is going to affect temperature (colder) and precipitation                     (higher)

            b) Climates of Spain:

                    * Mediterranean.

                    Mediterranean climate has some particular characteristics. The first one, very low                                     precipitation (less than 600 l/m2). The second one, very dry summers suffering droughts                         (sequías)

                    Inside mediterranean climate we can differentiate 3 sub-climates:

                    a) Typical mediterranean: Mild winters(10 º C) and hot summers (25ºC).  Low precipitation                         (less than 600 l/m2)

                    b) Inland mediterranean: Very cold winters(4ºC) and very hot summers(over 25C) Less                             than (400 l/m2)

                    c) Dry mediterranean: Warm winters (20ºC) and very hot summers(they can reach 45ºC)

                    * Oceanic

                    It is found in the north of Spain. Mild winters(11ºC) and warm summers (25ºC).                                       Abundant precipitation. (Over 1000l/m2)

                    * Subtropical

                    It is found in the Islas Canarias.  The climate is influenced by its proximity to the                                   Equator.   Warm temperatures all year.  Very low precipitation.(less than 300l/m2)

                     * Mountain

                       It is found in the highest regions. The altitude influence the temperature (colder) and                                 precipitation(very high and snowy winters)

            c) How to read a climate chart.

            Climate charts provide us information about the weather in a specific area o city. Every year, climate charts are done and help us to identify how the climate of that area or city behaves over long periods of time. There are several items that we need to consider. Climate charts are divided in months.

a) Precipitation: Represented with blue bars, precipitation offers information about the rainfall during the different months. Normally, the precipitation in soing to be higher in fall or winter than in summer

b) Temperature: Represented by a line, offers the temperature variation over the twelve months.

c) Average temperature: The average temperature of the year (12 months temperatures /12)

d) Total precipitation: The amount of rainfall over a year.

Using graphic charts, we can deduce the climate its belong.

CLIMATES OF THE WORLD

We can differentiate three different among 5 different zones: one hot zone, two temperates and two cold zones.

OUNTAINS OF EURO

MOUNTAINS OF EUROPE

Europe is the second smallest continent in the world. It is the only continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.

Europe has many mountain ranges.

Mountains in northern Europe. These mountain ranges are generally below 2,500 metres and have

rounded peaks. They include the Scandinavian Mountains and the Ural Mountains, which form a natural border between Europe and Asia.

Mountains in southern Europe. These include the highest mountain ranges in Europe. The main ranges are the Pyrenees with Aneto (3404m), the Alps with Mont Blanc (4807m), the Carpathians, the Balkans and the Caucasus Mountains, where the highest peak in Europe is found: Mount Elbrus at 5,642 metres. The Apenine Mountains. Mount Etna (3349m) which is the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the biggest of the world. It is part of the World Heritage List.

POLITICAL MAP OF EUROPE

INTERACTIVE MAPS TO PRACTICE

• CAPITAL CITIES
• COUNTRIES
• COUNTRIES

COUNTRIES AND CAPITALS QUIZ (press Play Quiz)

• Play Quiz

THE RIVERS OF EUROPE

Most rivers in Europe are relatively long and have a steady flow. This makes them navigable by boat.

The watersheds of Europe:

Based on the ocean or sea they flow into, European rivers can be grouped into five watersheds: the Atlantic watershed, the Arctic watershed, the Mediterranean watershed, the Black Sea watershed and the Caspian Sea watershed.

*Mediterranean watershed

The main rivers, from east to west, are the Po, the Rhone and the Ebro.

*Black Sea watershed

The main rivers, from east to west, are the Dnieper, the Dniester and the Danube.

*Caspian Sea watershed

Here is the longest river in Europe, the Volga.

*Atlantic watershed

The main rivers, from east to west, are the Western Dvina, the Vistula, the Oder, the Elbe, the Rhine, the Loire and the Tajo.

*Arctic watershed

The main rivers, from east to west, are the Pechora and the Northern Dvina.

RIVERS INTERACTIVE MAP