Europe: Physical Features and Social Life Style

Europe: Physical Features and Social Lifestyles

Location, Size, and Boundary

Europe is a continent that comprises the westernmost part of Eurasia. It lies in the northern hemisphere of the earth. It covers about 10,180,000 sq. km of the earth's surface, which is nearly 2% of the total earth's surface. It is extended from 25^oW to 65^oE longitudes and 35^o N to 73^oS latitudes. The average length and the breadth of Europe are 6,400 km and 4,800 km respectively. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, east, and southeast.
Europe is the second smallest continent in the world but has longest broken coastline with many bays, gulfs, and peninsulas. It has many peninsulas like Iberian, Italian, Balkan and Scandinavian peninsulas due to which it is known as “Peninsula of peninsulas”. Besides this, the Ural Mountains, Black sea, Caspian sea and other water ports connecting Aegean seas are found here. Black sea divides it from Asia and Gibraltar strait separates it from Africa.
Approximately, there are 50 countries. It is the third-most populous continent after Asia and Africa. It has 739-743 million population which carry nearly 11% of world’s population. The largest country Russia and the smallest country Vatican City lies here.

Natural Setting

Europe is a collection of connected and nearby islands. There are a number of seas and islands, due to which it has easy access to sea ports within 1600 km apart from each country. The British Isles, Ireland, Iceland, Sicily, Crete, Cyprus, Gotland, Aland Island, and Sardina are some of them.
Similarly, the Mediterranean Sea and its shores are the indispensable part of the Europe. It provides the favorable climate to south European countries. A harbour of Mediterranean sea connects the Europe directly, which is the main route of the Europe. Because of the harbour, shipping and fishing have been easier to the people living in Europe.

Physical Features

Europe is divided into three main regions, they are as follows:

• The Scandinavian Highlands
• The Central Plains
• The Southern Mountains

1. The Scandinavian Highlands:
   Scandinavian Highlands or the Scandes is a mountain range that runs through the Scandinavian peninsula in the northern Europe. It includes highlands of Sweden, Norway, and Scotland. It is one of the oldest landforms on earth, which most of the part is covered by ice and snow throughout the year. The Scandinavian mountains are composed of Precambrian and Paleozoic rock and are commonly characterized by steep sides and relatively flat top.
2. The Central Plains:
   The Central European Plain is bounded on the north by Baltic Seas and on the south by the mountains and highlands of European Hercynian. From west to east, the plain is roughly 600 km long with widths between 200 and 500 km. It is narrower in the west and much wider in the east. The plain is composed primarily of limestone and sandstones covered by glacial deposits.
3. The Southern Mountains:
   The Southern Mountains stretch from the Bay of Biscay to the Black sea and the Caspian sea. It consists of a number of plateaus and some plains as well. Mt. Elbrus is the highest peak in the Europe (5630m) which lies in the Caucasus Mountain Range. Another important Mountain Range is the Alps. It lies in the Southern Europe.

Climate

Europe has a temperate climate because it receives adequate rainfall throughout the year. It has a cold climate in the north, warm in the south and extremely hot in the eastern part. The southern part has warmer climate because it is far from the sea. So, it receives little rainfall.

Rivers

Europe has hundreds of rivers and their tributaries which cross the European continent. Some major rivers of Europe are Danube, Dnieper, Elbe, Loire, Jagus, Volga, Rhine etc. which have a great role in the people living in Europe for fishing and shipping.

European Lifestyle

European have higher and modern living standard compared to other continents. It is because of systematic progress and development in agriculture and industries. They live a busy and prosperous life throughout the year. Most of the natural resources of the continent have been harnessed. They have sufficient facilities of health, education, drinking water and entertainment, due to which people are getting free education and health services in some of the countries of Europe. European culture is the sub-root of Greek and Roman civilization.

Nepal is an economically poor country. Every year many tourists from Europe come to visit and promote Nepal in different ways. Nepal receives adequate assistance and grants from the European countries annually in development. Nepal has strengthened international fraternity to European countries like Great Britain, Germany, Finland, Denmark and many other countries which are supporting Nepal in health, education, transportation and other infrastructural sectors.