Geography of Western Europe. Northern, Western and Central Europe

Prolonged denudation turned the Paleozoic formations into a system of peneplains. Vertical movements of the Alpine age formed tectonic faults and raised the ancient peneplain to various heights. The strong influence of glaciations (especially rice) - and landforms, fjords in the west. The western coast differs from the eastern one, in the east there is a system of low, sometimes leveled ledges, gently descending to the sea.

At an altitude of 600-1500 m in the north and 800-1900 m in the south there are monodominant spruce forests. in terms of timber reserves, it ranks third in Europe (after and).

Subalpine belt at 1300-2200 m from mountain pine, rhododendron, lingonberry, blueberry.

Unlike the Alps, they are poorly distributed and poorer in species composition. In the mountains bears, wild boar, wolf, lynx, wild goat. Lots of birds.

The Danube plains are the result of Neogene subsidence. The Middle Danubian plain on the site of the median Pannonian massif. Lower Danube - Wallakh foothill trough.

The subsidence was accompanied by sea transgressions and the accumulation of sedimentary strata. In the Quaternary, loess deposits are covered in many places by young alluvial sediments. Widespread on the plains of sandy deposits. The Middle Danube Plain (Alfeld) between the Danube in the west and the Carpathians in the east, is crossed by the Tisza. Most of the plain is covered with loess-like loams with fertile chernozem soils. In the northwest, there is the Lesser Hungarian Lowland (Kishalfeld), confined to the Bratislava Basin. It is drained by the Danube and its tributaries Raba and Vag. The highest part of the plain - Dunantul - the interfluve of the Danube and the Drava; here is the Bakony massif (up to 704 m) of Mesozoic limestone, tuff and lava. Bakony is a forested island among the treeless Hungarian plains. Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, is located in a tectonic basin in the south of Bakony, the outlets of the springs. The Lower Danube Plain stretches from west to east for 560 km with a width of 40-120 km, crossed by the tributaries of the Danube and inclined to the south.

There is a more elevated, hilly western part - Oltenia and a lower eastern - Muntenia. In the Danube Delta - Balta, there are large branches (girls): Kiliyskoye, Sulinskoye, Georgievskoye. Annually puts forward in the sea for 3 m; reed-reed vegetation, many birds, nature reserve. In the east, the plain passes into Dobruja - a low table uplift (about 500 m). The climate of the plain is continental, in summer the average temperature is +20, 22 °, in winter -2, -4 °. Precipitation 500-600 mm, maximum in summer, 3-4 weeks.

and its tributaries. Snow and rain feeding, except for the Danube and the Tisza, are not navigable.

Plains in the zone and steppes. cultural landscapes. Previously, on the Middle Danube Plain there were patches of broad-leaved forests alternating with forb steppes. Small forest areas have been preserved in Dunantul. Hungarian (Pashty) with chernozem soils are plowed up.

On the Lower Danube Plain there were feather grass steppes (Kympia), in the east they were replaced by grass-feather grass steppes on chestnut soils. Now the impoverishment of soils and salinization, work to strengthen the sands.
Special features: the arched structure of the Carpathians and Stara Planina is a consequence of the influence of rigid structures - in the east of the European Platform, in the west of the Pannonian median massif. In the Pliocene, the Pannonian massif subsided, faults, lava outpourings, and the formation of a volcanic zone. As a result, flysch and volcanic lithological zones are most developed in the Carpathians, limestone and crystalline are poorly developed. Insignificant development of alpine landforms, therefore, rounded peaks (flats) and gentle slopes predominate. There is no modern glaciation. Pronounced features of continentality. Well-preserved natural vegetation cover. In terms of forest reserves, Romania ranks third (after Finland and Sweden) in Overseas Europe. The Danube plains in the zone of forest-steppes and steppes are completely plowed up.

Geography of Europe
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With strict geographic point view, Europe is not really an independent continent, but is part of the Eurasia continent, which also includes Asia. However, Europe is still often regarded as an independent continent.

The European continent, which has access to a large number of water bodies, is separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains in Russia, as well as the Caspian and Black Seas. The continent is separated from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea.

Mountains and plains of Europe

Alps

Located in south-central Europe, these mountains stretch over 1,100 kilometers from the coast of southern France (near Monaco), through Switzerland, northern Italy and Austria, then through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ending in Albania off the Adriatic coast.

Known for their spectacular scenery, glaciers, lakes and valleys, and some of the best skiing in the world, the Alps are the source of many rivers and tributaries, including the Danube, Po, Rhine, and Rhone.

The highest point is Mont Blanc (4807 m).

Apennines

The Apennines, where almost all the rivers of Italy originate, including the Arno, Tiber, and Volturno, are 1,350 km long, they are the core of Italy, and stretch along the entire length of the Apennine (Italian) peninsula, and end on the island of Sicily.

The highest point is Corno Grande (2914 m).

Balkan mountains

These mountains start on the territory of Serbia, and extend through the whole of Bulgaria. Some spurs of this mountain system pass through the territory of Albania, Greece, and Macedonia.

The most famous mountain in this mountain system is Olympus, the highest and most impressive mountain in Greece, its height is 2918 m.

Great Hungarian Plain (Alfeld)

Located in the southeastern part of Europe, and surrounded by mountains, this plain contains several small forests, and several large meadows. Its average height above sea level is only 100 meters, and the conditions here are often dry, so snow flows from the Alpine and Carpathian mountains in winter are of great importance for the plain.

Carpathians

This mountain range, located in Eastern Europe, is the source of several rivers: the Dniester, the Tisza, and the Vistula. They form a natural border between Slovakia and southern Poland, and extend far to the south, into the territory of Ukraine and Romania.

The highest point is Gerlachovský Štit, in northern Slovakia, at 2,655 m.

Meseta

The Meseta (also called the Iberian Meseta, or the Castilian Highlands) covers almost half of the entire territory of Spain. This high plateau is located at a distance of 700 m above sea level in the north, and 600 m above sea level in the south.

The plateau is surrounded by several mountain ranges, including the Cantabrian Mountains, the Sierra de Gata, and the Sierra de Guadarrama in the north, and the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada in the south. These mountains separate the Meseta from the Costa Verde, the Ebro Valley, the Mediterranean, and Andalusia.

Pyrenees

The Pyrenees stretching from the Bay of Biscay (in the west) to the Gulf of Lion (in the east).
To the south of the mountains is Spain, to the north is France, and Andorra is located inside the mountain range itself.
NASA images
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These mountains form a natural border between France and Spain, and stretch for more than 400 km, from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point is Aneto Peak (3404 m).

scandinavian mountains

This jagged mountain system stretches along the eastern border of Norway and the western part of Sweden. The highest point is Kebnekaise (2123 m).

Central European Plain

The fertile lands of the Central European Plain extend north and northeast of the Alps, all the way to the Baltic Sea, and into Denmark, southern Finland, Norway, and Sweden. To the east, the plain extends to the territory of Russia and beyond, with a total length of over 4,000 km.

These lands are generally flat, with a small number of hills, this also includes the Central Russian Upland. Agriculture is widespread in the plains, and a large number of agricultural communities are represented around.

central massif

This mountain range in southwestern France is the source of Allier, Creuse, and the Loire. Its approximate size is 85,001 sq. km, the highest point is the Puy de Sancy (1,885 m).

Rivers of Europe

Hundreds of rivers and their tributaries flow on the territory of the European continent. Below will be listed the longest of them (over 900 km long), as well as the most famous and remarkable.

Volga

The Volga is the largest river in the European part of Russia. It flows through central Russia and is considered the national river of Russia. Its length is 3,692 km.

Dnieper

Originating in southwestern Russia, the river flows south through Belarus, then southeast through Ukraine, and flows into Black Sea. The total length is 2,285 km.

Originating in southwestern Russia, south of Moscow, the river flows southeast to the Volga River, then turns sharply west to empty into the Sea of ​​Azov. The total length is 1,969 km.

Danube

Originating in the Black Forest region of Germany, this river flows through Central Europe, in countries such as Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The river forms the border between Romania and Bulgaria, then, through the territory of Romania, flows into the Black Sea.

The river is 2,850 km long and is one of the most important trade waterways on the continent.

Loire

Recognized as France's longest river, the navigable Loire River begins at the foot of the Massif Central, then flows north and west along central France to empty into the Bay of Biscay. Length - 1,020 km.

Audra

Originating in the mountains in the east of the Czech Republic, the river flows west and north through south-central Poland, eventually emptying into the Baltic Sea. Length - 912 km.

Italy's longest river starts in the Alps, flows west to east along northern Italy, and ends in the Adriatic Sea. Its length is 652 km.

Rhine

Formed in the mountains of southeastern Switzerland, this legendary river flows west, forming the northeastern border of Switzerland with Germany, then the river heads due north into western Germany, where it forms the border of this country with France, and then cuts through the Netherlands, and ends in the North Sea.

Numerous tributaries of the river flow in all directions, the total length of the river is 1,319 km.

Rhone

Originating high in the Swiss Alps, this fast river flows through Lake Geneva, then heads south through southeastern France, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

Small tributaries of the river flow in all directions, the total length is 485 km.

Tacho

The Tagus River rises in the central highlands of Spain, then flows southwest through Portugal, then south to Lisbon, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its length is 1,007 km.

Shannon

Originating in the northwest of Ireland, the river flows through several lakes, then turns west, and eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Length - 370 km.

Elbe

Originating in the Czech Republic, the Elbe River flows north through Germany and empties into the North Sea near the city of Cuxhaven. Its length is 1,165 km.

Europe is the second smallest part of the world (after Australia), which together with Asia forms the continent of Eurasia, which is the largest both in area and in population.

Basic geographic information

The territory of Europe is located in the western part of the Eurasian continent and occupies 10 million km². Almost all land is in the temperate zone. The areas in the south and north also occupy climatic zones, respectively. The Atlantic Ocean and 16 seas wash the southwestern shores. The seas of the Arctic Ocean wash the land in the north. The Caspian Sea is located on the southeastern border. Coastline strongly indented, ocean basins formed a huge number of islands and peninsulas. Extreme points:

• north - Cape North Cape;
• south - Cape Marroki;
• west - Cape Roca;
• east - the eastern slope of the Polar Urals.

The largest islands are Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Novaya Zemlya, Corsica, Sicily and Sardinia. Their total area is 700 thousand km². About twenty-five percent of the territory falls on the peninsulas: Apennine, Pyrenean, Balkan, Kola and Scandinavian.

Europe is usually divided into Eastern, Western, Southern and Central parts. The political map shows 50 independent states. The largest are Russia, Ukraine (part of the country's territory is de facto not controlled by the official authorities), Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy. Europe is the third after Asia and Africa. Most countries are in a state of rapid population aging. The national composition was influenced by migration processes, revolutions and wars. Many peoples have a complex gene pool. The dominant religion is Christianity.

Relief

On the subcontinent, mountain systems are combined with plains. The existing one is explained by the fact that part of the area stands on the East European platform. final geological structure the European part of the world acquired 30 million years ago. Tectonic movements formed the pits of the seas and raised the mountain ranges to the current heights.

Glaciers that existed millennia ago have dramatically affected the surface of the land. In the process of melting, they carried rocks far to the south. Huge sandy masses and clay formed lowlands called "woodlands". Unlike Asia, there are no high mountain ranges in Europe. The highest points are:

• Elbrus is the highest point of the subcontinent and Russia, 5642 m.
• Mont Blanc - a massif in the Western Alps, 4810 m.
• Dufour is the highest point in Switzerland, 4634 m.
• Liskamm - peak on the border of Italy and Switzerland, 4527 m.

The movement of the crust was accompanied by volcanic activity. Mount Etna, 3340 m high, is located in Sicily. On the Italian mainland there is another active volcano, Vesuvius. in relief of Eastern Europe uplands predominate: Central Russian, Podolsk, Volga. Here are the lowlands: Black Sea and Caspian. Relief formation continues to this day. This is evidenced by regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Inland waters

The confluence of the rivers Inn and Ilz in the Danube

Most of the bodies of water belong to the basin Atlantic Ocean. Most big rivers: Rhine, Vistula and Oder are located in the Central and Eastern parts. An important role in their nutrition is given to melted snow waters. After the end of the flood, the level of the rivers drops. In winter they freeze.

The largest river, the Volga, begins in the Valdai Upland. It is fed by the channels Kama and Oka, and the length is 3530 km. The second largest river, the Danube, stretches for 2850 km. It links the countries of Western Europe. The Dnieper, 2201 km long, is the largest river in Ukraine. It begins in the Valdai Upland, and ends in the Dnieper Estuary of the Black Sea.

The lakes are unevenly distributed over the area. The largest is the Caspian Sea, which contains salt water. It is followed by the freshwater Ladoga and Onega lakes. Other lakes are located in the southeast. These include Elton and Baskunchak.

Climate

Climate map of Europe according to Köppen

Due to being in a temperate climate zone, the seasons are clearly expressed in the European part of the world. The north and south of Europe are fundamentally different from the eastern part. The annual amount of incoming sun in the south is several times greater than in the north. The proximity of the Atlantic to the North Atlantic current increases the temperature near the western coasts.

The interaction of air masses forms frequent cyclones. They bring thaws in winter and rain in summer. Formed anticyclones give heat in summer and clear but cold temperatures in winter. The main role in climate formation is played by the transport of air masses in the west. Because of the plains in the east, arctic air penetrates far to the south.

Cold dry air dominates in the Arctic zone. The sun stays low on the horizon for most of the year. The subarctic belt covers the coast of the Barents Sea, the north of Scandinavia and Iceland. The summer temperature there rises above ten degrees Celsius. Most of Europe lies in the temperate latitude zone. The climate has a strong seasonal variation. The southeast belongs to the continental belt. It has hot summers but mild winters. The southern part covers the subtropical zone. The summer is tropical and the maximum winter temperature is 10°C.

Flora and fauna:

Vegetable world

The green world of the Arctic zone is represented by lichens and mosses. In the south, in the forest-tundra zone, grow dwarf trees and shrubs. The reign coniferous trees: firs, spruces, cedars and larches. It is replaced by a zone of deciduous forests. Oak, aspen, birch and maple grow here. The foot of the mountains is home to conifers. Below the strip of forests, alpine meadows begin. The territory of the Caucasus is a zone of unique herbaceous plants and trees. There is boxwood, chestnut, rhododendron. The flora of southern Europe is typical for the subtropics. Here you can see palm trees and lianas. The green world of the subcontinent is diverse and multifaceted.

Animal world

In polar bears and arctic foxes. The coast is home to seals and walruses. Diverse. It is inhabited by red deer, bears, lynxes, sables and squirrels. The fauna of deciduous forests is just as multifaceted. Badgers, squirrels, wild boars, deer and minks live here. The steppes are a haven for animals of compact size: foxes, jerboas and saigas. Chamois, goats, rams and goitered gazelles live in the mountainous regions.

Minerals

Coal basins are located in England, Germany, Poland and Ukraine. There are large oil and gas fields in the Volga region. The North Sea shelf began to be developed in the second half of the 20th century. Here is a source of hydrocarbon raw materials.

Due to the processes of vulcanization, ore deposits were formed. Various types of metals are mined in the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, the Lorraine and Krivoy Rog basins. Ore and precious stones are located in the Urals. There is also mercury, uranium and polymetals. Europe is a source of granite, marble and basalt.

Atmospheres. Carbon dioxide emissions form acid rain and smog. Wastewater. Active exploitation of the soil cover leads to erosion. All European countries closely cooperate with each other. Their task is to unite in order to stop the destructive action of the developed industry.

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Western Europe covers an area of ​​1422.8 thousand km2, which is 16.6% of the entire territory of Europe. The region includes eleven countries. Three of them (Germany, France, Great Britain) are among the seven most developed countries in the world.

The other six (Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland) are small highly developed countries, while Monaco and Liechtenstein remain in the rank of "dwarf" states.

In general, the region is characterized by a high level of economic development, significant incomes of the population and, accordingly, a high standard of living of the population in the world.

An important feature of the geographical location (position) of Western Europe is the wide access of developed states to the World Ocean, which for many centuries was used to lay sea routes, conquer overseas territories and create such powerful colonial powers in the past as Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium.

The further development of relations between the metropolises and territories dependent on them was very difficult, in most cases aggressive, but on the whole it contributed to international division labor, the formation of the world economic system, the "driving force" of economic reforms.

Other countries - Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg - although they do not have direct access to the sea, but, using inland waterways, a dense network of modern automobile and railways, overcome spatial isolation and create all the prerequisites for the openness of their economy. The eastern and southeastern territories of the region, in particular Germany, Austria, Switzerland, bordering on Central-Eastern and Southern Europe, the borders with which in most cases pass along rivers, mountain ranges, are not an obstacle to the construction of railways and roads.

The influence of the ocean is especially felt on the economic activity of the western coastal territories, as well as southern England. Many seaports have become well-known urban centers - London, Liverpool, Rotterdam, Hamburg, etc. transport system and certain sectors of the economy, in particular shipbuilding, oil refining and other industries specializing in the processing of imported raw materials. At the same time, one should not discard the central importance of capital cities and regional centers, which have emerged as significant political, economic and cultural centers, remote from the sea, but located at the advantageous European crossroads of Paris, Bonn, Berlin, Vienna, Luxembourg, etc.

Economic - geographical assessment natural conditions and resources. Western Europe looks like a fairly compact area, with the exception of the British Isles, which are shifted far to the west, crashing into the oceanic space of the Atlantic. This specific position affects climatic conditions region. If the climate of the British Isles is typically maritime, where annual precipitation may exceed 1500 mm, and the annual amplitudes of temperature fluctuations are insignificant (almost frost-free winters, relatively cool summers), then for the continental part of the region its change is associated with the transformation of sea air masses when they move to depth of the mainland. For example, in the extreme west of the Netherlands, the annual precipitation is 700-800 mm. with a maximum of precipitation in winter, mainly in the form of rain, with average temperatures of the cold month from +1 to -1 ° C. Moving to the east, the annual amount of precipitation decreases and on the eastern borders of Germany, the average January temperature is everywhere negative (-2 ... -Z ° C), and the average July temperature is +20 ° C with an annual rainfall of about 500 mm., The maximum of which occurs in the second half of spring and early summer, which contributes to the development of agriculture, especially row crops. A similar pattern of climate change characterizes the middle and partially southern part of the region. True, here importance has not only a geographical location, but also the nature of the relief. If the northern part of Western Europe is occupied by the Central European Plain, where the climate changes eastward, gradually acquiring a continental character, then the southern part is occupied by plateaus and the Alps, the climate of which, depending on the height of the mountain ranges, the presence of closed basins and sides of the slope can be very different. An example of a mild and warm climate with a continental tinge can be the Upper Rhine Plain, which is considered very favorable for the development of agriculture. An example of the unique climate of mountainous areas can be the southern slopes of Switzerland, Austria, used for the development of climatic resorts and agricultural development of mountain slopes.

In general, the territory of Western Europe is located in the temperate zone. Almost all of its mainland, except for the Alpine regions and a narrow strip of the Mediterranean coast of France, as well as the north of Great Britain, has an annual sum of active temperatures from 2200 ° to 4000 °, which makes it possible to grow the main agricultural crops with an average and long growing season - wheat, rye, oats, sugar beet, sunflower, corn, etc. For the Scottish Highlands, Ireland and the highlands of the continental part, the sum of active temperatures is half as much - from 1000 ° to 2200 °, crops with a short growing season are grown here. Only a narrow strip of the Mediterranean coast of France belongs to the subtropical climate with the sum of active temperatures from 4000 ° to 6000 °. Therefore, such heat-loving crops as citrus, olive, grapes, etc. are grown here.

Mostly in Western Europe mild winters with average January temperatures, rarely drop below zero (with the exception of the mountainous regions and the eastern borders of Germany). Summer is not hot, and the average July temperature ranges from +16 to +24 ° C.

Western Europe is characterized by high humidity, especially its western part. The agricultural lands of Great Britain, the coastal lands of France, the Netherlands and Germany requiring drainage, especially on clay soils, poorly pass atmospheric moisture. The mountain ranges of the region, the entire Alps, holding back the Atlantic air masses, condensed a significant amount of moisture - from 1500 to 3000 mm. precipitation per year. The Alps have a clearly defined altitudinal zonality (zonation) - from a warm temperate climate to a temperate cold climate with a strict alpine climate in the upper part of the mountains. For economic purposes, mountains are actively used up to a height of 1500-2000 m.

The soils of Western Europe are not very fertile, but thanks to the introduction high level agricultural technology, their quality has increased markedly. This enables the developed countries of Western Europe to receive very high yields main agricultural crops.

Most of the territory of Western Europe has long been mastered by man, cultivated, only in the north of Great Britain and in the Alps have preserved corners of the wild. That's where the forests are. Only one fifth of the region's territory is covered with forests. The mountainous areas of continental Europe (30%) are distinguished by the highest forest cover, the British Isles are the least (in Ireland - less than 3%).

The countries of Western Europe have a dense river system. Almost all rivers are full-flowing, most of them in the lower and middle reaches are navigable. The transport value of rivers is enhanced by the presence of laid channels. In terms of annual runoff resources per capita, the region ranks high in the world. Ireland is in the first place among the countries of the region - 13.7 thousand m3, Austria is in the second place - 7.70, Switzerland is in the third place - 7.28. Among major countries the volume of water resources of annual flow per capita is: for France - 4.57 Great Britain - 2.73 thousand m3, and for Germany - even less.

A significant concentration of water resources is located in the Alps - on high mountain glaciers. They occupy 3,200 km2 of area, with reserves of 3,500 km3 of water.

The countries well endowed with water resources include Great Britain and France.

The mountain rivers of the Western region have powerful hydropower resources: France - 80 billion kWh / year, Austria - 44 and Switzerland - 39 kWh / year. They account for almost one-fourth of Europe's total hydropower reserves.

Geologically, the territory of the region, as well as the whole of Europe, has been studied quite well. Among the minerals, coal, iron ore, and oil are of great economic importance.

Hard coal occurs in almost all countries of the region, and the largest reserves are the Ruhr (Rhine-Westphalian) basin, deposits of Northern France, Great Britain and Belgium. Brown coal, which is a good raw material for the chemical industry, is located on the outskirts of the Alpine fold system (eastern Germany).

The metallurgical resources of the western region of Europe are incomplete. Of the main ores of ferrous metals (iron, manganese, chromium), only iron ore stands out in large reserves. Its main deposits are located in the UK, northwestern France and Luxembourg. True, these rudiments have a relatively low metal content: in France and Luxembourg - from 30 to 40%, in England and Germany - from 20 to 35%.

Significant reserves of aluminum raw materials (bauxites) are in France, antimony and molybdenum - in Austria.

Western Europe is rich in important types of chemical raw materials - potash and table salt. Their main deposits are in Germany.

Among the energy resources, in addition to coal and water resources, the region has reserves of oil, natural gas and uranium.

The oil-rich shelf of the North Sea - especially that part of it belongs to the UK. Following oil in the 1970s, large deposits of natural gas were discovered, but mainly on the shelf of Norway, which significantly changed the energy economy not only in this country, but also in neighboring countries of the Northern macroregion.

Industrial reserves of uranium lie on the territory of France.

And yet, despite some improvement in the fuel and energy balance due to internal reserves, the main source of renewal of energy carriers remains the countries - exporters from other regions of the world.

Population. The population of the region in mid-2000 was almost 246 million people, which is 37% total strength throughout Europe, being 7.7 times more than in Northern Europe, and 47.2% more than in Central-East and 73.2% more than in Southern Europe. More than four-fifths of the region's population is accounted for by three countries - Germany, France, Great Britain.

Western Europe belongs to the most densely populated regions of the world. The average population density here exceeds 173 people per 1 km2, which is 5 times more than in the North, 3.5 times - than in the East, 1.7 times - than in the Central-Eastern and 1.8 times - than in Southern Europe. In terms of average population density, the Netherlands, Belgium are among the top five countries in the world. The top ten also includes Germany and the UK. The central and northwestern parts of the region stand out with the highest density in the region: the Netherlands - 382 ind./km2, Belgium - 330, England - 238, Germany - 230 ind./km2. Only the outskirts of Western Europe, in particular the Scottish Highlands, Western Ireland and the Alps, are less populated.

Western Europe has long been considered one of the most urbanized areas the globe. More than three-quarters of the population lives in cities, in particular, almost 97% in Belgium, about nine-tenths in the UK, and more than 85% in Germany. In this part of Europe there are many millionaire cities. Almost twice as many large cities (from 500 thousand to 1 million inhabitants), many medium and small cities. The network of cities in the region is the densest in the world. Significant development in Western Europe has reached urban agglomerations, especially in Great Britain, Germany, France. A significant number of the population is concentrated in agglomerations. More than 10 million people live in the London and Paris agglomerations alone, and 6 million live in the Ruhr.

Group forms of settlement are developing - urban agglomerations. largest city is Greater Paris, where one-fifth of the population and more than one-fifth of France's jobs are concentrated. The Ruhr agglomeration extends over a distance of more than 100 km. with an average width of 20 km. More than 10 million people live here.

In terms of population growth, Western Europe lags far behind other regions, ranking last in the world. For example, in 1983-1993, growth rates were less than one percent per year, and in the next five years they became negative, while for developing countries this figure exceeds 2 and even 3.0%. The share of the region in the world population is small - 4.3%.

The main reason for the decline in population growth is the decline in the birth rate. The table shows that highly urbanized Germany (9.0%), as well as Belgium (11.0%) are characterized by low birth rates. According to the low for these and other industrialized countries is the birth rate of children per woman "(total fertility rate), it ranged from 1.3 to 1.7 children in 1995-2000, while the death rate of newborns is negligible. Per 1000 births in 5 children died in Western Europe in 2000. In some developing countries, this figure is even 140 or more children (Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Liberia).

The mortality rate in the region is low. It has stabilized at 8-10 deaths per year per 1,000 population. The overall coefficient of natural increase (growth per 1,000 people) has stabilized at an average of 1.0-3.5. The largest increase among the countries of Western Europe (2000) is in the Netherlands - 1.0, and the lowest is Germany, Luxembourg, France - 4.

In the age structure of the population, the share of old age groups is increasing. Average life expectancy in the region is 72.4 years for men, the highest in Europe, and 74.9 years for women, second only to northern European women.

Labor resources make up more than 3/5 of the total population of the region, they are not fully used. Looking for good earnings, the local population often refuses cheap jobs, and they are occupied by immigrant workers, who in the mid-90s in Western Europe numbered almost 7 million people. Most of them settled in Germany, Britain and France - more than four-fifths of all immigrants working and living in the region. They move here both from European countries (Spain, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Greece, Portugal), and from the countries of Africa, East and Southeast Asia.

Almost the entire population of the region belongs to the large Caucasoid race (white), which is conditionally divided into the northern Caucasoid, or Baltic, and the southern Caucasoid, or Indo-Mediterranean. The northern Caucasian race occupies the territory of most countries of Western Europe. Its characteristic features are relatively high growth, light color hair and eyes, dense zarist on the face and body, elongated shape of the skull.

Most of the peoples of the region speak Indo-European languages ​​belonging to the Germanic group: Germans, Germans - Swiss, Austrians, Luxembourgers, Alsatians and Lotharinsians, Dutch, Frisians, Flemings, English, Scots, Scots-Irish.

The second largest Indo-European language group in Western Europe is Romance, which was formed on the basis of the Latin language. This group includes the French, Franco-Swiss, Walloons, Corsicans, Italians, Italo-Swiss, Romansh.

The least common in the region is the Celtic group of languages. It includes the peoples who inhabit the British Isles: Irish, Welsh, Gels and Bretons (France).

The main stages of economic development of the countries of Western Europe. The economies of Western Europe have gone through a long and peculiar path of development.

The decisive influence on the changes in the economic status of many European states had the Great geographical discoveries XV-XVII centuries., Which gave rise to colonial conquest and the division of overseas lands between European states.

At the beginning of the XVIII century. The Netherlands and England especially strengthened their economies. Trade with the countries of the world brought them huge profits, and agrarian revolutions accelerated the intensification of agriculture.

At the end of the XVIII century. especially the importance of England increased. Favorable geographical position, huge income from colonial trade, reforms in agriculture contributed to the transformation of agriculture into large-scale production, and most importantly, the industrial revolution made full use of the economic and geographical combination of coal and iron ore, which became an important prerequisite for the creation of the basic sector of the economy - heavy industry.

The French Revolution of 1789 became a prerequisite for the further development of the economy of both France and other countries located to the east of England. But the war of 1812 rejected the French from economic development and led to the consolidation of England as a powerful power in the 19th century. By the middle of the same century, a new powerful state was actually created - the British Empire.

In the 50-60s of the XIX century. the transition from handicraft to machine production actively contributed to the formation of centralized nation-states. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 German unification was completed. In addition to Prussia, it included Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia, Wurtenberg, Baden and several dozens of small independent lands.

AT early XIX Art. the territories of Belgium and Holland were finally formed.

At the turn of the century (late 19th - early 20th) there were significant changes in the structure of the economy of European countries. This was facilitated by the emergence electric current, engine internal combustion etc. During this period, the contours of the main industrial regions of the west of Germany, the south of Great Britain, the north of France, and also the Benelux countries are formed.

Prior to the First World War, Western Europe concentrated up to 60% of the world's international trade and more than half of the exported capital.

But despite significant financial and economic shifts, the dominant role of Europe, which lasted for three centuries, was lost. The world center of industrial and financial power in the late XIX-early XX centuries. moved to the USA. The First World War, the interwar period and the Second World War did not bring any special changes in the economy of Western European and other states of the continent. On the contrary, the last war created a completely new political - economic situation. The new republic of Ireland was formed on the territory of the region. Great Britain, France, Belgium actually lost their overseas colonies. Colonial empires collapsed. Post-war Germany was divided into two states: the FRG and the GDR. In Europe, the cold war virus was growing between supporters of the Soviet Union and the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which initially included 12 states. Of these, five were Western European countries: England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg.

A completely new situation obliged the countries of Western Europe to form economic unions. In the process of creating a single European economic space in the EEC countries, a large-scale restructuring of production technologies took place. At the same time, a unified system of taxation was introduced and social protection population. On the basis of most countries of the region in 1992 (in Maastricht - the Netherlands) an agreement on the European Union (EU) was signed. According to this agreement, it is envisaged to create an economic and political association of European countries with common governing bodies, a single financial system and monetary unit where individual states are not in the least humiliated in their statehood, national dignity or economic expediency.

Europe is located in the west of Eurasia and covers an area of ​​about 10 million km2. It is located mainly in temperate latitudes. Only the extreme northern and southern parts enter the subarctic and subtropical belts.

Europe is surrounded by seas on three sides. Its western and southern shores are washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Big influence on the formation of nature here to repair the heat of the Pivnichno-Atlantic current, the branch of which penetrates into the Arctic Ocean

The seas of the Atlantic Ocean - the North, the Baltic - wash the western shores, and the Mediterranean, Black, Azov - deeply cut into the land from the south. The seas of the Arctic Ocean - Norwegian, Barents, Kara, White - washing Europe from the north. In the southeast, there is an endorheic Caspian Sea-Lake.

The history of the formation of the territory and relief. Europa's surface is a complex combination of mountain systems of various heights, as well as rolling and undulating flat plains. Such a variety of relief is largely due to its antiquity. The formation of the territory of European land began 2-3 billion years ago, when one of the oldest areas was formed earth's crust- Eastern European platform. In relief, the platform corresponds to the East European Plain. Farther away, the increase in land area within Europe occurred around the platform in the Paleozoic era, when the Scandinavian mountains, the Urals and mountain structures in the west of Europe were formed.

The loose products of the destruction of the Paleozoic mountains filled the intermountain depressions throughout the entire Mesozoic era. Repeatedly sea ​​waters flooded the land, leaving behind powerful strata of sedimentary deposits. They blocked the destroyed folded structures of the Paleozoic era, forming a cover of the so-called young platform in the west of Europe. Its foundation, in contrast to the Russian, is not of the Archean, but of the Paleozoic era.

In the Mesozoic era, as a result of the divergence lithospheric plates Europe finally separated from North America. The formation of the Atlantic basin began, the volcanic island of Iceland was formed.

AT Cenozoic era there is an additional build-up of land in southern Europe in the Mediterranean fold belt. At this hour, powerful young mountain systems are formed here - the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), the Carpathians, the Crimean Mountains. In the troughs of the earth's crust, large lowlands arose, such as the Middle Danube and Lower Danube.

The relief of Europe acquired a modern look in the last 20-30 million years. During this period, the latest tectonic movements occurred, which significantly changed the surface of the land. The old and young mountain structures of Europe were raised and reached their present height. At the same time, large areas of the earth's crust sank and formed the basins of the seas and vast lowlands. Near the coast, large mainland British islands, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya and others arose. The movement of the earth's crust was accompanied by volcanic activity, which has not ceased to this day near the Mediterranean and on the island of Iceland.

The earth's crust in the most ancient part of Europe, on the East European platform, slowly rises in some places, and sinks in others. As a result, in the relief of this part of Europe, separate uplands (Central Russian, Podolsk, Volyn, Volzka) and lowlands (Black Sea, Caspian) clearly manifested themselves.

The general cooling of the climate on Earth led to the formation of a huge ice sheet in Northern Europe about 300 thousand years ago. The glacier then advanced (during the period when the temperature decreased), then receded (when the temperature increased). During its maximum development, the glacier reached over 1.5 km in thickness and almost completely covered the British Isles and the plains adjacent to the North and Baltic Seas. In two languages, he descended along the East European Plain, reaching the latitude of Dnepropetrovsk.

In the process of movement, the glacier significantly changed the surface of the land. Like a giant bulldozer, it smoothed hard rocks and removed the top layers of loose rocks. polished fragments rocks were taken out of the centers of glaciation far to the south. Where the glacier melted, glacial deposits accumulated. Boulders, clay and sand formed huge ramparts, hills, ridges, complicated the relief of the plains. Melt waters carried masses of sand, leveling the surface and forming flat sandy lowlands - woodlands.

The formation of the relief of Europe continues to this day. This is evidenced by the fact that earthquakes and volcanism occur in some areas, as well as slow vertical movements of the earth's crust, which is confirmed by the deepening of river valleys and ravines.

Thus, Europe has an ancient and at the same time young relief. About 2/3 of its surface falls on the plains, concentrated mainly in the east. Lowland areas alternate with hilly uplands. Mountain ranges rarely exceed 3000 m. The highest point in Europe - Cape Mont Blanc (4807 m) - is located in the French Alps

Minerals. The complex tectonic structure and the history of the geological development of Europe determined not only the diversity of its relief, but also the wealth of minerals.

Among combustible minerals, coal is of great importance. Its large reserves are located in the foothill and intermountain troughs of the Paleozoic age. These are the coal basins in Great Britain, the Ruhr in Germany, the Upper Silesian in Poland and the Donetsk in Ukraine. Deposits of brown coal belong to the troughs of a younger age.

Oil and gas fields were formed in the depressions of the foundation of the ancient platform and foothill troughs (Volga-Ural oil and gas region). In the 70s of the XX century. Commercial production of oil and gas began on the shelf of the North Sea.

The processes of volcanism and metamorphosis of rocks created the conditions for the formation of ore minerals. The platforms own deposits of ores of ferrous metals of world importance: iron ores - the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA), Krivoy Rog and Lorraine basins, manganese - the Nikopol basin.

Huge deposits of non-ferrous metal ores (aluminum, zinc, copper, lead, uranium, etc.) are known in the Urals, as well as deposits of polymetals, mercury, aluminum and uranium ores in folded structures of various ages in the north and south of Europe.

Rich Europe and non-metallic minerals. Practically unlimited reserves of potash and table salt form huge domes in the Urals and platform plates. Unique deposits of native sulfur are concentrated in the Ukrainian Carpathian region. Deposits of various stone building materials(granite, basalt, marble and many others) are found in many places in Europe.