1. Europe Climate – Vegetation - Economy– People – Culture – Resources - Others

2. Climate of Europe The climate of the W. Europe is mild because of the presence of the Gulf Stream. Europe experiences the phenomenon of “Return of the Westerlies ’ is synonymous to the Asian Monsoon. It occurs during the winter months and gradually fades away with the onset of spring.

4. The coldest city of the continent is Helsinki. It is said that Finland experiences almost 7 months of snow cover, with 51 consecutive days without Sun. This is because, one fourth of Finland lies above the Arctic Circle.

5. Milan is the foggiest city of the continent, which experiences more than 300 foggy days per year.

6. Helsinki experiences the most freezing days, with more than 150 freezing days.

7. Copenhagen enjoys more than 250 rainy days, which make it the rainiest city of the continent.

9. Milan experiences the most variety in the weather. It experiences snow, hail, thunderstorms, fog as well as heavy rain.

10. On the contrary London is the place with least weather variation.

11. Amsterdam is the most humid city of the continent.

12. Though London is said to be the rainiest city on the continent, but Zurich experiences more precipitation than London (almost double).The European Heat Wave of 2003 & 2006 In the year 20003 and 2006, Europe experienced the most hottest summers in the climatic history of the continent. France was severely hitted by the 2003 heat waves. Approximately 15000 official deaths were reported in France. The heat waves caused about 40,000 deaths in the continent. The other affected countries are Portugal, Spain, Netherland, Switzerland & UK. The 2006 heat wave raised the temperature of the continent exceptionally. The summer temperature recorded during this time is the all time high in the history of meteorological service of the continent.

13. The worst affected countries in the 2006 heat waves are UK, France , Germany, Netherland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Italy & Poland. After the heat wave waned out it made the month of August & September, the most cloudiest month s in the climatic history of Europe. Due to the high temperature, the process of evaporation increased manifold which resulted in these clouds. Consequently the month of August remained the wettest month in recorded history.

15. The most densely wooded countries are Finland (86%), Sweden (57%) and Austria (47%).

17. The steppes are the grassland found across the Hungary to the Manchurian plain of China. Steppes occur in those region with continental to semi-desert types of climate. Temperature extremities followed by small amount of precipitation is considered ideal for the development of such grasslands. The soil found in these grassland regions is Chernozem soil, which is black in color. The chernozem soil is very fertile for the agricultural activities. In Europe the countries of Hungary (Pannotian Plain), Ukraine, Romania and other associated counties has these grasslands. Among them Ukraine accounts for about 50% of the grassland cover. The presence of Chernozem soil makes the country agriculturally important. That’s why, Ukraine is often known as the Bread Basket of Europe.

18. Agricultural Activities

19. Agriculture of France GDP Contribution by Sectors Only 4% of the labor force is engaged in this sector. It is the only country in Europe to be completely self-sufficient in basic food production. It accounts for about 22% agricultural produce of the EU. Of the total productive agricultural area, about 61% is under cultivation, 35% is pasture, and 4% vineyards Among agricultural products, cereals (wheat, barley, oats, corn, & sorghum), industrial crops (sugar beets, flax), root crops (potatoes), & wine are by far the most important. There is large-scale production of fruits, chiefly apples, pears, peaches, and cherries. Agriculture in UK Almost 5 million hectares of agricultural land in the UK is used for growing crops. Cereals, such as wheat, barley and oilseeds make up almost 80% of this. The UK is the fourth largest producer of cereals and oilseed accounting for about 8% of EU. The UK is the fourth largest EU producer of sugar beet.

20. Agriculture in Germany Over 80 percent of Germany's land is used for agriculture and forestry. Chief agricultural products include milk, pork, beef, poultry, cereals, potatoes, wheat, barley, cabbages, and sugar beets. In some regions wine, fruits, and vegetables, and other horticultural products play an important role. Fruit orchards and vegetable farms surround almost all large cities. River valleys in southern and western Germany along the Rhine and the Main, are covered with vineyards. German beer is world-renowned and is produced mainly, in Bavaria.

21. Natural Resources

22. Major Industrial Resources COAL Spain- Asturias and Leon. Ukraine- Donbas, Volyn and Halychyna. Romania- Jiu Valley. Serbia- The REMBAS region near Resava river. Germany- Ruhr Area in North Rhine –westphalia, Lower Lusatia and the Central Germany. Netherlands- Limburg. France- Nord-Pas de Calais and Lorraine. Russia- Kuznetsk basin of South Western Siberia. U.K- Birmingham and Wolverhampton, NW Birmingham and SW Wolverhampton are collectively called “Black Country”.

23. Population of Europe Population Density: Belgium = 336.82 UK = 244.69 Italy = 192.96 France = 109.08 Norway = 14.42

24. Population Growth

25. Language

26. Religion