The landscape of Europe.

1. Introduction.

Europe is the second smallest of the continents and has the third highest population. The borders between countries in Europe have changed frequently. Nowadays, there are approximately 50 countries, so cultural diversity is an important part of European.

The biggest country in Europe is Russia, which covers about 40 per cent of the continent. What is the smallest country in Europe?

2. European countries and their capitals.

There are approximately 50 countries within the boundaries of Europe. It has a population of more than 730 million which represents about 11 per cent of the world population.

The seven most populated European capital cities are...

3. The relief of Europe.

A. Europe´s natural borders.

North: Artic Ocean.

South: the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.

East: the Ural Mountains, the Ural River and the Caspian Sea separate Europe from the continent of Asia.

West: Atlantic Ocean.

B. Europe´s main landforms.

Plains: the most important are the Great European Plain,the East European Plain, the Hungarian Plain and the Black Sea Plain.

Plateaus: the he most important are the Meseta Central in Spain, the Massif Central in France, the Central Russian Upland in Russia, and the Finnish Lakeland in Finland.

Mountain Chains: The most important are the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Apennines, the Balkans, the Carpathians, the Scandinavian Mountains, the Caucasus Mountains and the Ural Mountains.

Coast: Europe has a varied coastline.

- Gulfs: Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Geneva and Golfo de          Vizcaya.

- Capes: Cabo de Fisterra, Cape Matapan and North Cape.

- Straits: Strait of Gibraltar, Bosphorus Strait and the English    Channel.

-Peninsulas: The Scandinavian Peninsula, the Kola   Peninsula, the Crimea   Peninsula, the Iberian Peninsula,   The Italian Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula.

C. Rivers and lakes.

Europe has many rivers and their characteristics vary according to the sea or ocean they flow into.

Rivers that flow into the Arctic Ocean are long with a regular course. In winter they are usually frozen. These include the Pechora and the Northern Dvina. Rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean are short with a high volume of water. Examples are the Seine, the Duero and the Thames. Rivers that flow into the Mediterranean Sea are short with an irregular flow. These include the Po, the Ebro and the Rhône. Rivers that flow into the Caspian Sea and Black Sea, for example the Volga and the Danube, are long and regular.

There are many lakes in Central Europe and most of them are medium-sized. Among them, are Lake Geneva and Lake Constance.

4. Climate in Europe.

Many different types of climate exist in Europe. Southern Europe is known for its year-round warm temperatures, whereas Central and Eastern Europe have more if an oceanic and continental climate. Some areas, in the north and west, are even cooler.