EUROPEAN STARTING LINEUP
Your basketball team is traveling to Europe and needs to find Italy on the map. Which geographic feature helps identify Italy?
Italy is the boot-shaped peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea.
Your football team is trying to cross a huge mountain range in Northern Italy. Which mountains could make the trip difficult?
The Alps
Your coach tells the team that the weather and long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation can affect how people live. What geographic characteristic is the coach describing?
Climate.
Your coach notices that most people on the team live near cities and transportation routes. What term describes where people are located across an area?
Population distribution.
Your team is farming in an area with fertile soil and a favorable climate. What geographic factor is helping the team's economy?
Natural resources / climate.
Your soccer team is playing a match in Germany. Which part of Europe would you find Germany?
Central Europe
A soccer team is traveling through Germany on a major river used for transportation and trade. Which river are they most likely near?
Rhine River
A German city experiences damage to forests and lakes because pollutants combine with water in the atmosphere. What environmental issue is this?
Acid rain
Why do large populations often develop near rivers?
Rivers provide water and can support transportation, agriculture, industry, and trade.
A European city develops next to a major river because boats can transport goods. What economic activity is being supported?
Trade.
Your team is flying across the English Channel to play a game. Which country are you most likely arriving in?
United Kingdom or France
Your team is traveling between Great Britain and mainland Europe. What body of water would they cross?
English Channel.
Your team is playing in the United Kingdom. You notice pollution from vehicles and industry affecting the air. Which environmental issue connects to this?
Air pollution.
Your team has to choose between living in a very cold, remote mountain region or a mild area near a major city and transportation routes. Which location would probably attract more people?
The mild area near the city and transportation routes.
Germany has major transportation networks, rivers, industries, and access to European markets. How can these geographic characteristics help Germany's economy?
They make transportation, trade, manufacturing, and movement of goods easier.
A European basketball tournament has teams from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. What do all five countries have in common?
They are countries located in Europe.
A European team is practicing near a huge body of water south of Europe. What sea is it?
Mediterranean Sea.
A team wants to build a new stadium, but the area has steep mountains and very little flat land. Explain one way the physical geography could affect the stadium's location.
Mountains may make construction and transportation more difficult, causing people to build in flatter areas.
Explain how climate can influence where people live.
People are more likely to live in areas with climates that support comfortable living, agriculture, water availability, and economic activity.
The United Kingdom is surrounded by water. Explain one way its location can benefit its economy.
Its location provides access to shipping, fishing, ports, and international trade.
Your coach gives you coordinates and tells you to locate a European country on a political-physical map. Why would knowing latitude and longitude help you find the country?
Latitude and longitude provide an exact location on Earth's surface.
Your team wants to build a stadium on relatively flat land where transportation and farming are easier. Which major European geographic feature would provide this type of landscape?
European Plain.
Your team is choosing between two locations:
Location A: Flat land, major river, many transportation routes
Location B: Steep mountains, few transportation routes
Which location would probably be better for a major trade center? Explain why using TWO geographic factors.
Location A because flat land makes transportation/construction easier and the river provides transportation and access to trade.
Your team manager says:
"People live wherever they want. Geography doesn't really matter."
Do you agree or disagree? Use TWO geographic factors to defend your answer.
Disagree. Location, climate, physical features, natural resources, and transportation can all influence where people live.
FINAL PLAY!
Imagine you are an economic coach choosing a location for a new European business.
The location has:
Explain why this location could be successful. Use at least THREE geographic factors in your answer.
The river can support transportation and trade; flat land makes construction easier; transportation connects the business to customers and markets; nearby cities provide workers and customers; access to other European countries supports international trade.