Selina Textbook Solutions: Europe Location, Area, Political & Physical Features | Geography Class 7 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Europe: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features 
THINK AND ANSWER 
Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern 
Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ? 
Answer: 
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from 
tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so 
overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken 
many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The 
people also help to keep the country clean and secure. 
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ? 
What can you learn from them ? 
Answer: 
1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the 
Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in 
the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these 
scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean. 
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their 
place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting 
touristers. 
However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full 
oppurtunity whenever we can. 
EXERCISES 
A. Give geographical reasons 
Question 1. 
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’. 
Answer: 
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts 
out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West 
and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South. 
Question 2. 
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries. 
Page 2


Europe: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features 
THINK AND ANSWER 
Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern 
Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ? 
Answer: 
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from 
tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so 
overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken 
many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The 
people also help to keep the country clean and secure. 
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ? 
What can you learn from them ? 
Answer: 
1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the 
Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in 
the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these 
scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean. 
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their 
place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting 
touristers. 
However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full 
oppurtunity whenever we can. 
EXERCISES 
A. Give geographical reasons 
Question 1. 
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’. 
Answer: 
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts 
out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West 
and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South. 
Question 2. 
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries. 
Answer: 
Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries because they lie in the low-
lying plains in the west. 
Question 3. 
The Central European Plains are densely populated. 
Answer: 
As the lands are very fertile and good for agriculture, so it is most densely populated. 
Question 4. 
The Caspian Sea is a lake. 
Answer: 
The Caspian Sea is a lake as it is surrounded by land on all sides. 
B. Give two examples from Europe for each of the following 
1. High peaks 
2. Long rivers 
3. Large freshwater lakes 
4. Young fold mountains 
5. Mediterranean countries 
Answer: 
1. Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m) 
2. Volga, Danube, Rhine 
3. Lake Ladoga in Russia, Vanem, Vattern and Malaren in Sweden. 
4. The Alps, Sierra-Nevada. 
5. Spain and Portugal. 
C. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What are the chief physical divisions of Europe? 
Answer: 
There are four main physical divisions of Europe. They are : 
(a) The Northern Mountains. 
(b) The Central European Plains. 
(c) The Southern Plateaux and Highlands. 
(d) The Alpine Mountain System. 
Page 3


Europe: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features 
THINK AND ANSWER 
Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern 
Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ? 
Answer: 
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from 
tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so 
overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken 
many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The 
people also help to keep the country clean and secure. 
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ? 
What can you learn from them ? 
Answer: 
1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the 
Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in 
the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these 
scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean. 
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their 
place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting 
touristers. 
However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full 
oppurtunity whenever we can. 
EXERCISES 
A. Give geographical reasons 
Question 1. 
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’. 
Answer: 
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts 
out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West 
and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South. 
Question 2. 
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries. 
Answer: 
Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries because they lie in the low-
lying plains in the west. 
Question 3. 
The Central European Plains are densely populated. 
Answer: 
As the lands are very fertile and good for agriculture, so it is most densely populated. 
Question 4. 
The Caspian Sea is a lake. 
Answer: 
The Caspian Sea is a lake as it is surrounded by land on all sides. 
B. Give two examples from Europe for each of the following 
1. High peaks 
2. Long rivers 
3. Large freshwater lakes 
4. Young fold mountains 
5. Mediterranean countries 
Answer: 
1. Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m) 
2. Volga, Danube, Rhine 
3. Lake Ladoga in Russia, Vanem, Vattern and Malaren in Sweden. 
4. The Alps, Sierra-Nevada. 
5. Spain and Portugal. 
C. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What are the chief physical divisions of Europe? 
Answer: 
There are four main physical divisions of Europe. They are : 
(a) The Northern Mountains. 
(b) The Central European Plains. 
(c) The Southern Plateaux and Highlands. 
(d) The Alpine Mountain System. 
Question 2. 
Why are the Ural and Caucasus mountains important? 
Answer: 
The Ural Mountains in the east and the Caucasus Mountains in the south-east separate 
it from Asia. 
Question 3. 
Name four countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Also name the capitals of these 
countries. 
Answer: 
The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. 
The capital’s of these countries are : 
Spain – Madrid 
Portugal – Lisbon 
France – Paris 
Italy – Rome 
Question 4. 
Identify two countries that belong to each of the following groups and state why they are 
so called: 
1. Low countries 
2. Balkan states 
3. Scandinavian countries 
Answer: 
1. Low countries — The countries that lie in the low-lying plains in the west – 
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 
2. Balkan States — The countries in the Balkan Peninsula — Greece, Albania, 
Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, 
and Montenegro. 
3. Scandavian countries — the north European countries – Norway, Sweden, 
Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. 
Question 5. 
Name any four major important cities of Europe. 
Answer: 
Some important cities of Europe: 
1. London – is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major centre of international 
trade and a flourishing port. 
2. Paris – is the capital of France and an important centre of science, technology, 
culture, and art. 
Page 4


Europe: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features 
THINK AND ANSWER 
Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern 
Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ? 
Answer: 
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from 
tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so 
overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken 
many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The 
people also help to keep the country clean and secure. 
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ? 
What can you learn from them ? 
Answer: 
1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the 
Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in 
the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these 
scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean. 
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their 
place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting 
touristers. 
However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full 
oppurtunity whenever we can. 
EXERCISES 
A. Give geographical reasons 
Question 1. 
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’. 
Answer: 
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts 
out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West 
and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South. 
Question 2. 
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries. 
Answer: 
Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries because they lie in the low-
lying plains in the west. 
Question 3. 
The Central European Plains are densely populated. 
Answer: 
As the lands are very fertile and good for agriculture, so it is most densely populated. 
Question 4. 
The Caspian Sea is a lake. 
Answer: 
The Caspian Sea is a lake as it is surrounded by land on all sides. 
B. Give two examples from Europe for each of the following 
1. High peaks 
2. Long rivers 
3. Large freshwater lakes 
4. Young fold mountains 
5. Mediterranean countries 
Answer: 
1. Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m) 
2. Volga, Danube, Rhine 
3. Lake Ladoga in Russia, Vanem, Vattern and Malaren in Sweden. 
4. The Alps, Sierra-Nevada. 
5. Spain and Portugal. 
C. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What are the chief physical divisions of Europe? 
Answer: 
There are four main physical divisions of Europe. They are : 
(a) The Northern Mountains. 
(b) The Central European Plains. 
(c) The Southern Plateaux and Highlands. 
(d) The Alpine Mountain System. 
Question 2. 
Why are the Ural and Caucasus mountains important? 
Answer: 
The Ural Mountains in the east and the Caucasus Mountains in the south-east separate 
it from Asia. 
Question 3. 
Name four countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Also name the capitals of these 
countries. 
Answer: 
The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. 
The capital’s of these countries are : 
Spain – Madrid 
Portugal – Lisbon 
France – Paris 
Italy – Rome 
Question 4. 
Identify two countries that belong to each of the following groups and state why they are 
so called: 
1. Low countries 
2. Balkan states 
3. Scandinavian countries 
Answer: 
1. Low countries — The countries that lie in the low-lying plains in the west – 
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 
2. Balkan States — The countries in the Balkan Peninsula — Greece, Albania, 
Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, 
and Montenegro. 
3. Scandavian countries — the north European countries – Norway, Sweden, 
Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. 
Question 5. 
Name any four major important cities of Europe. 
Answer: 
Some important cities of Europe: 
1. London – is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major centre of international 
trade and a flourishing port. 
2. Paris – is the capital of France and an important centre of science, technology, 
culture, and art. 
3. Berlin – Berlin is the capital city of Germany and also its largest city. It is an 
important river port. 
4. Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on a tributary of the 
Oka River which joins the river Volga. 
Question 6. 
What are fiords? How are they formed ? 
Answer: 
Fiords are narrow but deep inlets of water with steep sides that break and indent the 
coastline Scandinavian making it irregular. In the coastal regions, fiords have been 
formed because of the drowning of glacier valleys. 
D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
Briefly describe the location of Europe in relation to the other continents. What special 
advantage has Europe enjoyed due to its location? 
Answer: 
Europe lies almost in the middle of the northern hemisphere with North America to its 
west beyond the Atlantic Ocean, Asia to its east and Africa to its south. It stretches from 
35°N to 73°N and most of its lies within the temperate zone. Longitudinally, it stretches 
from 25° W to 65° E. 
Question 2. 
Write a short note on the capital city of Russia. 
Answer: 
Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on atributary ofthe Oka River 
which joins the river Volga. The city has a dozen rail routes and the terminus of the 
Trans- Siberian Railway. Moscow is a great administrative centre as well as the centre 
of a large industrial region. Red Square is the heart of Moscow. 
On one side ofthe Red Square are the colourful onion-domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral 
erected by a Russian master architect in the 16th century. On the other side is the tomb 
of Lenin.’ 
Also located in Moscow is the Kremlin, an incredible complex which encloses the offices 
of the Russian Government, palaces, churches, and towers. There are over 100 
museums in Moscow. 
Question 3. 
Describe the Northern Mountains of Europe. 
Answer: 
These old fold mountains in the north and north-west extend from Norway and Sweden 
to Scotland. They are made up of very hard crystalline rocks and were once very lofty 
and rugged. However, after facing the erosive action of glaciers for millions of years, 
they have been reduced to low hills with gentle slopes. 
In the coastal regions, fiords have been formed because of the drowning of glacier 
Page 5


Europe: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features 
THINK AND ANSWER 
Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern 
Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ? 
Answer: 
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from 
tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so 
overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken 
many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The 
people also help to keep the country clean and secure. 
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ? 
What can you learn from them ? 
Answer: 
1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the 
Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in 
the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these 
scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean. 
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their 
place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting 
touristers. 
However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full 
oppurtunity whenever we can. 
EXERCISES 
A. Give geographical reasons 
Question 1. 
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’. 
Answer: 
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts 
out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West 
and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South. 
Question 2. 
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries. 
Answer: 
Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries because they lie in the low-
lying plains in the west. 
Question 3. 
The Central European Plains are densely populated. 
Answer: 
As the lands are very fertile and good for agriculture, so it is most densely populated. 
Question 4. 
The Caspian Sea is a lake. 
Answer: 
The Caspian Sea is a lake as it is surrounded by land on all sides. 
B. Give two examples from Europe for each of the following 
1. High peaks 
2. Long rivers 
3. Large freshwater lakes 
4. Young fold mountains 
5. Mediterranean countries 
Answer: 
1. Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m) 
2. Volga, Danube, Rhine 
3. Lake Ladoga in Russia, Vanem, Vattern and Malaren in Sweden. 
4. The Alps, Sierra-Nevada. 
5. Spain and Portugal. 
C. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What are the chief physical divisions of Europe? 
Answer: 
There are four main physical divisions of Europe. They are : 
(a) The Northern Mountains. 
(b) The Central European Plains. 
(c) The Southern Plateaux and Highlands. 
(d) The Alpine Mountain System. 
Question 2. 
Why are the Ural and Caucasus mountains important? 
Answer: 
The Ural Mountains in the east and the Caucasus Mountains in the south-east separate 
it from Asia. 
Question 3. 
Name four countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Also name the capitals of these 
countries. 
Answer: 
The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. 
The capital’s of these countries are : 
Spain – Madrid 
Portugal – Lisbon 
France – Paris 
Italy – Rome 
Question 4. 
Identify two countries that belong to each of the following groups and state why they are 
so called: 
1. Low countries 
2. Balkan states 
3. Scandinavian countries 
Answer: 
1. Low countries — The countries that lie in the low-lying plains in the west – 
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 
2. Balkan States — The countries in the Balkan Peninsula — Greece, Albania, 
Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, 
and Montenegro. 
3. Scandavian countries — the north European countries – Norway, Sweden, 
Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. 
Question 5. 
Name any four major important cities of Europe. 
Answer: 
Some important cities of Europe: 
1. London – is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major centre of international 
trade and a flourishing port. 
2. Paris – is the capital of France and an important centre of science, technology, 
culture, and art. 
3. Berlin – Berlin is the capital city of Germany and also its largest city. It is an 
important river port. 
4. Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on a tributary of the 
Oka River which joins the river Volga. 
Question 6. 
What are fiords? How are they formed ? 
Answer: 
Fiords are narrow but deep inlets of water with steep sides that break and indent the 
coastline Scandinavian making it irregular. In the coastal regions, fiords have been 
formed because of the drowning of glacier valleys. 
D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
Briefly describe the location of Europe in relation to the other continents. What special 
advantage has Europe enjoyed due to its location? 
Answer: 
Europe lies almost in the middle of the northern hemisphere with North America to its 
west beyond the Atlantic Ocean, Asia to its east and Africa to its south. It stretches from 
35°N to 73°N and most of its lies within the temperate zone. Longitudinally, it stretches 
from 25° W to 65° E. 
Question 2. 
Write a short note on the capital city of Russia. 
Answer: 
Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on atributary ofthe Oka River 
which joins the river Volga. The city has a dozen rail routes and the terminus of the 
Trans- Siberian Railway. Moscow is a great administrative centre as well as the centre 
of a large industrial region. Red Square is the heart of Moscow. 
On one side ofthe Red Square are the colourful onion-domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral 
erected by a Russian master architect in the 16th century. On the other side is the tomb 
of Lenin.’ 
Also located in Moscow is the Kremlin, an incredible complex which encloses the offices 
of the Russian Government, palaces, churches, and towers. There are over 100 
museums in Moscow. 
Question 3. 
Describe the Northern Mountains of Europe. 
Answer: 
These old fold mountains in the north and north-west extend from Norway and Sweden 
to Scotland. They are made up of very hard crystalline rocks and were once very lofty 
and rugged. However, after facing the erosive action of glaciers for millions of years, 
they have been reduced to low hills with gentle slopes. 
In the coastal regions, fiords have been formed because of the drowning of glacier 
valleys. Fiords are narrow but deep inlets of water with steep sides that break and 
indent the coastline, making it irregular. 
Question 4. 
Write a note on the Central European Plains. 
Answer: 
These plains are partly covered with glacial deposits and partly by alluvium deposited 
by the many big rivers such as the Don, the Dneiper, the Volga and the Ural. These 
plains are not absolutely flat but are rolling lands with hills. However, they are very 
fertile and good for agriculture. Some of the most densely populated parts of Europe lie 
in this region. 
Question 5. 
Describe briefly the major young fold mountains of Europe. 
Answer: 
The Alpine Mountain System consists of chains of young fold mountains that lie south of 
the above mentioned plateaux, from the Atlantic Coast in the west to the Caspian Sea in 
the east. They have high peaks, deep valleys and rugged slopes. They are made up of 
several parallel ranges. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common here. The 
Alps is the most important mountain system which extends like an arc separating Italy 
from France and Switzerland. Mont Blanc (4,807 m) is the highest peak in the Alps. In 
the west are the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain and the Pyrenees, which form a 
natural boundary between Spain and France. 
Question 6. 
What is the significance of the many big and small rivers of Europe? 
Answer: 
There are many rivers that radiate out in different directions from the Alpine Mountain 
System in southern Europe. The rivers are navigable and are inter-connected by canals 
to form an efficient system of waterways. Thus, several big towns and cities have 
sprung up along the banks of these rivers. The rivers are important for industries too. 
Large rivers such as Volga, Danube and the Rhine flow through many countries and are 
considered ‘international rivers’. 
There are many small rivers in Europe too. They are important for navigation in the 
countries through which they flow 
E. In your atlas, locate the major and minor rivers flowing through Europe. Note the 
names of important cities/towns that have developed on the banks of these rivers. Then 
tabulate your observations in your notebook using the headings given here : 
1. Name of the river 
2. Countries through which it flows 
3. Important town/cities situated on its banks.