Physical Geography: Landforms, Rivers, Climates

Item 1: Land Relief and Water Bodies

1. Large Units of Land Relief: Continents

• Definition of a continent.
• Five major land masses: Africa, America, Antarctica, Eurasia, Oceania.
• Six continents: Africa, America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica.

2. Relief, Rivers, and Coastlines of Europe

• Types of relief:
  • Mountains:
    • Older mountains (e.g., Grampian Mountains, Scandinavia) and associated rivers (e.g., Rhine, Seine).
    • Younger mountains (e.g., Pyrenees, Alps, Balkans) and associated rivers (e.g., Rhone, Danube).
  • Plains (e.g., Great European Plain, Hungarian Plain) and associated rivers (e.g., Volga, Don).
• Coastlines:
  • Generally well-indented.
  • Atlantic Coast / Mediterranean Coasts.
  • Types of coasts:
    • High coasts (e.g., Scotland).
    • Indented coasts (e.g., Norwegian Fjords).
    • Coastal lowlands (e.g., Denmark).
  • Low-lying coasts with deltas (e.g., Rhône, Ebro).

3. Landform Units in Spain: Iberian Peninsula

• Location and delimitation of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Major landform units:
  • The Castilian Plateau (Meseta Central) in the interior.
  • Interior mountain ranges within the Plateau (Sistema Central, Montes de Toledo).
  • Mountains surrounding the Plateau (Montes de León, Iberian System, Cantabrian Mountains, Sierra Morena).
  • Mountain ranges distant from the Plateau (Pyrenees, Baetic System, Catalan Coastal Range, Galician Massif).
  • The Ebro and Guadalquivir depressions.

4. Coasts and Rivers of Spain

• Coasts: Types.
• Rivers by drainage basin:
  • Cantabrian side (short, fast-flowing, high current).
  • Atlantic side (long, many tributaries, consistent flow except in summer).
  • Mediterranean side (short except the Ebro, low flow, irregular, prone to flash floods).
• Key Rivers: Bidasoa, Deva, Nervión (Cantabrian); Miño, Duero, Tajo (Atlantic); Ebro, Júcar, Ter (Mediterranean).

5. Island Landforms

• The Balearic Islands: Features.
• Topography of the Balearic Islands:
  • Mallorca: Three main areas (Sierra de Tramuntana, Sierras de Levante).
  • Menorca: Dominated by plains.
  • Ibiza: Many low-lying hills, small and fragmented plains.
  • Formentera (south of Ibiza, very flat) and Cabrera (south of Mallorca).
• The Canary Islands: Location (near the African coast). Seven main islands and islets. Volcanic origin. Soils.
• Key Islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma (main islands); Graciosa, Alegranza (islets).
• Topography of the Canary Islands: Mount Teide. Coasts.

Item 2: Climate Zones and Landscapes

1. Landscapes of Earth's Climate Zones

• Landscapes of warm climates: Location.
  • The Jungle (Equatorial Forest): Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation, Fauna, Water and Rivers, Population.
  • Keys: Equatorial climate, lush vegetation, abundant water, rivers, gathering and hunting, abusive logging.
  • The Savanna: Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation, Fauna, Water and Rivers, Population.
  • Keys: Tropical climate, tall grass.
  • The Desert: Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation, Fauna, Water and Rivers, Population.
  • Keys: Sparse vegetation, oasis.
• Landscapes of temperate climates: Location.
  • Four Seasons.
  • Three types of landscapes: Oceanic (or Atlantic), Mediterranean, and Continental.
• Landscapes of cold climates: Location.
  • Climate, Ice, Vegetation, Population.
  • Keys: Polar regions, highest mountain ranges, bush and grassland, sparsely populated polar regions, difficult life in high mountains.

2. Climate and Vegetation in Spain: Oceanic Landscape

• Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation type and examples of species.
• Keys: Mediterranean influence (minor), deciduous forest, natural grassland, cattle farming.

3. Climate and Vegetation in Spain: Mediterranean Landscape

• Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation type and examples of species.
• Keys: Hot summers, mild winters, floods (risk), holm oaks and cork oaks, pines. Maquis or garrigue. Steppe.

4. Climate and Vegetation in Spain: Continental Landscape

• Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation type and examples of species.
• Keys: Mediterranean climate with continental influence, holm oaks, meadows, pine forests, steppes.

5. Climate and Vegetation in Spain: High Mountain Landscape

• Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation type and examples of species.
• Keys: Low temperatures, abundant rainfall, crops or Mediterranean forest (lower altitudes), deciduous forest, coniferous forest, heath, meadows.

6. Climate and Vegetation in Spain: Canary Islands Landscape

• Climate, Rainfall, Vegetation type and examples of species.
• Keys: Arid subtropical climate, high temperatures, little rain, no permanent rivers, sparse vegetation.