William Tell was a folk hero of the European country of Switzerland. According to legend, he was captured during his efforts to liberate his country. For punishment, he was cruelly ordered to shoot an apple placed on the head of his own little son. The arrow cut the apple in two, without injuring the child.

Consisting of 50 countries at the time of this writing, Europe is the second smallest continent after Australia. People who live in Europe are called Europeans. Countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, and France. Russia is considered by many to be a part of Europe. Others may consider it part of Asia, others consider it part of both, and still others consider it part of neither.

The northern part of Europe is noted for the great length of its winters, and of its winter nights and summer days. For several weeks in winter, the people there do not see the sun. For the same length of time in summer, the sun does not set.

A group people today called Sami live in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. In historical times, the Sami people traveled from place to place in sleds drawn by reindeer. The milk and flesh of reindeer were used for food and their skins for clothing. The wealth of these people was once measured by the number of reindeer they owned.

In the southern part of Europe, the climate is mild and pleasant. Oranges, lemons, figs, olives, grapes, and other fruits can be raised in abundance.

QUESTIONS - Examine the map and answer the questions.

1. Which ocean is north of Europe?
2. Which ocean is west of Europe?
3. Which sea is south of Europe?
4. Which bay is west of France?
5. What is the largest country in Europe?
6. What is the smallest country in Europe?
7. Which country is south of Albania?
8. Which two countries are west of the North Sea?
9. Which country is west of the United Kingdom (UK)?
10. Which country is south of the United Kingdom (UK)?
11. Which country is southwest of France?
12. Which country is west of Spain?
13. Which European countries border Russia?
14. Through which European countries on the map does the Arctic Circle pass?
15. Where is the coldest part of Europe?
16. Where is the warmest part of Europe?
17. Which two oceans border Europe?
18. What are several of the large seas labeled on the map of Europe?
19. Which strait connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean?
20. Which country is across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain?
21. Which continent is across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe?
22. Which channel separates the United Kingdom (UK) and France?
23. Which two seas are east of Italy?
24. Which sea is east of Greece?
25. Which two seas are west of Greece?
26. Where is the White Sea?
27. Which enormous country may or may not be considered part of Europe?

ANSWERS

1. The Arctic Ocean is north of Europe.
2. The Atlantic Ocean is west of Europe.
3. The Mediterranean Sea is south of Europe.
4. The Bay of Biscay is west of France.
5. Ukraine is the largest country in Europe. (Note: If Russia is considered part of Europe, it is the largest country.)
6. Vatican City within Rome, Italy is the smallest country in Europe. (Note: Monaco could be considered the smallest country as Vatican City is technically a city-state.)
7. Greece is south of Albania.
8. The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland are west of the North Sea.
9. Ireland is west of the United Kingdom (UK).
10. France is south of the United Kingdom (UK).
11. Spain is southwest of France.
12. Portugal is west of Spain.
13. The European countries of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine border Russia.
14. The Arctic Circle passes through Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
15. The northern portion of Europe, including countries such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, is the coldest part.
16. The southern portion of Europe, including countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal, is the warmest part.
17. The Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean are two oceans bordering Europe.
18. Large seas labeled on the map of Europe include Greenland Sea, Celtic Sea, Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, North Sea, White Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.
19. The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
20. Morocco is across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain.
21. Africa is across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe.
22. The English Channel separates the United Kingdom (UK) and France.
23. The Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea are east of Italy.
24. The Aegean Sea is east of Greece.
25. The Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea are west of Greece.
26. The White Sea is in Russia.
27. Russia is an enormous country that is sometimes considered part of Europe.

Notebook Work: Label the following on the map of Europe: the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, Africa, Iceland, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland.