HIDROLOGY OF EUROPE

What is hidrology?

Hydrology is a branch of Earth sciences that studies water (one of our most precious natural resources), its distribution, circulation, and physical, chemical and mechanical properties in the oceans, atmosphere and Earth's surface.

Hidrology in Europe
Europe is surrounded by seas and oceans, like the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean.
Most rivers in Europe are long and navigable.

• The rivers in the Arctic Ocean Basin are large and irregular, and some, like the Pechora, freeze in winter.
• Rivers in the Atlantic Ocean Basin are large and regular, like the Seine, and often have broad estuaries.
• The Mediterranean drainage basins and the rivers that flow into them, like the Po, are narrow. These rivers are irregular and their sources are high up in the mountains.
• Europe also has inland drainage basins, like the Caspian Sea. Rivers here cross the East European Plain and are long, like the Volga, which is Europe´s longest river. They are only navigable in summer, because they freeze in winter.

Main lakes in Europe

Northern lakes cover large areas of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia.

Southern lakes are small and shallow, like Lake Albufera in Valencia.

Alpine lakes are located in the Alps, in Switzerland and in the north of Italy.

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