Pine Crest Elementary School Geography Bowl 2017-2018 Explore Asia, the Middle East and Europe First and Last Name: Homeroom Teacher: Grade: Welcome to the Pine Crest Elementary School Geography Bowl! This year, the Geography Bowl (GeoBowl) will concentrate on Asia, the Middle East and Europe. There are many countries in these regions of the world. While we could not include them all or go into great detail about any individual country, we hope that you will learn many new things about these important parts of the world as you work on your GeoBowl packet. Pine Crest Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD Last updated: December 2017 This packet was created using materials from Highland View, Woodlin, Rolling Terrace, and Piney Branch Elementary Schools in Silver Spring, MD. Materials were adapted with permission for use by Pine Crest Elementary School. Thank you to National Geographic, the State Department, Britannica, and for their downloadable maps and other materials. i
Table of Contents Instructions For Completing your GeoBowl packet:... 3 Continents and Geographic Locations... 4 Asia... 5 Asia Reference Map... 6 India... 7 Russia... 8 China... 9 The Middle East... 10 Overview map of the Middle East... 12 Iran... 13 Iraq... 13 Syria... 14 Turkey... 14 Lebanon... 15 Israel... 15 Arabian Peninsula Reference Map... 16 Saudi Arabia... 17 Jordan... 17 United Arab Emirates (U. A. E.)... 18 Yemen... 18 Europe... 19 Italy... 21 United Kingdom Reference Map... 22 United Kingdom... 23 Ireland... 23 France, Spain, and Portugal Reference Map... 24 France... 25 Spain... 25 Portugal... 25 Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark Reference Map... 26 Norway... 27 Sweden... 27 Finland... 27 Denmark... 27 Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Reference Map... 28 Belgium... 28 Netherlands... 28 Germany... 29 Switzerland... 29 Eastern Europe Reference Map... 30 Romania... 31 Bulgaria... 31 Croatia... 31 Bosnia and Herzegovina... 31 Serbia... 31 Poland, Czech Republic and Austria Reference Map... 32 Poland... 33 ii
Czech Republic... 33 Austria... 33 Greece... 34 Major mountain ranges of Europe... 35 Important bodies of water surrounding Europe... 36 Continents, Countries and Capitals Chart... 38 Glossary... 40 Instructions For Completing your GeoBowl packet: 1. You will need only a pencil and colored pencils or crayons to complete this packet. You will NOT need to refer to outside maps, a globe, or the internet all of the answers can be found in the packet itself. 2. You may work with friends, siblings, or other family members in completing your packet. It is also fine to work alone, if you prefer. 3. When looking at maps in the packet, note that each country s capital city will be marked with a. 4. Turn your completed packet in to your homeroom teacher no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018. The sooner you turn in your packet, the more time you will have to study for the GeoBowl quiz in February. The GeoBowl is in April. 5. Have fun! iii
Continents and Geographic Locations Continents: 1. Africa: This continent crosses the equator. It is south of Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 2. Antarctica: This continent surrounds the South Pole of the Earth. 3. Asia: This continent is in the Northern Hemisphere and is connected to Europe s eastern border. It is the largest continent. 4. Australia: This continent is an island and a country in the Southern Hemisphere. 5. Europe: This continent is in the Northern Hemisphere and is attached to Asia s western border. 6. North America: This continent is in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. 7. South America: This continent is mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Other geographic locations: Label these places on the blanks provided below. Equator: This imaginary line divides the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. North Pole: This point is the farthest north location on the Earth. South Pole: This point is the farthest south location on Earth. North America Europe Asia South America Africa Southern Ocean Antarctica 4 Australia
Asia Some interesting facts about Asia: Asia is the largest of the seven continents, making up almost one-third of the world s landmass. China has the largest population in the world, with well over a billion people. India has the second-largest population in the world. Together, China and India are home to more than one-third of the world s people. In Asia, we find: the world s highest point, Mount Everest, in the country of Nepal, near the border with China. It is more than five miles above sea level. the world s lowest point on dry land, the Dead Sea, which lies in the countries of Israel and Jordan. The Dead Sea is 1,350 feet below sea level. one of the world s wettest towns, Mawsynram, India, which gets 467 inches of rain a year--more than 10 times as much rain as we have in Maryland. Asia stretches from the Arctic Circle to the equator and has a wide range of climates: subarctic (very cold) areas such as Siberia in Russia deserts in countries like Saudi Arabia and Mongolia tropical rainforests in countries like Indonesia and India Questions about Asia. Look at the map on page 6 for the answers. What ocean lies on Asia s northern border? What ocean lies on Asia s eastern border? What ocean lies on Asia s southern border? 5
Asia Reference Map 6
India 1. The largest city in India is Mumbai. It was formerly known as Bombay. Mumbai is located on the shore of what sea? 2. Name the other large bodies of water that border the Indian peninsula? Ocean and Bay of. 3. The capital of India is in the northern part of the country. Name the capital. 4. A river flows from the Himalaya Mountains into the Bay of Bengal. Its valley is one of the most fertile (good for growing crops) areas in the world. The river is sacred to Hindus (people who follow the Hindu religion). Name this river. 5. One of the world s most famous buildings is an enormous tomb built by an emperor for his wife. It is topped by a giant onion-shaped dome made of white marble. Inside, jewels are embedded in the walls. It is called the Taj Mahal and is located in the city of Agra. Which big city is closer to the Taj Mahal: New Delhi or Mumbai? 7
Russia 1. The largest city in Russia is the capital city. It is famous for the Kremlin (which means castle in Russian), a medieval fortress topped by onion-shaped golden domes. Name the capital city of Russia. 2. Russia spans two continents, Europe and Asia, which are divided by a mountain range in western Russia. Name the mountain range. 3. The far eastern tip of Russia is only 58 miles across a narrow channel of water, known as the Berring Strait, from Alaska, which is a US state. Name ocean that contains the Berring Strait and Berring Sea. 4. A major river in western Russia starts north of Moscow and empties into the Caspian Sea. Name that river. 5. One huge region of Russia, bordering the Arctic Ocean and stretching from the Ural Mountains to the Bering Sea, is known for its harsh winters, and rare tigers. Name this region. 8
China 1. China, the world s most populous country, borders many other countries, both large and small. In the Himalaya Mountains on China s southern border is a small country where the world s highest mountain, Mount Everest, is located. Name the country. 2. China s capital is known for the Forbidden City a walled area within the city where the Chinese Emperor and his family lived, and where ordinary people were not allowed to go. Name the capital. 3. The longest river in Asia flows across the country from the west and empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai, the largest city in China. Name this river. 4. There is a huge wall near Beijing, nearly 4,000 miles long. It was built hundreds of years ago to keep out invaders from Mongolia, but the Mongol soldiers broke through the wall or went around it to attack China. The wall is on China s northern, eastern, southern or western border? 9
The Middle East Where is the Middle East? (Refer to the map on Page 12.) The Middle East is a term commonly used to describe the region of southwestern Asia where Asia meets Europe and Africa. Some people classify countries as Middle Eastern by culture or religion. For the purposes of this packet, we are focused on geographic locations as defined below. Turkey is in the northwestern corner of the Middle East. The very western part of Turkey is part of Europe. The northern and eastern border of Iran is the edge of the Middle East. The southern and western edges of the Middle East are bordered by water, including the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. What does the Middle East look like? The Middle East includes many types of interesting geographic characteristics. For example: Deserts make up large portions of the southern Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river. Despite this, Saudi Arabia has extensive coastlines along the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. The Red Sea is connected to the Mediterranean Sea by the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal. How big is the Middle East? The Middle East is somewhat smaller than the lower 48 states of the United States which is every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Saudi Arabia is over 3 times the size of Texas. Iran is about 2 and a half times the size of Texas. Turkey is slightly larger than Texas. Iraq is about 13 times the size of Maryland. 10
What countries are part of the Middle East? According to the U.S. Government, the Middle East includes the following countries. Look for them on the map that follows. For the larger countries, outline the country in the color listed below. Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Iran (outline in blue) Iraq (outline in red) Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman (outline in red) Qatar Saudi Arabia (outline in blue) Syria (outline in yellow) Turkey (outline in blue) United Arab Emirates Yemen. (outline in yellow) 11
Overview map of the Middle East 12
Iran 1. Iran (formerly called Persia) is famous for its beautiful handmade rugs. Iran and Saudi Arabia are the two largest countries in the Middle East. Name the body of water that separates these two countries. W N S E 2. The capital of Iran lies in the north, near the Caspian Sea. Name the capital. IRAN 3. The sea that lies on Iran s northern border is the largest inland body of water in the world. Name the sea. Iraq N 1. Two major rivers in Iraq flow from the highlands in the north toward the Persian Gulf. Name the two rivers. W S E and. 2. Iraq is known as the cradle of civilization because some of the first writing and set of laws came from Iraq. Name the capital of Iraq.. Persian Gulf 13
Syria 1. Slightly larger than North Dakota, Syria lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. What country is north of Syria? 2. Name the capital of Syria. W N E S Turkey N W E S 1. Turkey is the westernmost country in Asia. Two major seas make up its northern and southern border. Name these two seas: and. 2. Turkey s largest city is the only city in the world that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia. It is located on a key waterway, the Bosporus Strait. Name the city 3. People have inhabited the area where Turkey s capital is located since the Stone Age. What is Turkey s capital city? 4. Mt. Ararat stands at 5166 meters tall and is Turkey s highest peak. Where is Mt. Ararat in Turkey? North, south, east, or west? 14
Lebanon 1. Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate characterized by a long, hot, and dry summer, and cool, rainy winter. What is the large body of water on Lebanon s western border? 2. Lebanon s capital was settled more than 5,000 years ago. Name this capital. N W E S Israel 1. In 1948, U. S. President Harry Truman recognized the establishment of the new nation of Israel. The borders of Israel are greatly argued over by several countries. The map on the right is not necessarily authoritative. (That means, we do not claim that the map is entirely correct.) 2. Israel has a diverse climate, with coastline to the west, snowy mountains in the north, and hot desert in the south. It is about the size of the state of New Jersey. According to Israel, its capital is. 3. Name the sea that makes up the western border of Israel. W N S E 15
Arabian Peninsula Reference Map Britannica Kids 2012 16
Saudi Arabia 1. Every year, millions of people of the Muslim faith travel to Mecca. Circle the city in red. Name the sea that is nearby. 2. Much of Saudi Arabia is covered by deserts. Because of the harsh climate, the country was very poor until oil was discovered. The oil lies underneath the vast deserts and the body of water on the eastern border of Saudi Arabia. Name the body of water. 3. The name of the capital city of Saudi Arabia means gardens. It is located where there was once an oasis, an area in a desert where there is enough water to grow green plants. W N S E Name the capital.. Jordan 1. The Dead Sea in Jordan is the earth s lowest point and lies 402 meters below average sea level. The water of the Dead Sea is extremely salty. It has roughly 8 and a half times more salt than the ocean which makes for a harsh environment where animals cannot flourish (hence its name). Name the capital of Jordan. 2. The ancient Jordanian city of Petra, inhabited since prehistoric times, lies within the current city of Ma an. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites. PETRA W N S E Circle Ma an in green on the map. 17
United Arab Emirates (U. A. E.) 1. The United Arab Emirates lies on the southeastern border of Saudi Arabia. The capital of U.A.E. is. 2. Dubai is a major commercial city in U.A.E. on the shores of the Persian Gulf. In 2010, Dubai officially became the home of the world s tallest building. The building Burj Khalifa is 829.8 m (2,722 ft.) tall. W N S E Circle Dubai in blue. Yemen N 1. Yemen is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, and what body of water to the west? W S E 2. Name the two bodies of water that border Yemen to the south. and 3. Frankincense and myrrh are two luxury items that Yemen was once known for. Now, crude oil and coffee are important products. Name the capital of Yemen. 18
Europe Some interesting facts about Europe: 1. Out of the seven continents, only Australia is geographically smaller than Europe. Europe is only about one-fourth of the size of Asia, the world s largest continent. 2. The northern-most country of Europe is Norway. The southern-most country is Greece. 3. There are no deserts in Europe. 4. Asia and Europe are not separate landmasses. - From east to west, the continents are divided by the Ural Mountains. (Refer to map on page 35.) - From north to south, they are divided by the Caucasus Mountains. (Refer to map on page 35.) Use the Europe Reference Map on the next page to answer these questions. 1. What is the name of the large sea that lies south of the European continent that separates it from Africa? 2. Name the ocean that lies to the west of Europe: 3. What sea is between Norway and Iceland? 4. The northern peninsula that contains Norway, Sweden, and Finland is known as Scandinavia. Trace around it in blue. 5. Spain and Portugal cover the area known as the Iberian Peninsula. Trace around them in purple. 19
Europe Reference Map ESTONIA DENMARK LATVIA LITHUANIA NETHERLANDS SWITZ. For this region, see detailed map on page 25. 20
ITALY N W E S Italy 1. If you look at the map of Italy, it seems to be shaped like a boot. There is a large island that is part of Italy that lies just next to what would be the toe of the boot. What is the island? 2. Much of Italy is a peninsula located in the Mediterranean Sea, but it is also bordered by several smaller seas. Name the sea which borders Italy on the northeast. 3. The capital of Italy is often called the Eternal City, and at one time was the capital of the ancient Roman Empire. What is its name? 4. To travel by land from Italy to Germany, (see map on page 16), you have to go in which direction, north, south, east, or west, and through one of these two countries: or. 21
United Kingdom Reference Map Dublin 22
United Kingdom 1. The United Kingdom lies just 22 miles north of France. The two countries are linked by a tunnel (called The Chunnel ) that runs underneath the body of water that separates them. Name the body of water.. 2. The United Kingdom is small in physical size and made up of four distinct regions. Each region was an independent country at one time. Three of these regions are on one island, called Great Britain, and the fourth region is on the northern portion of an entirely separate island, called Ireland. What are the names of the four regions of the United Kingdom?,,, and. 3. The United Kingdom s capital city of is home to famous sites such as Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. 4. The River is the longest in the country and threads through London. Many important historical events have happened on or near this river, and it has served as a line of defense in battles. Ireland 1. The country of Ireland covers most of the island of the same name, about 5/6 of the island. The rest of the island, about 1/6 of its landmass, is Northern Ireland, a region of the United Kingdom. Outline the country of Ireland in green. 2. The Irish capital of is home to about 1.3 million people, over one quarter of the total 4.9 million population of Ireland. 23
France, Spain, and Portugal Reference Map 24
France 1. France is the largest country in area in Western Europe, with many miles of coastline. On the south, France is bordered by the Sea. 2. The Seine River runs through the capital of France, which is also the site of the Eiffel Tower. What is the capital of France? 3. France is made up mostly of flat plains or rolling hills in the north and west. The south and southeast of France is mountainous. What are the two main mountain ranges in the southeast and south? and 4. Which large country borders France to the southwest? What country is to the southeast? Spain 1. Spain is in southwestern Europe. What narrow passageway of water separates Spain from Morocco and the continent of Africa? 2. This country lies on the western border of Spain, and its capital is Lisbon. It was a world power in the 15th and 16th centuries. Together, these two countries make up what is known as the Iberian Peninsula. What is the name of Spain s western neighbor? 3. A long, unbroken mountain chain extends across Spain s border with France, from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. What is the name of this mountain chain? 4. The capital of Spain is in the heart of the country. Name it. Portugal 1. The western border of Portugal touches the Ocean. 2. There are no official documents naming as the Portuguese capital. Apparently, it just happened back in 1255 when Alfonso III moved the courts to what was then the largest and most important city. 25
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark Reference Map RUSSIA 26
Norway 1. Norway is known for its fjords, which are valleys that have been deepened by glaciers, and create its jagged border. They are home to fishing fleets and fish farms. Which sea borders the fjords on Norway s west coast? 2. Norway s capital is also its largest city, and about 25 percent of the country s population lives in and around there. What is its name? 3. Norway shares a long border to its east with which other large country on the Scandinavian Peninsula? 4. During the summer in northern Norway, it stays light until late at night and, even then, it is not completely dark. This is because it is so far north. What imaginary line cuts across the northern part of Norway (and Sweden, Finland, and Russia)? Sweden 1. Fertile farmlands and forest cover much of Sweden. There are gently rolling hills in the eastern part of Sweden, and mountains in the west. Sweden has a coastline of about 2,000 miles. What sea borders it on the southwest?. 2. The capital of Sweden is on the eastern border of the country, and is built atop 14 islands, all connected by bridges. What is the capital? 3. A small country that is the setting for the book Number the Stars lies southwest of Sweden. Name the country:. Finland 1. is the capital and largest city of Finland. 2. Finland shares a land border with 3 other countries,, and. Denmark 1. Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote notable fairytales such as "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling", lived in the capital city of Denmark at the end of his life. Name this capital. 27
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Reference Map N W E S Belgium 1. Belgium shares a land border to the north with two countries. Name them., and. 2. Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries with its largest city being the capital. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is also headquartered here. Name this city. Netherlands 1. The Netherlands is also known as Holland. Its largest city is also its capital. Name the capital. 28
Germany 1. Germany is bordered on the north by the Sea and the Sea, and there are many important port cities there. 2. The capital of Germany is in the eastern part of the country, and from 1945 until 1989 it was divided by a concrete wall. One part of the city was controlled by East Germany, a Communist nation, and the other part by West Germany, a democracy. What is the name of the capital of Germany? 3. This river begins in the mountains in the Czech Republic and flows north and west through Germany until it empties into the North Sea. What is the name of this river? 4. Germany s southern region, known as Bavaria, is home to the Black Forest and the River. Switzerland 1. Switzerland is known for being a neutral country during times of war. A famous document known as The Geneva Convention was signed in the major city of Geneva. This document laid out guidelines on how to deal with sick and wounded soldiers in the field. 2. Switzerland is a very mountainous country and has over 1500 lakes. The capital is. 29
Eastern Europe Reference Map N W E S 30
Romania 1. Nadia Comaneci is Romania s most famous gymnast. She earned the first-ever perfect score in women s gymnastics at the 1976 Olympics. The capital of Romania is. 2. The Danube River, which begins in western Germany and runs through or touches the borders of 10 countries, empties into the sea on Romania s eastern border. Name that sea. Bulgaria 1. The capital of Bulgaria is. Croatia 1. Located in southeastern Europe, Croatia borders the Adriatic Sea. Name the capital of Croatia. Bosnia and Herzegovina 1. The 1984 Winter Olympics were held in the city that is now the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Name the capital.. Serbia 1. The capital of Serbia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with at least 7,000 years of continuous settlements. W N S E Name it. 31
Poland, Czech Republic and Austria Reference Map Prague SWITZERLAND 32
Poland 1. Poland is in north central Europe and is made up of plains, lakes and forests. Its coastline on this body of water,, forms its northern border. The Scandinavian Peninsula is across the sea. 2. The capital of Poland lies in the east central part of the country, on the Vistula River. What is the capital city of Poland? 3. Rivers and canals are important in Poland because they provide a means for shipping goods. The rivers also link ports on the Baltic Sea with inland cities. What is Poland s longest river? 4. In which direction would you be traveling if you headed from Poland to Austria? From Poland to Germany? Czech Republic 1. The capital of the Czech Republic has been known as The Golden City and The City of a Hundred Spires. What is its actual name? Austria 1. Austria is considered the crossroads of central Europe. It is landlocked and is bordered by eight countries. Its neighbor to the south is, and is on the northwest side. 2. In the movie "The Sound of Music", the Von Trapp family crossed these mountains located in western Austria when they escaped to Switzerland: 3. The River begins in Germany and flows through northern Austria. 33
Greece Mt. Olympus N W E S 1. The Olympics originated in Greece more than 2000 years ago. In 2004, the modern Olympics were held in the capital city of Greece,. 2. Greece is the southern part of what is known as the Balkan Peninsula. It is almost entirely surrounded by water. Name the body of water that separates Greece from Turkey. 3. The ancient Greeks believed that gods and goddesses (such as Zeus and Artemis) lived on the top of the country s highest mountain. This mountain,, is found in the northern part of the country. 4. What four seas touch Greece? 34
Major mountain ranges of Europe 1. The Pyrenees Mts. separate these two countries. (See more detailed map on page 20.) 2. The Alps go through 8 European countries including Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. 3. The Caucasus Mts. stretch between these two seas. 4. The Caucasus Mts. divide two continents on a north / south border. Name these two continents. 5. The Ural Mts. divide these 2 continents on an east / west border. 35
Important bodies of water surrounding Europe A sea is a salt-water body of water that is either a specific part of an ocean (for example, the North Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean), or a salt-water expanse of water connected to the ocean by a strait (for example, the Black Sea is connected to the Mediterranean Sea by the Bosporus Strait). N W E S 36
Important Bodies of Water 1. Baltic Sea During winter, about half of the sea is iced over. During the warmer months, the Baltic Sea is an important waterway for Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark. 2. North Sea The North Sea is nestled between the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian Peninsula. 3. Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow passage called the Strait of Gibraltar. The waterway is a popular tourist destination and is extremely important for commerce as well as military operations. 4. Black Sea The Black Sea touches both Europe and Asia and connects to the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosporus Strait where the Turkish city of Istanbul borders the continents. 5. Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is technically a lake since it is inland, but it is called a sea because of its saltiness. It is the largest inland body of water on the planet. 37
Continents, Countries and Capitals Chart Fill in the continent and capital for each country, and use this sheet to practice. Continent Country Capital Austria Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece India Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jordan Lebanon Netherlands 38
Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Serbia Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Yemen 39
Glossary Archipelago Bay Canal Cape Channel Dam Desert Elevation Europe Fjord Gulf Hemisphere Meridian Middle East Oasis Peninsula Sea Strait Oasis Peninsula Strait An expanse of water with many scattered islands An inlet of the sea or other body of water usually smaller than a gulf A man-made waterway, used mainly for transportation of people and goods A point or extension of land that juts out into water A narrow body of water between two landmasses A man-made barrier to decrease or stop the flow of water A dry land with few plants and little rainfall The height to which something reaches, such as a mountain peak A continent of the eastern hemisphere between Asia and the Atlantic Ocean Narrow, salt-water filled valleys between cliffs or steep hills or mountains A part of an ocean or sea extending into the land Half of the Earth. Either northern or southern as divided by the equator or eastern and western as divided by a meridian Any one of the lines that go from the North Pole to the South Pole on maps of the world The geographic region of southwestern Asia where Asia meets Africa and Europe (from intro section on the Middle East) A fertile area in a desert where there is water and plants A piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water and is attached to a larger land area 1. A body of salt water not as large as an ocean; 2. An inland body of water either salt or fresh A narrow passage of water that connects two large bodies of water A fertile area surrounded by desert An area of land that is surrounded by water on 3 sides A narrow body of water that separates two landmasses 40