Central Europe: It consists of Czech Republic, Hungry, Poland and Slovakia. The high Carpathian Mountains sweep across the northern Slovakia. The lower Sudeten Mountain lies on the border of the Czech Republic and Poland. Together these mountains form a barrier which divides the Great Hungarian plain and the Dannbe river basin in the South from Poland and the vast rolling lowlands of the North European plain.
Landscape
Pomeriania is a sandy coastal area with lakes formed by glaciers. It stretches west from the River Vistula to just beyond the German border; Poland’s largest river is the river Vistula. It flows northwards passing through the capital, Warsaw on the way to the Baltic Sea. The Sudeten Mountains are famous for their hot minerals springs. These occur where water heated deep within the Earth’s crust finds its way to the surface along fracture in the rock. The River Danube forms the border between Slovakia and Hungary for over 162 km. It then turns south to flow across the Great Hungarian plains. The Great Hungarian Plains covers almost half of Hungary’s land area. It is a mixture of farmland and Steppe. The Tatra Mountains are a small range at northern end of the Carpathian Mountains. They include Geriachousky which is central Europe’s highest point at 2,655 m.
Climate
The Carpathian Mountains are both the coldest and the wettest part of Central Europe. Temperature plunges below zero across the whole region during winter. In summer, eastern Hungary is the hottest place.
Industry
Brown coal or lignite is central Europe’s main fuel and one of Poland’s major exports. A variety of minerals are mined in the mountains of Czech Republic and Slovakia. Hungary has a wide range of industries producing vehicles, metals and chemicals as well as textile and electrical goods. The Czech Republic is famous for its breweries and glass making.
Farming and Land Use
Central Europe’s main crops are cereals such as maize, wheat and rye, along with sugar beet and potatoes. In Hungary, sweet pepper grows, helped by the warm summers and mild winters. They are used to make paprika. Grapes are also grown, to make wine. Large areas of the plains of Hungary and Poland are used for rearing pigs and cattle. Trees for timber grow in the mountain of Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Population
Most people in central Europe live in low laying areas, for example, along the River Vistula in Poland and in the lowlands of the Czech Republic. In mountainous Slovakia many people still live in rural towns and villages. The industrial areas and capital cities have the highest population densities.
