The hydrology of Europe

 What is the hydrology of 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.

Mediterranean Sea

Arctic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Navigable river

 The Arctic and the Atlantic drainage basins have long rivers that flow over flat terrain. 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. 

Pechora

Seine

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. 

Po river in Venice (Italy)

Po river in Venice (Italy)

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.

LONGEST RIVERS IN EUROPE

Where are the main lakes in Europe?

Around 77 000 km2 of Europe is covered by lakes. 

Lake Bled

Lake Como

European lakes are grouped according to their location. 

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.

Alpine lakes

LAKES IN EUROPE

LAKE BLED

LAKE MAGGIORE

COMO LAKE

LAKE ORTA

Wolfgangsee

LAKE GENEVA

LAKE NESS

TOP LAKES IN EUROPE

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