Physical landscapes in the UK - glaciers, rivers and relief
A landscape comprises all of the visible features of an area of land. It can contain both natural features and man-made features.
The UK has a varied physical landscape as the relief of the land changes in different parts of the country.
Relief
The way that the landscape changes in height. refers to the way the landscape changes in height. Upland areas are high above sea level. They are often (but not always) mountainous. They usually consist of Rocks that formed under very hot conditions within the Earth. rocks, and experience lower temperatures, high rainfall, and are windy. Lowland areas are not very high above sea level. They are often flat. They tend to be formed of Rocks that are formed through the deposition of sediments, eg limestone and sandstone. rocks like sandstones and clays, and experience milder temperatures and less rainfall.
The shape of the landscape is largely determined by:
- The build up of ice on the land during colder periods in time.
- rivers
- the power of the sea
Upland areas are mainly found in:
- Scotland - The Northwest Highlands, the Cairngorm Mountains, the Grampian Mountains and the Southern Uplands. Ben Nevis is the UK's highest peak and is found in the Grampian Mountains.
- England - The Pennines, Lake District, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and is found in the Lake District.
- Wales - Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and is found in Snowdonia.
Lowland areas can be found in the following places:
- around The Wash (East Anglia and Lincolnshire)
- Lincolnshire
- The Fens in East Anglia - they are the lowest place in the UK
- the Midlands
- the London Basin
- the Vale of York