The Alps provide lowland Europe with drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. Although the area is only about 11 percent of the surface area of Europe, the Alps provide up to 90 percent of water to lowland Europe, particularly to arid areas and during the summer months. Cities such as Milan depend on 80 percent of water from Alpine runoff. Water from the rivers is used in over 500 hydroelectricity power plants, generating as much as 2900 kilowatts of electricity. COUNT 5
QSN1 What provides Europe with drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power? ANS1 The Alps QSN2 How much of Europe does the Alps cover? ANS2 11 percent of the surface area QSN3 How much water does the Alps provide to lowland Europe? ANS3 90 percent QSN4 How much water does Milan depend on from the Alpine runoff? ANS4 80 percent QSN5 Water from the rivers is used in over how many hydroelectric power plants? ANS5 500