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EncyclopediaBaltic ShieldBaltic Shield, the continental core of Europe, composed of Precambrian crystalline rock, the oldest of Europe. The tectonically stable region was not affected by the Caledonian, Hercynian, and Alpine mountain-building periods of Europe, although mountains did rise along the edges. The exposed portion of the Baltic Shield is found in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. During the Pleistocene epoch, great continental ice sheets scoured and depressed the shield's surface, leaving a thin covering of glacial material and innumerable lakes and streams. The ancient rocks have yielded a rich variety of minerals, especially iron and copper. In W former USSR the Russian Platform is that portion of the Baltic Shield buried beneath a great thickness of sedimentary rock. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. More on Baltic Shield from Infoplease:
- Russian Platform - Russian Platform: Russian Platform: see Baltic Shield.
- Fennoscandia - Fennoscandia Fennoscandia, region: see Baltic Shield.
- Lake Onega - Onega, Lake Onega, Lake, Finnish Aäninen, Rus. Onezhskoye Ozero, lake, c.3,800 sq mi (9,800 sq ...
- Scandinavia - Scandinavia Scandinavia , region of N Europe. It consists of the kingdoms of Sweden, Norway, and ...
- Lake Ladoga - Ladoga, Lake Ladoga, Lake , Finnish Laatokka, Rus. Ladozhskoye Ozero, c.7,000 sq mi (18,100 sq km), ...
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