Although the Republic lies far west of the European mainland, it is considered part of Europe for two reasons. Geographically, because it is enclosed by the warm Gulf Stream, flowing north to bathe the shores of Europe, while from North America it is separated by the cold, south flowing Labrador Current. Rockall is thus the westernmost European realm. Greater Rockall is shaped roughly like a broad-waisted hourglass. The Northern Mountains consist of a series of connected ridges running from northeast to southwest, with the Mentone Plateau forming their southwestern extension.
Fjords fringe their western and northeastern coasts.
On the southern side they are bordered by lowlands through which flows Rockall s mightiest river, the Aramassa. The Eastern Mountains are separated from the Northern Mountains by the Green River, and from the Scarpland Hills in the west by the Meranian River. These mountains form a U, which opens towards the eastern seaboard, its centre occupied by the drainage system of the Molokhondma River. South of the Eastern Mountains lies the deep Lorraine Channel. The Central Lowlands comprise three main regions, differing in vegetation and water -flow pattern.