Chapter 12 Southern EuropeSection 1:Physical Geography

Physical Features

Southern Europe has three large peninsulas; Iberian peninsula, Italian peninsula and the Balkan peninsula.

Southern Europe is also known as Mediterranean Europe.

All of Southern Europe have long coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea.

Physical Features: LandformsAll three peninsulas

are largely covered with rugged mountains.Iberian Peninsula:

Pyrenees (Pir-uh-neez) mountains that form a barrier between Spain and France.

Italian Peninsula: Apennines (A-puh-nynz) (run along the whole peninsula) and Alps (Europe's highest mountains)

Pyrenees

Alps

Apennines

Physical Features: LandformsSouthern Europe’s mountains extend into the

sea forming islands. There are over 2,00 islands in the Aegean Sea east of Greece.

There are also flat plains along the coasts and river valleys throughout this region:Good for farming Where most of the population lives

Water FeaturesWater is central to the

regions geography, no place in Southern Europe is far from a major body of water.

Seas have given people in this region food and easy access to travel around the region.

The largest body of water in the region is the Mediterranean sea. Other seas include the:Adriatic seaAegean seaIonian sea

Only a few rivers run through the region:Tagus (tay-guhs)

regions longest river, flows across the Iberian peninsula.

Po river, runs through the Italian peninsula

Climate and Resources

Climate: Mediterranean Climate

Mild and sunny climateMild wintersLittle rain in the summer, more rain in the winter

Resources:Climate is the most valuable resource; ideal for growing crops

(citrus fruits, grapes, olives and wheat)Tourism: Millions of tourists are drawn to the region every

year for its climate, beaches and scenery.

Climate and ResourcesSeas:

Seas are another resource in Southern EuropeLargest cities are ports that ship goods all over

the worldFood:

Variety of Fish and shellfish that provide the basis for a profitable fishing industries.

Section 2: Greece

History: Ancient GreeceAncient Greece:

The Greeks were pioneers in many fields that have shaped the modern world Theater: Tragedies and

Comedies Philosophy: Created a

system of reasoning that is the foundation for modern sciences.

Democracy: Future governments all around the world will use the Greek’s ideals of democracy into their own governments.

Olympics: 776 BC Olympia, in honor or Zeus

Art: life like paintings and statues that served as examples for later artists to imitate.

Architecture: Built stately temples of marble that continue to inspire architects around the world.

Literature: New forms in history and drama

Math: Made advances in geometry

History: The Romans and the Turks300’s Greece become part

of Alexander the Great’s empire.Under Alexander’s rule

Greek culture spread throughout his empire.

When the empire broke up Greece became part of the Roman Empire

After AD 400 Roman Empire divided into two parts, Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire.Apart of Byzantine Empire

for about 1,000 years

1300’s-1400’s Greece was taken over by the Ottoman Turks from Central AsiaTurks were Muslim

but allowed people of Greece to remain Christian .

History: Independent GreeceGreeks were not happy under the Turkish

rule; rose up against the Turks in the 1800’s.Greeks received help from other European

countries to help drive the Turks outAfter rebellion Greece became a monarchy Greece experienced instability in the 1900’s,

falling to a military dictatorship from 1967-1974, but more recently has returned to a democracy.

CultureFactors that have

shaped Greece’s cultureGreek LanguageChristianity Customs adopted

from the many groups who have ruled Greece.

Language and Religion:Speak Greek- one of

the oldest languages spoken in Europe today

Orthodox Church- Branch of Christianity that dates back to Byzantine Empire (nearly everyone belongs to)

CultureCustoms:

Food: Influenced by products native to Greece and groups who have ruled Greece over time Lamb/ Olives/

Vegetables- grow in Greece

Yogurt/ Honey- From the Turks

Family: Central to Greek culture and Greek society

Greece Today Urban and Rural Greece

3/5 of all people in Greece live in cities today Athens- The nations capital, is the largest city

and home to 1/3 of the country's entire population.

Outside of the city people live in isolated mountain villages where they grow crops, raise animals such as sheep and goats. Village life center around a village square- People

meet there to discuss local events and make decisions.

Greece’s Economy Experiencing economic growth but not as much

as other European countries. Lack of resources- Few mineral resources and

rugged landscape Tourism- Very profitable industry for Greece

Millions of people per year come to vacation in Greece

Shipping-largest shipping fleet in the world that ships products all over the world

Section 3: Italy

History: Ancient RomeAccording to legend, the city of Rome was built in the 700’s BC.

Greatest civilization developed in Italy was Rome

The Romans created a huge empire. At it’s height, the empire included parts of Europe, Southwest Asia and Northern Africa.

Roman art, architecture, literature, and law still influence people today.

Christianity arose sand spread in the Roman Empire.

History: The Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of great advances in art, architecture, and literature

Began in the 1300’s cities like Florence.

From Italy, the Renaissance spread to other parts of Europe.

Some of the world’s greatest works of art were created at this time.

History: Unified Italy

Since the Middle ages, Italy had been divided into small states.

In the mid-1800’s, increased feelings of nationalism led people across Italy to fight for unification.

The fight for unification was led by Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Italy was officially unified in 1861

Culture Religion:

Most people in Italy belong to the Roman Catholic Church

Historically religion has been the strongest influence on Italian culture

Pope- The spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church Current Pope- Pope Francis Lives in Vatican city, located

in Rome. 100’s of churches throughout

the city of Rome all periods in history

Local Traditions: Italian Food: All over Italy people

eat many o the same foods; olives, tomatoes, rice, pasta. However the way they prepare the food differs depending on the region you are in. South- serve pasta with tomato

sauces North- creamy sauces are more

common.

Center for the arts: Italy has produced some the worlds greatest painters, designers, sculptors, authors, composers, fashion designers and film makers. Leaders in contemporary art forms

Italy TodayA shared language, the Roman Catholic church

and strong family ties help bind Italians together.

Southern Italy Country’s poorer half Heavily dependent on agriculture Sicily-island of the tip of Italy Naples- the most important city in southern Italy;

major port and manufacturing center.

Northern Italy Strong economy due to; Fertile farm lands, major

trade centers and most popular tourist destinations.

Rome- Capital of Italy (central part of the country) Major center for banking and industry and one of the

world’s most popular tourist sites. Milan- Largest city in Italy and global fashion

capital Cloths created in Milan influence fashion designers

around the world

Section 4: Spain and Portugal

HistoryTime Line Spain and Portugal share the Iberian

Peninsula or Iberia.

Many powerful empires controlled all or part of the Iberian peninsula in the past: 700 BC Phoenicians colonized coastal

area of what is now Spain

Greeks

Roman Empire

After Roman Empire fell apart, Iberia was invaded by the Moors ( Muslim group from North Africa. For 600 years much of Iberian peninsula was under Muslim rule.

End of the 1400’s the Muslims were driven out of Iberia and the rulers of the Christian kingdoms of Spain and Portugal banned together to force non- Christians to leave Iberia.

Spain and Portugal went on to build huge empire that spanned the oceans having territories in the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Colonies of Spain and Portugal broke away in the 1800’s and 1900’s and became independent.

CultureLanguage:

Most widely spoken languages are Spanish and Portuguese Different dialects of each are spoken differently in different parts of the region.

Religion: Most people in Spain and Portugal are Roman Catholic

Celebrate Christmas/ Easter Hold festivals in honor of their patron saints

Music and Art: Portuguese are famous for sad folk songs called fados Spanish are known for a style of song and dance called flamenco Many elements of Iberia’s art and architecture reflect its Muslim past

Round arches Elaborate tile work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiuH7yOMCVo (flamenco)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on9lKHZc5jA (fados)

Spain and Portugal Today Spain

Still governed by a king (descendent of kings who ruled long ago)

Parliamentary Monarchy- The king rules with the help of an elected parliament

Agriculture was once the major economic activity, now they create automobiles and high tech products

Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona are centers for industry, tourism and culture

Portugal Republic with elected leaders

Economy based largely on industries centered in large cities like Lisbon

In rural areas many people depend on agriculture as a source of income