Southern Southern EuropeEurope

Southern: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Vatican City, San Marino, Greece

Spain

San Marino

Greece

Portugal

Italy

Vatican City

Physical Features

• Peninsulas– Iberian (home to Spain and Portugal)

• Pyrenees Mountains – block off peninsula from rest of Europe

– Italian (boot of Italy)

• Alps – Most famous mountain chain in Europe– Stretch across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland,

Austria, and the northern Balkan Peninsula– Cut Italy off from rest of Europe

• Islands – Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete

Climates

• Western Europe:Western Europe: – Marine West Coast (mainly)– Highland and Humid Subtropical

• Southern Europe:Southern Europe:– Mainly Mediterranean– Some Marine West Coast, Semiarid, and

Humid Subtropical

Southern Resources

• Majority Zinc and Coal• Biggest variety of resources found in

Spain

Water Pollution: Venice

• Industrial waste, sewage, and saltwater combine together and eat away the foundations of buildings (damage)

• Erosion is allowing large amounts of seawater into the lagoon– “Killer Algae”: decaying algae uses up all

the oxygen which causes fish in water to die as well = insects in water = STENCH!

ITALY

Rich culture The Roman Empire

Ruled most of the Italian Peninsula Grew by conquering overseas territories

The Renaissance (‘rebirth’) – a renewed interest in learning (Leonardo DaVinci)

Landmarks

Rome is the capital & largest city

Home to the Colosseum and other Roman ruins.

Southern Italy has many natural disasters Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, Floods, & Droughts Home to Mt. Vesuvius and the ancient city

of Pompeii

Italy’s Economic Problems Italy:

Northern region is much more developed than Southern region

Why?Why?1. North is closer to industrial nations

(Germany & France)2. South = poor transportation systems3. Southern government made poor

decisions when promoting growth

• The island of Sicily – large island on the southern coast of Italy • Mt. Etna, an active volcano

SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Together form the Iberian Peninsula Capital of Spain = Madrid Capital of Portugal = Lisbon

One of the world’s largest tourist industries •Beaches & rich culture

Fishing is a large part of economy

Have a long history of sailing

Leading producer of cork – corkboards, shoes, wine stoppers

BackgroundBackground The Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula

was ruled by the was ruled by the MoorsMoors (a Muslim (a Muslim people from North people from North Africa) for over Africa) for over 700 700 yearsyears

Were the most Were the most powerfulpowerful European European nations; controlled nations; controlled sea tradesea trade during during the 15the 15thth – 16 – 16thth century century – Had a huge Had a huge colonial empirecolonial empire and was a and was a

leader in the leader in the spice tradespice trade..

VATICAN CITY • An independent state surrounded by

the city of Rome• Smallest country in the world (0.2sq.

Miles)

• The pope, the head of the Roman Catholic church, has absolute political authority within the city

GREECE

• Agricultural products – olive oil, tobacco, grapes, & citrus fruits

• Shipping is big part of economy

Background• Ancient Greece – vital to the development of

Western culture• City-state – “birth of democracy”

• Ancient city of Olympia – site of the first Olympic Games

• Ancient city of Sparta – famous for its athletes and warriors (movie “300”)

• Capital = Athens • Home of the Acropolis with the

Parthenon (one of the world’s most photographed and famous buildings)

SAN MARINOSAN MARINO San Marino was founded early in the San Marino was founded early in the

44thth century by century by Christians escaping Christians escaping persecutionpersecution

One of the One of the oldestoldest and and smallestsmallest republics / countries republics / countries