Economic inequalities within the EU

Within EU states, differences exist between rich and poor regions, some are poorer than others New member states of eastern Europe are much poorer than the older western states. In 1973 Ireland joined EU and was poor, in 2007 Ireland was ranked as one of the wealthiest

Economic inequality in the Republic of Ireland

The republic of Ireland can be broken into 2 economic regions More prosperous south and eastern region (Core) Less prosperous (BMW) border, midlands and western regions (periphery)

The BMW

The BMW contains mountainous land especially in Galway, Mayo and Donegal Many farms are small and have a high percentage of elderly famers Population of 1.1. million and has a low population density Apart from Galway, Sligo, Dundalk and Drogheda the urban centres of the BMW are small Infrastructure not as good as in the south and east

The Southern and eastern region

Contain some excellent soils in river valleys such as the barrow and the blackwater Many farmers in the south and east are tillage farmers The southern and eastern region had a population of 3.1 million people in 2006 Higher population density than the bmw The region benefits from inward migration from the bmw

The infrastructure is better in the south and eastern region There are 3 international airports in the region and the largest sea ports in the state are located there Dublin is the centre of the republics economy as the headquarters of the country’s largest bank and insurance companies are located in Dublin in the IFSC.

Economic Inequalities In Italy

The North Of Italy Northern Italy has a favourable climate for agriculture Agriculture in the Po valley is very productive and produces crops such as wheat, rice, sunflowers maize and vegetables

The North Of Italy The North of Italy is one of Europe's greatest manufacturing centres Companies such as Zanussi, Benetton, Fiat and Gucci are located there The main industrial area in the North of Italy is known as the Milan Turin Genoa Industrial Triangle

HEP sourced in the Alps generates power for industries The North has excellent roads and railways Tunnels and passes connect to markets in France, Switzerland and Austria The north has a great tourist industry with winter sports in the alps and lake resorts

The South Of Italy : The Mezzogiorno The south of Italy is called the Mezzogiorno This region includes the southern portion of the Italian peninsula as well as the islands of Sardinia and Sicily The south is a peripheral region and is much poorer than the North

Much of the south has a mountainous landscape which makes farming difficult The south gets little rainfall during the summer months And as a result agricultural output is much lower than the north The south has suffered as a result of outward migration Companies both Italian and European are less willing to invest in the south as it is far from the markets of the EU The south especially Sicily is infamous for organised crimes e.g. The mafia

The south has many tourist attractions such as Vesuvius and Pompeii The Mezzogiorno is also famous for filming of “spaghetti westerns”

The Casa Southern Italy has benefited from a Government agency called Casa and From EU grants Casa invested funds into irrigation schemes to help farmers In the last 50 years Southern Italy has Been connected to Northern Italy by a motorway which Has helped tourism, farming and Manufacturing