Southern Europe The Iberian Peninsula

SpainPortugalAndorra

Spain: Past meets Present Madrid, Spain’s capital city

Portugal: The Western Edge Portugal was a leading nation during the Age of Discovery Vasco da Gama set sail for the New World from the city of Belém Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city

Andorra: Perched in the Pyrenees Andorra is a small country (185 square miles) Andorra is a small country (185 square miles) It is perched high in the Pyrenees, dividing Spain and France It is perched high in the Pyrenees, dividing Spain and France Andorra la Vella, the capital city of Andorra

The Land The Iberian Peninsula—High and Rugged The Iberian Peninsula—High and Rugged Northern region—Pyrenees Mountains divide the peninsula from the rest of Europe. Southern region—Sierra Nevada range

The Meseta Meseta = a huge central plateau Meseta = a huge central plateau Meseta – “tableland”Meseta – “tableland” Plateau – a flat landmass higher than the surrounding landPlateau – a flat landmass higher than the surrounding land Covers 2/3 of the peninsula Covers 2/3 of the peninsula Farmers raise wheat and vegetables Farmers raise wheat and vegetables Irrigation is necessary because of the dry climate and poor, reddish- yellow soil Farmers also herd sheep and goats Farmers also herd sheep and goats

The Meseta Many major rivers begin in the Meseta: Many major rivers begin in the Meseta: The Tagus, Spain’s longest riverThe Tagus, Spain’s longest river The Guadalquivir, flows from the Meseta to the Atlantic OceanThe Guadalquivir, flows from the Meseta to the Atlantic Ocean The Guadalquivir River Basin is in southern Spain The Guadalquivir River Basin is in southern Spain

The Climate Coastal areas: Coastal areas: Mediterranean climateMediterranean climate Mild wintersMild winters Hot summersHot summers Northern areas: Northern areas: Marine west coast climate Warm winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of rain The Meseta: The Meseta: Cold winters, hot summers, very little rainCold winters, hot summers, very little rain

The Economy Tourism and farming benefits all three countries on the Iberian Peninsula Tourism and farming benefits all three countries on the Iberian Peninsula Both Spain and Portugal are developing countries; they are catching up with other EU countries in economic devlopment Both Spain and Portugal are developing countries; they are catching up with other EU countries in economic devlopment

Tourism--Spain Sunny climate Sunny climate Beautiful beaches Beautiful beaches Storybook castles Storybook castles

La Alhambra Mohammed I turned a 9 th century castle, in Granada, into his royal residence. La Alhambra is one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in the world It is among Europe’s most visited tourist attractions

Tourism--Portugal Relics of the past Relics of the past Architecture Beautiful beaches Beautiful beaches Water sports Golf Golf

Tourism--Andorra What about Andorra? What about Andorra? SkiingSkiing ShoppingShopping Mountain ClimbingMountain Climbing

The Economy--Spain Growing industrial and service economy Growing industrial and service economy Machinery, Trucks, Cars, ClothingMachinery, Trucks, Cars, Clothing Farming and Fishing Farming and Fishing Acres and acres of olive grovesAcres and acres of olive groves World’s largest producer of olive oil World’s largest producer of olive oil Also export citrus fruits, cork, and wineAlso export citrus fruits, cork, and wine

The Economy--Portugal Benefits from textile (clothing) Benefits from textile (clothing) Subsistence farming Subsistence farming Wine grapes, citrus fruits, olives, rice, cork, wheatWine grapes, citrus fruits, olives, rice, cork, wheat World’s leading exporter of corkWorld’s leading exporter of cork

The People Spain and Portugal share similar histories and cultures. Spain and Portugal share similar histories and cultures. Iberians migrated from North Africa Iberians migrated from North Africa Romans later followed from ItalyRomans later followed from Italy Moors also came from North AfricaMoors also came from North Africa Culture, religion, and architecture were influenced by these early civilizations Culture, religion, and architecture were influenced by these early civilizations

The People By the late 1900s… By the late 1900s… IndependentIndependent PowerfulPowerful Roman CatholicRoman Catholic Sponsored… Sponsored… Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus Vasco da GamaVasco da Gama

The Culture--Portugal Portugal developed a unified culture based on the Portuguese language Portugal developed a unified culture based on the Portuguese language

The Culture—Spain “A country of different countries” Spain’s regions remain culturally unique Spain’s regions remain culturally unique CastileCastile Has dictated the culture for centuries Has dictated the culture for centuries The dialect of the Castilian people became the major language of Spain The dialect of the Castilian people became the major language of Spain dialect – a local form of languagedialect – a local form of language CataloniaCatalonia Speak Catalan, a language related to French Speak Catalan, a language related to French Galicia (northwest) and Andalusia (south) also have unique cultural traditionsGalicia (northwest) and Andalusia (south) also have unique cultural traditions BasqueBasque In northern Spain In northern Spain Speak a language unlike any other in Europe Speak a language unlike any other in Europe Think of themselves as separate from Spain—want their own independence Think of themselves as separate from Spain—want their own independence

The Running of the Bulls Pamplona, Spain The Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona, Spain to help kick off the festival of San Fermin, during the fiesta week (early to mid July)

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