Mediterranean Europe Mr. Jeremy Rinkel

MAP

Spain Is very isolated and “well-guarded” Pyrenees Mountains block access from the rest of Europe Steep Cliffs are located along the coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic

Spain High plateaus from most of Spain Most rivers in Spain are un-navigable due to very dangerous rapids

Spain (Climate) Mediterranean climate –Mild and rainy winters –Hot and dry summers Moist Atlantic winds provide the area with adequate rainfall for farmers to raise corn and cattle.

Spain (The Economy) 18% of exports are agricultural Has recently shifted to exporting its natural resources Spain’s major export in transportation equipment

Spain (Cities) Bilbao –Industrial center (due to iron ore for steel) Barcelona –The largest port city –Center for manufacture of plastics and textiles Madrid –Largest city and the nation’s capital –Many problem (immigration, pollution, traffic)

Spain (Regions) Northern- (Basque) –Fewer than 1 million –One of the richest areas –Throughout history have been persecuted Catalonia (region surrounding Barcelona) –Pushing for using a Spanish/French language

Portugal Capital: Lisbon Is about the size of Indiana Population about 10 million Has a history due to its world exploration in the 15 th Century

Agriculture and Economy Receives abundant rainfall for farming –Grains (wheat) –Barley –Olive oil (in the South) is a major export Cork and cork products –Are made from oak trees and are also a major export

History Portugal became a trading nation Lisbon became a very valuable port city Signed a treaty with Spain in 1494 dealing with the expansion of colonial regions in Latin America and Africa.

The Future Economy was once based on agriculture, but is changing Industries and the production of clothing paper, and cork have became important Is working to improve the literacy rate (87%) Faces many challenges (including industrial pollution)

Italy Looks like a giant boot Is formed around the Apennine Mountains –Mostly under 10,000 feet Very active seismically (volcanoes and earthquakes Sicily’s Mount Etna erupted in 1985

Climate and Vegetation Alps run east to west on the northern border of the country –Its tall peaks block the moisture from the Atlantic Mediterranean climate –Hot and dry summer/cold and wet winter

Climate and Vegetation Trees have been taken off hillsides to overpopulation –Mostly scrub vegetation remains –Soil has eroded due to overgrazing by sheep and goats 1960’s- 1/3 worked on farms less than 10% work in agriculture

Overpopulation 58 million people The populated areas are extremely crowded Unemployment in rural areas is high, especially in Southern Italy Since WWII, the southern populations have moved to the north to seek jobs in factories

A Growing Economy Automobiles, home appliances and metal goods have been the most successful Previous to 1950, fairly poor and was largely agricultural European Union helped provide a market for Italy’s products Italian goods could be sold at a lower price due to lower wages

Northern Italy Known as European Italy The Po River Valley –Most productive agricultural area –Raise wheat and rice Ski resorts in the Alps attract visitors year around (Tourism

Northern Italy Dairy farms are profitable and productive Venice –Pollution problems –Subsidence (geological phenomena in which a ground in an area sinks –Very popular with tourists –Has a network of canals that serve as streets

Central Italy Rome –Chosen as capital due to central location and it was the capital of the Roman Empire –The Colosseum and Forum are still standing today Vatican City –World headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church –St. Peter’s Basilica

Central Italy Florence –Main cultural city –Made famous by many painters including Michelangelo during the Renaissance

Southern Italy Includes the islands of Sicily and Sardina Poor roads make travel very difficult Agriculture is not very profitable due to poor soil and outdated farming techniques Naples- port city (worst poverty in Europe) –Poverty due to lack of jobs for the population

Greece Has geographic and historical ties to the Mediterranean Is a member of the European Union and NATO The birthplace of culture that reached “full expression in Western Europe”

Land Includes about 1,450 islands Southern Greece is the product of tectonic forces (earthquakes, volcanoes)

Agriculture and Mountains Mount Olympus (9,570 feet) Narrow coastal plains allow farmers to raise wheat and other grains Olive and citrus groves also exist On the mountain sides, sheep and goats are raised

Athens The capital of Greece One of the youngest capital cities in Europe, although many monuments in the cities have stood for centuries 1/3 of the population live in or near the city Major traffic issues

Focus on the Sea Piraeus –Major harbor for exporting products Relies heavily on the export of products by sea Has one of the world’s largest commercial shipping fleets Shipbuilding is an important industry

Focus on the Sea The sea enables Greece to maintain contact with its many islands Many people make a living fishing Tourism has become very popular due to the sparkling clear water and gleaming beaches

Crete Island with a history Was once the center of culture Some believe tsunamis wiped out this area Tsunami- giant waves caused by tectonic activity