2.  Iberian Peninsula (20%)  Poorest of the Western European Nations  Leading exporter of wine and cork  Lisbon- capital and largest city; major transportation, industrial, and cultural center

3.  Meseta (plateau) covers most of Spain  little arable land-10% of work force are farmers but very productive  Madrid- capital; largest city; transportation, financial, and administrative center  Barcelona- 2nd largest city, major harbor on the Mediterranean Sea

4. Brief history  Roman Empire at its peak stretched from Britain to Iraq  Empire fell in the 5th century- to big to protect  Renaissance (1500s)- began in Italy; renewed interest in learning

5.  Alps provide hydroelectric power; pollution blankets the Po Valley to the south  Venice- built on 120 islands, canals and boats are used instead of cars, sinking  Rome- capital and largest city, was the center of the Roman Empire  Naples is the leading manufacturing city in the region  Tourism is a major industry throughout the country.

6. Brief history F Ancient Greece-birthplace of democracy; art, philosophy, and science formed the basis of Western civilization F Greece’s location has exposed the country to invasions from Persians, Romans, and Turks F 1829- became a free country after 400 years of Turkish rule

7. F 20% of Greece is made up of more than 2000 islands F highest peak- Mt. Olympus- 9750 ft F Agriculture is limited to less than 30% of the land- olive, tobacco, grapes, and fruits F Shipping is a major part of the Greek economy F Tourism is a major money-maker also

9. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens. It was built between 447 and 438 B.C. and its sculptural decoration was completed in 432 B.C. Sits on Acropolis hill overlooking Athens

10. A 1000 years ago, it was declared illegal for anyone to be born or die on the island, said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The marble lions dedicated to Apollo at the end of 7th century B.C. stand in a row facing eastwards. There were sixteen lions, but only five lions and the remains of three more, standing on modern bases, can be seen in position today.

11. Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact an genuine Southern Spanish art. It exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing. Flamenco combines acoustic guitar playing, singing, chanting, dancing and staccato handclapping.

12. Coincides with the San Fermin Fiesta in July. The running of the bulls was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's 1927 novel Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises. The practice began in 1591 with the need to move the bulls from the countryside to the arena. The stablehands used to herd the bulls running behind the bulls with rolled up newspapers, guiding them along the path to the Plaza de Toros. Young men from the town would gather along to watch the action, and soon people started joining in to help. The correct outfit for San Fermín is a white shirt, white trousers and a splash of red in memory of the blood spilt by the saint himself when he was beheaded over a 1000 years ago.

13. The gondola is the most well-known boat in the world: even people who have never been to Venice can immediately recognize its unique shape, the metal bow decoration and for the distinctive Venetian rowing style. The gondola has a flat bottom which allows it to float in very shallow water.

14. David by Michelangelo, completed around 1504, is located in Florence, Italy. The statue of David portrays the ancient hero who killed the fierce opponent Goliath by using a simple slingshot. The statue was completed around 1504 and put on display in front of Palazzo Vecchio. Statue: 17 feet high In 1991 a person attacked the statue with a hammer, damaging the toes of the left foot before being restrained.

15. Portugal is the leading exporter of cork in the world. The harvesting process is laborious. Each cork tree must be approximately twenty years old before it can provide its first harvest of cork bark, and it will be another nine years before it will be ready again to provide another harvest.