The Island Spanifrancily

1. The Island Spanifrancily

2. Factors Contributing to Climate • Location • Ocean Currents • Unique Physical Features • Wind patterns

3. Source: http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj/geog3333/lectures/oceancurrents-1.gif Location 42°N, 5°E

4. Climate Description The island of Spanifrancily is located in the Mediterranean sea and is next to three major countries: Spain, France and Italy. The exact location of this island in latitude and longitude is 42°N, 5°E. The climate regarded in this Mediterranean is hot and humid in the summer, and cool and wet in the winter. Because the island is surrounded by a vast body of ocean, temperatures don’t vary too often. The coldest temperature goes from from 49°F and the hottest 75°F.During summer time, the air is very humid, making it almost impossible for rainfall, measuring up to as less as 0.3 inches per month. As a result, Mediterranean climate has much of its rain in the winter; bringing snow at higher elevations. There can be as much as 3.4 inches of rain every month. On Spanifrancily, the highest mountain is 5,000 feet in elevation called the Titans Chair. It is located on the northern part of the island and is connected by a chain of smaller mountains called the Titan’s Walk. Weather up in the mountain is relatively similar on land, hot in the summer and snowy/rainy in the winter. Sources: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/s_france_past.html 11/6/07 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_climate 11/5/07

6. Climate Concerns • Global warming concerns in this region of the world? There are definitely global concerns in the Mediterranean. "Unless something is done to tackle global warming, the Mediterranean will not be the same place that people have enjoyed in the past," said Jennifer Morgan, director of the WWF's climate change program. If the world’s average temperature rises two degrees higher, the Mediterranean paradise will have significant agricultural problems. It will not be a place with such wonderful weather anymore. If the temperature continues to rise, the Mediterranean will have more extremely hot days, even less rainfall in the summer, and a bigger risk of forest fires. Source: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/31504/story.htm by Robin Pomeroy 11/7/07

7. Agriculture, Aquaculture, Livestock Agriculture: Farmers in the Mediterranean use many organic methods to grow most of their food. Organic foods have become an important staple for people living there. Wheat is the dominant grain grown around the Mediterranean. Pulses and vegetables are also grown. The characteristic tree crop is the olive. Figs are another important fruit tree, and citrus, especially lemons, are grown where irrigation is present. Grapes are an important vine crop, grown for fruit and to make wine. Rice and summer vegetables are grown in irrigated areas. Aquaculture: In 1985 Mediterranean fish farming was estimated to be 374 tons of European sea bass and Gilthead sea bream. By 1990, fish farming had increased to 3,876 tons where Greece, Spain and Italy had emerged to dominate with nearly 80% of all production. Five years later, production had increased to over 47,000 tons while, in 2000, the combined Mediterranean production exceeded 130,000 tons, a figure which is foreseen to continue to rise. Livestock: People in the Mediterranean use their livestock in many ways. Livestock is mainly used for meat and sometimes wool. Some livestock of the Mediterranean include the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey, mountain sheep, cattle, and lamb. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Basin#Agriculture11/8/07 http://www.feap.info/production/countries/medaq_en.asp11/8/07 http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107517.html 11/8/07 http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/X6508E/X6508E05.htm 11807