Southern Europe

1. Southern Europe Southern: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Vatican City, San Marino, Greece

2. Southern Europe Matching Italy San Marino Vatican City Spain Greece Portugal

3. Physical Features • Peninsulas • Iberian (home to Spain and Portugal) • Pyrenees Mountains – block off peninsula from rest of Europe • Italian (boot of Italy) • Alps • Most famous mountain chain in Europe • Stretch across France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the northern Balkan Peninsula • Cut Italy off from rest of Europe • Islands • Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete

4. Climates • Western Europe: • Marine West Coast (mainly) • Highland and Humid Subtropical • Southern Europe: • Mainly Mediterranean • Some Marine West Coast, Semiarid, and Humid Subtropical

5. Southern Resources • Majority Zinc and Coal • Biggest variety of resources found in Spain

6. Water Pollution: Venice • Industrial waste, sewage, and saltwater combine together and eat away the foundations of buildings (damage) • Erosion is allowing large amounts of seawater into the lagoon • “Killer Algae”: decaying algae uses up all the oxygen which causes fish in water to die as well = insects in water = STENCH!

7. ITALY • Rich culture • The Roman Empire • Ruled most of the Italian Peninsula • Grew by conquering overseas territories • The Renaissance (‘rebirth’) – a renewed interest in learning (Leonardo DaVinci)

8. Landmarks • Rome is the capital & largest city • Home to the Colosseum and other Roman ruins.

9. Southern Italy has many naturaldisasters Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, Floods, & Droughts • Home to Mt. Vesuvius and the ancient city of Pompeii

10. Italy’s Economic Problems • Italy: • Northern region is much more developed than Southern region • Why? • North is closer to industrial nations (Germany & France) • South = poor transportation systems • Southern government made poor decisions when promoting growth

11. The island of Sicily – large island on the southern coast of Italy • Mt. Etna, an active volcano

12. SPAIN & PORTUGAL • Together form the Iberian Peninsula • Capital of Spain = Madrid • Capital of Portugal = Lisbon

13. One of the world’s largest tourist industries • Beaches & rich culture

14. Fishing is a large part of economy • Have a long history of sailing

15. Leading producer of cork – corkboards, shoes, wine stoppers

16. Background • The Iberian Peninsula was ruled by the Moors (a Muslim people from North Africa) for over 700 years

17. Were the most powerful European nations; controlled sea trade during the 15th – 16th century • Had a huge colonial empire and was a leader in the spice trade.

18. VATICAN CITY • An independent state surrounded by the city of Rome • Smallest country in the world (0.2sq. Miles)

19. The pope, the head of the Roman Catholic church, has absolute political authority within the city

20. GREECE • Agricultural products – olive oil, tobacco, grapes, & citrus fruits • Shipping is big part of economy

21. Background • Ancient Greece – vital to the development of Western culture • City-state – “birth of democracy”

22. Ancient city of Olympia – site of the first Olympic Games

23. Ancient city of Sparta – famous for itsathletesandwarriors(movie “300”)

24. Capital =Athens • Home of the Acropoliswith the Parthenon(one of the world’s most photographed and famous buildings)

25. SAN MARINO • San Marino was founded early in the 4th century by Christians escaping persecution • One of the oldest and smallest republics / countries