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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
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Mediterranean Europe Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
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 15th 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 • 2008- 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
