Aristotle

Julius Caesar

Ch. 12:1 - Physical Geography of Southern Europe

Landforms • Southern Europe is made up of three peninsulas: Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula, Italy on the Italian Peninsula, and Greece on the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula. • Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City are smaller countries in the interior, while the island nations of Malta and Cyprus serve important functions in the Mediterranean Sea. • Mountain ranges like the Pyrenees and the Alps form a natural border with Northwestern Europe.

Liechtenstein San Marino Monaco Andorra

Vatican City

Malta

Swiss Alps

Ch. 12:1 - Physical Geography of Southern Europe

Water Systems • Although important to the ecology of the region, Southern Europe’s shallow rivers are not viable transportation or trade routes. • The Ebro River in Spain provides hydroelectric power and water for agriculture. • The drainage from the Po River in Italy feeds the country’s most fertile plain. • Italy’s Tiber River is the primary water source for the capital city of Rome.

Ch. 12:1 - Physical Geography of Southern Europe

Climate, Biomes, & Resources • The Alps block Atlantic winds from the north, causing the warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters of this Mediterranean climate. • The subregion is well suited for growing grapes, olives, shrub herbs, and raising livestock. • Tungsten, one of Spain’s many natural resources, is essential to the high-tech industry. • Italy has few mineral resources, while Portugal has large deposits of copper.

Italian Farm near the Mediterranean Sea

Ch. 12:2 - Human Geography of Southern Europe

History and Government • The civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome laid the foundation for Western civilization.

• The Renaissance marked a period of cultural revival and enlightenment. • Spain and Portugal became leaders in the Age of Exploration, establishing new empires. • Nationalism and unification in the 1800s and 1900s brought political stability to the area. • Recent economic challenges include high unemployment rates and credit problems.

GREEK EMPIRE

Ancient Athens

The Acropolis, Athens, Greeced

ROMAN EMPIRE

Ancient Rome

Roman Forum

Italian Renaissance Painting

1400’s – 1700’s A.D.

Ch. 12:2 - Human Geography of Southern Europe

Population Patterns • Southern Europe is one of the most populated regions of the world.

• As the populations of Greece, Italy, and Spain age and the birthrates fall, care for the elderly is straining the social welfare systems. • Demand for labor is being met by migrants within the European Union. • Economic migration throughout the EU has resulted in a growing diversity of cultures.

Ch. 12:2 - Human Geography of Southern Europe

Society & Culture Today • Education in Southern Europe is mandatory for all children. • The cultures of Greece, Spain, and Italy are centered on the family and are influenced by the Roman Catholic religion.

• Women have achieved a high level of gender equality in higher education and business, though their success in politics has been slower to develop. • The Greeks and Romans developed many important elements of art and architecture.

Italian Family

Ch. 12:2 - Human Geography of Southern Europe

Economic Activities • The global recession of 2008 hit Southern Europe hard.

• Spain and Italy continue to face challenges. • As one of the least developed in the area, Greece’s economy remains weak as it grapples with high public spending, low productivity, and tax evasion. • The EU is facing its first test of economic stability with Southern Europe suffering from record national debt and high unemployment.

Ch. 12:3 - People and Their Environment: Southern Europe

Managing Resources • Large algae blooms are damaging the delicate marine biomes of the Adriatic Sea.

• Changes in the global climate has made weather more unpredictable. • Effects of climate change include increased erosion, higher risk of fires, increased deforestation, and the loss of glaciers at high altitudes.

Typical Algae Bloom

Ch. 12:3 - People and Their Environment: Southern Europe

Human Impact • The decline of fish stocks has adversely affected the overall health of the marine biome.

• Manufacturing and tourism cause pollution that is a major threat to surrounding seas and agricultural resources. • Pollutants and other human impacts have led to pollution hot spots, the extreme damage or even death of the local ecosystem.

Air Pollution in Athens, Greece

Ch. 12:3 - People and Their Environment: Southern Europe

Addressing the Issues • The EU created the European Environmental Agency to effectively deal with environmental issues. • Many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as Earthwatch, are working on solutions to environmental problems. • Certification is a way to combat deforestation and to ensure that forest resources are being used responsibly.