mediterranean europe mr. jeremy rinkel. map spain is very isolated and “well-guarded” pyrenees...
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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
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