Transcript Physical Geography of Southern Europe

By: Mr. Mora
Countries of Southern Europe
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Italy
Spain
Andorra
Greece
Portugal
6.
7.
8.
9.
Vatican City
Malta
Cyprus
San Marino
Southern European Countries
Cyprus
Map of
Europe
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.
Balkan Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
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.
Rivers in Southern Europe
Physical Geography of
Southern Europe
Climates, Biomes, and Resources
• The Alps block Atlantic winds from the north,
causing the warm, dry summers and mild, rainy
winters of this Mediterranean climate.
• The sub region is well suited for growing grapes,
olives, and 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.
Alps
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.
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 (EU).
• Economic migration throughout the EU has
resulted in a growing diversity of cultures.
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.
Human Geography of
Southern Europe
Society and 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.
People and Their
Environment
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.
People and Their
Environment
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.
People and Their
Environment
Addressing the Issues
• The EU created the European Environmental
Agency to effectively deal with environmental
issues.
• Many nongovernmental organizations (NG0s),
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.