Southern and Western Europe Southern Italy Spain Portugal

Southern and Western Europe Southern: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Vatican City, San Marino, Greece Western: France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein

Italy San Marino Spain Portugal Vatican City Greece

Netherlands Belgium Liechtenstein Germany France Switzerland Austria Luxembourg

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

Rivers of Europe • There are NUMEROUS rivers throughout Europe • Rhine River – Most important river in Western & Southern Europe – 820 miles

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

Southern and Western Resources • Majority Zinc and Coal • Biggest variety of resources found in Spain • Resources throughout the rest of Western and Southern Europe is scattered

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!

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

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

n Southern Italy has many natural disasters Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, Floods, & Droughts n Home to Mt. Vesuvius and the ancient city of Pompeii

Italy’s Economic Problems n Italy: n n Northern region is much more developed than Southern region Why? 1. 2. 3. North is closer to industrial nations (Germany & France) South = poor transportation systems Southern government made poor decisions when promoting growth

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

SPAIN & PORTUGAL l l l Together form the Iberian Peninsula Capital of Spain = Madrid Capital of Portugal = Lisbon

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

l l Fishing is a large part of economy Have a long history of sailing

l Leading producer of cork – corkboards, shoes, wine stoppers

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

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

VATICAN CITY • An independent state surrounded by the city of Rome • Smallest country in the world (0. 2 sq. Miles)

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

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

Background • Ancient Greece – vital to the development of Western culture (roots of democracy)

• Ancient city of Olympia – site of the first Olympic Games

• Ancient city of Sparta – famous for its athletes and warriors (movie “ 300”)

• Capital = Athens • Home of the Acropolis with the Parthenon (one of the world’s most photographed and famous buildings)

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

Western Europe

Rise of Nation-States Feudalism Ø l l : political and economic system Powerful LORDS owned most of the land Strong kings gain power over feudal lords Ø Evolved into l : Fierce loyalty to. Nationalism one’s nation Ø Contributed to yearnings for independent countries

Modern Conflicts Ø WWI: Axis Powers: Germany Austria-Hungary **Their allies Ø Causes: l Rivalries and competition for colonies • Central Powers vs. Allied Powers l l l Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Allied Powers: OUTCOMES: France Britain Consequences for Germany. Great Russia • Take blame, pay reparations, couldn’t Italy form an US army

Modern Conflicts Axis Powers: Ø WWII: Japan Ø Causes: Italy l German resentment from WWI Germany l Rise of Adolf Hitler to power l Axis Powers vs. Allied Powers: Ø Outcomes: l l l Holocaust Division of Germany Berlin Wall U. S. Great Britain Soviet Union **BIG THREE**

Holocaust Facts and Images Ø Religious Genocide (Mass Murder of Jews) Ø Around 6 million fell victim to concentration camps Ø Also targeted were gypsies, vagrants, and homosexuals

Berlin Wall Ø Divided between East and West l West controlled by: • Britain, US, and France • More democratic l East controlled by: • • • Soviet Union Communist influenced “Satellite” nations

Economic Diversity and Luxury Ø Strong economy (agriculture, manufacturing, & high-tech service industry) Ø Agricultural Resources: dairy farming, livestock raising (export), wheat, grapes, vegetables Ø Industry: coal and iron ore Ø Electronics: Netherlands, France, and Germany Ø Switzerland: Banking

Tourism Ø Climate, scenery, and historic sites encourage many to travel to Western Europe l Major part of the economy (France, Switzerland, and Austria) Ø Luxuries: Cars, Jewelry, high fashion clothing

Germany’s Economic Problems Ø What caused economic problems? l Reunification of Germany Ø Western European nations (and West Germany) were much more advanced l l United Germany couldn’t keep up or catch the eastern parts up Outdated factories Ø Progress is occurring, but will take time to see results

Music and Art Ø Germany: l l Johann Sebastian Bach Ludwig von Beethoven Ø Austria: l Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ø Arts: l l l Jan Van Eyck (painter; used oils) Rembrandt (Dutch painters—Realism) Claude Monet (French—impressionist)

Modern Life Ø Prosperous economies = high standard of living (mucho dinero) l Many Western Europeans live in cities Ø City life: l l Transportation, attractions (arts, plays, museums, etc. ) Low crime rates Small houses = more public socialization Paid vacation (more than what Ams. receive)

Modern Conflicts Ø Immigration: Ø “Guest Workers” from Serbia & Montenegro/Turkey (to West Germany) l Economic problems blamed on these workers (stole jobs, etc. ) Ø Austria and remarks from leader defending Nazis; caused racial tensions l Fear of rebirth of racist politics