Southern Europe Chapter 12 Southern Europe is also

Southern Europe Chapter 12

Southern Europe is also called Mediterranean Europe Iberian Peninsula Italian Peninsula Balkan Peninsula

Physical Features • Islands such as Crete and Sicily • Peninsulas • Rugged mountains such as the Pyrenees and Alps • Coastal plains • River valley plains • Seas such as the Adriatic

• Mediterranean climate • Warm sunny days, mild nights • Rain in the winter, little rain in the summer

Industries of Southern Europe • Agriculture – Crops such as citrus fruits, olives, wheat, and many other products • Fishing – Fish and shellfish • Tourism – Sunny beaches, breathtaking scenery

Greece: The Birthplace of Western Culture • Ancient Greeks were pioneers in – – – Art Building Literature Science Developed democracy • As a result of Alexander the Great, Greek culture spread through Egypt and much of Southeast Asia • http: //youtu. be/Yp. Kl. UIDf 4 o. Y

History of Greece • Foreign Rulers – The Roman Empire conquered and ruled Greece – Around 400, Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire – The Muslim Ottoman Turks invaded Greece in the 1300 s and 1400 s • Independence – 1800 s Greece revolted and won their freedom – Became a monarchy – It is now a democracy

Culture • Greek language: one of the oldest languages spoken in Europe • Most Greeks belong to the Orthodox Church, a branch of Christianity • Greek cuisine consists of olives and lamb • Family is important to Greeks

Village life often centers around the villiage square where people gather to chat and make decisions.

The Greek Economy • Main industries – Shipping – Tourism • Challenges – Few mineral resources – Relatively little farmland – pollution

Italy • Italian history can be divided into three periods – Ancient Rome – The Renaissance – Unified Italy

Ancient Rome • Founded in the 700 s BC • Formed and empire that stretched from Britain to the Persian Gulf • Famous for art, literature, and political ideas • Helped spread Christianity • http: //youtu. be/ju. WYh. M o. DTN 0

Unified Italy • 1861: Italy is unified as a country • 1920 s, Mussolini takes power – Dictator – Leads Italy into WWI • Italy becomes a democracy after the war

Italy’s Culture • Roman Catholic • Pope, lives in Vatican City, an independent state within the city of Rome • Olives, tomatoes, and pasta are common • Home to some of the worlds greatest painters, sculptors, fashion designers, composers

Italy’s Regions Northern Italy • Strong economy • Fertile farmland • Major industrial cities: – Milan, Turin, Genoa • Tourist sites – Florence, Pisa, Venice Southern Italy • Poorer than the North • Depends heavily on agriculture • Beautiful beaches and ruins • Capital city: Rome

Spain and Portugal • Located on the Iberian peninsula • Once part of the Roman Empire • The Moors, Muslims from North Africa, invaded Iberia after Rome fell • They ruled the area for 600 years

Spain and Portugal • By the end of the 1400 s Christian rulers from Spain and Portugal banded together to drive the Moors from Iberia • Spain and Portugal built huge empires that included lands in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas • http: //youtu. be/r. ZQG 2 b. T w. Iq. Y

Cultures of Spain and Portugal • Language: Spanish or Portuguese – The Basque people of northern Spain have their own language and customs – Many of them want independence • Religion: Roman Catholic • Music and art: Spanish flamenco – Muslim influence in architecture • http: //youtu. be/XNhf. V_53 W 7 A

Spain and Portugal Today • Once the wealthiest countries in Europe – Due to gold and silver from the Americas – Result: They did not develop industrial economies – As colonies became independent, their source of wealth dried up – They were unable to compete and became poor • Today their economies are growing rapidly

Portugal Today • Republic with elected leaders • Lisbon is the capitol and largest city • Agriculture is still important to the economy • Portuguese farmers are famous for growing grapes and cork

Spain Today • Spain is a parliamentary monarchy • Manufacturing is a major economic activity • Madrid and Barcelona are centers of industry, tourism, and commerce

Visual Summary