Europe Unit Chapters 12, 13, 14, & 15
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Europe Unit Chapters 12, 13, 14, & 15 Southern Europe CHAPTER 12 A. Physical Geography 1. Southern Europe is comprised of 7 countries – Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Italy, Monaco, San Marino, & Greece 2. Southern Europe is largely made up of three large peninsulas. ⚪ Iberian Peninsula ⚪ Italian Peninsula ⚪ Balkan Peninsula 3. Southern Europe also includes many islands. Some, such as Crete and Sicily, are very large. 4. Because the peninsulas and islands all border on the Mediterranean Sea, the region of Southern Europe is also called Mediterranean Europe. B. Features of Southern Europe 1. Landforms - 4 Major mountain ranges in Southern Europe ⚫ Pyrenees – Spain, France, & Andorra ⚫ Apennines - Italy ⚫ Alps – Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, France, Italy, & Monaco ⚫ Pindus – Greece & Albania a. Islands ⚫ Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Crete, Greek b. Coastal plains ⚫ Spain, Portugal, Italy, & Greece C. Water Features 1. Seas ⚪ Mediterranean – Borders all of Southern Europe ⚪ Adriatic – Between Italy and the Balkans ⚪ Aegean – Between Greece and Turkey ⚪ Ionian – between southern Italy and Greece and Albania 2. Rivers ⚪ Tagus – Portugal And Spain ⚪ Po - Italy ⚪ Ebro - Spain ⚪ Tiber – Italy 3. River Valley ⚪ Po River Valley D. Climate ⚫ Southern Europe is famous for its pleasant climate. ⚫ Most of the region enjoys warm, sunny days and mild nights for most of the year. Little rain falls during the summer, but rain is more common in the winter. 1. Geographers call the type of climate found in Southern Europe a Mediterranean climate. 2. Agriculture ⚫ The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing many types of crops. ⚫ Farmers plant citrus fruits, grapes, olives, wheat, and many other products. 3. Fishing ⚫ The seas of Southern Europe are full of various types of fish and shellfish. ⚫ Fishing is a profitable industry. 4. Tourism ⚫ Millions of tourists visit Southern Europe each year because of its mild climate. ⚫ Sunny beaches and breathtaking scenery are also tourist attractions. E. Greece 1. Greece has been called the birthplace of Western culture. 2. They created great art, designed amazing buildings, invented new forms of literature, explored many fields of science, and developed democracy. ⚫ In the 300s BC Greece became part of Alexander the Great’s empire. As a result, Greek culture spread through Egypt and much of Southwest Asia. ⚫ The Roman Empire conquered and ruled Greece. ⚫ When the Roman Empire split around 400, Greece became part of the eastern half, the Byzantine Empire. ⚫ The Muslim Ottoman Turks invaded Greece in the 1300s and 1400s. At that time some elements of Greek culture faded. 3. In the 1800s the Greeks won their freedom, becoming a monarchy. 4. Greece’s government has changed many times since it won its independence. It is now a democracy. 5.Culture ⚫ Greek language is one of the oldest languages spoken in Europe ⚫ Most people belong to the Orthodox Church, a branch of Christianity that dates back to the Byzantine Empire. Religion is very important to most people. ⚫ Greek cuisine uses local ingredients such as lamb and olives, plus recipes borrowed from people such as the Italians and Turks. ⚫ Family is central to Greek culture. 6. Life Today in Greece a. Life in Urban Greece ⚫ About three-fifths of Greece’s population lives in cities. ⚫ Athens, the capital, is the largest city. One-third of all people in Greece live there. Athens is an industrial center. b. Life in Rural Greece ⚫ Life in the country is very different from life in the city. ⚫ Many people live in isolated mountain villages, as Greeks have for thousands of years. ⚫ Rural Greeks grow crops and raise sheep and goats. ⚫ Village life often centers around the village square, where people meet to chat and make decisions. 7. Economy of Greece ⚫ Greece’s economy is growing rapidly, but the country faces some challenges to further economic growth. ⚫ — Few mineral resources ⚫ — Relatively little farmland ⚫ Greece’s shipping industry is one of the world’s most successful. It has one of the largest fleets of shipping vessels in the world. ⚫ Tourism is another major industry. ⚫ — Millions of people visit Greece each year. ⚫ — Tourist attractions include ancient ruins, beaches, and islands. ⚫ — The Greek government has worked to increase tourism. F. Italy 1. Ancient Rome ⚫ Founded in the 700s BC - Formed empire that stretched from Britain to the Persian Gulf. Famous for great art, literature, and political ideas ⚫ Helped spread Christianity 2. Renaissance ⚫ Lasted from about 1350 through the 1500s - Period of great creativity that began in Italy and spread through the rest of Europe ⚫ Saw the creation of some of the world’s greatest works of art and literature 3. Unified Italy ⚫ Italy was not unified as a country until 1861. ⚫ In the 1920s Mussolini took power as a dictator. He led Italy into World War II. ⚫ After the war Italy became a democracy. G. Culture of Italy 1. Religion a. Most people in Italy belong to the Roman Catholic Church. In the past, the Catholic Church was the single most important influence in Italian culture. ⚫ The pope, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, lives in Vatican City, an independent state located within the city of Rome. ⚫ The importance of the Catholic Church in Italy can be seen in many ways: ⚫ Italian cities are filled with Catholic churches. Rome alone contains hundreds of churches from various periods of history. ⚫ Religious holidays and festivals are major events in Italy. 2. Food ⚫ Olives, tomatoes, rice, and pasta are common. ⚫ Recipes vary widely from region to region. For example, in the south people often serve pasta with tomato sauces, while in the north they serve creamier sauces. 3. Art ⚫ Italy has been known as a center of the arts for centuries. ⚫ Italian artists set trends that are followed all over the world. ⚫ Italy has been home to some of the world’s greatest painters, sculptors, authors, composers, fashion designers, and filmmakers. 4. Economy of Italy a. Northern Italy ⚫ Strong economy ⚫ Italy’s most fertile farmland is in the Po Valley. ⚫ Major industrial centers: Milan, Turin, and Genoa ⚫ Tourists visit many northern cities, such as Florence, Pisa, and Venice. b. Southern Italy ⚫ Poorer than the north ⚫ Depends heavily on agriculture ⚫ Tourists visit the region’s beaches and ruins. ⚫ Italy’s government is trying to promote industry in the south, especially in the city of Naples. c. Italy’s capital, Rome, ⚫ is in central Italy and has ties to both the north and the south 12.1 Review Read pages 286-289 and answer questions 1 (a-c) and 2 (a-b). 12.2 Review Read pages 291-294 and answer questions 1 (a-b), 2 (a-b), 3 (a-c), and 4. H. Spain and Portugal ⚫ Both Phoenicia and Greece founded colonies in Iberia, the peninsula on which Spain and Portugal are located. ⚫ Iberia later became part of the Roman Empire ⚫ The Moors, Muslims from North Africa, invaded Iberia after Rome fell. They ruled the area for about 600 years. ⚫ By the end of 1400s Christian rulers from Spain and Portugal had banded together to drive the Moors from Iberia. ⚫ Spain and Portugal built huge empires that included lands in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Southern Europe – Chapter 12 Culture of Spain and Portugal Language ⚫ Most people speak Spanish or Portuguese. However, other languages, such as Catalan and Galician, are also spoken in parts of Spain. ⚫ The Basque people of northern Spain have their own language and customs. Many of them want independence. Religion ⚫ Most people in Iberia are Roman Catholic. ⚫ People gather to celebrate Christian holidays and saints’ festivals. Music & Art ⚫ Portuguese fados and Spanish flamenco are popular music styles. ⚫ Muslim influence can be seen in much Iberian architecture. Southern Europe – Chapter 12 Economies of Spain & Portugal ⚫ Spain and Portugal were once the wealthiest countries in Europe, thanks to gold and silver from the Americas. ⚫ Spain and Portugal did not develop industrial economies like other countries in Europe because they were already rich. ⚫ As Spanish and Portuguese colonies became independent, the source of gold and silver disappeared. ⚫ Because they had not developed industrial economies. As a result, they became poor. ⚫ The economies of Spain and Portugal are growing rapidly, largely because of new industries such as tourism. Southern Europe – Chapter 12 Life Today in Spain & Portugal Spain ⚫ Spain’s government is a parliamentary monarchy, which means it is ruled by a king with the help of an elected parliament. ⚫ Manufacturing is a major economic activity. ⚫ Cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are centers of industry, tourism, and commerce. Portugal ⚫ Portugal is a republic with elected leaders. ⚫ Lisbon, the capital and largest city, is an industrial center. ⚫ In rural areas, agriculture is still very important to the economy. ⚫ Portuguese farmers are famous for growing grapes and cork. Spain & Portugal Southern Europe – Chapter 12 Andorra ⚫ Sovereign landlocked microstate in Southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. ⚫ Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe. ⚫ The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken. ⚫ Andorra is a prosperous country, mainly because of its tourism industry, ⚫ Andorra has an alpine climate and continental climate. ⚫ Andorran culture has both French and Spanish influences West-Central Europe West-Central Europe – Chapter 13 ⚫ West-Central Europe consists of 8 countries: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, & Liechtenstein. Physical Geography of West-Central Europe ⚫ The physical features of West-Central Europe include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and seas. ⚫ Belgium, Luxembourg, & Netherlands are known as the Benelux Countries ⚫ Switzerland, Austria, & Liechtenstein are know as the Alpine countries West-Central Europe – Chapter 13 Plains ⚫ The Northern European Plain is a low, broad coastal plain. Most of it is covered with flat or rolling terrain.