ch.12 southern europe

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Chapter 12

World Geography

Physical Geography

The Big IdeaThe peninsulas of Southern Europe have rocky terrains and sunny, mild climates.

Main Ideas

•Southern Europe’s physical features include rugged mountains and narrow coastal plains.

•The region’s climate and resources support such industries as agriculture, fishing, and tourism.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Main Idea 1: Southern Europe’s physical features include rugged mountains and narrow coastal plains.

• Southern Europe is largely made up of three large peninsulas.

— Iberian Peninsula

— Italian Peninsula

—Balkan Peninsula


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Features of Southern Europe

• Seas

— Mediterranean

— Adriatic

— Aegean

— Ionian

• Few large rivers

— Tagus

— Po

Landforms

• Rugged mountain ranges

— Pyrenees

— Apennines

— Alps

— Pindus

• Islands

• Coastal plains

• River valley plains

Water Features


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World Geography

Main Idea 2: The region’s climate and resources support such industries asagriculture, fishing, and tourism.

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.

Geographers call the type of climate found in Southern Europe a Mediterranean climate.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Agriculture

Industries of Southern Europe

• The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing many types of crops.

• Farmers plant citrus fruits, grapes, olives, wheat, and many other products.

Fishing• The seas of Southern Europe are full of various types of fish and

shellfish.

• Fishing is a profitable industry.

Tourism• Millions of tourists visit Southern Europe each year because of its mild

climate.

• Sunny beaches and breathtaking scenery are also tourist attractions.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Greece

The Big IdeaThe home of one of the Western world’s oldest civilizations, Greece is trying to reclaim its

place as a leading country in Europe.

Main Ideas

•Early in its history, Greece was the home of a great civilization, but it was later ruled by foreign powers.

•The Greek language, the Orthodox Church, and varied customs have helped shape Greece’s culture.

•In Greece today, many people are looking for new economic opportunities.


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Language

Religion

• Greek cuisine uses local ingredients such as lamb and olives

• Family is central to Greek culture.

Main Idea 2: The Greek language, the Orthodox Church, and varied customs have helped shape Greece’s culture.

• Greek language

• One of the oldest languages spoken in Europe

Customs

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• 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.


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World Geography

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.

Main Idea 3: In Greece today, many people are looking for new economic opportunities.

Life in Rural Greece

• Many people live in isolated mountain villages, as Greeks have for thousands of years.

• Rural Greeks grow crops and raise sheep and goats.


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World Geography

The Greek Economy

• 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.

• Tourism is another major industry.

— Millions of people visit Greece each year.

— Tourist attractions include ancient ruins, beaches, and islands.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Italy

The Big Idea

Once the center of a huge empire, Italy is now one of the most prosperous countries in Europe.

Main Ideas

•Italian history can be divided into three periods: ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and unified Italy.

•Religion and local traditions have helped shape Italy’s culture.

•Italy today has two distinct economic regions—northern Italy and southern Italy.


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World Geography

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

Renaissance

•Lasted from about 1350 through the 1500s

•Period of great creativity that began in Italy

Main Idea 1: Italian history can be divided into three periods: ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and unified Italy.


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Main Idea 2: Religion and local traditions have helped shape Italy’s culture.

• Most people in Italy belong to the Roman Catholic Church.

• The pope, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, lives in Vatican City, an independent state located within the city of Rome.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Food

Art

Italian Culture

• 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.

• Italy has been known as a center of the arts for centuries.

• Italy has been home to some of the world’s greatest painters, sculptors, authors, composers, fashion designers, and filmmakers.


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Northern Italy

•Strong economy

•Tourists visit many northern cities, such as Florence, Pisa, and Venice.

Italy’s capital is Rome

Southern Italy

•Poorer than the north

•Depends heavily on agriculture

•Tourists visit the region’s beaches and ruins.

A Main Idea 3: Italy today has two distinct economic regions—northern Italy and southern Italy.


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Chapter 12

World Geography

Spain and Portugal

The Big IdeaSpain and Portugal have rich cultures, stable governments, and growing economies.

Main Ideas

•Over the centuries, Spain and Portugal have been part of many large and powerful empires.

•The cultures of Spain and Portugal reflect their long histories.

•Having been both rich and poor in the past, Spain and Portugal today have growing economies.


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Language

Religion

• Most people speak Spanish or Portuguese.

•Most people in Iberia are Roman Catholic.

•People gather to celebrate Christian holidays and saints’ festivals.

Main Idea 2: The cultures of Spain and Portugal reflect their long histories.


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Main Idea 3: Having been both rich and poor in the past, Spain and Portugal today have growing economies.

• Spain and Portugal were once the wealthiest countries in Europe, thanks to gold and silver from the Americas.

• The economies of Spain and Portugal are growing rapidly, largely because of new industries such as tourism.


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Chapter 12

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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.

Spain and Portugal Today

Portugal

• Portugal is a republic with elected leaders.• Lisbon, the capital and

largest city, is an industrial center.• Portuguese farmers are

famous for growing grapes and cork.

ch.12 southern europe

Education

southern italy

seas of southern europe

nextworld geographychapter

greek culture

main ideasearly

rural greece

unified italy

urban greece