Chapter 16 – Southern Europe

Section NotesPhysical GeographyGreeceItalySpain and Portugal

VideoImpact of the Olympics on

Athens

ImagesGeographyItalian History: The RenaissanceNaplesMoorish TowerFocus on Culture: Flamenco

Quick FactsChapter 16 Visual Summary

MapsSouthern Europe: PoliticalSouthern Europe: PhysicalEurope: ClimateGreece: PopulationSpain and Portugal: LanguagesSouthern EuropeSpain and Portugal: Climate

Close-upMediterranean Climate

World AlmanacPer Capita GDP of Greece

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

The 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.

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

• Southern Europe also includes many islands. Some, such as Crete and Sicily, are very large.

• Because the peninsulas and islands all border on the Mediterranean Sea, the region of Southern Europe is also called Mediterranean Europe.

Features of Southern Europe

Landforms

• Rugged mountain ranges

– Pyrenees

– Apennines

– Alps

– Pindus

• Islands

• Coastal plains

• River valley plains

Water Features

• Seas

– Mediterranean

– Adriatic

– Aegean

– Ionian

• Few large rivers

– Tagus

– Po

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.

Industries of Southern Europe

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

• Fishing is a profitable industry.

Agriculture

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

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

Fishing

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

• Sunny beaches and breathtaking scenery are also tourist attractions.

Tourism

GreeceGreeceThe Big IdeaThe Big Idea

The home of one of the Western world’s The home of one of the Western world’s oldest civilizations, Greece is trying to oldest civilizations, Greece is trying to reclaim its place as a leading country reclaim its place as a leading country

in Europe.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.

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1:Early in its history, Greece was the home of Early in its history, Greece was the home of a great civilization, but it was later ruled by a great civilization, but it was later ruled by

foreign powers.foreign powers.

Greece has been called the birthplace of Western culture.

The ancient Greeks were pioneers in many fields and made great achievements. 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.

Foreign RulersForeign Rulers

•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.

Later History of GreeceLater History of Greece

IndependenceIndependence

•Many Greeks were not happy with Turkish rule. In the 1800s they revolted. With help, the Greeks won their freedom and became a monarchy.

•Greece’s government has changed many times since it won its independence. It is now a democracy.

Later History of GreeceLater History of Greece

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

• Most people belong to the Orthodox Church, a Most people belong to the Orthodox Church, a branch of Christianity that dates back to the branch of Christianity that dates back to the Byzantine Empire.Byzantine Empire.

• Religion is very important to most people.Religion is very important to most people.

LanguageLanguage • Greek languageGreek language

• One of the oldest languages spoken in EuropeOne of the oldest languages spoken in Europe

ReligionReligion

• Greek cuisine uses local ingredients such as Greek cuisine uses local ingredients such as lamb and olives, plus recipes borrowed from lamb and olives, plus recipes borrowed from people such as the Italians and Turks.people such as the Italians and Turks.

• Family is central to Greek culture.Family is central to Greek culture.

CustomsCustoms

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3:In Greece today, many people are looking In Greece today, many people are looking

for new economic opportunities.for new economic opportunities.

Life in Urban GreeceLife 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.

• Industry has led to pollution, which damages the ruins and causes health problems.

Life in Rural GreeceLife 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.

The Greek EconomyThe 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. 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.

The Big IdeaThe Big Idea

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

in Europe.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.

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

Ancient RomeAncient 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

RenaissanceRenaissance

•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

Unified ItalyUnified 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.

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:Religion and local traditions Religion and local traditions

have helped shape Italy’s have helped shape Italy’s culture.culture.

• 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.

Main Idea 2Main Idea 2

• 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.

Main Idea 2Main Idea 2

FoodFood

•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.

Italian CultureItalian Culture

Italian CultureItalian Culture

ArtArt

•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.

Main Idea 3:Italy today has two distinct economic regions—northern

Italy and southern Italy.

Main Idea 3Main Idea 3

Northern ItalyNorthern 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.

Main Idea 3Main Idea 3

Southern ItalySouthern 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.

Italy’s capital, Rome, is in central Italy and has ties to both the north and the south.

Spain and PortugalThe Big IdeaThe Big Idea

Spain and Portugal have rich cultures, Spain and Portugal have rich cultures, stable governments, and growing stable governments, and growing

economies.economies.

Main IdeasMain 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.

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1:Over the centuries, Spain and Portugal Over the centuries, Spain and Portugal

have been part of many large and have been part of many large and powerful empires.powerful empires.

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.

LanguageLanguage

ReligionReligion

• Most people speak Spanish or Portuguese.

• 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.

• Most people in Iberia are Roman Catholic.

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

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:The cultures of Spain and Portugal The cultures of Spain and Portugal

reflect their long histories.reflect their long histories.

Music and ArtMusic and Art• Portuguese fados and Spanish flamenco are popular music styles.

• Muslim influence can be seen in much Iberian architecture.

ReligionReligion•Most people in Iberia are Roman

Catholic.

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

Main Idea 2Main Idea 2

Music and ArtMusic and Art• Portuguese fados and Spanish flamenco are

popular music styles.

• Muslim influence can be seen in much Iberian architecture.

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3: Having been both rich and poor Having been both rich and poor

in the past, Spain and Portugal today in the past, Spain and Portugal today have growing economies. have growing economies.

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

• Spain and Portugal did not develop industrial Spain and Portugal did not develop industrial economies like other countries in Europe economies like other countries in Europe because they were already rich.because they were already rich.

• As Spanish and Portuguese colonies became As Spanish and Portuguese colonies became independent, the source of gold and silver independent, the source of gold and silver disappeared.disappeared.

Main Idea 3Main Idea 3• Because they had not developed Because they had not developed

industrial economies, Spain and industrial economies, Spain and Portugal were unable to compete Portugal were unable to compete with other countries. As a result, they with other countries. As a result, they became poor.became poor.

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

Spain Today•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 TodayPortugal Today

•Portugal is a republic with elected Portugal is a republic with elected leaders.leaders.

•LisbonLisbon, the capital and largest , the capital and largest city, is an industrial center.city, is an industrial center.

•In rural areas, agriculture is still In rural areas, agriculture is still very important to the economy.very important to the economy.

•Portuguese farmers are famous Portuguese farmers are famous for growing grapes and cork.for growing grapes and cork.

Click on the window to start video