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• What country is in the shape of a boot?

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Southern Europe

Spain, Portugal, Italy, GreeceGuided notes from text pages

338-342

Map

http://www.worldatlasbook.com/images/maps/europe-map-political-countries.jpg

Spain’s Geography

• Located on Iberian Peninsula• “Maseta” – dry plateau surrounded by

mountain ranges• Borders Mediterranean Sea

Spain’s Economy

• “dry farming” – technique that does not depend on irrigation; land is left unplanted every few years so it can store moisture

• Southern Spain: citrus fruits, olives, grapes• Manufacturing and service: processed foods,

clothing, footwear, steel, cars• Tourism attractions: castles, cathedrals,

Mediterranean beaches

Spain’s Culture

• Most people live in urban areas• Roman Catholic Religion• Castilian Spanish – official language

Spain’s Government

• Democracy in 1970s• Autonomy-self-ruled regions

Portugal’s Geography

• Located on Iberian Peninsula• Land is low coastal plain, split by Tagus River

Portugal’s Economy

• Agriculture and farming• Grapes used for wine making• Oak trees for cork• Fishing in Atlantic Ocean• Manufacturing and service industries

Portugal’s Culture

• Live in small villages on the coast

Portugal’s Government

• Democratic government• Economic subsidies help from European Union• Subsidies – special government payments to

support an industry

Acrostic Poem – relative to actual country

• S• P• A• I• N

• P• O• R• T• U• G• A• L

Italy’s Geography

• Juts out from Europe into Mediterranean Sea• “boot” shape• Alps in north over broad Lombardy plain• Apennine Mountains in central and southern

areas• Volcanoes dot the landscape

Italy’s Economy

• Agricultural to industrial economy• Cities of Milan, Turin, and Genoa produce cars,

technical instruments, appliances, clothing• Po River valley – rich farming region of grapes

and olives with livestock• Southern Italy – high unemployment due to

poor mountainous land without navigable rivers• Tourism of Rome, Pompeii, Venice

Italy’s Culture

• 90% live in urban areas• Speak Italian • Roman Catholic religion

Italy’s Government

• Democratic republic• Rome is capital• Vatican City is within Rome• Church rules Vatican city – smallest

independent country

Acrostic Poem

ITALY

Greece’s Geography

• Extends from Balkan Peninsula into Mediterranean Sea

• Mainland country with about 2,000 islands• Earthquakes

Greece’s Economy

• Less agriculture due to stony soil and mountains• Sheep and goats in highlands• Farms within plains and valleys grow wheat and

olives• New Industries: textiles, footwear, chemicals• Major shipping: oil tankers, cargo ships, passenger

vessels• Tourism of Parthenon, Athens, Mykonos,

Santorini, and many other islands

Greece’s Culture

• 60% live in urban areas• Athens is crowded capital• Speak forms of Greek similar to that of ancient

times• Greek Orthodox Christian

Greece’s Government

• Democratic Republic• Member of European Union

Acrostic Poem

GREECE