Southern Europe usually includes countries on the Mediterranean coast - the countries of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal, Spain, Andorra), Monaco, states located on the Apennine Peninsula (Italy, Vatican City, San Marino), Greece, as well as the island states of Malta and Cyprus.
Sometimes Southern Europe also includes Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, southern regions of Ukraine such as Odessa, Kherson and Nikolaev, as well as the European part of Turkey.
Southern Europe also includes quasi public education Order of Malta (today's territory - only one mansion in Rome and a residence in Malta).
List of countries and their capitals:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo
- Albania - Tirana
- Cyprus - Nicosia
- Macedonia - Skopje
- San Marino - San Marino
- Serbia - Belgrade
- Slovenia - Ljubljana
- Croatia - Zagreb
- Montenegro - Podgorica
- Portugal - Lisbon
- Spain Madrid
- Andorra - Andorra la Vella
- Monaco - Monaco
- Italy Rome
- Vatican - Vatican
- Greece - Athens
- Malta - Valletta
Geographical position
It is based on the Cenozoic (Apennine, Balkan Peninsula) and Hercynian (Iberian Peninsula) folds. The relief of the countries is elevated, there are many minerals: aluminum, polymetallic, copper, mercury (Spain is one of the leaders in the production of pyrites and mercury), uranium, iron ores, sulfur, mica, gas.
Climate
Southern Europe is known for its hot climate, rich history and warm Mediterranean waters. The countries of southern Europe border with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Turkey is in the east with Syria, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Armenia, Iran, Georgia. In all countries of Southern Europe, a subtropical Mediterranean climate prevails, so in summer the prevailing temperatures are warm, about +24 °C, and in winter they are quite cool, about +8 °C. There is enough precipitation, about 1000-1500 mm per year.
Nature
Southern Europe is almost entirely located in the zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs, which was preserved only on the Mediterranean coast (a glacier was flowing, and the mountains delayed it, and the trees moved beyond the mountains). Fauna: roe deer, servals, horned goats, foxes, monitor lizards, wolves, badgers, raccoons. Flora: strawberry trees, holm oaks, myrtles, olives, grapes, citrus fruits, magnolia, cypresses, chestnuts, junipers.
Population
High population density, from 100 or more people per km². The predominant religion is Christianity (Catholicism).
Urbanization level of Southern European countries: Greece - 59%, Spain - 91%, Italy - 72%, Malta - 89%, Portugal - 48%, San Marino - 48%. Natural growth in these countries is also low: Greece - 0.1 Spain - 0 Italy - (-0.1) Malta - 0.4 Portugal - 0.1 San Marino - 0.4 From which we can conclude that in These countries are also experiencing “aging of the nation”.
Specialization in MGRT
In most countries, mining, agriculture, mountain pasture husbandry, the production of machinery and instruments, fabrics, leather, and the cultivation of grapes and citrus fruits are widespread. Tourism is very common. Spain ranks second in the world in tourism (first place is occupied by France). The main branch of specialization, in addition to international tourism, is agriculture, in particular this area is rich in grapes, olives, quite high rates in the cultivation of grains and legumes (Spain - 22.6 million tons, Italy - 20.8 million tons), and also vegetables and fruits (Spain - 11.5 million tons, Italy - 14.5 million tons). Despite the predominance of agriculture, there are also industrial areas, in particular the cities of Genoa, Turin and Milan are the main industrial cities in Italy. It should be noted that they are located mainly in the north, closer to the countries of Western Europe.
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The video lesson allows you to get interesting and detailed information about the countries of Southern Europe. From the lesson you will learn about the composition of Southern Europe, the characteristics of the countries in the region, their geographical location, nature, climate, and place in this subregion. The teacher will tell you in detail about the main country of Southern Europe - Italy. In addition, the lesson provides interesting information about a tiny country - the Vatican.
Topic: Regional characteristics of the world. Foreign Europe
Lesson:Southern Europe
Rice. 1. Map of subregions of Europe. Southern Europe is highlighted in green ()
Southern Europe- a cultural and geographical region, which includes states located on the southern peninsular and island parts of the region.
Compound:
1. Spain.
2. Andorra.
3. Portugal.
4. Italy.
5. Vatican.
6. San Marino.
7. Greece.
8. Croatia.
9. Montenegro.
10. Serbia.
11. Albania.
12. Slovenia.
13. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
14. Macedonia.
15. Malta.
16. Cyprus is sometimes included in Southern Europe
Southern Europe is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
The climate in most of Southern Europe is subtropical Mediterranean.
Almost the entire territory of Southern Europe is located within rigid-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs.
The region's population exceeds 160 million people.
Countries in Southern Europe with the largest populations:
1. Italy (61 million people).
2. Spain (47 million people).
3. Portugal and Greece (11 million people each).
At the same time, the population of the Vatican is less than 1000 people, and the population density is almost 2000 people. per sq. km.
The most numerous peoples of Southern Europe:
1. Italians.
2. Spaniards.
3. Portuguese.
The region's religious composition is diverse. In general, the southwestern countries of the region profess Catholicism, the southeastern ones - Orthodoxy, Albania and partly in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Islam.
Rice. 2. Map of religious denominations in Europe (blue - Catholicism, purple - Protestantism, pink - Orthodoxy, yellow - Islam). ()
According to the form of government, Spain, Andorra, and the Vatican are monarchies.
The most powerful economies in the region are Italy and Spain.
All countries of Southern Europe are characterized by a modern type of population reproduction.
The highest levels of urbanization are in Spain (91%) and Malta (89%).
In most countries, mining, agriculture, mountain pasture husbandry, the production of machinery and instruments, fabrics, leather, and the cultivation of grapes and citrus fruits are widespread. Tourism is very common. Spain and Italy occupy leading places in the world in tourism. The main branch of specialization, in addition to international tourism, is agriculture, in particular, this area is rich in grapes, olives, quite high rates in the cultivation of grains and legumes (Spain - 22.6 million tons, Italy - 20.8 million tons), as well as vegetables and fruits (Spain - 11.5 million tons, Italy - 14.5 million tons). Despite the predominance of agriculture, there are also industrial areas, in particular the cities of Genoa, Turin and Milan are the main industrial cities in Italy. It should be noted that they are located mainly in the north, closer to the countries of Western Europe.
Italy. Population - 61 million people (4th place in foreign Europe). Capital - Rome.
The full name is the Italian Republic. It borders with France in the northwest, Switzerland and Austria in the north, and Slovenia in the northeast. It also has internal borders with the Vatican and San Marino. The country occupies the Apennine Peninsula, the Padana Plain, the southern slopes of the Alps, the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and a number of small islands.
Italy has a variety of mineral resources, but their deposits are mostly small, scattered throughout the territory, and are often located in an inconvenient location for development. Italy is a developed industrial-agrarian country. It is characterized by a combination of highly developed industry in the north and backward agriculture in the southern regions. The economy is dominated by powerful industrial and banking monopolies. In agriculture, especially in the south, remnants of feudalism are strong and backward forms of agriculture dominate. A lot of land still belongs to large landowners. Peasants rent tiny plots of land and pay for it up to half of the harvest. Italy is poor in coal and iron ore, but in its depths there is a lot of mercury, pyrites, gas, marble, and sulfur. About 40% of the electricity consumed by Italian industry comes from hydroelectric power plants. The most powerful of them are built on northern rivers. Italy became the first country in the world to widely use the heat of groundwater to produce electricity. Several nuclear power plants have been built. Mechanical engineering occupies a leading place in industry. Italian factories produce cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and sea vessels.
Over the past twenty years, 6 million Italians have left in search of work in other countries. The army of the unemployed is constantly replenished by bankrupt peasants. In Italian agriculture, the leading place belongs to agriculture. Dairy and meat farming is developed only in the northern regions. Among the grains, the most common are wheat and corn.
Grapes are grown everywhere. The area occupied by vineyards is greater here than in any country in the world. Italy exports a lot of wine, as well as oranges, lemons, and vegetables. There are many large industrial cities in the north. The most significant of them is Milan. It is the economic capital of Italy. Industrial areas surround the city in a continuous ring. Milan's plants and factories belong to several trusts that control a significant part of the country's industry.
On the shores of the Ligurian Sea, in Northern Italy, lies the country's largest seaport - Genoa. Genoa is a large industrial city. The country's largest shipyards, oil refineries, metallurgical and machine-building plants are located here.
Of all developed countries, Italy has the sharpest territorial contrasts in the level of industrialization. In Southern Italy, less than 15% of the economically active population is employed in industry, while in the North-West it is about 40%. The vast majority of the most advanced high-tech industries are also concentrated here.
The regional policy pursued by the Italian government and the EU is aimed at eliminating the economic backwardness of a number of Central and Southern regions of the country. The industrialization carried out in these areas involves the construction of small enterprises in the light and food industries in small and medium-sized cities in Central and Southern Italy. There is an accelerated development of coastal industrial centers (Ravenna, Taranto, Cagliari in Sardinia, etc.) based on the use of imported raw materials, in particular oil.
In the structure of Italian industry there is a constant increase in the share of manufacturing - the basis of Italian industry. The leading place in the manufacturing industry is occupied by the machine-building complex, whose share exceeds 35%. These include: general mechanical engineering; production of vehicles; production of electrical and electronic equipment; metalworking and production of metal products.
There is some lag in Italy from other industrial countries in terms of scientific potential, so the country in the MGRT specializes in the production of machinery and equipment of medium and low science intensity, supplying a fairly wide range of engineering products to the world market. In particular, it is one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery, electrical appliances, packaging and food processing equipment, machine tools, textile equipment, rolling stock and other vehicles.
Italy is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of consumer goods characterized by high quality and exquisite design.
Fuel and energy complex. Italy is extremely poor in energy sources and has an unfavorable energy balance. On average, only 17% of needs are covered from own resources. Almost 70% of the energy balance comes from oil. According to this indicator, Italy is comparable among post-industrial countries only to Japan: about 15% for natural gas, 7 - 8% for coal, hydro and geothermal energy. Own oil production is small - 1.5 million tons per year. Italy purchases 98% of all oil consumed abroad (over 75 million tons). Oil comes from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Russia. Italy has the largest oil refining industry in Western Europe in terms of installed capacity (200 million tons), but its utilization rate is very low. Gas is imported from Russia, Algeria, and the Netherlands. Italy purchases about 80% of solid fuel. Hard coal is imported from the USA and South Africa.
Over 3/4 of the electricity is generated at thermal power plants that use mainly fuel oil. Therefore, electricity is expensive, and imports of electricity from France are high. After the Chernobyl accident, it was decided to stop the operation of existing nuclear power plants and not build new ones. The main goals of the state energy program are saving energy consumption and reducing oil imports.
The Italian ferrous metallurgy operates on imported raw materials. Own production is insignificant - 185 thousand tons per year. Coking coal is entirely imported from abroad, mainly from the USA. Italy is a major exporter of scrap metal, as well as alloy metal ores.
The import of raw materials for the industry predetermined the location of the largest metallurgical plants on the sea coast in Genoa, Naples, Piombino, Taranto (the latter, the largest in the EU, with a capacity of 10 million tons of steel per year).
On the global market, Italy specializes in the production of thin, cold-rolled steel and steel pipes. The main products of non-ferrous metallurgy: aluminum, zinc, lead and mercury.
The country ranks second in the EU and sixth in the world in rolled metal production, accounting for 40% of ferrous metal production in the EU.
The Italian chemical industry specializes in the production of petrochemicals, polymers (especially polyethylene, polypropylene) and synthetic fibers.
The industry is highly monopolized and dominated by large firms. The ENI company ranks first in Europe in the production of acrylic fibers, second in the production of plastics, and third in the production of fertilizers. Montadison provides 1/4 of the country's chemical fertilizer production. SNIA specializes in the production of chemical fibers, plastics, dyes, plant protection products, and medicines.
Italy ranks fifth in the world in drug production.
The oldest and most important region of the chemical industry is the North-West. Due to the worsening environmental situation, lack of free space, and difficulties with power supply, this region specializes in the production of fine chemicals. Major centers are: Milan, Turin, Mantua, Savona, Novara, Genoa.
North-Eastern Italy specializes in the production of bulk petrochemical products, fertilizers, synthetic rubber (Venice, Porto Marghera, Ravenna).
Profile of Central Italy - inorganic chemistry (Rosignano, Follonica, Piombino, Terni and others).
Southern Italy specializes in the production of organic synthesis products, mineral fertilizers (Brenzi, Augusta, Jele, Torto Torres and others).
Mechanical engineering is a leading branch of Italian industry. It employs 2/5 of all industrial workers, creates 1/3 of the total value of industrial products and 1/3 of the country's exports.
The industry is characterized by a high share of transport engineering in production and exports. Italy occupies one of the leading places in the world in car production. The largest automobile company is Fiat (Italian car factory in Turin). It is multidisciplinary and produces locomotives and wagons, tractors, ship and aircraft engines, road transport vehicles, machine tools, and robots. Fiat's capital is Turin, where the Mirafiori headquarters and largest plant are located; automobile factories were also built in Milan, Naples, Bolzano, and Modena. The company has its branches in many countries around the world. In the 1960s participated in the construction of the giant VAZ plant in Togliatti. Fiat is one of the top ten largest car manufacturers, accounting for 5.3% of global production.
Rice. 4. FIAT car from 1899. ()
Ferrari is famous for producing racing cars.
Italy's international specialization is the production of not only cars, but also motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and bicycles.
Shipbuilding is a crisis branch of transport engineering; The tonnage of ships launched annually does not exceed 250 - 350 thousand tons. reg. t. Shipbuilding centers: Monofalcone, Genoa, Trieste, Taranto.
There are a variety of products produced by the electrical industry - refrigerators, washing machines, TVs. The industry is highly concentrated in Milan, its suburbs and the neighboring cities of Varese, Como and Bergamo.
The production of electronics products is growing. Italy produces personal computers and electronic components.
Light industry developed in Italy. The country is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of cotton and woolen fabrics, clothing and footwear, furniture, jewelry and earthenware, etc. Italy ranks second in the world in footwear production after China. Italy is famous for its designer houses.
Rice. 5. Giorgio Armani - Italian fashion designer ()
Services sector. Tourism and banking play a leading role in the industry. The most important source of income is tourism. Over 50 million tourists visit Italy every year. More than 3/4 of the total turnover of the Italian tourism business comes from three cities: Rome, Venice and Florence. Almost all tourists arriving in Rome visit the unique state of the Vatican. The so-called shopping tourism is also developing, attracting wholesalers of products from Italian small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as individual consumers of Italian clothing and shoes.
All types of transport are well developed in Italy. More than 90% of passengers and 80% of cargo are transported by cars. The main transport artery of the country is the “motorway of the sun”, connecting Turin and Milan through Bologna and Florence with Rome. In external cargo transportation, sea transport predominates; 80 - 90% of imported goods are delivered by sea. The largest ports: Genoa (cargo turnover 50 million tons per year) and Trieste (35 million tons per year). The main coastal port of the country is Naples.
Agriculture is dominated by crop production. The main crops are wheat, corn, rice (1st place in Europe; over 1 million tons per year), sugar beets. Italy is one of the world's largest and Europe's leading producers of citrus fruits (over 3.3 million tons per year), tomatoes (over 5.5 million tons), grapes (about 10 million tons per year; over 90% is processed into wine) , olives. Floriculture and poultry farming are developed.
Vatican located on Vatican Hill in the northwestern part of Rome, a few hundred meters from the Tiber. The Vatican is surrounded on all sides by Italian territory. The Vatican has a non-profit planned economy. Sources of income are primarily donations from Catholics around the world. Part of the funds comes from tourism (sale of postage stamps, Vatican euro coins, souvenirs, fees for visiting museums). The majority of the workforce (museum staff, gardeners, janitors, etc.) are Italian citizens.
Almost the entire population of the Vatican is subjects of the Holy See (Vatican citizenship does not exist).
The status of the Vatican in international law is an auxiliary sovereign territory of the Holy See, the seat of the highest spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. The sovereignty of the Vatican is not independent (national), but stems from the sovereignty of the Holy See. In other words, its source is not the population of the Vatican, but the papal throne.
Homework
Topic 6, P. 3
1. What are the features of the geographical location of Southern Europe?
2. Tell us about the Italian economy.
Bibliography
Main
1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.
2. Economic and social geography of the world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.
3. Atlas with a set of outline maps for grade 10. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.
Additional
1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.
Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam
1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.
2. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.
3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Tutorial/ Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.
4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.
5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.
6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.
7. Geography tests: 10th grade: to the textbook by V.P. Maksakovsky “Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade” / E.V. Baranchikov. - 2nd ed., stereotype. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 94 p.
8. Textbook on geography. Tests and practical assignments in geography / I.A. Rodionova. - M.: Moscow Lyceum, 1996. - 48 p.
9. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2009. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2009. - 250 p.
10. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for preparing students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.
11. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral examination, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.
12. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks / O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.
13. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2011. - 288 p.
14. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.
Materials on the Internet
1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().
2. Federal portal Russian Education ().
The article contains geographical characteristics of the region. Describes the economic characteristics of the countries of Southern Europe. Contains interesting historical facts.
Briefly about the countries of Southern Europe
Southern Europe is the cradle of the greatest ancient civilizations, as well as the birthplace of the champion of Christianity throughout Europe. This region has produced the world's greatest explorers and conquerors. Southern Europe has a grandiose history. Architectural structures and art monuments can serve as evidence of this.
The region's economy is based on:
- mining industry;
- livestock farming;
- agriculture;
- manufacturing of machines and instruments;
- skin;
- textiles;
- growing agricultural and horticultural crops.
The main branch of specialization is agriculture. In addition, tourism infrastructure is actively developed in Southern Europe.
Rice. 1. San Marino.
The largest industrial centers are located in the northern regions of the region.
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Rice. 2. Italy on the map.
The region also includes a state entity - the Order of Malta, the current territory of which consists of only one mansion in Rome and a residence in Malta.
As a rule, the region is dominated by a subtropical Mediterranean climate.
List of Southern European countries and their capitals
Southern Europe is a region of the globe that is located in the southern European latitudes.
Rice. 3. Maltese representative office in Rome.
The states that make up the region are located mostly on the Mediterranean coast.
Belgrade received city status in the 2nd century. This happened during the period of the Roman Empire. Around 520, Slavs began to inhabit the city.
The total population is close to 160 million people.
Southern European countries and their capitals:
- Albania - Tirana;
- Greece - Athens;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo;
- Vatican - Vatican;
- Italy Rome;
- Spain Madrid;
- Macedonia - Skopje;
- Malta - Valletta;
- San Marino – San Marino;
- Portugal - Lisbon;
- Slovenia - Ljubljana;
- Serbia - Belgrade;
- Croatia - Zagreb;
- Montenegro - Podgorica.
The geographical specificity of the countries of Southern Europe, which are located on the peninsular and island areas of the Mediterranean, is that they are located on the main sea routes from Europe to Asia, Africa, and Australia. All states in the region are both historically and economically closely connected with the sea.
What have we learned?
We found out which of the states that make up the region is the smallest, as well as which countries are part of Southern Europe. We learned the reason for the economic stability of some countries in Southern Europe. Gained an idea of the geographic location of the region.
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There are different classifications for dividing countries into regions. There are geographical ones, there is a UN classifier, there are copyright ones. Therefore, there is only one doubt that Southern Europe is the one near the Mediterranean Sea, because this sea washes precisely the south of Europe. We will include in Southern Europe:
- Andorra, southern Spain and Portugal
- Monaco,
- states located on the Apennine Peninsula (Italy, Vatican City, San Marino),
- Greece,
- island states of Malta and Cyprus.
Sometimes Southern Europe also includes Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the southern regions of Ukraine and the European part of Turkey. But if memory serves, we have already entered them into .
Important peculiarity of the situation in the countries of Southern Europe, which are located on the peninsulas and islands of the Mediterranean Sea, is that they are on the main sea routes from Europe to Asia, Africa and Australia, and Spain and Portugal are also ports on the way to America. All these countries, their history and economy are closely connected with the sea.
Equally important is the fact that the region is located between the rest of Europe and the countries of North Africa. Although the countries’ connections are carried out across the sea, these connections are multilateral and centuries-old. There were times when people from Africa claimed dominance in this region, then vice versa - northern Africa became colonies of Portugal, Italy and Spain. And Malta is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, led by Great Britain, i.e. still a colony (to put it bluntly).
The relief of the region is an alternation of lowlands, hilly ridges and individual mountain ranges up to 1000 m high.
Southern Europe. Climate
Southern Europe is a region with a predominant subtropical climate. The coast here is dry and hot, especially in summer. There is practically no vegetation on the coast, bare earth and rocks. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea will delight you with pleasant temperatures starting in May. The average temperature in summer is about +24 °C, in winter it is quite cool - about +8C. Precipitation is about 1000-1500 mm per year.
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Inland waters
Southern Europe has mountainous terrain and a subtropical climate with dry summers that create unique conditions for the formation of a river network. Rivers, as a rule, have a large slope and a shallow bed. Many of them, especially on the Iberian Peninsula, have rapids in their lower reaches. The amount of water in rivers fluctuates greatly throughout the year. In winter, during rains, the rivers are quite muddy due to suspended matter from the banks and the bottom of the riverbed. In summer, rivers become shallow, and some in southern Italy and Greece dry up completely in the summer.
Flora and fauna
Even the names themselves are unusual: strawberry trees, holm oaks, myrtles, olives, grapes, citrus fruits, magnolia, cypresses, chestnuts, junipers. Animal world roe deer, servals, horned goats, foxes, monitor lizards, wolves, badgers, raccoons. But the places where all this grows or runs around to look for it - as was written above, especially on the coast, the area is deserted of vegetation.
Population and economic activity
Traditionally, Southern Europe has a high birth rate, but natural population growth is low. Peoples: Spaniards, Italians, Portuguese, Greeks. Population density, from 10 or more people per km² (someone wrote that this is high density!?). The predominant religion is Catholicism.
Southern Europe (area more than 1,696 thousand km2, 180 million people) is the second region in Europe in terms of territory (after Eastern Europe) and population.
Most countries of Southern Europe, with the exception of Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia, belong to small European countries, occupying an area of less than 100 thousand km2.
The territory of the region is quite clearly divided into three large subregions in the form of peninsulas - the Iberian, Apennine, and Balkan.
Southern Europe also includes the islands of the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea - Crete, Sicily, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, etc.
Southern Europe is very elongated along the parallel - at a distance exceeding 4000 km, and compressed along the meridian, barely exceeding 1000 km.
In general, the economic geographical position Southern Europe is characterized by the following features: 1) the proximity of the region to North Africa. Such proximity has a decisive influence not only natural features, but also the ethnogenesis of the peoples living here, 2) proximity to the countries of South-West Asia, rich fuel and energy resources that are lacking in Southern Europe, 3) the wide length of maritime borders with the Atlantic Ocean, with the seas of the Mediterranean basin, in particular the Tyrrhenian , Adriatic, Aegean, as well as the western part of the Black Sea, have diversified and are influencing the economic activities and beneficial economic ties of the Northern European countries with all continents of the world, 4.) The Mediterranean is an ancient region of human civilization, it is also called the “cradle of European civilization” , after all Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome had a decisive influence on the historical fate of neighboring countries and all of Europe.
So, the macroregion of Southern Europe is a special community, determined not only by the typical features of the Mediterranean climate, but also by the similarity of historical fate, culture, traditions and even the level of socio-economic development.
Economic and geographical assessment of natural conditions and resources. Southern Europe, although not territorially compact, is quite homogeneous in terms of morphostructural and climatic characteristics.
Southern Europe is the most mountainous among European macroregions, occupying more than three-quarters of its territory. The highest mountains are mainly located in the north of the region, on the borders with Western and Central-Eastern Europe. Thus, the Pyrenees separate Spain from France, the high Alps are a natural border between Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria, and the Southern Carpathians with their northern slopes fence off the Southern region from Central and Eastern Europe.
The inland regions of Southern Europe are occupied by medium-high mountain ranges - the Iberian Mountains, the Apennine mountain system, the Balkan Mountains and plateaus, as well as plains.
The mountain system of Southern Europe is located in the Alpine fold zone. The relative youth of these structures is evidenced by geological processes that continue to this day. Frequent and strong earthquakes, as well as volcanic activity, remind us of this.
Mountain ranges covered with Mesozoic limestones are often exposed, forming bizarre landforms in the form of steep peaks, jagged ridges, etc. Karst phenomena are common here. Where sedimentary rocks (flysch) protrude to the surface, soft forms of mountains are formed, mainly with rich vegetation.
One of the main natural resources Southern Europe has a mild climate, very favorable for human life. Here it is typically Mediterranean throughout much of the region - dry, hot summers, mild, rainy winters, early springs and long, warm autumns. The growing season in the region lasts 200-220 days. And in the south of the Iberian Peninsula and in Sicily - even longer. Here the temperature regime promotes plant growth throughout the year.
All this is a good prerequisite for growing two crops: in the winter season - low-heat-loving crops (cereals, vegetables), and in the summer - late varieties of rice, tea, figs, olives, citrus fruits.
The aridity of the climate is most pronounced in summer - in the internal subregions, in particular in Central and Eastern Spain, even in the temperate climate zone of the Middle and Lower Danube Lowlands, in the east of the macroregion.
In winter, maritime air masses of temperate latitudes predominate. They bring warm, heavy rains from the Atlantic.
In general, there is little precipitation. The level of surface moisture in the macroregion tends to decrease in the eastern and southern directions. This confirms the increase in continental climate.
The territory of Southern Europe is considered to be poorly supplied with water resources. The greatest shortage is felt in Greece, Italy, and Spain. For the latter, this problem has become a priority. Despite this, some mountainous areas with deep, fast-moving rivers have significant water resources. These include the rivers of northern Spain - the Ebro with its tributaries, the Duero, the Tagus, as well as the Dinaric Highlands, the Balkans, etc.
The land resources of Southern Europe are concentrated mainly in river valleys or in intermountain basins. The exception is the Iberian Peninsula, a significant part of which is occupied by a vast plain, but it requires intensive irrigation.
The south-European macroregion is dominated by brown (Mediterranean) soils, rich in mineral reserves and characterized by a significant humus content. More humid northern areas, for example, Portugal and northern Italy, have brown soils, but are depleted in carbonates, so they should be fertilized to obtain high yields. The forest resources of Southern Europe are insignificant. Only a few areas are of industrial importance. Thus, the Iberian Peninsula is rich in cork oak forests, which allows Spain and Portugal to be the main exporters of cork products in the world. The forests on the Balkan Peninsula are well preserved, especially in the Dinaric Highlands and the Southern Carpathians. But in general, forest cover in the South is very low. In some countries it does not exceed 15-20%, in Greece - 16%. In addition, the forests of the south are often devastated by fires.
The recreational resources of Southern Europe are very valuable and promising for use. Natural conditions, as well as the diversity of vegetation cover, relief forms, the presence of sea beaches, unique historical monuments create favorable conditions for development various types tourism and recreation.
Among the mineral resources, the greatest wealth of the South European countries is ferrous ores, non-ferrous metals and non-metallic materials. The main deposits of iron ore are located in Spain, which has its own iron ore base. The ores of Spain contain 48-51% metal, while the high-grade ores of Sweden and Ukraine contain 57-70% metal.
Significant reserves of aluminum raw materials include bauxite in Greece, copper reserves in Spain, mercury in Spain and Italy, and potassium salts in Spain.
The energy resources of southern European countries are represented by hard coal, brown coal (Spain, Italy), oil (Romania, Slovenia), uranium (Spain, Portugal), but not all of them are of industrial importance.
Southern Europe is famous throughout the world for its building materials, in particular marble, tuff, granite, clay, raw materials for the cement industry, etc.
Population. Southern Europe is home to approximately 180 million people, representing more than 27.0% of Europe's total population. It ranks second in Europe in terms of population. Among the southern European countries, three countries have the largest population: Italy (57.2 million people), Spain (39.6 million people) and Romania (22.4 million people), which are home to two thirds of the population, or 66.3% of the total number of people living in the region.
In terms of population density (106.0 individuals/km2), Southern Europe exceeds the European average by 74%, but is inferior among internal European regions to industrialized Western Europe, where the population density is 173 individuals/km2; in the countries of Central-Eastern Europe this figure is significantly lower - more than 94 individuals/km2. Among individual countries, the industrially developed and long-status countries of Italy (190 os/km2) and Albania (119.0 os/km2) stand out with the highest population density. Such countries of the Balkan Peninsula as Croatia (85.3 individuals/km2), Bosnia and Herzegovina (86.5 individuals/km2), Macedonia (80.2 individuals/km2) and Spain (77.5 individuals/km2) stand out with lower density. . So, the center of Southern Europe - the Apennine Peninsula - is the most densely populated, in particular the fertile Padanian Plain and most of the coastal lowlands. The least densely populated areas are the highlands of Spain, where there are less than 10 people per km2.
In the South European macroregion, the birth rate is almost the same as in the Western European macroregion - 11 children per 1000 inhabitants and is second only to Northern Europe, where this figure in 1999 was almost 12%. Among individual countries, Albania ranks first in this indicator, where the birth rate reaches 23 people per 1 thousand inhabitants per year, and the natural increase is 18 people. Macedonia is in second, where these indicators are 16 and 8, respectively, and Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina are in third and fourth. In the industrialized countries of the South, the birth rate is much lower. So, in Italy - 9% with a minus growth rate (-1), in Slovenia - 10 people with zero natural growth. Infant mortality is slightly higher in southern European countries compared to Western and Northern Europe, but four deaths per 1,000 births are lower than in Eastern Europe. Among individual countries, it is most in the Adriatic-Black Sea subregion, in particular in Albania, Macedonia, Romania and the former Yugoslavia - respectively 33, 24, 23, 22 and 18 child deaths per 1000 births. Thus, mortality is highest in post-socialist countries with a low standard of living.
Behind last years The average life expectancy of the population in the region increased to 70 years among men and 76 years among women. Men live longer in Greece (75 years) and in Italy, Andorra, Malta, respectively, 74 years, and women live longer in Italy, Spain and Andorra, respectively, 81 years. According to UN forecasts, over the next ten years, the average life expectancy of men and women in southern Europe is expected to rise to 73 and 79 years, respectively.
Southern Europe is the least urbanized on the European continent. Here, 56.1% of the population lives in cities. The largest cities in the region are Athens (3662 thousand), Madrid (3030), Rome (2791), Belgrade, Zaragoza, Milan, Naples, Bucharest, etc. Most southern cities were founded a very long time ago, back in the pre-Christian era. Many of them preserve monuments from the ancient period and later eras (Rome, Athens and dozens of other equally famous southern cities).
Southern Europe is fairly homogeneous racially. The population of the region belongs to the Mediterranean or southern branch of the Caucasoid great race (white). Her characteristic features are short stature, dark wavy hair and brown eyes. Almost the entire population of Southern Europe speaks languages of the Indo-European language family. The population of Italy, Spain, Romania, and Portugal belongs to the Romance peoples, speaking languages that are derived from ancient Latin. Their largest groups are Italians, Spaniards, Romanians. In the high alpine regions of Italy live Ladinos, Friuls, who speak Romansh, and in Spain - Catalans and Galicians. Portugal is settled by the Portuguese. The South Slavs live on the Balkan Peninsula. These include Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and Macedonians. South Slavic peoples belong to the Mediterranean race. In addition to the Slavs, Albanians and Greeks live here. The Albanian language and culture have a strong South Slavic influence. Ethnic Greeks are the descendants of the ancient Hellenic Greeks, who were heavily influenced by the Slavs. The anthropological type of modern Greeks differs from ancient Greek, their speech has changed.
The non-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula live the Basques, who inhabit a small area of northern Spain. These are the descendants of the Iberians - an ancient population who have preserved their language and cultural elements. The majority of the population of Romania are Romanians, who formed into a single nation from two close peoples - the Vlachs and the Moldovans.
