Social science
Southern European countries briefly. Geography and types of tourism in southern European countries. Local climate and tourism

Southern European countries briefly. Geography and types of tourism in southern European countries. Local climate and tourism

List of countries in Southern Europe. Tourism: capitals, cities and resorts. Maps of foreign countries in the Southern Europe region.

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The sunniest, most cheerful and fertile region of the Old World, Southern Europe, seems to have been created by the Creator solely for the tireless enjoyment of life. Its vast expanses harmoniously combine absolutely everything that the soul and body need: a wonderful climate, a warm sea and wonderful beaches - of any color and texture: pebble, white sand, rocky, delicious, and most importantly, healthy cuisine, on whose ingredients you gain a healthy glow even for delicate young ladies, a variety of wines (also for every color and taste), and finally, an impressive number of attractions and cultural objects, as well as (where would we be without it!) exciting and, most importantly, high-quality shopping. In a word, if there is a desire, anything can be realized in Southern Europe.

You can easily remember the countries of the region by confirming the rule: this includes everything that concerns the “southern shores,” primarily the Mediterranean coast.

These are the states located on the Iberian and Apennine peninsulas: Portugal, Spain, Andorra and Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, respectively, plus their neighboring owners of their own access to the sea Monaco and Greece, the blessed Mediterranean islands of Malta and Cyprus and the countries of the Balkan Peninsula : Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, etc.

From a tourist point of view, Southern Europe is the most resort region of “civilized” foreign countries, without emphasis on Arab surroundings or tropical exoticism. A high-quality beach holiday in a decorous and noble European setting with a considerable share of spiritual food in the form of a rich “excursion”. Among other things, all conditions have been created here for the “exchange of experience” - thanks to a single Schengen visa, it costs nothing to combine a vacation somewhere on the Cote d'Azur with an excursion in the footsteps (and works) of da Vinci or a blissful pastime in the Alpine heights. As for the pricing policy, here Southern Europe simply offers massive coverage: if you want, go to a popular Greek resort for a couple of hundred EUR “off the hook”, or if you want, go to a pompous openwork palace on the Croisette. In this sense, southern European beaches compare favorably with exotic ones - a shock to all five senses, of course, is not the same, but tourists with any scale of spending can afford to splash around in foreign territorial waters.

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Somewhere in the Mediterranean

Another good thing about Southern Europe is its pleasant tactile climate. On the one hand, there are no sudden changes in weather - summer is traditionally hot, winter is moderately cool. On the other hand, there is the longed-for warmth in the middle of the Russian winter (say, +18 °C on the Italian “heel” in January) and a real Mediterranean summer, as opposed to the restless northern cyclones - with the air trembling from the heat, cicadas straining in every possible way, the piercing blue of the sea and sky and on peaceful warm evenings somewhere on the terrace of a fish restaurant in Cyprus.

And of course, one cannot help but mention the mouth-watering dishes of Southern European cuisines, the mere sight of which makes even staunch adherents of gastronomic asceticism go crazy. All these soft cheeses, olives and new wine, juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs, a stunning variety of fish and seafood, an Edenic amount of ripe fruit, sweets, cakes and tartlets... In general, you already understand - in Southern Europe you should definitely indulge in everything heavy, despite the conventions and despite the treacherously creeping towards the next “ten” arrow of the scales!

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 main country 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 classified as 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 nations 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 Agriculture, there are also industrial zones, in particular the cities of Genoa, Turin and Milan are the main industrial cities of 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 overseas 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. Going accelerated development 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 Vehicle; 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% - at 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 Western Europe in terms of installed capacity of the oil refining industry (200 million tons), but the degree of its utilization 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.

The products produced by the electrical industry are varied - refrigerators, washing machines, televisions. 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 Italian tourism business falls on 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 Vatican's status in international law- auxiliary sovereign territory of the Holy See, the seat of the highest spiritual leadership 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 set contour maps for 10th grade. 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. Single 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 tasks 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: Typical 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 pedagogical measurements ().

2. Federal portal Russian Education ().

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 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 form 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.

The article contains geographical characteristics 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 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 belongs to public education-The Order of Malta, whose current territory 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.

Test on the topic

Evaluation of the report

Average rating: 4.7. Total ratings received: 264.

The peninsulas are elongated along the meridian and extend far into the Mediterranean Sea. Their outskirts are only 1.3-44 km separated from the huge massifs of Asia and Africa by narrow straits - the Dardanelles, Bosporus, and Gibraltar (Fig. 101). The territory is fenced off from continental Europe by a barrier of high mountains. All countries are characterized by mountainous terrain. Peculiarities of the geographical location played a significant role in the history of Southern Europe. They determine different sizes and the large number of countries, the diversity of cultures and religions of the peoples inhabiting them.

Rice. 101. Strait of Gibraltar

Natural conditions and resources. The territory is part of the modern active lithospheric belt - the Alpine-Himalayan, what causes it high seismicity. At the intersection of the faults that break the island block Sicily, there is a volcano Etna.

Etna is a stratovolcano. Its gigantic cone (base - 40-60 km, height - 3290 m) is “molded” from more than 200 cones and craters. Eruptions occur continuously. Several craters located along the same line “work” at the same time. The center of eruptions moves, and sometimes new craters grow on the slopes right before our eyes. Lava streams rush from them at speeds of up to 80 km/hour.

The relief of each of the peninsulas is unique.

Most of the most massive peninsula - the Iberian Peninsula - is occupied by the largest country in the region - Spain (503 thousand km 2). Its topography is dominated by plateaus, dissected by deep gorges (Fig. 102). In the north and south of the peninsula they are framed by mountain ranges: the highest point of the country in the Andalusian mountains - 3482 m; in the Pyrenees - Aneto peak (3404 m).

Volcano Vesuvius(Fig. 103)

Portugal is located in the west of the peninsula. Its territory descends through hilly plains to the low-lying coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

The second largest country in the region - Italy (301 thousand km 2) - occupies the Apennine Peninsula and the southern slopes of the Alps. The Apennine Mountains, composed of limestone, stretch across the entire peninsula (highest point 2914 m). Earthquakes are frequent in the Apennines; the only active volcano in mainland Europe, Vesuvius, is located there (Fig. 103). The chain of Alps, located perpendicular to the Apennines, protects from the invasion of cold air from the north fertile lands extensive Padansky lowland. The lowland is composed of river alluvium By(652 km) - the largest in the country. The peaks of the Alps are covered with glaciers. Descending along loose slopes, they feed numerous landslides with melt water.

The highest point of Greece, which occupies the mountainous Balkan Peninsula, is the mythological Olympus (2917 m). Karst processes actively occur in the limestones and sandstones that make up the mountains.

Numerous small islands are scattered in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas - rocky and inaccessible (Fig. 104).

Rice. 104 Cyprus

The Mediterranean climate of the region is formed by tropical air masses in summer; that's why it's hot everywhere here- up to +23... +28 °C - and dry.

In Sicily, the absolute maximum is +45 °C. The hot breath of Africa especially often reaches this island. A strong wind, the sirocco, blows from the south and southeast from the hot Sahara. It brings heat and a huge amount of dust.

In winter, westerly transport brings moist, temperate air from the Atlantic. Winters are warm(+5… +12 °С). They are characterized by the highest humidity in Italy: 600-1000 mm of precipitation falls here per year, and up to 1000-3000 mm high in the mountains and on the western slopes. In Spain and Greece the climate is drier: 300-600 mm of precipitation per year. Due to low rainfall, hot summers and high permeability of surface rocks large rivers not in the region.

In Southern Europe, little natural vegetation remains. In the north of the peninsulas and in the mountains there are unique forests of oak (cork and holm) and pine with an undergrowth of evergreen shrubs. They occupy about 10% of the territory on the Iberian Peninsula and 20% on the Apennine Peninsula. The rocks are most often covered with impenetrable maquis.

The countries of Southern Europe do not have large reserves of mineral raw materials. In Spain, Italy, Greece there are ore minerals: chrome, copper, polymetallic, mercury. But thanks to his geographical location the region is extremely rich agroclimatic resources, its natural and recreational potential is great and varied.

Population. The total population of the region is more than 120 million people. The most populated country is Italy (more than 60 million). All countries are characterized by the first type of population reproduction. Average life expectancy is approaching 80 years. The population density - more than 100 people / km 2 - is close to the average European one. In the microstates of Vatican City and Malta it exceeds 1000 people/km2 and is one of the highest in the world. Among the countries with a large territory, Italy is the most densely populated - about 200 people / km 2 (especially the Padana and coastal lowlands). The population is much less common in the central arid and mountainous regions of Spain and in the Italian Alps. In Italy, Spain and Greece, more than 70% of the population are city dwellers. A significant part of them live in small towns, many of which were founded in ancient times.

The population is racially and ethnically homogeneous. The vast majority of it belongs to the Mediterranean (southern) branch of the Caucasian race. The peoples of the Romanesque group dominate Indo-European family, whose language was formed on the basis of Latin - Spaniards, Portuguese, Catalans, Galicians, Italians. Special group this language family are made up of Greeks.

For centuries, in the countries of Southern Europe, emigration prevailed over immigration. In the era of the Great geographical discoveries There was mass emigration to overseas possessions. Then - to the USA, Canada, countries Latin America and Australia (XIX and XX centuries) and the countries of Western and Northern Europe (second half of the XX century). Internal migrations were intense: from underdeveloped agricultural areas to large industrial areas and centers, from villages to cities. Now the situation is reversed: immigration exceeds emigration. Looking for work and better life immigrants from North Africa flocked to the countries of the region, of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The fight against illegal immigration is one of the most pressing problems of the countries in the region.

The countries of Southern Europe are predominantly single-national. In Italy, Greece, Portugal, Malta, the main nations make up 95-98%. The most multinational of the southern European countries is Spain (Spanish make up 70%). Almost all believers from among the Romance peoples are Catholics. Here is the state of the Vatican with the residence of the Pope - the spiritual leader of all Catholics in the world. In the east of the region Orthodoxy predominates. It is professed by more than 90% of Greeks. Turks and people from North Africa profess Islam.

Farming. The level of socio-economic development of the countries in the region is comparable to the average level for the EU. In terms of GDP per capita, they are among the first 30 countries in the world. Countries are well endowed with labor and certain types of mineral resources, but they feel a shortage of their own fuel and energy resources. To form the structure industry had an impact almost complete absence of oil and natural gas in the region. Energy needs are provided by oil and gas coming from Northern Europe, Russia, North Africa and the Middle East. The bulk of electricity is produced at thermal power plants. In Spain, about 25% of electricity is generated by nuclear power plants. Much attention is paid to the use of renewable energy sources. In Italy and Spain, the role of hydropower is great. Solar energy is being developed. The missing part of the electricity is purchased from neighboring Germany and France. In the port cities of Italy, Spain, and Greece, where imported oil is delivered, powerful oil refining and petrochemicals . The main enterprises are located here ferrous metallurgy , also dependent on imported raw materials. Italy and Spain occupy 2nd and 4th places in the EU, respectively, in terms of steel production. Electrometallurgy predominates and, as a result, the steel produced is of high quality.

The leading industry of the largest countries in the region is mechanical engineering. Its basis is the production of vehicles: cars and trucks, sea vessels. Electronics and electrical engineering and instrument making are developing at a high pace. The brands of Italian refrigerators and washing machines, as well as computers from the Olivetti company, are world famous. In Italy, the level of development of machine tool industry is high. Rich raw material reserves contribute to the development of production building materials . A significant part of Fig. 105. The production of pasta products (tiles, marble, cement) is exported. The economy of the countries of the region traditionally plays a large role easy And food industry. The countries are major producers of cotton and woolen fabrics, knitwear, clothing and footwear, furniture, and jewelry. Food industry specializes in the production of pasta (Fig. 105), olive oil, grape wines, canned vegetables and fruits, and juices.

Rice. 106 Pasta production

The concentration of production on sea coasts conflicts with their use tourism industry. Therefore, much attention is paid ecological culture industrial production: construction of treatment facilities, use of low-waste technologies.

Favorable climate and artificial irrigation make it possible to grow in agriculture Southern European countries have the widest range of crops in the world. And the presence of a large European sales market nearby contributes to large volumes of their production. Main crops: olive trees(Fig. 106) and grapes.

A variety of vegetables and fruits are grown everywhere: tomatoes, peaches, apricots, cherries. Subtropical crops - figs, citrus fruits - are exported in large volumes. Cereals (wheat, barley, rice), legumes and melons are produced mainly for their own needs. From industrial crops highest value have sugar beets, tobacco and cotton. In the region The main livestock sectors are presented: breeding large and small (sheep, goats) cattle, pigs, poultry. Sheep are grazed on natural pastures. The fertile lowlands, primarily Padanaya, are characterized by intensive stalled livestock farming. Dairy farming, pig farming and poultry farming are concentrated here, as well as in suburban areas.

Agricultural development is hampered by an acute shortage of land resources. Mountain slopes are terraced for farming. The development of livestock farming is limited by the lack of feed for cattle and competition from highly specialized farms in Western and Northern Europe.

Transport. The peninsular position of the countries influenced the development of their transport systems. In international and domestic transportation, the role of sea transport. All countries have large merchant fleets, some of which are leased. Freight of sea vessels is especially developed in Greece. Ferry services between Mediterranean countries are constantly expanding. Automotive And iron roads connect all major settlements. Through tunnels built in the mountains, connections are made with continental regions of Europe.

Italy is located at the crossroads of many international routes. Therefore, in external - more than 70% of cargo turnover - and in internal (coastal) freight transport, the role of sea transport is extremely important. In domestic transportation of goods and passengers, the leading position is occupied by automobile transport. The main highway - the "motorway of the Sun" - connects Turin and Milan with the most southern city peninsula - Reggio Calabria.

Rice. 107. Architectural monuments of cities in Southern Europe: 1 - Colosseum in Rome;

2 - Athens Acropolis

External economic relations. The countries of Southern Europe are characterized by wide and varied foreign trade. They export machinery and equipment, textile products, clothing and footwear, grape wine, olive oil and citrus fruits. The value of exports in Italy and Spain is 20% of the GDP of these countries. Imports are dominated by energy resources, mineral raw materials, engineering products, meat and dairy products, and grain. The main foreign trade partners are EU countries. Natural, historical and cultural attractions of the countries of Southern Europe annually attract more than 100 million tourists from all over the world (Fig. 107). The development of the service sector is focused on their service.

In Italy, the industrial North is significantly ahead in its development of the predominantly agricultural South. The largest industrial centers are located in the North - Milan, Turin, Genoa, - forming a kind of “industrial triangle”. More than 2/5 of all industrial products are produced here; the most modern industries are concentrated: automobile manufacturing, electronics, and the chemical industry.

The south specializes in the production of agricultural, mainly crop, products. IN last years Large oil refining and metallurgical plants arose in port cities based on imported raw materials.

Bibliography

1. Geography grade 9 / Textbook for grade 9 institutions of general secondary education with Russian language of instruction / Edited N.V. Naumenko/ Minsk "People's Asveta" 2011