Southern Southern EuropeEurope

Italy, Spain, Portugal, Vatican City, San Marino, Greece

Food - Spain Paella (seafood and rice dish) • Italy Pasta

(remember comes from China originally) & Tiramisu

• Greek Gyros & baklava

Spain

San Marino

Greece

Portugal

Italy

Vatican City

Black Sea

Crete

Strait ofGibraltar

Aegean Sea

Adriatic Sea

Sicily

Atlantic Ocean

SOUTHERN EUROPE

• Also known as Mediterranean Europe.

• Mediterranean means “middle of the land.”

ITALY

• Rich culture – The Roman Empire– The Renaissance (‘rebirth’) – a renewed

interest in learning (Leonardo DaVinci)

• Rome is the capital & largest city– Home to the

Colosseum and other Roman ruins.

• Southern Italy has many natural disasters Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, Floods, & Droughts – Home to Mt. Vesuvius and the ancient

city of Pompeii

• The island of Sicily – large island on the southern coast of Italy – Mt. Etna, an active volcano

• World leader in automobile manufacturing.

- Ferrari

- Lamborghini

- Maserati

Water Pollution: Venice

• Industrial waste, sewage, and saltwater combine together and eat away the foundations of buildings

• Erosion is allowing large amounts of seawater into the lagoon– “Killer Algae”: decaying algae uses up all

the oxygen which causes fish in water to die insects in water = STENCH!

– http://www.veniceinperil.org/

VATICAN CITY • An independent state surrounded by

the city of Rome• Smallest country in the world (0.2 sq.

miles)

• The pope, the head of the Roman Catholic church, has absolute political authority within the city

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

• Together form the Iberian Peninsula.

-- Spain (Madrid = capital & transportation center)

-- Portugal (Lisbon = capital & cultural center)

• One of the world’s largest tourist industries – Beaches & rich culture

• Fishing is a large part of economy

• Have a long history of sailing

• Leading producer of cork – corkboards, shoes, wine stoppers

• Leading exporter of wine.

HISTORY• The Iberian Peninsula

was ruled by the Moors (a Muslim people from North Africa) for over 700 years

• Were the most powerful European nations and controlled sea trade during the 15th – 16th century – Had a huge colonial empire and was a

leader in the spice trade.

• Consists of many Consists of many peninsulas, peninsulas, islands, and islands, and mountainsmountains..

• Made up of more Made up of more than 2,000 than 2,000 islandsislands..

• Oil refining is Oil refining is major industrymajor industry..

• Shipping is major Shipping is major part of the part of the economyeconomy..

GREECEGREECE

• Capital = Athens • Home of the Acropolis with the

Parthenon (one of the world’s most photographed and famous buildings)

Acropolis means “CityBy the Edge”

-Used as shelter & defenseagainst enemies

GREECE

• Agricultural products – olive oil, tobacco, grapes, & citrus fruits

HISTORY• Ancient Greece – vital to the

development of Western culture (roots of democracy)

• Ancient city of Olympia – site of the first Olympic Games– 1st modern games held in 1896 (ancient

games held in 776 BC)

• Ancient city of Sparta – famous for its athletes and warriors (movie “300”) – Phalanx

SAN MARINO • San Marino was founded early in the

4th century by Christians escaping persecution

• One of the oldest and smallest countries

Italy’s Leaning Tower of PisaItaly’s Leaning Tower of Pisa

SPAIN SPAIN

Beaches in Lisbon, PortugalBeaches in Lisbon, Portugal