Mediterranean Europe

Mediterranean Europe

1. Spain and Portugal

   • Located on the Iberian Peninsula
   • Separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyranees Mountains
   • Most of Spain is Mediterranean
     • Dry African Winds make Southeast Spain the driest place in Spain
       • Moist Atlantic Winds bring ample rain to Northeastern Spain
   • Basques in Spain want independence
     • Basques and Catalans want local control of their regions
   • Spain's industrial centers around Madrid
   • Spain and Portugal established colonial empires in 15th century
     • Portugal colonized large parts of Africa and Brazil 1400-1800
       • 1975- Portugal grants independence to largest African colony
   • Portugal once based on agriculture; moving to industry

2. Italy

   • Alps separate Italy from rest of Europe
   • Italian Peninsula shaped like a boot
     • Apennine Mountains run down peninsula
   • Italy's only flat lands located around the narrow coastal plains
     • Southern region known as the Mezzogiorno because intense noontime sun
       • Agriculture not profitable in Mezzogiorno due to limited land and farming technology
         • After Roman Empire collapsed in 5th century, Italian Peninsula became a patchwork of separate political units
           • Mid-1800's- Beginning of Italian unification
       • Many Italians migrated north in recent years to work in Northern factories
   • Alps, blocking moisture-laden Westerlies, make Italy Mediterranean
     • 2/3 of factory products made in Po River Valley
       • Po River Valley most productive agricultural area
         • Hydroelectricity from Alps powers Po River Valley's factories