Mezzogiorno

Mezzogiorno

1. Periphery of Europe- Underdeveloped agriculture/Secondary/Tertiary

2. Physical factors -

   • Climate - Mediteranean
     • Hot Dry summers- temps of 30degs up + Little to no rainfall
     • Winter - Mild 10-15degs + Rainfall increases but not substantially
   • Relief
     • Mountanous terrain - Appenines
       • High peaks/ Steep slopes/ Rocky
       • Subsistance farming of goats + sheep
         • Dry Limestone soils- For Vines and Citrus fruits but need intensive irrigation
     • Narrow coastal strip along coastline
       • Volcanic soils - Mt Vesuvius in Naples and Mt Etna in Silcily
         • Wheat
   • Drainage of the area is poor - Malarial swamps along coast + Very little surface water due to limestone soils

3. Due to lack of rainfall leaves farmers virtually incomeless in Summer month

4. Human Factors -

   • Poor infrastructure
   • Poor farming methods
     • No rotation/Overgrazing/Unproductive methods
   • Large out migration
     • Small population/ No young farmers
   • Lack of capital for investment
   • Land ownership - Latifundia

5. Solutions to problems

   • Irrigation schemes - Mettapontino
   • Cassa Por Mezzogiorno - Education of farmers/ Co-Ops formed/Investment
   • Improvement in Infrastructure- Autostrada Del Sol