Southern Europe. Region Southern Europe

Plan:

1 Countries and capitals
2 Geographical position
3 Climate
4 Nature
5 Population
6 Specialization in MGRT

Introduction

Southern Europe

Southern Europe- part of Europe, located in the south of this part of the world. Southern Europe, as a rule, includes countries on the Mediterranean coast - the countries of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal, Spain, Andorra), Monaco, countries located on the Apennine Peninsula (Italy, Vatican, 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, the southern regions of Ukraine (primarily Crimea, as well as Odessa, Kherson, Nikolaev, and sometimes also Zaporozhye region) and the European part of Turkey.

The quasi-state formation of the Order of Malta also belongs to Southern Europe (today's territory is only one mansion in Rome and a residence in Malta).

1. Countries and capitals

List of countries and their capitals:

Portugal - Lisbon
Spain Madrid
Andorra - Andorra la Vella
Monaco - Monaco
Italy Rome
Vatican - Vatican
San Marino - San Marino
Greece - Athens
Malta - Valletta
Cyprus - Nicosia
Order of Malta - Rome, Palace of Malta

2. Geographic location

It is based on the Cenozoic (Apennine, Balkan Peninsula) and Hercynian (Pyrenean Peninsula) folding. The relief of the countries is elevated, there are many minerals: aluminum, polymetallic, copper, mercury (Spain is one of the leaders in the extraction of pyrites and mercury), uranium, iron ores, sulfur, mica, gas.

3. Climate

Southern Europe is known for its hot climate, rich history and warm Mediterranean waters. The countries of southern Europe border on France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria. Turkey in the east with Syria, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Armenia, Iran, Georgia. In all countries of Southern Europe, a subtropical Mediterranean climate prevails, therefore, warm temperatures of about +24 ° C prevail in summer, and rather cool in winter, about + 8C. Precipitation is sufficient, about 1000-1500 mm per year.

4. Nature

Southern Europe is almost entirely located in the zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs, which has survived only on the Mediterranean coast (there was a glacier and the mountains delayed it, and the trees moved over the mountains). Fauna: roe deer, servals, markhors, foxes, monitor lizards, wolves, badgers, raccoons. Flora: strawberry trees, holm oaks, myrtles, olives, grapes, citrus fruits, magnolia, cypresses, chestnuts, junipers.

5. Population

High population density, from 10 or more people per km². The predominant religion is Christianity (Catholicism).

The level of urbanization of the countries of Southern Europe: Greece - 59%, Spain - 91%, Italy - 72%, Malta - 89%, Portugal - 48%, San Marino - 48%. The natural increase 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 “nation aging”.

6. Specialization in MSRT

In most countries, the mining industry, agriculture, mountain pasture animal husbandry, the production of machinery and instruments, fabrics, leather, the cultivation of grapes and citrus fruits are widespread. Tourism is very common. Spain ranks second in the world in terms of tourism (France ranks first). 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 cereals 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 of Italy. It should be noted that they are located mainly in the north, closer to the countries of Western Europe.

download
This abstract is based on an article from the Russian Wikipedia. Synchronization completed on 07/10/11 12:17:22 PM
Similar abstracts:

This name refers to that part that lies in the subtropical zone and is within the bounds of a vast, physical and geographically uniform territory located along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, and Western and usually called the Mediterranean. In Europe, the Mediterranean includes the three peninsulas and islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The northern border of Southern Europe runs along the northern foot, the southern foot and the southern edge of the Padan Plain, then along the Sava and the lower Danube. If in the western and central parts this boundary is quite clearly expressed in nature, then in the east there is actually no natural boundary. On the Balkan Peninsula, the landscapes of Central Europe penetrate quite far to the south and gradually pass into the landscapes of the subtropical zone. The Balkan Peninsula is an area that, according to natural conditions, is transitional from Central Europe to South.

The Mediterranean as a whole, and with it Southern Europe, are characterized by a great unity of natural conditions. This is a territory with a predominance of mountainous, highly fragmented relief, in which mountain structures of the Alpine geosyncline are combined with older folded massifs, and areas of flat relief occupy relatively little space.

Complete extermination of natural vegetation, cultivation of subtropical crops - olives, citrus fruits, cotton.

There are three physical-geographical regions: the Pyrenees, the Apennines, the Balkans.

Pyrenean. The Iberian region includes the Iberian Peninsula (the largest and most massive) and the adjacent islands. Border on the Pyrenees mountains. There was a long connection with (until the end of the Paleogene), therefore the originality of landscapes.

The area of plateaus and mountains, different in height and relief. About 60% of the territory is occupied by the ancient Paleozoic Meset massif, surrounded (except for the west) by alpine structures. The Andalusian mountains and the Balearic Islands are similar to the Alps (Alpides) in terms of build and. The Cantabrian, Iberian and Catalan mountains are less complex uplifts with inclusions of the Hercynian massifs (Iberides).

The core of the peninsula is the Meset plateau, an ancient Hercynian formation. Denudation, peneplanation, fault dislocation created low mesas and deep valleys on the surface of the Meseta. The crystalline base of the plateau comes to the surface in the north-west of the peninsula, here the ridges abruptly break off to the sea (rias type of coast). Most of the Meseta is low (600-800 m) Old Castilian and New Castilian plateaus, separated by the Central Cordillera.

Old Castilian is distinguished by its height (700-800 m) and rocky, monotonous surface. The New Castilian is lower and heavily dissected by river valleys. Central - blocky mountains from latitudinal ranges: Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gata, Sierra de Bejar, Sierra de Gredos (Almansor, 2592 m).

Between the river Tajo and Guadiana - a chain of mountains of Toledo and the Sierra de Guadalupe. In the south of the Meseta there is a strip of the Sierra Morena ridges, in the west - the plains - the lowered outskirts of the Meseta with a strongly rugged relief. In the east - the Iberian mountains, anticline ridges, limestones (karst processes) are widely represented; at the foot, pasture.

The Aragonese Plain east of the Iberian Mountains from the Ebro River is a wavy surface (up to 250 m), on the periphery - up to 500-700 m from Cenozoic conglomerates and sandstones.

The Pyrenees mountains are one of the most inaccessible in foreign Europe, stretching for 450 km (Aneto peak, 3404 m). The axial zone of crystalline rocks narrows and wedges out to the west. Alternation of high plateau-like areas and rocky peaks with cirques, small and tarn lakes (especially on the northern slopes). To the south of the axial zone there are high mountain structures made of Mesozoic limestones and Cenozoic conglomerates, in the north - a strip of the Middle Pyrenees, at the base of which are ancient Hercynian cores, framed by Mesozoic limestones with karst relief. Further north, the Lesser Pyrenees are low foothills with alluvial fans of mountain rivers. Allocate the Western Pyrenees - low, and easily overcome, the Central Pyrenees - massive and high and mid-mountain -

Eastern Pyrenees. Continuation of the Pyrenees in the west - the Cantabrian Mountains (Peña Vieja, 2815 m), in the east to the mouth of the Ebro - the Catalan Mountains (Moncena, 1712 m).

In the southeast of the peninsula, the Andalusian Mountains (Beta Cordillera) are located, with the highest point of the entire peninsula, Mulasen, 3478 m - the most complex mountain range of the Alpine type in terms of tectonics. Alpine features are expressed in two zones: axial crystalline and northern limestone. Unlike the Alps in a strong fragmentation into ridges, separated by valleys and basins. To the north of the Andalusian mountains is the Andalusian lowland - an intermountain trough filled with marine sediments.

Sharp climatic differences between regions, manifested in temperature and precipitation. In the northern part of the peninsula, the climate is transitional from subtropical to temperate with mild winters (+6, +8°) and not hot summers (18-20°). Precipitation (1000-2000 mm) is uniform throughout the seasons. Western areas in the subtropical maritime (hot summers, wet, warm winters). Precipitation 800-1000 mm, max. winter, not a long period of drought. Typical Mediterranean climate in the eastern and southern regions (summer 26-28°, winter 9-12°), precipitation 300-500 mm, in the mountains 1000 mm with a summer minimum.

The internal plateaus of the Meseta and the Aragonese Plain are characterized by a dry continental climate (+1, +4° in winter, more than 30° in summer), precipitation - 350-450 mm with a maximum in winter.

The rivers Duero, Tajo, Guadiana, Guadalquivir are navigable in their lower reaches. The Mediterranean regime is typical (rise in winter, decline in summer).

Forests have been preserved in the northern regions, covering 8-10% of the territory. In the Cantabrian mountains and Galicia, 25-30% is covered with forests; forests of beech, oak (summer and winter), chestnut, ash, and maple are common. By the sea, evergreen holm oak and seaside pine are mixed in. Birch is found in Galicia - a relic of the Ice Age.

Evergreen forests and shrubs grow in Portugal (from woody species - several types of oak (holm, cork, Portuguese) and pine (seaside, pine). Maquis is widely represented - strawberry tree, myrtle, pistachio, rockrose.

In the south and east of the peninsula there are formations of hard-leaved shrubs (maquis, garriga, tomillyars). On the Balearic - palmito formation (palm hamerops - dwarf fan). On the plateau of Old and New Castile - tomillars (aromatic labiates - thyme, lavender, rosemary).

The Pyrenees have vertical zonality. On the southern slopes up to 400-500 m there is Mediterranean vegetation (garriga), above 500 m - pine forests with an admixture of holm oak and juniper, at 1000-1700 m - beech and fir forests, from 2300 m - subalpine and.

In the Western Pyrenees, the Mediterranean vegetation disappears, and the belt of oak and beech forests is widely represented. Coniferous - to the very tops.
Among the animals are European and African forms. In the south, there is a civet genet, a porcupine, a wild rabbit; the only species of European monkeys is macaque magot. Endemic birds - blue magpie, red partridge. Lots of reptiles.

Special features: the largest and most massive peninsula. Until the end of the Neogene, the connection with Africa - hence the originality of landscapes. Hercynides (Meset massif - 60% of the territory), Iberides (Cantabrian, Iberian, Catalan mountains) and Alps (Andalusian mountains, Balearic Islands). The area of plateaus and mountains, different in height and type of relief. In the Pyrenees, the development of an axial crystalline zone, framed from the north and south by the Mesozoic limestone zones. The Pyrenees is one of the most inaccessible mountain regions in Europe. Sharp climatic differences in individual regions (in temperature, rainfall). In the northern regions - broad-leaved forests, in the west - evergreen forests and shrubs, in the south and east - formations of hard-leaved shrubs, on the plateaus of Old and New Castile - tomillars, on the Balearic Islands - palmitos, on the Aragonese plain - patches of salt marshes with halophytes.

Apeninskaya. The Apennine region includes the Apennine Peninsula, the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and others. In the north, the shield of the Alps has a typical Mediterranean climate and nature.

The Alpine tectonic structures of the Apennines in the extreme south merge with the Hercynian structures of the Calabria Peninsula. This combination is also characteristic of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica.

The ancient Paleozoic massif of Tyrrenida sank in the Neogene and Quaternary, and islands were formed. This was accompanied by volcanic activity, which does not fade even now: Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli.

A strip of foothills separating the Apennines from the Tyrrhenian Sea - the Pre-Apennines. In the north, it is a wide hilly Tuscan plain with separate low uplifts from crystalline rocks - the Apuan and Ore Mountains - deposits of Carrara marble and ore. To the south are the Roman Pre-Apennines (Lazio) with ancient volcanic formations. In the calderas of extinct volcanoes there are round lakes (Bolsena, Bracciano, Vico, etc.). Among the volcanic hills - Rome. Still to the south - the Neapolitan Pre-Apennines (Naples Campania) - an ancient and modern volcanic relief. The Phlegrean fields stretch along the Gulf of Naples - low volcanic cones, washed out by water flows, with emissions. In the depths of the bay - Vesuvius 1277 m.
The eastern foothills of the Apennines - Subapennines, are more uniform in their structure. In the north, the coastal plain, in the south, wide arched limestone massifs and plateaus (Gargano Massif, Le Murge Plateau, Salentina Peninsula) with karst processes, are waterless.

Sicily is composed of alpine structures forming latitudinally elongated ranges (Nebrodi, Le Madonie). In the north of the island there is a continuation of the Calabrian Apennines - the Peloritan Mountains (up to 1375 m), in the central part - a heavily rugged plateau, sparsely populated and arid. On the east coast of Etna (3340 m) - the most active in Europe with side cones on the slopes (about 900), it is characterized by altitudinal zonality - orchards, vineyards up to 800 m, higher pastures and xerophytic evergreen shrubs. and the relief associated with them in the landscapes of almost the entire island. The most active volcanoes of the Apennine region are Etna and Stromboli.

Sardinia and Corsica - the remnants of the Tyrrhenides - are composed of crystalline rocks. In the relief - medium-altitude mountains. In the west of Sardinia, lava and tuff plateaus, in the east, the highest heights, the southwest is also elevated (Iglesiente massif). It is separated by the Campidano lowland. Corsica is a high granite massif (Mon Sento, 2710 m).

Fragments of the Tyrrhenides - the Aeolian Islands (Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli, etc. - active volcanoes).

In the east of the Dinaric Highlands - the complexly built mountainous regions of Shumadia, the northeast of the Peloponnese and the island of Euboea - Paleozoic sandstones, shales, and crystalline rocks predominate. Karst processes are poorly developed. Domed peaks, gentle slopes.

Middle Thracian-Macedonian massif of Hercynian age from block uplifts and tectonic depressions. The highest formations are the Rila mountains (the highest point is 2925 m), the Rhodopes, Pirin, Osogovska-Planina, Shar-Planina. The mountains are separated by tectonic basins and fault zones, the large ones have a meridional strike with the valleys of the rivers Vardar, Struma, Morava.

The continuation of the Dinaric Highlands - the mountains of Pindus (Zmolikas, 2637 m) stretch from north to south for 200 km - from limestone and flysch. The ridges are dissected by deep river valleys. Still further to the southeast are isolated mountain ranges limited by faults (Olympus, 2917 m; Parnassus, 2457 m).

The Peloponnese peninsula is strongly dissected, in the center of the Sparta plateau. Connected to the rest of the Corinth Canal (length 6.3 km, built in 1897).

In the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula, the plains are Thessalian, Upper Thracian, Lower Thracian, Thessaloniki.

Upper and Lower Thracian are located in the trough zone. The first of lacustrine and river sediments, with a flat surface with residual mounds of outcrops of crystalline rocks.

Lower Thracian from Neogene marine sandy-argillaceous sediments. farming centers.

Islands: Ionian in the west, Sporades in the east, in the south of Crete with a mountainous dissected relief (Ida, 2456 m).

For most of the peninsula, the climate is Mediterranean, in the north and northeast it is transitional from temperate continental (sub-Mediterranean climate). Differences in climate especially in winter. In the north and in the center from -2 to +2° (in the Rhodopes -I0°). Steady in the mountains. In the south from +4, +5 to 18-12°. In summer, temperatures are uniform (in the north 21-23°, in the south - 25-27°C).
Precipitation decreases from west to east and north to south. On the western slopes of the Dinaric highlands 2000-3000 mm, in the Rhodopes more than 1000 mm per year, least of all in the Thracian lowland and southern Greece (less than 500 mm). Differences in the regime of precipitation in areas with a Mediterranean climate - max. in winter, the proportion of summer precipitation increases to the north.

Lakes in tectonic basins (Skadar, Prespa, Ohrid). In the west and south there are karst lakes with great depths. A feature of the Balkan region is the abundance of thermal springs (in the Rhodopes, in the Struma River basin).

The vegetation is diverse and depends on orography and climatic differences.

Interaction of Central European and Mediterranean flora. There are many endemics and relics (armored and Rumelian pine, Judas tree, spruce). Mountain forests from Central European species, shrub formations. The eastern part of the peninsula is dominated by the formations of freegans and shilyak. Typical Mediterranean vegetation is typical for the south and the islands (holm oak, Walloon, Aleppo pine, pine, cypress, thickets of maquis, shibleak). Mediterranean vegetation rises to 600-800 m in the south and 200-300 m in the north, above the mountains are covered with forests of evergreen and deciduous species (ash, hornbeam, hop hornbeam, downy oak, winter, Macedonian). The upper border of the forest is coniferous (Greek fir, armored pine). In the sub-Mediterranean climate - a combination of evergreen and Central European species. In the lower belt of mountains on stony soils there are thickets of gorse, astragalus, milkweed, sage, thyme (freegan). In more continental conditions - thickets of shrubs of deciduous forms (shibliak). fluffy hornbeam, plane tree, oriental beech. The soils are brown and brown forest. In basins on the products of andesitic lavas, black soils (smolnitsa) up to 120 cm of humus horizon are the most of the Balkan Peninsula.

From 1700 m - a belt of coniferous forests (European fir, spruce, pine). Above - mountain shrubs and subalpine lawns.

In the fauna - representatives of Central European and Mediterranean species - in the mountains wild boars, deer, chamois, vulture, falcon, eagle. Lizards, vipers, Greek tortoise.

Special signs: not protected from the north from continental influences - landscapes are transitional from Central European to Mediterranean. In the west and north there are folds of Alpine age, at the base of the peninsula is the ancient Hercynian Thracian-Macedonian massif - a fragment of the Aegean. In the west of the Dinaric Highlands, there are thick strata of Mesozoic limestone - a wide distribution of karst forms: karr fields, funnels, depressions, caves, underground rivers, fields. The Karst Plateau is an area of classically pronounced karst landforms. Sub-Mediterranean climate in the north and north-east of the peninsula, which manifests itself in sharp drops in winter temperatures due to breakthroughs of cold continental masses and an increase in the proportion of summer precipitation. The predominance of the formations of freegans and shilyak. The presence of black soils - smolnitsa - the most fertile soils of the Balkan region.

Table 4 - Nordic countries

Northern Europe has a favorable economic and geographical position, which is determined by the following traits : demarcation of the countries of the region into Western and Eastern Europe; access to the seas of the Atlantic Ocean: the Baltic, Northern, Norwegian and two seas of the Arctic Ocean - Greenland and Barents; location at the intersection of important sea and air routes from Europe to North America; land proximity to Russia, which offers the prospect of close contacts and a huge sales market, as well as maritime proximity to the Baltic countries affect their political and economic situation; neighborhood on the southern borders with highly developed EU countries (three countries of the region - Denmark, Sweden and Finland - are members of the EU).

There are many similarities in the historical development, geographical location, language and culture of the peoples of the Nordic countries. All countries are members UN: Denmark, Iceland, Norway - members of NATO; Since 1814, Sweden has adhered to the principle of non-participation (neutrality) in military-political blocs and military conflicts in foreign policy.

Natural conditions and resources. most characteristic feature of the geographical location of the Nordic countries is their location near the sea, which greatly influenced both the nature and the economy of the region. Most of Finnoscandinavia (the area that covers the Scandinavian Peninsula and Finland) is located within the Baltic Shield, so fuel minerals there is no. Stocks oil on the shelf of the North Sea (Norwegian sector) - 1.2 billion tons, natural gas - 1995 billion m 3. Finland has significant peat reserves (25 million tons). Sweden belongs to the most wealthy raw uranium countries in Europe. The crystalline rocks of the Baltic Shield are rich in iron ore with iron content from 25 to 40% (Sweden), copper and lead (Finland).

Mountain rivers are the source hydropower resources . The countries of the region are sufficiently provided with fresh water. The great wealth that is called "green gold" here is forest. Natural and recreational resources very peculiar, especially in Iceland - a country of geysers and active volcanoes, located near the Arctic Circle. Features of the natural resource potential of the Nordic countries led to the development of industries of international specialization in them, in particular those related to the use of marine (shipbuilding, fish processing), forestry (timber processing, pulp and paper industry), mineral resources (fuel and energy, metallurgical industries).

Population.

By peculiarities of population reproduction countries of the region belong to the 1st type. Growth rates population positive, but minimal: from 0.2% (in Denmark) and 0.3% (in Finland) to 1.1% (in Iceland). The region has one of the highest in the world life expectancy : in Sweden - 73 years (men) and 79 years (women), in Iceland - 76 years (men) and 81 years (women). The proportion of children in the total population is constantly decreasing (19%), while the proportion of older people is increasing (16%). In terms of number, women predominate over men (51 and 49%, respectively). The peoples of northern Europe mostly belong to the northern group of the big caucasian race . In the north of Scandinavia, in Lapland, the Saami live, who are classified as transitional. laponoid race, which absorbed elements of the Caucasoid and Mongoloid races.

Ethnic composition largely homogeneous. The inhabitants of the region belong to two large language families - Indo-European and Uralic. By religious signs all countries belong to the Protestant branch of Christianity, dominated by Lutheranism. Traditionally, religion has a significant impact on social and political life, since the countries of Northern Europe belong to the clerical, and only citizens of the Protestant faith have the right to hold public positions in them.

Population placement extremely uneven, which is primarily due to the natural conditions of the region. The average population density is the lowest in Europe - from 10 to 5 people / km 2. Northern Europe - urbanized region , the proportion of the urban population ranges from 63% in Finland to 92% in Iceland. Human Resources make up over 13 million people. The labor resources of the Nordic countries are traditionally characterized by a high level of education and vocational training. Accordingly, the cost of labor is quite high.

Features of economic development and general characteristics of the economy.

The Nordic countries are one of the most economically developed in the world. They formed a special model of socio-economic development (“general welfare society”, the so-called “Scandinavian socialism”), defined by the following traits : high standard of living, lack of sharp contrasts between rich and poor; a significant level of taxes (55% of profits); the average housing area is 400 m 2, Sweden ranks 1st in the world in terms of housing per capita (445 apartments for every 1000 people); 504 cars per 1,000 inhabitants (2 cars per family), up to 500 televisions and 681 telephones; high social security: officially the working week is 40 hours, in practice the average is 37 hours, paid leave is 5 weeks, expenses for children under 16 are paid, loans are provided for apartments.

Highly developed healthcare system: there are an average of 25 doctors per 10,000 people. Low unemployment, which averages 5.3% in the region. The countries of Northern Europe account for about 1% of the population and 3% of the GDP and industrial output of developed countries, but in terms of GDP per capita, they belong to the 15 most developed countries in the world. All countries in the region have a positive increase in production (from 4.8% per year in Finland to 0.7% in Norway) and insignificant indicators of average annual inflation. The Scandinavian countries have a very high standard of living.

With a relatively small population, the Nordic countries are characterized by a high level of industrial development and intensive agriculture. The sectoral structure of their national economies fully corresponds to the modern structure of the economies of other highly developed countries (the share of agriculture and mining in the structure of GNP is from 2 to 4%, only in Iceland it reaches 15% due to the intensive development of fishing and sheep breeding); manufacturing and construction on average for the region account for 28% of GNP; the service sector - 67%, since a shift took place in the structure of the GNP of the Nordic countries, similar to structural changes in the world economy in general: the share of the service sector in the GNP increased, the share of agriculture decreased, and the importance of the latest high-tech industries increased. The share of R&D expenditures in the structure of GDP is constantly increasing and amounts to 3.3% in Sweden, 2.4% in Finland, 1.8% in Denmark and Norway, and 1.4% in Iceland. Sweden has become the world leader in recent years in terms of the share of R&D spending in GDP, ahead of the US (2.5%) and Japan (2.7%), while Finland ranked fifth.

IN MGRT countries of the region represented by individual sectors of the fuel and energy complex (oil and hydropower), non-ferrous metallurgy; aluminum, copper, mechanical engineering (production of ships, automobiles, electrical products and communications), a highly developed timber industry complex (production of sawn timber, pulp, paper), food industries (fish processing, meat processing, dairy and butter and cheese).

IN agriculture Intensive animal husbandry predominates (dairy and beef cattle breeding and pig breeding). In areas located beyond the Arctic Circle, reindeer are bred, and in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, sheep. Agriculture (mainly in the southern regions of the region) is represented by fodder crops; potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, barley and rye are grown. Fishing and maritime merchant shipping have long been of great importance in the life of countries.

Industry.

The countries of the region are dominated by manufacturing industry with a significant share of the power industry, the extraction of minerals and the development of forests (except for Denmark and Iceland). In the world division of labor, the main branches of specialization are energy, metallurgy, timber processing, and mechanical engineering.

Agriculture- one of the most productive sectors of the economy of the countries of the region. Agricultural labor productivity high in all countries. According to statistics, one Danish farmer can feed 150 people (American and English - 60, German and French - up to 40 people). In the region's agriculture, there is a pronounced livestock direction, which accounts for 70-80% of agricultural production. crop production is of secondary importance.

Transport.

The countries of the region and their regions are interconnected (except for Iceland) by all means of transport, which form a complex transport network. Sea transport - main in the region. Railway transport ranks 2nd in terms of cargo turnover and plays a major role in domestic long-distance transport in Sweden and Finland.

Lake transport developed in Sweden and Finland, where the lakes are connected by canals and have access to the sea. Motor transport creates significant competition for rail transport. Air Transport developed, in international air transportation an important role is played by CAC - the association of airlines of the Scandinavian countries. Directly from North Sea offshore platforms underwater pipelines oil is transported to the UK and natural gas to Germany.

The countries of the region are quite active subjects foreign economic relations. They work out 2 % industrial products of developed countries and give 5% of their exports. The main trading partners are the countries of the European Union and the USA. The foreign economic interests of the countries of the region also reach Ukraine: significant volumes of its exports go to Finland and Sweden. Norway and Denmark, and the largest amount of imports to Ukraine - from Finland, Denmark, Sweden. Nordic countries have significant development resources tourist and recreational activities .

Southern Europe includes 8 countries and one dependent territory - Gibraltar (possession of Great Britain) (table). feature region is the location here of the smallest state-the city of the Vatican, whose territory is 44 hectares, and the oldest republic in the world - San Marino

Table 5 - Countries of Southern Europe

A country	Capital	Area, thousand km	Population, million people / km 2	Population density, persons / km 2	GNP per capita, USD (2000)
Andorra	Andorra la Vella	0,467	0,07
Vatican	Vatican	0,00044	0,001		-
Greece	Athens	132,0	10,4
Gibraltar (UK)	Gibraltar	0,006	0,03
Spain	Madrid	504,7	39,2
Italy	Rome	301,3	57,2
Malta	Valletta	0,3	0,37
Portugal	Lisbon	92,3	10,8
San Marino	San Marino	0,061	0,027
Total		1031,1	118,1	Medium - 115	Medium - 175000

important feature of the economic and geographical position of the countries of Southern Europe , located on the peninsulas and islands of the Mediterranean Sea, is that they are all on the main sea routes from Europe to Asia, Africa and Australia, and Spain and Portugal - also to Central and South America. All this, since the time of the great geographical discoveries, has affected the development of the region, the life of the countries of which is closely connected with the sea. No less significant is the fact that the region is located between Central Europe and the Arab countries of North Africa, which have multilateral ties with Europe. The former metropolises of Portugal, Italy and Spain still retain influence on some African countries. All countries (except the Vatican) are members of the UN, the OECD, and the largest are members of NATO and the European Union. Malta is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations led by Great Britain.

Natural conditions and resources.

The region is located on the Mediterranean peninsulas- Iberian, Apennine and Balkan. Only Italy is part of mainland Europe. The Mediterranean Sea largely determined the similarity of the natural conditions of the region. There is an acute shortage of fuel in the region useful fossils. There is almost no oil here, very little natural gas and coal. However, the rich are deposits of various metals, especially colored ones: bauxite(Greece belongs to the top three European leaders), mercury, copper, polymetals(Spain, Italy), tungsten(Portugal). Huge reserves building materials - marble, tufa, granite, cement raw materials, clay.

underdeveloped in southern European countries river network. Large arrays forests survived only in the Pyrenees and the Alps. The average forest cover of the region is 32%. Natural and recreational resources are extremely rich. These are warm seas, many kilometers of sandy beaches, lush vegetation, picturesque landscapes, numerous sea and mountain resorts, as well as areas favorable for mountaineering and skiing, etc. There are 14 national parks in the region. The unique natural resource potential of the region has contributed to the significant development of the agricultural sector and tourism and recreational activities in its countries.

Population.

Traditionally, Southern Europe is characterized by a high birth rate, but the natural population growth is low: from 0.1% per year in Italy to 0.4-0.5% in Greece, Portugal and 0.8% in Malta. Women account for 51% of the region's population. The majority of the population belongs to the southern (Mediterranean) branch of e caucasoid race. During the era of the Roman Empire, most of them were Romanized, and now peoples belonging to the Roman group predominate here. Indo-European language family(Portuguese, Spaniards, Galicians, Catalans, Italians, Sardinians, Romansh). Exception are: Greeks(Greek group of the Indo-European family); Albanians(Albanian group of the Indo-European family), represented in Italy; Gibraltar (Germanic group of the Indo-European family); Maltese(Semitic group of the Semitic-Hamitic language family).

Consider that Maltese is a dialectal form of Arabic; Turks(Turkic group of the Altaic language family) - there are many of them in Greece; Basques(in the rank of a separate family) - live in the historical region of the Basque Country in northern Spain. Composition of the population in the countries of the region is mostly homogeneous. High indicators of mono-ethnicity characteristic of Portugal (99.5% - Portuguese), Italy and Greece (98% of Italians and Greeks, respectively), and only in Spain a significant weight (almost 30%) of national minorities: Catalans (18%), Galicians (8%), Basques (2.5%), etc. Most of the population - Christians . Christianity is represented by two branches: Catholicism(west and center of the region); Orthodoxy(East of the region, Greece). In Southern Europe there is the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church - the Vatican, which exists in the IV century. Part of the Turks, Albanians, Greeks - Muslims.

Population posted uneven. highest density- in fertile valleys and coastal lowlands, the smallest - in the mountains (Alps, Pyrenees), in some areas up to 1 person / km 2. Level urbanization in the region is much lower than in other parts of Europe: only in Spain and Malta, up to 90% of the population lives in cities, and, for example, in Greece and Italy - more than 60%, in Portugal - 36%. Human Resources make up about 51 million people. In general, 30% of the active population is employed in industry, 15% - in agriculture, 53% - in service industry. Recently, many employees from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe come to Southern Europe for the fruit and vegetable harvest season, who cannot find work in their own countries.

Features of economic development and general characteristics of the economy.

The countries of the region still lag economically behind the highly developed states of Europe. Although Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy are members of the EU, but all of them, except Italy, lag behind the leaders in many socio-economic indicators. Italy is the economic leader of the region, belongs to highly developed industrial and agricultural countries, with a clear trend towards the formation of a post-industrial type of economy. At the same time, contrasts in the development of many industries and production, in the social sphere, in the socio-economic conditions of the North and South, are still significant in the country.

Italy lags behind many highly developed countries in terms of scientific and technological development. Ahead of some countries of Western Europe in terms of net income from tourism, it is inferior to them in terms of the scale and intensity of international trade and credit and financial transactions. Spain. It is the second country in the region in terms of socio-economic development. In the Spanish economy, a significant role is played by the public sector, which accounts for up to 30% of the country's GDP. The state carries out economic programming, controls the railways, the coal industry, a significant part of shipbuilding and ferrous metallurgy.

In the second half of the 80s. XX century. Portugal experienced significant economic growth. The average GDP growth during this period was one of the highest in the EU and amounted to 4.5-4.8% per year, in 2000 the GNP was 159 billion dollars. Greece has a larger GNP than Portugal (181.9 billion in 2000). The country's industry is significantly monopolized by large local and foreign capital (mainly the United States, Germany, France and Switzerland). Up to 200 companies receive over 50% of all profits. Greece has rather high inflation rates for EU countries (3.4% per year). Government measures to reduce it (cutting state subsidies, freezing wages, etc.) predetermine social instability.

IN MGRT countries of the region are represented individual branches of mechanical engineering (production of automobiles, household appliances, technological equipment for the light and food industries), furniture industry, production of building products and equipment, light industry sectors (fruit and vegetable canning, oilseed - production of olive oil, winemaking, pasta, etc.) . Agriculture is dominated by branches of agriculture - the cultivation of various subtropical crops: citrus fruits, wood oils, grapes, vegetables, fruits, essential oil plants, etc.

Due to the insufficient forage base, livestock breeding is dominated by sheep breeding and, in small volumes, beef cattle breeding. The countries of the region are actively developing merchant shipping and ship repair. They are the undisputed leaders in the development of international tourism. Warm sea, Mediterranean climate, rich subtropical vegetation, numerous monuments of ancient culture and architecture are the main factors due to which Southern Europe is a favorite place for recreation and entertainment for many tourists in the world, the largest tourist center.

5. General characteristics of the countries of Eastern (Central) Europe

The countries of Eastern (Central) Europe as a socio-political and economic integrity began to single out in the 90s of the XX century. This is due to the collapse of the former USSR and the socialist system, the formation of independent states. The region covers 10 countries (Table 6).

The economic and geographical position of Eastern Europe is distinguished by the following features:

Land surveying in the west with highly developed countries, and in the east and southeast - with Russia and the countries of Southeast Europe - potential markets for Eastern Europe;

Passage through the region of trans-European transport routes of the meridional and latitudinal directions.

Over the past 10 years in EGP(economic and geographical position) of the region, the following changes:

The collapse of the USSR, the formation of the CIS and new countries;

German unification;

The collapse of Czechoslovakia, as a result of which two independent states were formed: the Czech Republic and Slovakia;

The appearance on the southern borders of "unstable" in relation to the military-political state of the neighbors - the Balkan countries, Yugoslavia.

Southern Europe is a geographic region, which usually includes countries located on the coast, regardless of their culture and history. Thus, in addition to those powers that are part of the social concept of Europe, the western part of Turkey is often equated with this region, although this issue is still controversial.

Countries in this region

The states that are located in this are well known to everyone, so now we will briefly list them, and also call their capitals:

Albania - Tirana.
Serbia - Belgrade.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo.
Cyprus - Nicosia.
Macedonia - Skopje.
Slovenia - Ljubljana.
San Marino - San Marino.
Croatia - Zagreb.
Portugal - Lisbon.
Spain Madrid.
Montenegro - Podgorica.
Monaco - Monaco.
Italy Rome.
Andorra - Andorra la Vella.
Greece - Athens.
Vatican - Vatican.
Malta - Valletta.

In addition to Turkey, there is another "disputed" country that some geographers include in this area - France. However, the majority does not accept this version, based on the fact that the climate in this state is too cold.

Geographical position

The southern part of Europe is conveniently located on the peninsulas, which, with their shores, overlook the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. For example, Spain and Portugal, as well as Andorra, are on Italy, San Marino and the Vatican are on the Apennine, and Greece is on the Balkan. Powers such as Cyprus and Malta do occupy separate islands located in the Mediterranean basin. It is due to the fact that all these countries are facing the waters of this warm sea, the climate here has developed very mild and warm. It is called so - the Mediterranean, and depending on the latitude, the name changes from subtropical to tropical. Southern Europe is a very mountainous area. In its western part, Spain separated from France by the Pyrenees, in the central Alps they pass clearly along the border of Italy, and in the east the Southern Carpathians approach the region.

Territory and population

The diversity of nature, relief, cultures and population, as well as many mysteries and secrets, keeps the historical region of Southern Europe. Its area is 1033 thousand square meters. km., and the total population is over 120 million people. However, it is impossible to say something general about the culture of the entire region. Differences can be traced even in the fact that some countries are too urbanized, while the inhabitants of others prefer to live in villages. For example, in Spain the percentage of urbanization is 91%, in Italy - 72%, and in Portugal - only 48%. Remarkably, almost all of Southern Europe is inhabited by the indigenous inhabitants of this area - Mediterranean Caucasians live here. Many countries have a minimum percentage of natural population growth. Therefore, this race is considered one of the aging on earth.

Local climate and tourism

Everyone knows that the southern cities of Europe are a real magnet for any traveler. Some go here to see the sights, but most people come to the Mediterranean resorts to enjoy the local warmth and sun. The most important thing is that in the summer months it is not stuffy and not sultry here, but simply very warm. The air temperature rises to 28-30 degrees, and the coolness that comes from the sea fills the air with moisture, which makes it much easier to endure the heat. Such well-known resort cities as Genoa, Malaga, Barcelona, Lisbon, Cadiz, Athens, Naples and many others annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world.

Nature and economics

Southern Europe is a rich region. A lot of minerals are concentrated in its bowels - mercury, copper, aluminum, uranium, gas, sulfur, mica and much more. Therefore, it is well developed here. In regions remote from cities, there are numerous farms, in connection with this, most of the rural population of Europe is engaged in animal husbandry. Each of the above countries receives a considerable share of income from tourism. This region is considered one of the most visited in the world, because there are hotels and restaurants for every taste and budget. But nevertheless, agriculture is considered the most important, and most importantly, the most ancient in Southern Europe. Nature decreed that it is here that olives, grapes, citrus fruits, dates, legumes grow best, and, of course, a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.

Conclusion

The region of Southern Europe is not only an attractive and picturesque corner of the world, but also a historically important territory. A significant part of world culture was born here, which later spread to other areas of the planet. The great heritage of Greece and Rome, the barbarism of Gaul and other regions of the Iberian Peninsula - all this came together and became the basis for our current traditions.

The article contains geographical characteristics of the region. Describes the economic features 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 championing of Christianity throughout Europe. This region has produced the world's greatest explorers and conquerors. Southern Europe has a grandiose history. Evidence of this can be architectural structures and monuments of art.

The region's economy is based on:

mining industry;
animal husbandry;
agriculture;
the manufacture of machines and devices;
skin;
textiles;
cultivation of 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.

List of Southern European countries and their capitals

Southern Europe is a region of the globe, which is localized in the southern European latitudes.

Rice. 3. Maltese representation in Rome.

The states that make up the content of the region are located for the most part on the Mediterranean coast.

Belgrade received city status in the 2nd century. This happened during the existence of the Roman Empire. Around the year 520, Slavic people began to inhabit the city.

The total population is close to 160 million people.

States of Southern Europe 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 in 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 of the region are historically and economically closely connected with the sea.