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Southern Europe
Southern Europe
Countries include some of the following :• Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Gibraltar,
Andorra and Malta
Southern Europe
• Climatically, less variability from country to
country
• Economically, nations have been slower to
industrialize
• Italy has the highest per capita income in
the south, but it is only 52% of that of its
neighbor, Switzerland
Southern Europe
• Membership in the EU will continue to
provide a boost to their economies
• EU removed most trade barriers among its
European members in 1992
• Capitalize on lower wage rates to expand
their production and sale of industrial
goods
Physical Characteristics
• Generally quite rugged
• Pyrenees, young mountains form a barrier
between France and Spain
• Alps ranging west to east through
Switzerland, Austria and northern Italy
have tended to isolate Italy from Western
Italy
Physical Characteristics
• Population, economic activity, and tourism
are concentrated in coastal lowlands
around the mountains of the region
• Coastal plains in Italy are narrow, but form
important agricultural regions on both the
west and east coasts
Physical Characteristics
• Italy has nearly as many people as Spain,
Portugal, and Greece combined
• Po Valley of northern Italy, is the focus of
economic development in the country
• Major agricultural region of South Europe
and the industrial heart of Italy, with such
industrial cities as Turin, Milan, Parma,
Modena, and Bologna
Physical Characteristics
• Small islands dot the Mediterranean
around the countries of Southern Europe
• Rocky and mountainous and have similar
climates, beaches, and historical
attractions
• Serious environmental problem is pollution
Climate Patterns
• Summer drought and winter rainfall
• 80% of precipitation falls between Dec and
Mar
• Growth of major cities such as Rome,
Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, and Athens has
so clogged the road arteries of the cities
that air pollution is extremely high
Cultural Characteristics
• Important cultural characteristics
• Catholic Church has been the dominant
religious force in the area
• Languages with the exception of Greek
and a few minor tongues are based on
Latin
• Based on the Latin are known as
Romance Languages
Tourism Characteristics
• Pilgrimages are an important element of
tourism, especially to Southern Europe
• Catholic Church has a long tradition of
pilgrimages in the region
• Ranging from small shrines to worldrenowned sites
Tourism Characteristics
• 3 major attractions common to the four
countries can be classified as sun-seasand, religion and historic sites
• Highly seasonal and geographically
concentrated in coastal areas and capitals
• Spain and Italy account for nearly 14% of
the world’s arrivals
• Portugal and Greece significantly smaller
number of visitors
Tourism Characteristics
• Mecca for youthful travelers, who favor
cheap accommodations in campsites,
hostels, or unlicensed rental rooms
• Pleasant climate year round
• Peak tourist season from May to
September
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
• Classical historical and architectural
remains
• Scenic islands
• Picturesque ports
• Flea markets
• Food
• Festivals
• Friendly people
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
Athens and Surrounding Environs
• Major destination is Athens
• Largest city in the Balkan peninsula with
over 3 million population
• Attractions include temple of Athena but
built between 448 and 438 B.C. Olympic
stadium, temple of Olympia, history of
Christians and Muslims on display at the
Byzantine Museum and Benaki Museum
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
• Plaka oldest and picturesque quarter in
Athens
• Handcrafted goods e.g. woven fabrics,
linen wool carpets, sheepskin jackets,
silver jewellery, ceramics, and gold icons
and ornaments
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
• Also near Athens is Marathon, where the
ancient Athenians stopped the invading
Persians.
• 26.2 mile marathon race was derived from
the military runner who carried the news of
the victory to Athens
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
• Olympia was the site of the first Games
started in 776 BC and continued every
• Four years for a thousand years
• Revived in 1896 by the French historian
• Torch became a symbol starting from
Olympia bearing the sacred flame to the
place where the Games are held
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
Thessaloniki(Salonika) and the North
• Second largest city in Greece
• Crossroads of international trade
• Northern Greece(Macedonia) has
numerous beaches, beautiful villages
(some with beaches), and rugged terrain
Tourist Destination and
Attractions
The Greek Islands
• Playground of the rich and famous
• Offers a variety of settings, from
mountains capped with snow to palm-lined
beaches, caves, and coves
• Famous islands for tourism in this group is
Patmos, holy island for Christians