World Geography November 23, 2010 Italy
Jan 16, 2016
World Geography
November 23, 2010
Italy
In the center of the country you will find the Apennine Mountains, with no peak higher than 10,000 ft above sea level.Experiences much seismic (volcanoes and earthquakes) activity
Flat area in the country lies along the narrow coastal plains
Physical Landscape
The Alps in the North block winds from reaching southern Italy and cooling it down, leaving this climate:Hot and dry in summerMild and wet in winter
Despite lack of flat land and the dry climate Italy has relied heavily on agricultureAs late as 1960 more than 1/3 the population lived and worked on farms
Today only 10%
Population: 58 millionLiving in mountains is hard… so population is concentrated in flat areas
Early 1900s many Italians were forced to migrate because farmland was scarce
Migration
Growth of industry, steel mills, and smaller factories
Major player in development of European Union, which offers it greater economic opportunities (reach a larger and richer market)
Many poor workers would work for low prices, meaning lower priced goods and industry soared
Economic Activities
Regions of Italy
As late as 1861 northern states became united with the rest of Italy
Many differences among the various regions
“European Italy”Po River Valley, plain between Alps
and ApenninesMost productive agricultural area
(wheat, rice)Center of commercial industry
Ski resorts in the AlpsVenice faces flooding and pollution
and sinking ground (subsidence), but is still a popular tourist destination!
Northern Italy
Rome and surrounding regions Capital because…
Central location Former capital of Roman Empire
(historical symbol)Vatican City: area within the city of
Rome (less than one square mile) World HQs of the Roman Catholic
ChurchFlorence is a cultural center in the
region (Michaelangelo, Renaissance)
Central Italy
Mezzogiorno (MET soh ZHOR noh), meaning “midday”… intense noon sun!
Includes islands of Sicily and Sardinia
Poor roads – new highways!Industries after WW2, but have
suffered lately
Many migrate to Naples, but this port city suffers from some of the worst poverty in Europe (too many people, too few jobs)
Southern Italy