Region Southern Europe. Location, climate, cultural characteristics

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

Countries in this region

The states that have settled in this part of the world 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.
• The Vatican is the Vatican.
• Malta is Valletta.

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

Geographical position

The southern part of Europe is conveniently located on the peninsulas, which with their beaches emerge into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. For example, Spain and Portugal, as well as Andorra are on the Iberian peninsula, Italy, San Marino and the Vatican - in the Apennines, and Greece - in the Balkans. Such powers as Cyprus and Malta, at all 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 is very soft and warm. It is so called - Mediterranean, and depending on the latitude, the name varies from subtropical to tropical. Southern Europe is a very mountainous area. In the western part of Spain, France separated from the Pyrenees, in the central Alps they pass clearly along the Italian border, and in the east the Southern Carpathians approach the region.

Territory and population

The diversity of nature, terrain, cultures and population, as well as many mysteries and secrets, holds in itself the historical region of Southern Europe. Its area is 1033 thousand square meters. 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 others prefer to live in villages. For example, in Spain, the percentage of urbanization is 91%, in Italy - 72%, and in Portugal - only 48%. What is noteworthy, almost all of Southern Europe is inhabited by the indigenous inhabitants of this area - Mediterranean Europeans live here. In many countries, the minimum percentage of natural population growth is recorded. Therefore, this race is considered one of the aging on earth.

Local climate and tourism

Everyone knows that the southern European cities are a real magnet for any traveler. Some people go here to explore the sights, but most people come to the Mediterranean resorts to enjoy the local warmth and sunshine. The most important thing is that in the summer months it's not stuffy or sultry, it's just 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 carry the heat. Such famous city-resorts as Genoa, Malaga, Barcelona, Lisbon, Cadiz, Athens, Naples and many others annually collect millions of tourists from different corners of the planet.

Nature and economy

Southern Europe is a rich region. In its bowels the mass of minerals is concentrated - mercury, copper, aluminum, uranium, gas, sulfur, mica and much more. Therefore, the mining industry is well developed here . In remote regions from the cities there are numerous farms, in this regard, a large part of the rural population of Europe engaged in livestock. A considerable portion of the income each of the above-mentioned countries receives from tourism. This region is considered one of the most visited in the world, because there are hotels and restaurants for every taste and purse. But still the most important, and most importantly, the most ancient industry in Southern Europe is agriculture. Nature ordered that it is here that the best grow olives, grapes, citrus, date, legumes, 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. Here arose a significant part of the world culture, which later spread to other areas of the planet. The great legacy of Greece and Rome, the barbarism of Gaul and other regions of the Iberian Peninsula - all this formed into one and became the main for our today's traditions.