16. The Mediterranean

Mediterranean nations

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The northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea contains many important European nations.

Spain, Italy and Greece are the largest and most significant Mediterranean nations. Spain is a monarchy, whereas Italy and Greece are republics.

Nations on the map: 1. Portugal 2. Spain 3. France 4. Italy 5. Slovenia 6. Croatia 7. Bosnia and Herzegovina 8. Serbia 9. Albania 10. Greece 11. Malta 12. Cyprus, 13. Turkey.

Mediterranean climate and vegetation

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The Mediterranean nations are located inside the zone of Mediterranean climate. The climate type is characterized by hot and dry summers, as well as by temperate but rainy winters.

During the winter months, the average temperature in the Mediterranean region is approximately 10 degrees Celsius. During the winter, the region receives plenty of rainfall.

During the summer, the amount of rainfall decreases almost completely. The summer is hot and dry. The average temperature can often exceed 25 degrees Celsius during the summer months.

The Mediterranean climate favors plants with thick or small leaves. These plants can regulate their water consumption during the dry, hot summer. This vegetation type is known as Mediterranean vegetation.

Livelihoods of Mediterranean nations

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The Mediterranean climate is suitable for growing olives, citrus fruits and grapes. Grains are farmed during the wet, temperate winters. In Spain, rice is farmed and cooked into paellas, whereas in Italy, wheat is farmed and used to make pasta.

Because the Mediterranean summer is warm and dry, tourists from Northern Europe love to visit the region during the summer. The Mediterranean region is full of important holiday destinations, and many Mediterranean nations base their economies on tourism.

The most important industrial regions of the Mediterranean coast are found in Northern Italy. The Italian industrial sector is known for automobile production. The image below shows cars manufactured by the Italian company Ferrari.

Photographs from Spain

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: A traditional Spanish meal. What kinds of food products typical to the Mediterranean region can you see?
: The Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona. Building work on the church was begun in the year 1882, and it continues to this day.
: F.C. Barcelona is one of the most famous football clubs in the world. Its home stadium (Camp Nou) can accommodate up to 100 000 people.
: Bull fighting is a traditional pastime in some Spanish cities. It is a controversial sport that has received accusations of animal cruelty.

Photographs from Italy

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: The official emblem of Rome, the capital of Italy, is a wolf. It is based on the city's founding myth.
: A part of the Rome city center. The Colosseum can be seen in the middle of the photograph.
: The Colosseum is an important ancient building in Rome.
: The Vatican is a small state located entirely inside the city of Rome.
: Southern Italy is less economically significant than the nation's northern parts, but it is an important tourist destination. The Etna volcano in Sicily.

Photographs from Greece

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: The capital city of Greece is Athens. The Acropolis can be seen in the forefront.
: The Acropolis is an important ancient site in Athens.
: The volcanic island of Santorini is well known for its beauty.
: The island of Skopelos is an example of the beauty of the Greek archipelago.