Mezzogiorno- Italy Flashcards
Name a peripheral region in Europe.
The Mezzogiorno, South Italy
Where is the Mezzogiorno located?
On the Italian peninsula, south of Rome and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily
What regions are in the mezzogiorno?
- Abruzzi
- Molise
- Campania
- Puglia
- Basilicata
- Calabria
- Sicily
- Sardinia
Is the Mezzogiorno a poor region?
Yes, it is one of the poorest regions in the EU.
Why is the Mezzogiorno a peripheral region?
- Underdeveloped
- Harsh climate and landscape
- Low living standards
- High unemployment
- Low population density
- Poor infrastructure
- High outward migration
- Overdependent on primary sector
- Illegal immigration + organised crime
What are incomes in the Mezzogiorno like?
10% lower than the EU average..
How much GDP does the Mezzogiorno generate?
25% despite making up 40% of Italy’s landmass.
What is the unemployment rate in some areas?
20%
How many people emigrated from the Mezzogiorno between 1953-1973?
9 million
What is the climate type?
Mediterranean Climate
What are the summers like?
Hot, dry and sunny. Temperatures reaching 29 degrees in July
What influences the climate?
The Azores high- anticyclone
What does the Azores High cause?
Long dry spells with clear skies. Can cause droughts
What does the extreme south experience?
The Sirocco which is a hot wind from the Sahara which dries.
What does the Sirocco wind also carrying apart from hot wind?
Huge amounts of sand, often reach speeds of 100km/h.
What can the Sirocco wind destroy?
Crops such as vines and fruits.
What is the rainfall like in the summer?
Very low, July 20mm in the form of flash floods.
When can drought occur?
Between June and September.
What are the winters like?
-Winters are mild and damp, temperatures rarely fall below 9 degrees. Frost is rare
How much rainfall occurs between October to March?
500 mm to 900 mm
What causes rainfall to differ from West to East?
Rain shadow caused by the Apennines
How much rain does Naples receive?
700 mm
How much rain does Bari receive?
About 400 mm
What is the most common soil in Italy?
Terra Rossa
How is Terra Rossa formed?
Formed from over-weathered limestone
What is the soil rich in?
Iron oxide
What suitable crops can grow in iron oxide rich soil?
Vines, (viticulture)
Where does soil erosion occur?
On the slopes, due to torrential downpours in summer and overgrazing
Where are richer fertile soils found?
- Around the foothills of volcanoes in the Campania region- Mt. Vesuvius and Sicily- Mt. Etna
- River floodplains, Brandano, Volturno and Agri- alluvium
What is % of the land in the Mezzogiorno classified as?
85% as mountainous or upland
How many km do the Apennine Mountains stretch for?
1200 km
Where are the lowlands in the Mezzogiorno confined to?
- Confined to narrow coastal plain
- Naples-Salerno lowlands in the west
- Apuila lowlands in the east
What are the main rivers found in the area?
- Bandano
- Volturno
- Agri
What two factors lead to reduced volume of water in the rivers?
- Little rainfall
- High evaporation
