The Mezziogiorno Region Agricultue

Question 1

Cimate

Answer 1

Hot dry summers and mild damp winters
Local wind called the Siroco blows north from the Sahara
Apennines cooler than coastal lowlands
Relief rain in winter
East coast drier than west coast due to rain shadow
High evaporation rates

Question 2

Climate summer

Answer 2

High pressure 
Dry
Cloudless skies 
Little or no rainfall 
Daytime temperatures of 30 degrees 
Drought leads to low crop yields

Question 3

Climate Winter

Answer 3

Low pressure from the Atlantic
Frontal and relief rainfall
Temperatures of 12 degrees

Question 4

Relief

Answer 4

85% of the region are hilly or mountainous
Narrow coastal plains
Unstable geology due to African plate pushing north into Italy
Earthquake are regular occurrence
Volcanic mountains present EG Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna

Question 5

Soils

Answer 5

Are thin and poor
Deforestation and heavy winter rains lead to soil erosion on slopes
Eroded soils were deposited in river channels leading to them overflowing there floodplain making swamps
Region of Campania near Mount Vesuvius has very fertile soil near from volcanic dust

Question 6

Livestock

Answer 6

Rugged relief and poor soil limit agriculture
Summer drought and thin soil lead to poor grazing
Livestock largely confined to sheep and goats
Cattle numbers are very low

Question 7

Tree crops

Answer 7

True crops are suited to the dry conditions of the Mezzogiorno
They have deep roots
Can grow on slopes
Tree crops include vines, peaches, almonds, plums, lemon, pears, limes and oranges

Question 8

Winter wheat

Answer 8

Winter wheat sown in late Autumn
Grows in mild damp winter months
Ripens in summer an harvested on the finer summer days
Crop processed into pasta

Question 9

Government scheme set up to help region

Answer 9

Cassa il Mezziogiorno

Question 10

Cassa il Mezziogiorno

Answer 10

Transferred 10% of lands from landlords to tenant farmer
Trained farmers in profitable farming methods Eg cash crops, winter wheat and a great variety of crops olives, vine and citrus fruit
The autostrada del sol was built so transport up north
Farm houses were built for farmers near there homes
Spent 20 billion euro 70% on Agriculture

Question 11

Irrigation schemes

Answer 11

Needed to stop drought
Apullian aqueduct is the largest irritation scheme in south Italy
Not sustainable due to high evaporation rates and decrease in river volumne