Natural and climatic conditions of Italy. Natural conditions in Italy Italy is located in a natural area

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Introduction

3. Population

5. Industry

6. Agriculture

7. Culture

Conclusion

Literature

Introduction

Italy is one of the oldest countries in the world and at the same time it is a relatively young state, appearing on the political map only a little over a hundred years ago after the final unification in 1871 of the separate duchies and kingdoms that previously existed on its territory. Nowadays it is a large capitalist state, part of the "Big Seven Western countries."

Italy is a typical Mediterranean country located in the central part of Southern Europe. Its territory includes the Padana Lowland, the slopes of the Alpine mountain arc facing it, the Apennine Peninsula, the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia and numerous small islands (Aegadian, Lipari, Pontine, Tuscan archipelago, etc.). to the north, on the mainland, Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria and Yugoslavia. In the south it (through the Strait of Tunis) neighbors Africa. The Apennine Peninsula juts deep into the Mediterranean Sea. The coasts of Italy are washed by the seas: in the west - the Ligurian and Turrenian, in the south the Ionian, in the east the Adriatic.

The economic and geographical position in the center of the Mediterranean basin has long been favorable to the development of relations with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as with other countries of Southern Europe. And now it contributes to the economic development of Italy. In the 20th century Of particular importance is Italy's position on the way from the countries of the Middle East with their rich oil fields to the industrial regions of Foreign Europe, whose industry consumes Middle Eastern oil.

Land borders with France, Switzerland and Austria, and partly with the former Yugoslavia, run along the Alps. Northern Italy is in a more advantageous position than Southern Italy, since it has the opportunity to carry out external economic relations both by land and by sea. Transcontinental airline lines pass through Italy.

Italy's geographical position is extremely important from a strategic point of view. NATO considers Italy the basis of its entire military system in Southern Europe and throughout the Mediterranean. The country is home to several dozen US and NATO military bases and training grounds. Italy is an active participant in this military bloc.

In terms of its state structure, Italy since 1946 has been a bourgeois parliamentary republic, headed by a president.

Administratively, Italy is divided into 20 historical regions. The capital of Italy is the city of Rome.

The face of the country has changed a lot over the last century. The glory of modern Italy is created not only by the beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, snow-white peaks of the Alps, orange groves of Sicily, vineyards of Tuscany and Lazio, not only by the gold deposits of countless monuments of centuries-old Italian culture, but also by cars produced in the country, chemical products, fashionable clothes and shoes, popular movies all over the world.

1. Natural and climatic conditions

One of the most characteristic features of the country’s nature is the widespread development of volcanic and seismic processes, as well as modern land movements, due to the fact that Italy is located in the zone of young Alpine folding.

Italy's northern, very winding land border runs along the ridges of the Alps for almost its entire length. However, it constitutes only 20% of Italian borders. Italy is predominantly a maritime country. Of the 9.3 thousand km of its borders, 4/5 are sea.

The coastline of Italy is relatively little dissected; there are few convenient bays. Almost all major ports are constructed artificially. Only in Southern Italy there are ports in natural bays and bays (Naples, Salerno, Taranto, Cagliari).

The elongation of Italy from north to south causes large climatic differences between individual regions - from the moderate warm climate of the Padan Plain to the pronounced subtropical climate of Sicily.

Actually, only the climate of peninsular and island Italy can be called Mediterranean. The climate of the Padana Plain, with the same hot summers as on the Apennine Peninsula, but with cold and foggy winters, can be considered transitional from subtropical to temperate. Here the influence of the warm Ligurian Sea is prevented by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines, while at the same time colder air from the Adriatic freely penetrates here. The average temperature in January on the Padan Plain is about 0°C, and in July - +23-24°C. In autumn, cyclones actively form here. In winter there is always snow, and there are often frosts down to 10°C. Of the 600 - 1000 mm of annual precipitation, half occurs in spring and summer. Heavy, even catastrophic downpours are not uncommon in Northern Italy. Summer rains are often accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

The climate of the Alps varies with altitude from warm temperate to cold. In the mountains, snow lasts for several months, but on the mountain tops it never melts.

The Mediterranean climate is clearly expressed in the south of the Apennine Peninsula and on the islands. Summer here is dry and hot (average July temperature is +26°C), winter is mild and warm (average January temperature is +8-10°C). In the northern and central parts of the Apennine Peninsula, the average temperatures are different - +24°C in July and +1.4-4°C in January. Snow falls very rarely on the Apennine Peninsula. From March to October, the sirocco blows in southern Italy - a dry and hot wind from Africa, bringing temperatures up to +30-35°C and reddish dust. Puglia has the driest place in Italy, with only 197 mm of precipitation per year. The coastal regions of Italy, especially the Ligurian Riviera, the coast of the Ionian Sea, the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, are characterized by a particularly mild climate. Here, the difference between the average temperatures of the coldest month (January) and the hottest (July) is approximately 15°C. Therefore, along the coasts of Italy, especially on the Ligurian Riviera, famous climatic resorts stretch in a chain.

2. Vegetation and fauna

The soil cover of Italy is very diverse. In the north, in the Alps, mountain-meadow and mountain-forest soils are common. The southern foothills of the Alps and most of the Padan plain are covered with brown forest soils. In the mid-altitude zone of the Alps they are infertile. In coastal areas near the Adriatic Sea, marshy soils are found.

The vegetation of Italy is even more diverse. However, dense population and centuries of human activity have led to the fact that cultural landscapes predominate everywhere in the country, with the exception of the highlands. Forests occupy only 20% of the territory, mainly in the mountains and hills, while the plains are practically treeless.

The rather monotonous landscape of the densely populated and almost entirely cultivated Padan Plain is enlivened here and there by oak, and less often by birch or pine groves. Alleys of poplars, willows, and white acacias border the roads and banks of canals and rivers.

A wide strip of evergreen trees and shrubs stretch along the coastal lowlands of the Apennine Peninsula and islands. Among the wild species that stand out here are evergreen holm and cork oaks, pine and alpine pines, mastic trees, palm trees, cacti, and agaves. However, cultivated species predominate here, primarily subtropical ones - citrus fruits, olives, almonds, pomegranates, figs, cork oak groves planted by humans.

In the mountains of Italy, altitudinal zonation is clearly visible.

Since the Alps and the Apennines are located in different natural zones, the belt of subtropical vegetation is characteristic only of the foothills of the Apennines. At an altitude of 500-800 m above sea level in the Apennines, subtropical vegetation gives way to deciduous forests. In the Alps, they represent the lower plant zone. These are predominantly oak forests, with an admixture of chestnut, hornbeam, ash, and beech. Cultivated plants in this belt include fruit trees, vineyards, and crops of rye, oats, and potatoes. Higher up begins the belt of mixed coniferous-beech forests. Their lower limit in the Alps is 900 m, and in the Apennines - 2000 m. In spring and autumn, herds graze among beech groves, and in summer they are driven even higher.

At an altitude of about 1500m in the Alps and 2000m in the Southern Apennines and Sicily, the highest forest belt begins - coniferous forests, consisting of various types of pine, European spruce and fir.

Above the coniferous forests, subalpine tall grass meadows begin.

They give way to alpine meadows. The Alps are especially famous for their rich and lush mountain meadows. Mountain meadows are used as summer pastures. Above the mountain meadows to the very peaks or glaciers, the slopes are covered with mosses and lichens. In the Apennines, more often than in the Alps, bare slopes are found - the result of deforestation, erosion and landslides.

In the coastal zone of the Apennine Peninsula and the island of Sicily, brown subtropical soils are common, very favorable for the cultivation of grapes and other southern crops. On the low plateaus of the Apennine foothills and on the island of Sardinia, humus-carbonate and mountain-forest brown soils predominate. In the lowlands, hills and low mountains of the coasts of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, red Mediterranean soils were formed on limestone, especially suitable for growing fruit trees and grapes. There are soils formed on volcanic rocks. Alluvial soils are common along the river valleys.

The soil conditions of Italy are quite favorable to agriculture, although not equally everywhere. The most fertile soils are on the plains and in low hilly areas.

Due to the destruction of forests, increasing population density and the area of cultivated land in Italy, few wild animals remain. Only in remote areas of the Alps and Apennines, mainly in nature reserves, are there bears, wolves, chamois, roe deer, and on the island of Sardinia - mouflon, fallow deer, and wild forest cat. Wild boars are widespread. There are many foxes in the Alps. Small predators and rodents (weasels, martens, marmots, squirrels), as well as hares, are much better preserved. Hedgehogs and bats are ubiquitous. The world of reptiles and birds is rich. Italy abounds in lizards, snakes, and turtles. The bird fauna numbers about 400 species. In the mountains there are goshawks, vultures, and golden eagles, and in the highlands of the Alps - wood grouse, hazel grouse, ptarmigan, and swifts. On the plains, along the shores of lakes, there are many geese and ducks. Of marine fish, mullet, cod, sardines, tuna, and flounder are of great commercial importance, and of river fish, carp, trout, and eel are of great commercial importance.

To protect flora and fauna in Italy, four national parks have been created: Gran Paradiso, Stelvio, Circeo, Abruzzio. These are just small islands of wild nature with a total area of about 2 thousand square meters. km. Gran Paradiso and Stelvio were created in the Alps to protect high-altitude flora and fauna. Abruzzio was formed for the same purposes in the highest part of the Apennines. Circeo was created on the coast to protect not only forests, but also peculiar coastal forms - grottoes, cliffs, etc. Protective areas are being created to protect soils from erosion. However, all these measures are far from sufficient to preserve Italian nature from rapid and steady changes by human activity.

The lack of proper organization of nature conservation leads to further destruction of forests, irrational use of land for construction, reduction of the area of national parks, and destruction of forest fauna. As a result of the depopulation of mountain villages on abandoned lands, located mostly on steep slopes, soil erosion and the danger of landslides and floods are increasing.

Pollution of inland and sea waters is very noticeable. Many rivers have already become dangerous to use for water supply to cities. Industrial waste from numerous coastal enterprises pollutes the Mediterranean Sea and damages coastal fauna and flora. Thus, the discharge of wastewater into a lagoon near the city of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia endangers flamingos and other rare birds that stop here during seasonal migrations. The unbridled growth of seaside tourist centers has led to the fact that about half of the Italian coasts can now be considered destroyed or, in any case, lost for the rational development of tourism.

The habitat in large industrial cities is in a dangerous state. Italian cities are one of the last in the world for landscaping. The development of industry and road transport has led to air pollution, which in the centers of the chemical industry exceeds all permissible standards.

In general, in Italy, environmental problems are becoming more acute every year, and not enough money is allocated to solve them. The situation is complicated by the uncontrolled activities of private entrepreneurs.

3. Population

Italy ranks second in Europe (after Germany) in terms of population. The population of Italy is 57.5 million people (June 1989). About 98% of the population of Italy are Italians, a little over 2% are representatives of other nations. The national minorities of Italy are fairly compact groups that have lived for many centuries in a certain territory. In the north of the country in the border areas live Romansh (mainly Friuls) - 350 thousand people, French - about 70 thousand people, Slovenes and Croats - about 50 thousand people; in southern Italy and on the island of Sicily - Albanians (about 80 thousand people); in the south of the country - Greeks (30 thousand people); on the island of Sardinia - Catalans (10 thousand people); Jews (about 50 thousand people), etc.

The official language is Italian. It belongs to the Romance group of Indo-European languages. The entire diversity of Italian dialects is usually classified into three large groups: dialects of Northern, Central and Southern Italy.

By religion, Italians are Catholics. Although the church in Italy is separated from the state, it actively intervenes in the political life of the country and has a great influence on wide circles of the population. In the western part of Rome, one block is occupied by the Vatican State - a theocratic monarchy. Its head, the Pope, is at the same time the head of the entire Catholic Church.

The population is very unevenly distributed throughout the country, its average density is 189 people per 1 sq. km the most densely populated areas of Italy are the plains of Campania, Lombardy and Liguria, where per square meter. m has over 300 inhabitants. This is due to favorable conditions for the development of intensive agriculture, diversified industry, port activities and tourism. The province of Naples in Campania is particularly crowded, where per 1 sq. km concentrated 2531 people. Mountainous areas are much less populated. Here the population density drops to 35 people per 1 sq. km, in the arid and economically underdeveloped areas of Sardinia and Basilicata, the population density is 60 people per 1 sq. km.

The number of economically active persons is decreasing. Over the past decades, the employment structure of the population has changed dramatically as a result of the transition of labor from agriculture to industry and the service sector, and the increasing migration of rural residents to cities. Currently, 12.8% of the economically active population is employed in agriculture, 36.4% in industry, and 50.8% in the service sector.

The population of Italy is highly mobile within the country. It is striking that migration flows are directed from economically underdeveloped regions of the South to the industrial North. The concentration of population in Rome and its environs is increasing, which is associated with the metropolitan role of this city.

Italy is constantly characterized by mass emigration. Tens of thousands of people leave it every year. This is due to the difficult living conditions of the peasantry, unemployment and low wages of workers. The standard of living of Italian workers is one of the lowest in the developed capitalist countries of Europe. Previously, Italy was characterized by emigration overseas. In the post-war period, temporary and seasonal emigration to the countries of the Common Market increased, especially to Germany and France. The balance of external migration in Italy is negative.

Italy is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. The distribution of the population is influenced by the intensive urbanization process. The bulk of the urban population is concentrated in Northern Italy. Most cities in Italy arose in the ancient and Middle Ages. They are world famous as unique historical museums with architectural monuments of antiquity and works of art. Among them, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa, and Bologna stand out.

The class composition of the population is characterized by a large proportion of the urban and rural proletariat, poor peasants, artisans and handicraftsmen. The dominant position is occupied by a small industrial, commercial and agricultural bourgeoisie.

4. Economic and geographical differences

Italy is an economically developed state. In terms of its share in world production (3.6% in 1985), it is second only to the USA, Japan, Germany, France and Great Britain. Italy is an industrial-agrarian country. Industrial products make up the majority of Italian exports.

Only in a few capitalist countries can one find such sharp differences in levels of economic development as exist between the North and South of Italy.

Within the North, the triangle formed by the cities of Milan, Turin and Genoa is the region of the most highly developed industry. Milan is the second most populous city in Italy. This city ranks first in the development of industry, trade and financial functions, which is why it is often called the business capital of the country. Milan is surrounded by satellite cities, many of which serve it with their production. Milan is also widely known for its La Scala opera house. The face of Turin is determined by the automobile factories of the Fiat concern. Associated with them are enterprises of other companies specializing in the production of tires, ball bearings and electrical cables. The large industry of the North is served by Genoa (900 thousand inhabitants) - the country's largest port. The city and its suburbs, stretching along the sea, are home to many industrial enterprises. The coast of the Gulf of Genoa is also of great resort importance.

The northeastern part of the North, where Venice stands out for its industry, is less industrially developed. This city is famous for its unique canal streets and architectural monuments. Waste from industrial enterprises and municipal services polluting the Venice Lagoon, frequent floods and the gradual sinking of the city create the problem of saving the world-famous architectural monuments of Venice from destruction.

The capital occupies a special place in Italy, as in all countries of the world. Rome is located in the central part of the Apennine Peninsula, away from the sea. It is the main administrative, political and cultural center of the country. Although Rome currently has military, chemical and some other industries, its industrial importance is still small. The city has gained worldwide fame thanks to its numerous historical and architectural monuments and it is no coincidence that it is one of the largest tourism centers in the world.

The backwardness of Southern Italy created the so-called problem of the South in the country. After the Second World War, a large metallurgical plant in Taranto, several petrochemical plants, and nuclear power plants were built here, but this only slightly increased the industrial activity of the South. Naples is the most important industrial and cultural center of Southern Italy. As a passenger port it ranks first in the country, and in terms of cargo turnover it is second only to Genoa. Famous resorts are located in Naples and its surroundings.

Agriculture in Southern Italy is characterized by backward agricultural technology and low yields. While part of the landowner's land is empty or used for grazing livestock, the peasants suffer from land shortage. They use every piece of land, and in mountainous areas they carry out complex work on constructing terraces and supporting walls that protect areas from erosion.

The South provides the bulk of emigrants.

As a result of a strong earthquake in southern Italy at the end of 1980, many settlements were destroyed here. This further weakened the economic position of Southern Italy.

5. Industry

Industry is the leading sector of the Italian economy. It provides about 2/5 of national income and accounts for more than 2/5 of all employment.

Italy is very insufficiently and unevenly provided with raw materials and energy resources. Among the country's mineral resources, natural gas, pyrites, polymetallic ores, potassium salts, cinnabar (mercury ore), asbestos and some others stand out in terms of their industrial or export importance. The Italian manufacturing industry is based primarily on imported raw materials.

Italian industry is dominated by heavy industry, the leading role in which belongs to mechanical engineering. Metallurgy, electric power, chemical and petrochemical industries have also developed significantly in recent years. Basically, the country has developed industries that require skilled labor, relatively few raw materials and fuel and produce mostly mass products. Italy's oil refining industry is the most powerful in Europe. It provides not only domestic demand, but also the largest export of petroleum products among all European countries. Oil is delivered to Italy via the Mediterranean Sea mainly from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. The largest oil refinery was built on the island of Sicily, in the city of Milazzo. Since Italian refineries use mainly imported oil brought in by sea, most of them are located near seaports, especially in the South. In the North, with its extensive pipeline system, oil refineries are close to the consumer - to large industrial centers. The use of local and imported natural gas is of great importance for the entire Italian economy. Rich natural gas deposits have been developed in the Po Valley, in the south of the Apennine Peninsula, on the island of Sicily and on the continental shelf in the Ravenna-Rimini area. The demand for natural gas is growing every year; the country imports it from North Africa, the Netherlands and Russia.

Electric power, one of the most technologically advanced industries, plays a very important role in Italy's energy economy. Italy's hydropower resources are almost completely used. In the past, hydroelectric power plants formed the basis of the Italian electricity industry, but in recent years 70% of electricity production has come from thermal power plants. Most of the hydro resources are concentrated in the Alps, where the largest hydroelectric power stations were also built: Grosio, Santa Massenza.

Back in 1905, the world's first geothermal power plants appeared in Larderello (Central Italy), but this type of energy is still underutilized.

The share of nuclear power plants in electricity production is still small. The insufficiency of the fuel and raw material base explains the very significant dependence of most sectors of Italian industry on foreign economic relations. In particular, this applies to a large extent to ferrous metallurgy: coking coal is entirely imported from abroad, mainly from the United States, more than 90% of consumed iron ore, 75% of scrap metal, and 2/3 of manganese ore are imported.

Metallurgy gravitates mainly either to ports through which raw materials and fuel for the industry are imported, or to large mechanical engineering centers, i.e. to sales markets. The largest and technically the Findser association. The core of the industry consists of four large metallurgical plants - in Genoa, Naples, Piombino, Taranto. The main products that go to the world market are thin cold-rolled sheet steel.

Among the branches of mechanical engineering, the automotive industry stands out especially. Italy is one of the largest suppliers of cars to the world market. The main products of the industry are passenger cars. The leading position in the industry is occupied by the FIAT concern - the most powerful private company in Italy and one of the largest companies in the world. The concern's factories, scattered throughout the country, produce not only passenger cars, but also trucks, buses, engines of various types, electric locomotives, trams, trolleybuses, tractors, etc. Most FIAT enterprises are located in Turin and its environs. FIAT automobile factories also appeared in the south of Italy - near Naples and Palermo. The factories of other, less significant automobile companies - FERRARI, MASERATI, LANCIA - are located in the north - in Milan, Turin, Bolzano, Modena, and also near Naples.

Geographical conditions and historical reasons explain the traditional nature of shipbuilding in Italy. About 90% of the country's shipbuilding capacity belongs to the Italcantieri company. On the Adriatic Sea, the most important shipbuilding centers are Monfalcone, Trieste, Venice and Ancona, on the Ligurian Sea - Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, in the south shipbuilding is developed in Naples, Taranto, Messina, Palermo.

In second place after mechanical engineering in terms of the number of employees is the textile industry; one of the oldest industries in Italy, it produces fabrics and yarn from cotton, wool, silk, hemp, flax, jute and chemical fibers, as well as a variety of knitwear. Cotton mills are widely located in the North - in Lombardy and Piedmont, which is facilitated by the abundance of water and cheap electricity from Alpine hydroelectric power stations. The main wool industry areas are located in Tuscany, Piedmont and Venice. Silk industry enterprises are concentrated in the cities of Como and Treviso.

The food industry plays an important role in the Italian economy. The flour milling industry is very important for the country. In the South, the region of Naples especially stands out, where they produce not only flour, but also the famous Italian pasta, the production of which Italy ranks first in the world. There are about a hundred sugar factories scattered across the expanses of the Padan Plain, processing local sugar beets. Canning production is highly developed in the country. Mainly canning fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and fish. Italy has long been famous for its cheese. Almost the entire dairy industry is concentrated in northern Italy, where dairy farming is most developed. Italy produces 1/3 of all olive oil produced in the world.

The furniture industry is developing rapidly in Italy. According to established tradition, Italy produces the largest quantities of “antique” furniture.

The rich deposits of limestone, marble, granites, clays, gypsum, asbestos, etc. available in Italy contribute to the development of the building materials industry. The manufacture of earthenware products is widespread, the traditions of which go back to ancient times.

Italy is one of the first places in the world for the development of the jewelry industry. Florence, Rome, and Venice have long been famous for their jewelry.

industry administrative climatic alps

6. Agriculture

The natural conditions of Italy allow the cultivation of all temperate climate crops, but they are especially favorable for subtropical fruit plants and grapes. In Northern Italy there is the Padana Lowland with fertile alluvial soils, convenient for agriculture. The largest river in Italy, the Po, flows through it and is widely used for irrigation. The climate here is mild, transitional from temperate to subtropical. In Southern Italy, the terrain is mountainous, with narrow strips of lowlands stretching only along the coasts. Rocky, humus-poor soils predominate.

Italy's agriculture contributes 10% of the country's gross national income. It employs 14% of the economically active population. In recent decades, many peasants have left their farms and moved into the sphere of industrial production and services. In terms of agricultural productivity and, especially, livestock productivity, Italy is much inferior to many European countries. Agriculture reached a high level of productivity only in the North, especially in the Padan Plain, where the level of mechanization is high and fertilizers are used to a large extent.

The main branch of Italian agriculture is crop production. Over half of all arable land is occupied by grain crops, including 30% by wheat. On the most fertile lands, wheat is sometimes alternated with corn, the largest yields of which are produced in the northern regions. Rye and oats are grown on the alpine slopes and valleys. Italy ranks first in Foreign Europe in rice production, and in terms of its yield it is one of the leading rice-growing countries in the world. Rice has long been a common food for Italians. It is grown on the irrigated lands of the Padan Plain. Potatoes are planted in many areas of the country, but most of all in Campania. In Italy, various vegetables are grown: tomatoes, cabbage, salads, onions, asparagus, and melons. The main vegetable growing region of the country is also Campania. The most important industrial crop in Italy is sugar beet. More than half of the beet-growing farms are concentrated in the lower reaches of the Po River.

Italy is called "the first garden of Europe." Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, and figs are collected here. Almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are common in the southern regions. Italy is one of the world's largest producers of citrus fruits. Almost all of them are grown in the southern regions, primarily in Sicily. Traditional viticulture plays a huge role in Italian agriculture. In terms of grape harvest, Italy constantly competes with France for first place in the world; 90% of it is processed into wine, the production of which Italy is not inferior to any country in the world. Vineyards are spread throughout and form a characteristic feature of the Italian landscape. Another characteristic Italian crop is the plum. Italy ranks second in the world in olive harvesting after Spain.

Of the industrial crops that provide fiber for the textile industry, cotton, flax and hemp are grown in small quantities in Italy. Flower breeding is becoming increasingly important every year. A significant part of them is exported.

The agrarian system of Italy is characterized by three main types of farms: capitalist, landowners, and farms of land-poor and landless peasants. Capitalist farms, which provide the bulk of marketable products, are common in Northern Italy. They are distinguished by more advanced methods of agricultural technology, a high level of mechanization and the use of hired labor. The predominant form of land lease is monetary. For Southern Italy, a combination of large landownership (latifundia) and small peasant land use is typical, with natural forms of rent predominant.

Agriculture in Italy is diversified, like in France, but is inferior in intensity and level of development. In Italy, the role of livestock farming is gradually increasing. Dairy and meat farming predominates in the north of the country; other regions are characterized by extensive livestock farming with a predominance of small cattle.

Fishing is relatively poorly developed in Italy. The seas surrounding it are not very rich in fish, since the continental shelf is small in area and has few shoals. Freshwater fishing is declining every year as a result of industrial waste pollution of river and lake waters.

7. Culture

Italy is rightly called a museum country. This is evidenced by numerous architectural monuments, museums, and art collections. The cities of Italy are famous for their ancient palaces, cathedrals, monasteries, churches, and unique museums, some of which rank first in the world in terms of the richness of their collections. In almost all cities, the historical center has been restored in accordance with its original appearance. The breath of time in every stone, sun and magnificent beaches, hospitable people and wonderful Italian cuisine. Italy is a country of tourism, where many amazing cities and unique landscapes are concentrated in a relatively small area. It is difficult to navigate such a rich variety of possibilities in a short trip. When planning a vacation in this country, you are faced with difficult choices. But, of course, first of all you need to see those places without which a trip to Italy loses all meaning.

ROME (ROMA). A city unlike any other in the world. An eternal city with a unique face and an extraordinary atmosphere, where architectural structures of different eras and styles - antique, medieval, Renaissance, baroque and modern - do not just coexist, but harmoniously combine. Admire the architectural monuments, follow the routes, sit at a table in a cafe, watch the colorful crowd and you will fall in love with Rome once and for all.

Among the architectural monuments of Rome, it is worth noting St. Peter's Cathedral (Basilica dl San Pietro), Vatican palaces and museums (Palazzi e Musei Vaticani), Pantheon (Panieon), Colosseum (Colosseo), Roman Forum (Foro Romano), Piazza Navona ) with three fountains, the Trevi Fountain (Fontana dei Trevi), Piazza di Spagna and the Church of Trinita dei Monti (Piazza di Spagnia e Trinita dei Monti), the Borghese Gallery (Galena Borghese).

FLORENCE (FIRENZE). The most “Italian” city in the country, reflecting the character and characteristics of culture more than others. This is a symbol of the Renaissance. Its palaces and squares are decorated with works of great figures, and its art galleries contain paintings by brilliant painters. Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Cattedrale di Santa Naria del Fiore), Baptistery (Battistero), Piazza della Signоria and Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio) , Pitti Gallery (Galena Pitti), Medici-Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici-Riccardi), Church of Santa Croce (Chiesa di Santa Croce), Medici Chapel (Cappella Medici).

VENICE (VENEZIA). The northern pearl of Italy, the world famous city-museum on the water. A romantic dream and tourist Mecca, a city of canals and bridges. Take a vaporetto ride along the Grande Canale or a gondola ride along the countless canals, wander around the city on foot at random, and feel the charm of the old narrow streets and lush palazzos. Venice leaves no one indifferent, it enchants and impresses. Every February, the Venice Carnival takes place here - the oldest and most famous among the world's carnivals. Of greatest interest are the Basilica di San Marco, the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the Rialto Bridge (Ponte Rialto), the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, palaces along the Grand Canal and art museums.

VERONA. The ancient city, which became famous thanks to the brilliant tragedy of Shakespeare, in itself, without any doubt, deserves attention. This is one of the most visited cities in Italy, which combines the architecture of antiquity and the Renaissance. Everything here breathes history, and lovers still sigh under the famous balcony of Juliet’s house (Casa di Giuletta). In Verona there is an ancient Roman amphitheater, so preserved that the most famous opera singers still give performances in its arena.

PISA. If you want to get to the Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), visit this quiet and pleasant town in Tuscany, near the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. People come here, first of all, to look at the famous leaning tower (Toge pendente).

SIENA. An ocher medieval town built on three hills in the heart of the high Tuscan plateau. In the city center is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy - Campo (Piazza del Campo), built in the shape of an inverted shell. Every year in August, the world famous Palio festival takes place here - horse racing with almost no rules, accompanied by a costumed procession.

MILAN (MILANO). The financial, industrial and cultural center of the country. The capital of fashion and the richest treasury of art monuments. Milan Cathedral (il Duomo) is the most famous Gothic building in Italy. Milan is home to the most prestigious opera house in the world - La Scala.

Among the architectural monuments in Milan, special mention should be made of the Duomo (il Duomo), the monastery church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the refectory of which there is the famous fresco by Leonardo da Vinci “The Last Supper”, the Brera art gallery (Pinacoteca di Brega) , Sforzesco Castle (Castello Sforzesco).

Italy is visited annually by 50 million foreign tourists, mainly from Germany, France, and the USA. In Italy, the material base for receiving a large number of tourists has long been established. In terms of the number of hotel beds, it ranks first in Foreign Europe.

The magnificent beaches of the four seas washing Italy - the Adriatic Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Ligurian - with a stunningly developed tourist infrastructure attract many tourists from different countries.

The Ligurian Riviera is divided into two parts: Riviera di Ponente - this is the coast from Ventimiglia to Genoa; Riviera di Levante is the coastline from Genoa to La Spezia. Small coves and majestic cliffs, pebble and sandy beaches, palm trees and flowers, water of fantastic color, Ligurian cities from Genoa with its largest aquarium in Europe to small resort towns with hundreds of trattorias - all this is Paradise Bay or Fairytale Bay - that's how the coast is called Liguria. The sea on the Adriatic coast of Rimini (Rimini Riviera) and the Venetian Riviera is calm and shallow. The wide, clean Adriatic beaches of the finest white sand with excellent service are ideal for families with children and for the elderly. Each beach here has colorful rows of beach umbrellas, comfortable sun loungers, changing cabins, and showers. The most famous are on the Riviera of Rimini - Rimini, Riccione, Cattolica, Cervia, on the Venetian Riviera - Lignano and Lido di Esolo at 35 km from Venice.

For those who like to ski high in the mountains and admire the sparkling mountain peaks, we recommend the ski resorts of the northern regions of Italy, such as. Like Piedmont, Trentino, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia. Grandiose landscapes, modern lifting installations, stable snow cover, steep mountain slopes attract many sports enthusiasts to the Italian Alps, the main attraction of which is Mount Blanc (Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco) - the highest peak of the Alps (and Europe), covered with powerful glaciers. And among the numerous ski resorts, the most famous are Madonna di Campiglio, Courmayeur, Cervinia, Sestriere, and the resorts of the Valle d'Aosta region.

The ski resorts of the Dolomiti Alps offer a rich selection of modern tourist services related to winter sports and the uniqueness of natural landscapes, the most significant and luxurious of which is the secular center of skiing and mountaineering Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Conclusion

Italy is located in the south of Europe. On its territory, three parts can be distinguished: mainland (about 1/2 of the area), peninsular (Apennine Peninsula) and island (islands of Sicily, Sardinia and a number of small ones). Sea borders are 4 times longer than land borders. Even the deepest regions of the country are no more than 200 - 300 kilometers from the coast.

Italy's imports are dominated by fuels (oil, coal, coke) and industrial raw materials (scrap metal, cotton); it also imports cars and food. The main role in exports is played by finished products (machinery, equipment, fabrics) and fruits (oranges, lemons). The largest trade turnover is with the countries of the Common Market, Switzerland and the USA.

Italy's foreign trade deficit is partially covered by remittances from Italians working abroad and income from tourism, in the development of which the country has long been one of the first in the world. Over 30 million foreign tourists visit Italy every year. Serving tourists has become one of the most important sectors of the economy.

Literature

1. Galkina T.A., Krasnovskaya N.A. Italy. - M.: Mysl, 1985.

2. Foreign Europe. Series "Countries and Peoples". - M.: Mysl, 1983.

3. Smirnova A.A. By continents and countries: a book for reading on the geography of continents. - M.: Education, 1981.

4. European countries. Italy. - M., 1986.

5. Countries and peoples of the world. T.8. Europe / Italy. - M., 1993.

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Natural areas

Italy lies within the temperate forest zone (in the north) and in the subtropical zone (in the south). The sea has a great influence on the formation of the natural characteristics of Italy, especially its climate. Even the deepest regions of the country are located no more than 200-220 km away. from the sea coast. The nature of Italy and the diversity of its landscapes are also influenced by the significant elongation of its territory from northwest to southeast and the predominance of mountainous hilly terrain. One of the most characteristic features of the country’s nature is the widespread development of volcanic and seismic processes, as well as modern land movements, due to the fact that Italy is located in the zone of young Alpine folding.

Inland waters

Most of the rivers in Italy are short, rather mountain streams that flow directly into the sea or form small river systems. Only in Northern Italy there is a developed network of rivers that are fed by glacial meltwater and heavy rainfall all year round. The largest and deepest river in Italy is the Po, length - 670 km, width - 100-800 m, starting in the west, in the Alps, the Po flows east across the entire Padana Plain and flows into the Adriatic Sea.

The area of its basin occupies about ½ of the country's territory.

Another large river of the Apennine Peninsula is the Tiber, 407 km long and only 150 meters wide. From Rome to the mouth the Tiber is navigable. Through a system of lakes, tributaries and canals, the Tiber is connected to another significant river of the peninsula - the Arno. Both the Tiber and especially the Arno are notorious for their destructive floods. For example, the flood in Florence in 1966 caused huge losses to the economy and cultural monuments.

Most of Italy's lakes are located in the foothills and mountainous regions of the Alps and on the Adriatic coast. These are extensive, with an area of up to 370 square meters. km, reservoirs of glacial origin with depths of more than 400 meters. Lake basins have a mild and healthy microclimate. The shores of the Alpine lakes are famous for their world-class resorts. The largest lakes are located in the regions of Lombardy (often called the lake district) and Veneto. The largest alpine lake in Europe is Lake Garda. Not far from Milan are Lakes Como and Maggiore, which partly belong to Switzerland. Smaller lakes: Iseo, Ledro, Misurino and Idro. The lakes near the Adriatic coast are former lagoons blocked by sand spits. The lakes of central Italy - Trasimeno, Bolsena, Vico, Bracciano, Albano, Nemi were formed as a result of the filling of the craters of some extinct volcanoes with water.

Author Gulnaz Mingazieva asked a question in the section Climate, Weather, Time Zones

natural areas of Italy and their features and received the best answer

Reply from N[guru]
Mainland Italy consists of three different natural zones.
The Apennine Peninsula is located in the south of Italy. According to its characteristics, it belongs to the subtropical landscape zone of Europe. This part of Italy is characterized by hilly terrain, a fairly warm climate with very hot and long summers, and evergreen Mediterranean vegetation. The rivers located in this part are low-water and often dry up in the summer. All islands belonging to Italy also have mountainous terrain and their nature is similar to that of the Apennine Peninsula.
Along the northern part of Italy stretch a beautiful arc of the Italian Alps - a high (more than 4000 m), very sharply and deeply cut by gorges and slopes mountain system. The altitudinal zonation of the landscapes is very clearly visible here - from the broad-leaved forests located at the foot to the ever-lying snow and glaciers on the mountain peaks.
Between these two zones there is a third - the Padanskaya Plain, whose nature is largely Central European, but with features of a transition to the subtropics.
The sea is of great importance for the formation of the characteristics of the natural zones of Italy, and especially the influence on the climate. Even areas located in the very interior of the country are no more than 220 km from the seashore. .
An important feature of the nature of Italy is the constantly continuing development of volcanic and seismic processes and modern land movements, due to the location of Italy in the zone of young mountain folding.

Answer from 3 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: natural areas of Italy and their features

Geography of Italy

The magnificent country of Italy, which has long attracted a huge number of tourists from different parts of the world, is located in the south of Europe. In the north, Italy borders with Switzerland and Austria, in the east with Slovenia, and in the northwest with France. In the east it is washed by the Adriatic Sea, in the south by the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ligurian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Within Italy there are also the tiny states of San Marino and Vatican City, to visit which you don’t even need a visa.

Italy also owns the islands of Elba, Sicily and Sardinia, several small islands. The area of the country is about 301,302 km2. More than half of the country's territory is located on the Apennine Peninsula. In the north are the Italian Alps with the country's highest point - Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) (4807 m). On the territory of Italy there are also Monte Rosa (4634 m) and Monte Cervino (4478 m). Between the Alps and the Apennines lies the vast Lombardy (Padan) plain, including the Po River valley. The Apennines stretch from the Gulf of Genoa to the Gulf of Tarentum in Calabria. The highest point of the Apennines is Mount Corno (2914 m); Only about a third of the country's territory is occupied by plains. In addition to the Lombardy Plain, this is the coast of the Adriatic Sea, as well as three narrow flat strips along the western coast: Campania di Roma, Pontine Marshes and Maremma.

It is worth noting that a large number of rivers flow through Italy, the most important of which are the Po and Adige, located in the north of the country and flowing into the Adriatic Sea. The Tiber and Arno flow on the peninsula itself. Italy also has a large number of lakes, the largest being Garda, Lago Maggiore, Como and Lugano in the north and Trasimeno, Bolsena and Bracchiano in the south.

The mountains in Italy run from Genoa to Trieste. The mountain range of Italy is formed by the Apennines, stretching from Genoa down almost to Sicily. The Po Valley in the northeast forms the largest lowland and contains the most densely populated industrial areas. Three active volcanoes - Stromboli on the Aeolian Islands, Vesuvius near Naples and Etne on Sicily - cause the country to occasionally experience tremors and earthquakes, the strongest of which were recorded in 1908 and 1980.

As for the climate of Italy, it differs greatly in different regions: from close to arctic high in the Alps to subtropical on the coast of the Ligurian Sea and the western coast of the southern part of the peninsula. This is determined by the territorial extent in longitude. In the north of Italy (Padan Plain) the climate type is transitional, from subtropical to temperate continental. Hot summer (July from +22 C to +24 C) and cold, foggy winter (January - about 0 C).

The climate of peninsular and island Italy is Mediterranean, which means that 2/3 of the year there are clear blue skies, and summers are hot and dry (in July +26 C), and warm, mild winters (from +8 C to +10 C in January) . In the south of the peninsula, dry hot winds from the Sahara - sirocco - blow from March to October. During this period the temperature rises to approximately +35 C)

Winters in the Alps are usually very harsh, with snow falling as early as mid-September, which makes Italy extremely attractive for skiers.

Nature of Italy

As you know, Italy is located within the temperate forest zone (in the north) and in the subtropical zone (in the south). The sea has a great influence on the formation of the natural characteristics of Italy, especially its climate. Even the deepest regions of the country are located no more than 200-220 km away. from the sea coast. The nature of Italy and the diversity of its landscapes are also influenced by the significant elongation of its territory from northwest to southeast and the predominance of mountainous hilly terrain.

It is worth noting that one of the most characteristic features of the country’s nature is the widespread development of volcanic and seismic processes, as well as modern land movements, due to the fact that Italy is located in the zone of young Alpine folding.

Climate of Italy

Italy is characterized by large climatic differences between individual regions - from the moderate warm climate of the Padan Plain to the pronounced subtropical climate of Sicily.

Only the climate of peninsular and island Italy can be called Mediterranean. The climate of the Padana Plain, with the same hot summers as on the Apennine Peninsula, but with cold and foggy winters, can be considered transitional from subtropical to temperate. Here the influence of the warm Ligurian Sea is prevented by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines, while at the same time colder air from the Adriatic freely penetrates here. The average temperature in January on the Padan Plain is about 0°, and in July - +23-24°. In autumn, cyclones actively form here. In winter there is always snow, and there are often frosts down to 10°. Of the 600 - 1000 mm of annual precipitation, half occurs in spring and summer. Heavy, even catastrophic downpours are not uncommon in Northern Italy. Summer rains are often accompanied by thunderstorms and hail. The Mediterranean climate is clearly expressed in the south of the Apennine Peninsula and on the islands. Summer here is dry and hot (average July temperature is +26°), winter is mild and warm (average January temperature is + 8-10°). In the northern and central parts of the Apennine Peninsula, the average temperatures are different - + 24° in July and + 1.4-4° in January. Snow falls very rarely on the Apennine Peninsula. From March to October, the sirocco blows in southern Italy - a dry and hot wind from Africa, bringing temperatures up to + 30-35° and reddish dust.

As for the climate of the Alps, it varies with altitude from moderately warm to cold. In the mountains, snow lasts for several months, but on the mountain tops it never melts.

The slopes of the Carnic Alps receive the most precipitation - 3000 mm. In the remaining Alpine regions, an average of 1000 mm falls annually.

The Mediterranean precipitation regime (maximum in winter, minimum in summer) is characteristic of the entire peninsular and island Italy.

Puglia has the driest place in Italy, with only 197 mm of precipitation per year.

In the upper part of the Apennine Mountains the climate is cold, and in the closed intermountain valleys it is sharply continental.

The areas of the Ligurian Riviera, the coast of the Ionian Sea, the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, are characterized by a particularly mild climate. Here the difference between the average temperatures of the coldest month (January) and the hottest (July) is approximately 15°. Therefore, along the coasts of Italy, especially on the Ligurian Riviera, famous climatic resorts stretch in a chain.

Relief and geological structures

Most of Italy's surface is occupied by mountains and hills, and less than 1/4 of its area is in the Padan plain and narrow coastal lowlands.

Italy is separated from the rest of the continent by the Alps, the highest mountain range in Europe. The giant arc of the Alps, curved to the northwest, stretches from west to east for 1200 km. The highest, western part of them is the ancient Hercynian massif, composed of crystalline rocks. It is here that the highest peaks of the Alps are located: Mont Blanc (4807 m), Monte Rosa (4634 m), Cervina (4478 m). The tops of these mountains are covered with powerful glaciers. To the south, the Alps drop to 1000 m above sea level (Alpes-Maritimes). To the east, the chain of mountains fan out, and their height drops to 2000 m (Carnic Alps).

The Alpine mountain ranges are characterized by numerous valleys and passes through which roads and railways pass; in some places the mountains are pierced by tunnels. The natural resources of the Alps have been extensively used by man for a long time. It is enough to recall at least the large reserves of energy contained in Alpine rivers, the numerous climatic and ski resorts, and the extraction of building materials. People have long settled in the picturesque Alpine valleys with their fertile climate, and now there are many cities there (Aosta, Sondrio, Bolzano, etc.)

In the southwest, the Alps turn into the Apennine Mountains, which, bordering the Ligurian Gulf, stretch further across the entire Apennine Peninsula. The Apennines are one of the youngest mountains on earth. In their length (1500 km) they exceed the Alps, but are much inferior to them in height. Their highest point, Mount Corno, reaches only 2914 m above sea level. The peaks of the Apennines do not reach the snow line and are devoid of eternal snow; only on the eastern slopes of Monte Corno, the only glacier in the Apennines descends to a height of 2690 m.

The Apennines are very diverse in their geological structure and topography. The mountains in Tuscany, the central Apennines, Campania and Brasilicata are composed of conglomerates, sandstones and limestones, as well as shales and marbles. To the south in Calabria they are composed of ancient, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. The same rocks are also characteristic of the mountains of Sicily and Sardinia.

Due to the wide distribution of limestones in Italy, in many areas - in the Eastern Alps, Northern and Central Apennines, on the Murge and Gargano plateaus, in Sicily, Sardinia, all forms of surface and closed karst are found: sinkholes, wells, carr fields, cave grottoes. In the Alps there is one of the deepest caves in the world - Antrio del Corchia (805 m). In total, there are about 70 large caves and several hundred grottoes in Italy. The Blue Grotto on the shores of the island of Capri is famous all over the world.

The only extensive lowland in Italy is the Padana Plain, which occupies most of the Po River basin. The remaining lowlands, small in area, stretch along the coasts. The Padan Plain gradually decreases from west to east. In its hilly western part there are orchards and vineyards, and in the lower reaches of the river. Po - livestock, grain and beet growing areas. The Padana Plain is not only the main breadbasket of Italy, but also the most industrially developed region of the country.

It is no secret that Italy is one of the few European countries where earthquakes occur frequently. Often they are catastrophic in nature. In the 20th century Over 150 earthquakes have been registered in the country. The zone of greatest seismic activity occupies Central and Southern Italy. The last strong earthquake occurred in November 1980. It covered a vast territory - 26 thousand square meters. km (from the city of Naples to the city of Potenza).

Italy is the only country on the continent where there are volcanoes of different types and in different stages of development. There are also extinct volcanoes that once housed lava.

Inland waters

In Italy there are practically no powerful full-flowing rivers, rather mountain streams flowing directly into the sea or forming relatively small river systems. Only in northern Italy there is a developed network of rivers that are fed year-round by glacial meltwater and heavy rainfall. The axis of the northern Italian river network is the largest and deepest river in Italy - Po is 670 km long and has a width of 100 to 800 meters or more. The area of its basin occupies about 1/4 of the country's territory. Starting in the west, in the Alps, the Po flows east across the entire Padana Plain and flows into the Adriatic Sea. In some places, in the lower reaches, the Po bed lies higher than the surrounding plain. This required the construction of numerous dams to protect against floods, which are not uncommon here. The river, with its tributaries and canals, forms a large shipping system.

The left tributaries of the Po flow from the Alps, and the right tributaries from the Apennines. The left tributaries are fed mainly by melted glacial waters in summer. The Apennine tributaries of the Po are small, turbulent mountain rivers that are fullest in the spring, when the snow melts and there is heavy rain, and in the rainy autumn.

The remaining rivers of mainland Italy, not included in the Po system, are fullest in June, as a result of the melting of winter snow and the fall of summer rains.

The largest river of the Apennine Peninsula is the Tiber, which is 405 km long and only 150 m wide. From Rome to the mouth, the Tiber is navigable.

Through a system of lakes, tributaries and canals, the Tiber is connected to another significant river of the peninsula - the Arno. Both the Tiber and especially the Arno are notorious for their destructive floods. For example, the flood in Florence in 1966 caused huge losses to the economy and cultural monuments.

As for the large rivers of the Apennine Peninsula of the Mediterranean type, they are deep in autumn and winter and become shallow in summer. Numerous small rivers dry up completely in summer, and in autumn and winter they turn into turbulent streams.

Minerals

Some of them are small, scattered throughout the territory, and often lie in an inconvenient location for development.

One of the most famous minerals in Italy is iron ore. It has been mined for 2,700 years, and is now preserved only in Aosta and on the island of Elba.

Italy is much richer in deposits of polymetallic ores, in which lead and zinc are combined with an admixture of silver and other metals. These deposits are mainly associated with crystalline and metamorphic rocks of Sardinia and limestones of the Eastern Alps. Italy ranks one of the first places in the world in reserves of mercury ore - cinnabar, located in Tuscany. Bauxite deposits are being developed in the karst depressions of Apulia, however, they are now almost exhausted. There are manganese deposits in Liguria and Central Italy.

Italy's energy resources satisfy only 15% of its energy needs. In Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, and Calabria there are deposits of brown and low-quality coal. Limited oil reserves on the island of Sicily, the Padanian Plain and the east coast of Central Italy provide less than 2% of Italy's oil needs. The natural gas deposits of the Padana Plain and its underwater continuation - the continental shelf of the Adriatic Sea - are very important for the country's economy, as well as natural gas discovered in the Northern, Central and Southern Apennines and Sicily.

Deposits of sulfur, potash and rock salt, asphalt, and bitumen are concentrated on the island of Sicily.

It is worth noting that the bowels of Italy are rich in building materials - marble, granite, travertine, etc. The famous white Carrara marble is mined in Carrara (Tuscany), which was used by the ancient Romans to create many sculptures and decorate buildings. Nowadays, it is not only used in the country, but also exported.

Soils

The soil cover in Italy is very diverse. In the north, in the Alps, mountain-meadow and mountain-forest soils are common. The southern foothills of the Alps and most of the Padan plain are covered with brown forest soils. In the mid-altitude zone of the Alps they are infertile. In coastal areas near the Adriatic Sea, marshy soils are found.

There are soils formed on volcanic rocks. Alluvial soils are common along the river valleys.

The soil conditions of Italy are quite favorable to agriculture, although not equally everywhere. The most fertile soils are on the plains and in low hilly areas.

Vegetable world

The vegetation of Italy is diverse, but dense population and centuries of human activity have led to the fact that cultural landscapes predominate everywhere in the country, with the exception of the highlands.

As a rule, forests occupy only 20% of the territory, mainly in the mountains and hills, while the plains are practically treeless.

In the mountains of Italy, altitudinal zonation is clearly visible. Since the Alps and the Apennines are located in different natural zones, the belt of subtropical vegetation is characteristic only of the foothills of the Apennines. At an altitude of 500-800 m above sea level in the Apennines, subtropical vegetation gives way to deciduous forests. In the Alps, they represent the lower plant zone. These are predominantly oak forests, with an admixture of chestnut, hornbeam, ash, and beech. Cultivated plants in this belt include fruit trees, vineyards, and crops of rye, oats, and potatoes. Higher up begins the belt of mixed coniferous-beech forests. Their lower limit in the Alps is 900 m, and in the Apennines - 2000 m. In spring and autumn, herds graze among beech groves, and in summer they are driven even higher.

At an altitude of about 1500 m in the Alps and 2000 m in the Southern Apennines and Sicily, the highest forest belt begins - coniferous forests, consisting of various types of pine, European spruce, and fir.

Above the coniferous forests, subalpine tall grass meadows begin.

Geography and regions

Mountains, rivers, plains

4/5 of the territory are mountains and foothills - Italy includes two large mountain systems: the Apennines and the southern slopes of the Alps.

The Apennines, a range of limestone hills from Genoa to Sicily, formed by later geological movement, divides the country into two zones. The eastern slopes are gentler, the western ones are steeper. The peaks of this limestone chain are lower than those of the Alps. In the area from Naples to Sicily, tectonic plates move, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and noticeable changes in sea level.

The Italian Alps, which arose as a result of the folding of the earth's crust in the Tertiary period, form a giant barrier between Italy and northern Europe. They are divided into the Piedmontese, Lombardy, South Tyrol and Venetian Alps. In the Piedmont Alps there are high (more than 4000 m) massifs of Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc, and Monte Rosa. In the upper zone of the Italian Alps there are significant glaciers. The most important passes through which communication routes with European countries pass - Spluga, Brenner, Mont Cenis, Simplon Saint Gotthard - lie at an altitude of over 2000 m.

Plains and lowlands

Valleys occupy approximately a quarter of Italy's territory. The Padana Plain lies on the site of a vast tectonic depression between the Alps and the Apennines, which is gradually filled with river sediments. The plain is divided into 4 parts: the elevated Piedmontese (in the west). Lombard (in the center), Venetian (in the east) and Emilian (in the south, at the foot of the Tuscan Apennines).

Rivers

The Po River crosses the Padan Plain from west to east (652 km). Its numerous tributaries flow from the adjacent slopes of the Alps and Apennines. There are many hydroelectric power plants installed on the abundant alpine tributaries. The upper tributaries of the Po River cut through the Italian Alps with a dense network of transverse valleys, along which railroads and highways pass, connecting Italy with France and Switzerland through the Petit and Grand St. Bernard passes. In a number of areas, intense river erosion has a great influence on the formation of the relief. The rivers of the Apennine Peninsula are small, the largest is the Tiber (405 km).

Lakes

A characteristic feature of the Pre-Alps zone is the presence of large lakes (Lago Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo, Garda), which are the terminal basins of ancient glaciers. Rivers (tributaries of the Po) flow through the lakes. There are many resorts located in the basins of these lakes. There are many lakes of karst and volcanic origin (large crater lakes of the Roman region - Bolsena, Bracciano, Albano, Vico).

Climate

In most of Italy, the climate is Mediterranean, on the Padanian Plain it becomes temperate, and in the upper mountain zone it is cold. The climate also varies on the coast. So, on the Tyrrhenian it is maritime, on the Adriatic it is more continental. 3 parts of Italy (the Apennine Peninsula and islands, the Padana Plain and the Italian Alps) also have their own climatic characteristics. On the peninsula it is a subtropical zone with a predominance of air masses of Atlantic origin: tropical in summer, temperate in winter. The average temperature in July is about +24°C in the north of the peninsula and +26°C in the south. The winds in summer are predominantly westerly and northeasterly, with little strength, with the exception of the sirocco, which blows from Africa. Winter is characterized by cyclones with precipitation. The average temperature in the south of the peninsula is +10°С, in the inner parts +3°С. Snow falls at low altitudes only in the northern part of the peninsula; stable cover forms only in the mountains. Winter is mild. The climate on the Italian Riviera is especially mild (the average t° in January in Genoa is +7°C). The climate of the Padan Plain, transitional between subtropical and temperate, has continental features (summers are very hot, the average temperature in July is +25°C, winter is quite cool, the average temperature in January is 0°C).

Brief description of regions

Liguria

Liguria was home to a coastal civilization until the Roman era. The waters of the rocky, rugged coastline do not abound in fish, however, many small deep-sea ports have been preserved from the times of the Ligurians, and there are busy transport routes here. The Romans planted olive trees here, spread viticulture and gardening, fruits and flowers are grown in Liguria on an industrial scale.

Piedmont

A fertile area in the vast Po River valley, where cereals and 3/5 of the volume of rice are grown. Located at the foot of the mountain range in the upper reaches of the Po River. Numerous hydroelectric power plants supply electricity to local industries: textile factories, metallurgical, mechanical engineering and chemical plants in Turin. South-east of Turin, the low limestone hills of Monferrato produce the well-known Asti wines and Gorgonzola cheese.

Lombardy

The region's economic activity is driven by its geographic location - to the north, magnificent lake valleys provide access to alpine passes. Lombardy ranks first in silk production - mulberries are located in the Brianza region. Milan is the economic capital of Italy, with the highest population and business density. This city with modern architecture and numerous commercial enterprises and cultural institutions is surrounded by a ring of industrial plants in the textile, oil, chemical, metallurgical and food industries.

Veneto

This area is in the vast alluvial valley of the Po River and its tributaries, above which rise from the north the Venetian foothills of the Alps, and even further - the western massifs of the Dolomites. In the deltas of the Po and Adige rivers there are huge desert reclaimed areas that are often flooded. After the water recedes, wheat and sugar beets are grown on an industrial scale in some areas. It is an agricultural region where corn, mulberries, olive and fruit trees are grown and wine is produced. The industrial sector includes oil refining, metal smelting and chemical plants, as well as large hydroelectric power plants in the valleys of the Alpine foothills. The landscape is punctuated by two small volcanic groups: the Berici mountains south of Vicenza and the Eugenia mountains near Padua. There are thermal springs here, the slopes are covered with vineyards. The coast has the shape of lagoons, separated from the sea by sand spits with washes. Venice is built on stilts in one of these lagoons.

Regions of Italy

Emilia-Romagna

The valley bordering the Apennines takes its name from the Via Emilia, the straight Roman road that crosses it from Piacenza to Rimini and along which the main cities of the region are located. Romagna is located south and east of Bologna. The region east of Ferrara is home to rice cultivation. In the south there is an area where eels are caught.

Tuscany

The region is located on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The coast is rocky in places (south of Livorno), in places flat and sandy (for example, in the vicinity of Viareggio). Marble mining is carried out in the Apuan Alps north of the Arno in Carrara. The region also includes the mountainous island of Elba, the third largest island in Italy. Tuscan The landscape is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, with gracefully curved low hills covered in olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees, bathed in a soft golden haze.

Umbria

This is the land of St. Francis. Medieval cities that grew up on the site of Etruscan settlements rise above ravines and valleys.

Marche

The region was once border provinces of the Frankish Empire and parts of the Papal States, and is a rather uneven area between the Republic of San Marina and Ascoli Piceno, in which parallel spurs of the Apennines descend into the Adriatic Sea, forming a series of deep and narrow valleys. There is a flat and even coastal zone, strewn with beaches and port canals. Apart from the capital and the busy port of Ancona, most of the old cities are built on commanding heights.

Lazio

Stretching between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennines, the Lazio region is the cradle of Roman civilization. The coast here is sandy, the ancient port of Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber River is covered with silt. To the east and north, volcanic hills with lonely crater lakes rise above the famous ancient ruins of the Roman Campania.

Campania

The region forms a fertile semicircle around the Bay of Naples, in which hemp, tobacco and cereal crops alternate with olive groves and vineyards. Above the Gulf of Naples, which captured the imagination of the ancients, rises the characteristic silhouette of Vesuvius. Although the coastline has lost much of its charm due to dense development, the Sorrento Peninsula and the Isle of Capri remain attractive in their beauty.

The nature of Italy, stretching from north to south for more than 1100 km, is very diverse.

The far north of the country is located in the alpine mountain system with highly dissected terrain and amazing natural diversity. The southern slopes of the Alps with the highest point of Western Europe - Mount Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco, 4807 m) - form a complex system of ridges and valleys, covered at the foot with dense deciduous forests, giving way to coniferous and mixed ones as they rise, and at the very tops turning into a beautiful belt alpine meadows and high mountain heaths. Many rivers and streams flow down from the mountains, merging into a complex network of large rivers of the Padan Lowland. Damped by landslides and tectonic processes, water flows form many mountain lakes of all shapes and sizes (about 7,000, among them the largest lakes in the region - Garda and Lago Maggiore), whose shores have been inhabited by humans since ancient times and are actively used as excellent resort areas.

Located to the south, the flat, table-like Padana Lowland (Pianura-Padana) is formed by the sediment activity of the vast Po system and other rivers of the Adriatic basin. A vast area of lowland (almost 200 by 500 km) stretches across the entire northern part of Italy, passing in the northwest into the Lombardy Lowland (altitude up to 400 m) gently rising to the spurs of the Alps and the barely hilly Venetian Lowland in the east. The lush vegetation of this zone is almost entirely formed by human activity - almost 60% of the territory is occupied by gardens, vineyards and other agricultural land, and many of the country's large cities are located here - Venice, Padua, Milan and others.

To the south of the flat areas of the Po basin, the medium-high mountain system of the Apennines begins, stretching across the entire peninsula. The Ligurian, Tuscan-Emilian, Umbro-Marcan, Abruzzese, Central, Southern and Lucanian Apennines, as well as the Le Murge range, form a vast mountainous country, occupying almost 90% of the country's territory, stretching from the Maritime Alps in the north to Cape Spartivento in the south. Their continuation can be found even in Sicily, which is geologically one with the massif of the Apennine Peninsula. The overall height of the mountain ranges is relatively low (the highest point is Mount Corno, 2912 m), and the slopes are highly weathered and gentle, but there is also a clearly defined altitudinal zonation, and the vegetation is of a subtropical type. Most of the territory is occupied by thickets of dry Mediterranean shrubs, beech and coniferous forests, and on the tops of some mountains there are meadows and dry mountain heaths. There are few rivers and most of the small lakes are ancient reservoirs, so much of the region is dominated by dry subtropical vegetation and artificially cultivated land, including many vineyards and other plantings.

The coastal zone of the central part of the country forms a narrow and discontinuous hilly lowland, which in most cases is no more than 5 km wide. The coastline of Italy is poorly dissected; most bays are vast and cut shallowly into the land, forming long but narrow zones of sandy, pebble and rocky beaches. However, there are also extensive bays (Genoa, Neapolitan, Gaeta, Squillace, Policastro, Sant'Eufemia, Taranto and others), most often fenced from the sea by a belt of small islands. The west coast is dotted with rocky cliffs and tiny coves, as well as numerous traces of volcanic activity, the most notable of which are the famous Mount Vesuvius and the thermal fields of Solfatara in Campania.

Sicily and Sardinia in their natural and climatic conditions differ little from the mainland of the country. Most of these islands are occupied by low mountain ranges with clear traces of ancient and modern volcanism. A characteristic feature of the landscape of Sicily - the largest island in the region (total area of about 25.4 thousand sq. km) - is the cone of the active volcano Etna (Mongibello, height approximately 3340 m, area - 1250 sq. km) dominating the eastern part - the highest and the most active volcano in Europe. Along the northern and northeastern coast of Sicily stretch the massifs of the Ibleian, Ereian and Peloritan mountains, as well as the Ficuzza, Nebrodi and Le Madonie ridges (altitude up to 2000 m) and volcanic plateaus. The central part of the island is formed by rolling hills on the foundation of ancient plateaus, while the southern edge is flatter. The coastline of Sicily is narrow and rocky in the northern regions and somewhat flatter in the south. The Mediterranean vegetation is evergreen at the foot of the mountains and dry, hard-leaved in mountainous areas.

Sardinia (the second largest island in the Mediterranean, area - 24.1 thousand sq. km) is also occupied by an extensive system of low mountain ranges and plateaus (the highest point is Mount La Marmora, 1834 m), formed by the spurs of ancient volcanoes. The western shores of the island are mostly low-lying and abound in small bays and bays, while the eastern shores are steeper and rockier. The width of the coastal lowlands of Sardinia in many places does not exceed one kilometer. However, due to a somewhat more humid climate and the relative abundance of rivers, a more diverse flora has formed here than in Sicily, containing the same number of species as in the rest of Italy.

Natural and climatic conditions of Italy. Natural conditions in Italy Italy is located in a natural area

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