Italy and the Countries of Southern Europe.

Map   Questions.

Italy. Italy is a large capitalist country stretching from the southern slopes of the Alps and the depression at their foot across the entire Apennine Peninsula. The Islands of Sicily and Sardinia and a number of smaller islands in the Mediterranean Sea are also Italian territory. Italy is situated in the central part of this sea. The Suez Canal constructed in 1869 between Africa and South­western Asia proved to be the shortest water-way connecting Europe with the lands bordering on the Indian Ocean. Italy is thus ad­vantageously placed, for it commands one of the most important trade routes of the world.
The country may be divided into two natural regions: (1) the northern or continental region; (2) the southern or peninsular and insular region.
Italy's population has been increasing rapidly during the last century. It has outstripped France both in amount of population (50,000,000) and in its density (170 persons to the square kilometre). The majority of the population live in poverty, In Southern Italy especially. Almost all the land there belongs to the big landlords who exploit the peasants mercilessly. Many Italians are forced to search for a living in other countries, temporarily or permanently (they usually choose America).
Economically Northern Italy is more highly developed than Southern Italy. Its industries obtain their electricity from hydroelec­tric power-stations and include such branches as aluminium smelting, motor-car production and the manufacture of chemicals and of

Fig. 65. Rome: Saint Peter's Church.
It took many centuries to build this outstanding monument of architecture.

Next to it is the Pope's palace in the Vatican.
natural or artificial silk. In the coastal towns shipbuilding has
been developed.
The great beauty of the mountains, the mild subtropical climate, the rich vegetation and the unique relics of antiquity attract many visitors trom all parts of the world. Catering to tourists is a profi­table trade for the local population.
The shortage of coal, iron and oil, the dominance of the feudal lords in the south and of the Catholic church all over the country, have caused the economic backwardness of Italy in comparison with the larger capitalist countries of Europe.
The capital of Italy is Rome -.numbering over 2,000,000 in­habitants It extends along both banks of the Tiber and is 27 ki­lometres distant from the sea. It contains many historical monu­ments. Local museums preserve masterpieces that are of great ar­tistic value. Many thousands of the poor are cooped up in tiny shanties and ancient ruins in the crooked and narrow streets of the
outskirts.
Other Capitalist Countries of Southern Europe. Spain (popu­lation 31,200,000, capital Madrid) and Portugal (capital Lisbon) occupy the Iberian Peninsula. The southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and a number of islands in the Mediterranean Sea form Greece. Its capital, Athens, contains numerous mo­numents of antiquity. All these countries are situated in the subtro­pical zone. Grapes, oranges, lemons, and olives are much grown there. On the mountain pastures sheep are grazed. Various metals are mined in the mountains. Spain and Portugal still retain the rem­nants of their former enormous colonial possessions. The common people in these countries are bitterly oppressed by capitalists and landlords and live in dreadful poverty. Their governments cruelly suppress any form of struggle in defence of the people's rights. Turkey occupies a small area on the Balkan Peninsula facing the straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles.
Questions and Assignments.

• Mark Italy and the other countries of Southern Europe and
  their capitals on the outline map.
• Mark the mountains, lowlands and mineral resources of Italy
  on the outline map.
• Use the map in your Atlas to discuss the geographical po­sition of Spain, its natural features and resources.