Southern Europe

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Southern Europe or sometimes Mediterranean Europe is a region of the European continent. There is no clear definition of the term which can vary depending on whether geographic, cultural, linguistic or historical factors are taken into account. It is generally agreed that Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey more generally the Mediterranean countries of the European continent are part of Southern Europe. The South of France is also included in almost all the definitions of the term.

The southern half of Europe is shown in shades of red.

[edit] Geographical definition

Geographically, Southern Europe would be the south half of the landmass of Europe. This definition is relative, with no clear limits. The Alps mountains constitute a physical barrier between Italy and the rest of Europe.

The Southern European countries in the UN classification in sub-regions.

[edit] Geopolitical definition of the United Nations

For its official works and publications, the United Nations Organization groups countries under a classification of regions. Southern Europe, as defined by the United Nations (the sub-regions according to the UN), comprises the following countries and territories:

•  Albania
•  Andorra
•  Bosnia and Herzegovina
•  Croatia
•  Gibraltar
•  Greece
•  Holy See
•  Italy
•  Republic of Macedonia
•  Malta
•  Montenegro
•  Portugal
•  San Marino
•  Serbia
•  Slovenia
•  Spain

This classification is somewhat arbitrary, and it depends more on the states' borders than on the areas, which can lead to abnormalities such as Corsica being less "Southern European" than Italian Tyrol.

This map shows the areas of Europe with mediterranean climates.

[edit] Climatical definition

The climatic definition of southern Europe would be similar to the areas of Mediterranean climate. The Mediterranean climate is often thought to be a typical characteristic of Southern Europe. This area is also the origin of most of southern Europe's food traditions, (olive oil, wine and wheat culture especially). The Mediterranean area presents similar landscapes (dry hills, little plains, pine forests, olive trees) and a similar, traditional habitat. This area consists of the northeast and southern two-thirds of Portugal, Spain's southern half and eastern coast, the southeast coast of France (along with the island of Corsica), all of Italy except the Po River plain and Alps region, the coasts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, most of Greece, Cyprus and Malta.

Linguistical definition of south Europe. Latin Europe in blue, Balkan region (south Slavic countries: former-Yugoslavia + Bulgaria), Albania and Greece in green.

[edit] Linguistic and cultural definition

Countries of Latin Europe are often associated with the concept of Southern Europe, especially Southwest Europe (see Latin Arch). Greece and the Balkan nations are often associated with them in the concept of Southern Europe, especially Southeast Europe.

[edit] List of countries

Although there is no precise definition, the following territories are commonly reckoned in Southern Europe:

• Iberian Peninsula
  • Portugal
    • Azores
    • Madeira
  • Spain
    • Baleric Islands
    • Canary Islands
  • Andorra
  • Gibraltar (United Kingdom)
• France (southern half)
  • Corsica
• Monaco
• Italian peninsula
  • Italy
    • Sicily
    • Sardinia
  • Vatican City
  • San Marino
• Balkan Peninsula
  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Greece
    • Ionian Islands
    • Aegean Islands
    • Crete
  • Montenegro
  • Republic of Macedonia
  • Romania (38%: Walachia and Dobroudja)
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Turkey
• Mediterranean States:
  • Cyprus^[1]
  • Malta

[edit] Notes

1. ^ The UN includes these states in Western Asia.