The Roman Geography

Italian Peninsula

The Land The peninsula is about three times the size of Greece. Shaped like a boot. Harder to find good harbours throughout Rome than in Greece. Most were on the west side because of the Apennine Mountain range on the east side.

Being on the coast trade thrived throughout Rome and the Mediterranean World. Rome was Strategically located in the centre of the Mediterranean region so they could easily reach the Middle East, Greece, Spain, and North Africa. Most of Italy was either hilly or mountainous. – –What effect would this have? – –Travel and communication over land was difficult.

Natural Defense System Being surrounded by the Apennine Mountains along the east coast and the Alps to the North helped protect Rome from invasion. Fertile land was located in 3 main areas: – –The Northern Plains (enriched by the Po River) – –Latium (enriched by phosphate from volcanoes) – –Campania (enriched by phosphate from volcanoes) The Land did not produce enough food to support the Population increase. – –What to do? – –Set up colonies (similar to Greece)

Main Rivers Po, Arno, and Tiber. Rome developed on the shoreline of the Tiber. – –Why? – –Water source for homes, life, and access to the sea (trade) Later the Romans built a port at Ostia to handle large ships and military.

Climate For the most part: Rainy winters, hot dry summers (Medit.) In the North around the Po River it was: snowy winter, summer rain and wet spring and fall. (Similar to us.)

Resources Wheat, grape and olive production Limestone Marble Concrete (mixed volcanic dust with water) Copper – –Imported tin to mix with it to make bronze. Iron Timber from the Apennine Mountains

Draw similarities between the geography of Greece and Rome.Draw similarities between the geography of Greece and Rome. What were some of the differences?What were some of the differences?