1. SS6G10.b Location, Climate, and Natural Resources
Germany and Italy

2. Key Question
How do location, climate, and natural resources affect where people live in Germany?

3. Location of Germany North-central Europe on European Plain
Densely populated (many people in an area)
85% of population live in urban areas
Land-3 zones
1. Alps (south)
2. Hilly – mountainous (middle)
3. Plains (north)

4. Rhine River-
trade
800 miles long
used for transportation of goods and people

5. Germany- travel and trade
excellent highway system
ports (exports & imports)
airports (14 major airports)
Which would be easier for transportation of good, the Alps or the European Plain? Why?

6. Climate Marine climate (warm, humid)
waters of the Gulf Stream warm the region in winter and cool it in the summer
brings moisture to land
produces good crops

7. Natural Resources Many Natural Resources
Mining: iron, coal, potash (various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.)
Nuclear Fuel: Uranium (metal)
Nickel, natural gas, copper
Renewable Resources
timber
Arable Land- 1/3 (used for crops)

8. Questions What type of climate is found in Germany?
What types of resources are found in Germany?

9. Italy

10. Location Southern Europe Peninsula Northern border-Alps
Shares a border with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia
About ½ the people in Italy live in the most northern 1/3 of the country.

11. Landforms- Alps, Apennine Mountains
Islands: Sicily, Sardinia (located in the
Mediterranean Sea)

12. Ships- Long history of trade because of its location on the Mediterranean Sea. It ships to and from Europe and Asia.
7 major airports
8 major seaports
Excellent highways, bridges, and tunnels

13. Climate Mediterranean Climate- temp is comfortable most of the year
Dry summers-Rain is rare in summer
Sea helps it from getting too hot in summer and too cold in winter
The Alps block cold air coming down from the north.
The Sahara Desert sends warm dry air into Italy for much of the year.

14. Different Climate Zones
Mountains- climate changes with the altitude
(Alps and Apennines have snowy winters)
South is drier than the north
Northern Italy gets enough rain for growing crops

15. Natural Resources Few mineral resources
Natural gas is the most valued- used to help supply the energy needs of the country
Marble and granite (buildings and artwork)
Coal, mercury, zinc, and potash

16. Arable land
small farms cover Italy
grow grapes and olives
top wine making country
Sea
fishing -anchovies and sardines (important to the economy)
gather sponges and coral

17. Questions
What geographic feature makes it more difficult for Italian merchants to trade with countries north of Italy? Alps Mountains
What has helped Italian merchants become successful traders? Ships- because of its location on the Mediterranean Sea. It ships to and from Europe and Asia.
Describe the Italian climate. Mediterranean Climate- temp is comfortable most of the year
What industry is MOST helped by Italy’s arable land and good amounts of rainfall? small farms - grapes and olives; top wine making country