Southern Europe 

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The term Southern Europe, at its most general definition, is used to mean 'all countries in the south of Europe'. However, the concept, at different times, has had different meanings, providing additional political, linguistic and cultural context to the definition on top of the typical geographical, phytogeographic or climatic approach. Most Southern European countries border the Mediterranean Sea.

Contents

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 and Massif Central mountains constitute a physical barrier between Italy and France and the rest of Europe. Countries geographically considered part of Southern Europe include:

Iberian Peninsula

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

Southern France

Italian peninsula

Balkan Peninsula

Other

Political definition

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

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:

Climatical definition

This map shows the areas of Europe with a Mediterranean climate.

Southern Europe's climate is that of the Mediterranean climate, which has become a typically known characteristic of the area.

The Mediterranean area presents similar landscapes throughout, including:

The area which is considered climatically Southern Europe is:

Phytogeographical/Botanical definition

The European floristic regions

Southern Europe's flora is that of the Mediterranean and Submediterranean, which is typically for this area. The Mediterranean and Submediterranean climate in Europe comprises the following countries and territories:2

Linguistic definition

Linguistic definition of south Europe. Latin Europe in blue; South Slavic countries, Albania, Kosovo, and Greece in green.

Countries lingustically included in Latin Europe are often associated with Southern Europe, especially Southwest Europe (see Latin Arch).

Countries included in the linguistic definition of Southern Europe include:

There is a similar approach when it comes to the South Slavs and their states:

Finally, there is an additional approach when it comes to Greek-speaking states and other Hellenistic regions:

Notes

  1. ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rb.html
  2. ^ Wolfgang Frey and Rainer Lösch; Lehrbuch der Geobotanik. Pflanze und Vegetation in Raum und Zeit. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, München 2004
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Regions of the world
See also Continents of the world