Southern Europe
Southern Europe is a region of the European continent. The official definition of Southern Europe includes the Iberian Peninsula, Italian Peninsula and Balkan Peninsula. Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece and all northern Mediterranean countries of the European continent are considered part of Southern Europe. Most importantly, in a European Union context, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia officially belong to the Group of the South.
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 are a physical barrier between Italy and the rest of Europe.
Geopolitical definition of the United Nations
For its official works and publications, the United Nations Organization has its own special definition of regions. Corsica for example is part of France, thus not part of Southern Europe, but Italian South Tyrol belongs to Southern Europe as it is part of Italy.
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.
Linguistic and cultural definition
Countries of Latin Europe are often associated with the concept of Southern Europe, especially Italy, Spain and Portugal. Greece, Malta and Cyprus are also associated with the concept of Southern Europe, even though Cyprus is geographically in Asia.
List of countries
Although there is no precise definition, the following territories are commonly thought to be parts of Southern Europe:
- Iberian Peninsula
- Italian Peninsula and Western Mediterranean islands
- Balkans and Aegean islands
Southern Europe Media
The geographical and ethno-cultural borders of southern Europe are the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Balkan Mountains to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
European climate. Note the high diversity of Köppen-Geiger climates in the southern regions.
Ottomans controlled most of the Mediterranean Sea for centuries.
Subregions of Europe based on the CIA World Factbook:* Northern Europe* Western Europe* Central Europe* Southwest Europe* Southern Europe* Southeast Europe* Eastern Europe
European regions according to EuroVoc:* Northern Europe* Western Europe* Southern Europe* Central and Eastern Europe
Subregions of Europe by the United Nations geoscheme:* Eastern Europe* Northern Europe* Southern Europe* Western Europe