The Geography of Roman EmpireThe Peninsula of Italy

The Impacts of Geography on Rome

The Geography of Italy

Italian Peninsula

The following seas surround Italy: The Adriatic on the east, the Ionian Sea in the south, The Tyrrhenian sea on the west coast and the Ligurian Sea on the northwest.

Rivers Of Italy

Po River

Tiber River

Arno River

Location: Rises in the Alps, & empties into the Adriatic sea, northern part of ItalyLength: Longest river in Italy, 405 miles

Location: Rises in the Apennines & empties into the Tyrrhenian sea, flows south through RomeLength: 252 miles

Location: Central Italy in Tuscany Region, Rises in the Apennines & empties into the Ligurian seaLength: 150 miles

Mountains

Alps: Northern region of Italy, 750 miles long & 125 miles wide, Provided a natural barrier for Rome, Provided water from the snow

Apennines: The spine of Italy, runs from north to south, 870 miles in length, ranges from 25 miles to 125 miles in width, mild in terms of height, provided protection but did not isolate cities, rivers from the mountains provided water source & silt good for farming, volcanic ash from the mountains, made the soil good for farming

Major Cities

Milan: located in the northwestern section of Po valley, 2nd most populous city in Italy, main industrial & commercial city of Italy, city founded by the Celts then conquered by the Romans

Naples: Located southwestern coast of Italy, near Mt. Vesuvius, one of the oldest continuous cities which goes back to Bronze Age, early in history a Greek colony and then merge into Roman society

Rome: Located central western part of Italian peninsula, capital of Italy, History of Rome goes back 2.5 thousand years, founding of Rome goes back to 753 B.C., Tiber River flows through Rome, Vatican city is located in Rome

Florence: Located in northwestern region of Tuscany, the Arno river flows through Florence, considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, ranked one of the top fashion centers in the world, has a legendary artistic heritage

Spanish Steps, Rome Florence Naples

Coastline

Italy’s Northwest Coast Italy’s East Coast

•4, 772 miles of coastline•Coastline alternates between high rocky and level ground•Southwest coast mixed with beaches and high rocky coast•Overall, lacks natural seaports on Italy’s coast

Climate

•Mediterranean climate•Rainy & cool winters• Winter is the rainy season• Provides water for the rivers

•Hot & dry summers•Noticeable difference of temperatures during winter season between southern region & northern region

Italy’s Islands

Southeast of SicilySardinia Islands of Italy

Islands of Italy: Has many beautiful picturesque Islands, many of Italy’s islands are results of volcanic eruptions, two large islands are Sicily and Sardinia, at least 10 other island groups

Sardinia: Located northern part of the Mediterranean sea, off the western coast of Italy, second largest island in the Mediterranean sea, first people to populate Sardinia goes back to Paleolithic age, became part of the Roman empire after the defeat of the Carthaginians at 238 B.C., Vandals conquered Sardinia in 456 A.D.

Sicily: Located in central Mediterranean sea, off the southwestern tip of Italy’s coast, largest island in the Mediterranean sea, earliest human dwelling goes back 12,000 B.C., Mt. Etna tallest active volcano in Europe, was a Phoenician colony then Greek colony then part of the Roman Republic and then fell to the Norman conquest

20 Regions of Italy

Abruzzi Region

Small Village in Abruzzi Region

Village of Rapino

Abruzzi Region: west coast by Adriatic sea

Pescara

Impact of Italy’s Geography

•Alps provided natural barrier to the north•Lack of natural seaports prevented attacks by sea•Lack of natural seaports forced Romans to build roads

•The roads unified Rome•Established good trade routes•Roads developed continuity within the Roman empire

•Italy had access to Mediterranean Sea to create water routes•Apennines provided safe location for developing cities•Land routes throughout Europe helped with Trade•Excellent climate, rivers & soil for farming•Excellent farming increased trading for other products & resources•Volcanic ash was good for soil & making concrete•Centrally located in Europe

Roman Empire in 117 A.D.