1. location Mediterranean climates are found 30 - 40 degrees
north and south of the Equator on the western coasts of continents
i.e.
(i) Central Chile
(ii) South Africa
(iii) Australia
(iv) California
(v) Mediterranean Sea Coasts
2. climate hot dry summers + mild wet winters
3. vegetation
To adapt to the long hot dry summers, some plants have :-
small waxy leaves to reduce transpiration
leaves which can roll up tightly to reduce transpiration
thick bark to store water e.g. cork oak
long tap roots to reach the ground water
life cycles which are completed before the onset of summer
At one time, these areas were extensively forested. Many areas have been deforested in historical times and a secondary scrub (Maquis or Garigue) has developed which is often thought of as the natural vegetation. Lack of vegetation cover, especially on steep slopes, often leads to soil erosion.
4. peoples' use of the environment
tourism - the hot dry summers act as a magnet to sun-seeking tourists from colder climates eg Scotland. This season can last from April to October in the Northern Hemisphere.
agriculture - in the low lying coastal areas this tends to cater for tourism e.g. market gardens or orchards. This type of agriculture centres around the growing of crops such as citrus fruits (eg oranges and lemons), vineyards growing grapes and olive groves. Such agriculture requires often requires irrigation (the artificial adding of extra water) in the summer months. Due to the 12 month growing season 2 or 3 harvests can take place a year.
5. peoples' abuse of the environment
tourism - the rapid growth in
tourism has resulted in many forms of pollution:-
visual pollution with the construction of hotels, nightclubs,
roads and campsites along the coastal zone which often spoils
the natural beauty of the landscape which helps attract many
tourists to these areas.
noise pollution from large numbers
of tourists, many of which become drunk and rowdy late at night.
Aircraft often arrive late at night or very early in the morning,
causing disturbance to the sleep of local residents. Large numbers
of vehicles (cars, coaches and lorries) supplying the needs of
tourists add to this noise pollution, as well as creating air
pollution and traffic jams.
water pollution many Mediterranean
coastal areas are unable to cope with the extra sewage produced
by the rapid growth of hotels and apartments.
land pollution from discarded litter
such as hamburger wrappers and drinks bottles.
agriculture - a lot of farmland has been lost to tourist developments
e.g. the construction of hotels, nightclubs, roads and campsites.
Also, a large volume of water has been diverted from farming
to tourism.
