Italy is an economically developed member country of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance. It plays a huge role in the development of international and European tourism, the development of which was influenced not only by a good geographical location, but also by the legacy of ancient Roman civilization.
Italy has access to the Mediterranean Sea, which fully compensates for the shortcomings of land borders that pass through the Alps. A system of passes and tunnels has been created in the Alpine mountains, which serve as a connection between Italy and other European states. This system creates a number of environmental problems for Europe.
Natural conditions. Resources
Italy, minerals, the natural features of which are of interest not only to tourists, but also to indigenous people, amazes with the variety of landscapes. Minerals of the country are almost exhausted. The territory is stretched from the northwest to the southeast, the dominance of the mountain-hilly relief is observed. The climate is influenced by the Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas. Even those areas that go deep into the country are only 200 kilometers from the coast.
The coastline is slightly dissected, convenient bays are absent. All major ports were built by the state, only in Salerno, Naples, Cagliari and Taranto are located in natural bays, bays.
Italy is located in the Alpine folding, which determines the movement of land. The northern borders of the country, which are very winding, pass through the territory of the Alps. The rapidly developing seismic and volcanic processes are another feature of Italian nature.
Relief and minerals of Italy
Mountains occupy most of the country, and the Padan Plain - only ¼ part. In Italy, the Alps are located. The Hercynian massif, consisting of crystalline rocks, is the highest part of the mountain system in the west. Mont Blanc, Chervina and Monte Rosa are the components of this massif. The southern part of the Alps is located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level and is called the Maritime Alps. The eastern part of the mountain system is fan-shaped, located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and is called the Karni Alps.
The main feature of the Alps are valleys and passes, which have automobile and railway purposes. This mountain system is known for its tunnel system and numerous ski resorts. The nature here is so beautiful that from ancient times people preferred to settle in the mountains (Aosta, Bolzano, Sondrio).
The Apennine Mountains is the youngest mountain system in the world that crosses the entire Apennine Peninsula. Alps pass to the Apennines in the south-west of the country. Despite the young age, the Apennines have a large length - 1,500 kilometers, but inferior to the Alps in height. Due to its low altitude, only on the eastern slopes of the Apennines can you see eternal snow.
Despite the fact that Italy, whose minerals are discussed in this article, is located in the heart of Europe, it is often subjected to earthquakes. In the XX century, the country shook more than 150 times, and the last earthquake was recorded in 1980. This disaster swept over a vast territory - from Naples to Potenza. A seismically dangerous zone is Southern and Central Italy.
The relief features of Italy, the minerals of which will be described in more detail below, also in the fact that the country is known for its volcanoes since the times of Stabia, Pompeev and Herculaneum. These cities were completely destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius.
Italy minerals
Italy is rich in minerals, but deposits occur at a depth difficult to develop. Iron ore has been mined for more than 2700 years on the Elbe and Aosta, all other mines have been closed over time. A completely different situation with polymetallic ores (a mixture of zinc, lead and other metals). Polymetallic ores are mined from metamorphic and crystalline rocks of Sardinia and limestone rocks of the Eastern Alps.
On the island of Sicily there are deposits of rock and potassium salt, sulfur, natural bitumen. Tuscany is known for its white Carrara marble, which was used by the ancient Romans in architecture. When people hear about products from Carrara marble, the only word that arises with it is Italy. Minerals of each state affect the economic situation in the country. Carrara marble is one of the components of export.
Cinnabar, bauxite and manganese
Italian Tuscany is rich in cinnabar (mercury ore), the reserves of which occupy one of the first places in the world. The karst depressions of Puglia are known for minerals such as bauxites, whose reserves have almost disappeared. The regions of Central Italy and Liguria are rich in manganese, but deposits are almost exhausted.
Coal, Natural Gas and Oil
In Italy, there are problems with energy resources, only 15% of the energy needs are provided by own resources. Coal and brown coal reserves located in Calabria, Tuscany, Umbria and Sardinia are of low quality. The eastern coast of Central Italy, the island of Sicily and the Padan Plain provide limited oil reserves - only 2% of the state’s needs. Natural gas reserves are found on the island of Sicily, the Apennines, the Padan Plain and the shelf of the Adriatic Sea, which is a continental continuation of the plain.
Mountains, plains, rivers - all this is Italy. The mineral resources of the country are depleted. Many resources are located deep in the bowels of the earth, and the development of deposits is too expensive for the state.