252 People and Places
1 VENICE CANALS, ITALY
Venice is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Every year, thousands
of tourists visit its palaces, churches, and galleries, and take a boat
ride on its canals.WHAT DO FARMERS GROW IN ITALY?
Italian farmers grow lots of cereals, fruit, vegetables,
and vines. Agriculture is very important to Italy’s
economy and, although most farms are small and
family run, the country is a leading producer of
oranges, lemons, wine, olives, and olive oil. The best
farming region lies in the north, in the flat, fertile
valley of the River Po. Higher land offers pasture for
cows and sheep, whose milk makes delicious cheeses.WHY IS FRANCE FAMOUS FOR FOOD AND WINE?
A range of climates and landscapes enable France,
Western Europe’s largest country, to produce many
different foods, including wheat, sunflowers, olives,
grapes, and dairy products. These foods help to make
the regional dishes, cheeses, and wines for which
France is famous. The country’s vineyards produce a
quarter of all the world’s wine.WHY DO TOURISTS FLOCK TO
THE REGION’S BEACHES?
Every year, millions of tourists travel to the beaches
of the Mediterranean Sea to enjoy the sunny climate,
warm waters, and beautiful scenery. Tourism has led
to heavy development along many parts of the coast,
such as the Algarve in Portugal, the Costa del Sol in
Spain, and the Riviera in Italy and France.Western Europe
Many countries of western Europe combine
successful industry with abundant agriculture
and a booming tourist trade. As a result,
most people here enjoy high living
standards. The region, which
has a long history, includes
world-famous cities,
such as Paris and Rome,
a landscape of rolling farmland, high
mountains, and a beautiful coastline
along the Mediterranean Sea.
WHY IS FISHING UNDER THREAT
IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL?
Fishing is at risk in Spain and Portugal because years
of over-fishing in the North Atlantic Ocean, and
recent marine pollution, have reduced fish stocks to
an all-time low. In 2002, a vast oil spill in northwest
Spain brought fishing there to a halt. Both countries
have well-developed fishing industries – Spain has
the largest fishing fleet in Europe – which provide the
fish for paella and other popular regional dishes.4 TOUR DE FRANCE
The world-famous cycle race, the
Tour de France, celebrated its
centenary in 2003. Riders cover
about 4,800 km (3,000 miles) of
beautiful French countryside in
gruelling one-day stages in a
contest that lasts three weeks.1 THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
The villages and beaches of
Portugal’s Algarve coast are a
magnet for European tourists.
Portugal is one of the poorer
countries in this region, so
tourism provides a welcome
economic boost.FRENCH VINEYARDS 3
French pickers empty baskets of
grapes ready for wine-making.
France’s first vines were planted
by the Romans about 2,000 years
ago. Since then, the country has
become one of the world’s
leading wine producers.western
Europe