Southern Europe
Southern Europe is the southern half of mainland Europe. There are no clear cut limits to the region. The Alps and the Massif Central (in France) form a physical boundary between Southern Europe and the rest of Europe and the Pyrenees mountain range separate the Iberian Peninsula in the western part of the region. This definition is relative, with no clear limits. Countries considered to be part of Southern Europe include those making up the Iberian Peninsula, the Italian Peninsula and the Balkans.
The climate of the region can be defined as Mediterranean (warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters) and the landscape varies from dry hills, small plains, pine forests and olive trees.
Some of Europe’s most historic cities such as Athens, Barcelona, Lisbon, Marseille and Rome are found in this region. It is a popular tourist destination and the region boasts some of the world’s most picturesque and vibrant towns and cities as well as sandy beaches.