Southern Europe and the Balkans Study Guide Coach Lott
1. The Moors brought all of the following except _____ to Spain.
the Islamic faith / new cropsnew roadbuilding techniques / new irrigation techniques
2. During its time as a worldwide power, Spain controlled _____ and most of Central and South America.
the southeastern United States / the southwestern United Statessoutheastern Africa / southwestern India
3. Which of the following is not an example of the Moorish influence on the Iberian peninsula?
horseshoe-shaped arches / Arabic place namesaqueducts / geometric designs
4. Which of the following languages is not commonly spoken in Spain?
Catalan / Castilian SpanishBasque / Latin
5. Spain produces all of the following agricultural products except _____.
oranges / wineolive oil / caviar
6. The increased tourism in Spain has helped lead to _____.
increased immigrationincreased crime
increased pollution, traffic, and overbuilding
increased inflation
7. Africa lies just 8 km away from Spain across the _____.
Balearic Islands / Strait of GibraltarAtlantic Ocean / Bay of Biscay
8. Portugal still retains control of which islands in the Atlantic Ocean?
Timor and Balearic / Madagascar and MadeiraMadeira and Azores / Azores and Balearic
9. What landform region separates Italy from the rest of mainland Europe?
the Pyrenees Mountains / the Massif Centralthe Appenine Mountains / the Alps
10. The microstate of _____ is located within Rome, Italy.
Vatican City / LiechtensteinAndorra / Luxembourg
11. Which of the following was not a Renaissance painter?
Michelangelo / RaphaelLeonardo da Vinci / Giotto
12. Vatican City is all that remains of _____.
the Papal States / San Marinothe Crusades / Rome
13. The "breadbasket" of Italy is centered around _____.
southern Italy / the Po Riverthe Mezzogiorno / Sicily
14. Approximately 30 percent of Greece's population lives in _____.
Trieste / CreteAthens / Naples
15. Which of the following countries is not a former Yugoslav republic?
Croatia / SloveniaMacedonia / Albania
16. Three religious groups that are in conflict in the Balkans are _____.
Muslims, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Roman CatholicsRoman Catholics, Jews, and Muslims
Eastern Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, and Jews
Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims
17. The western Balkan region is a complex region containing many ethnic _____.
microstates / enclavescity-states / exclaves
18. The conflicts in Kosovo were between _____ and Serbs.
ethnic Albanians / MacedoniansCroats / Slovenes
19. _____ is the capital of Bosnia.
Belgrade / BucharestSarajevo / Athens
20. The eastern Balkans region is composed of _____.
Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Kosovo / Romania, Kosovo, and CroatiaBulgaria, Romania, and Moldova / Moldova, Romania, and Serbia
The civil war in Bosnia was a three-way conflict that lasted from 1991 to 1996. Muslim, Croat, and Serb populations all fought for territory and control of the country. Backed by neighboring Serbia, Bosnia Serbs quickly gained the upper hand. They began a practice known as "ethnic cleansing" mainly against Muslims. This process involved the removal of the Muslim population from all territory that came under Bosnian Serb control. Thousands of Muslims were killed or forced to leave their homes and relocate elsewhere. Using the table below, answer the questions that follow.
The Population of Bosnia in the 1990sYear / Population / Muslim / Serb / Croat
1991 / 4.4 million / 44% / 31% / 17%
1998 (est.) / 3.4 million / 38% / 40% / 22%
Short Answer
21. What are some major challenges for modern-day Greece?
22. How is Portugal similar to Spain?
23. Briefly describe the history of Spain from 700 A.D. to today.
24. Compare and contrast the eastern and western Balkans.
** You will have 17 multiple choice questions plus 3 questions on the chart above and 2 of the above short answers on your test.
SHORT ANSWER
21.
Greece is struggling as one of the poorer countries in Europe. Illegal immigration, low population growth, and rapid urbanization with its attendant pollution are its chief concerns.
22.
Portugal's history mirrors Spain's in the fact that it too was ruled by both the Romans and the Moors. There are still many influences of these empires evident in the countries' languages. Portugal too had a successful period of colonization that is now much diminished. Both countries now have democratic governments, and both countries have drawn immigrants. Tourism is also a major source of income for both countries.
23.
Answers will vary but should mention the invasion of the Moors in 700 A.D. and their contributions to Spanish culture before they were pushed out in 1492. Spain's naval dominance in the 1500s allowed the Spanish to establish vast colonies in the Americas. By the end of the 1800s Spain had lost most of its colonies. The 1900s were marked by a terrible civil war that began in 1936 and was followed by years under the rule of a dictator. In the years after the dictator's death in 1975, Spain became a democratic country with a constitutional monarchy.
24.
Answers will vary but students should mention that the eastern Balkans are, in general, more closely tied to the Eastern Orthodox Christian church and to Russia historically. They were more firmly under the control of Russia after World War II. The eastern Balkans are more politically and economically stable and have not experienced all the ethnic conflicts that have become common in the western Balkans. The western Balkans are much more ethnically diverse. Their economies have suffered due to all the fighting in the last ten years. The two regions are alike in that they are very poor and both were under the influence of Communist regimes during most of second half of the 1900s.