Running head: Ancient beauty: rome, italy 1
Ancient Beauty: Rome, Italy
Brookelynn M. Rhyne
GEOG 200-002
Liberty University
Ancient beauty: rome, italy 2
I. Introduction
In June of 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to Rome, Italy. I had always heard stories
from my dad of how beautiful the country was. When it was my turn to experience the ancient
European city, I knew I had to do and see as much as possible. Initially when you think of
traveling for vacation, you don’t analyze the geographical factors. However, it is helpful to
understand human interaction based on the many facets of geography.
II. General Overview
In this essay, I will discuss how Rome, Italy factors into the five themes of geography.
These factors include regional relevance, location relevance, place relevance, movement
relevance, and human-environment interaction relevance. I hope to provide extensive
information to better explain how the location that I have chosen fits into the realm of geography.
Many may know the basics of where this city comes to play, but with the completion of this
work, they will be able to have a more in depth understanding of it.
III. Region Revelance
Regional relevance is defined as “geography studies the specific unique characteristics of places
related to their culture, economy, topography, climate, politics and environmental factors such as
their different species of flora and fauna” (Britney, 2019). When it comes to the ancient
civilization of Rome, some examples are: Language, Italy is one of the countries that is
characterized by the romance language, Italian. The economic system, Italy is primarily a free
market, capitalist country with a few command economy elements remaining from its history.
Climate, Italy is known to have four different climates throughout the country, but the city of
Rome specifically has a Mediterranean climate which is characterized by “hot, dry summers and
cool, wet winters” (Editors of Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2022). The topography, “Italy is mostly
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mountainous with ranges over 700 meters covering a third of the country. The best known
physical ranges are the Alps, the Dolomites and the Apennines. Italy distinctive shape, like a boot
jutting into the Mediterranean, maybe the country best known physical feature” (Nations
Encyclopedia). There are many aspects that make Italy uniquely it’s own, these are just a few of
those main features.
IV. Location Revelance
Location relevance in the confines of geography can be understood as a particular place
or position. Location can be of two types: absolute location and relative location. Absolute
location is a precise point on Earth or another defined space. A relative location describes where
something else by using another, familiar feature as a reference point. Italy’s absolute location is
that it is in the northeastern hemispheres above the equator within the coordinates of 41.8719° N,
12.5674° E. It is a country within the continent of Europe that lies along the Mediterranean Sea.
Italy is located in the Western European region, and the city of Rome specifically is within the
Lazio region of Italy, which locationally is on the western coast of the country having equal
regions north and south of the region. In other words, it is centrally located (World Population
Review). The relative location of Italy is that it is located in Southern Europe and bordered by
the Adriatic Sea on the East, and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west. The country itself is bordered
by these of other following countries: France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.
V. Place Revelance
Place relevance is similar to that of location relevance, but space “refers to the physical
and human characteristics of a spot on the map. In other words, location focuses on where; place
focuses on what it is like there” (National Geographic). Like discussed before the climate of Italy
is hot and dry summers coupled with cool and wet winters. When I was in Rome it was warm,
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but the humidity was not as bad as I am used to. According to sources, Italy is typically more
humid in the earlier months of the year rather than in summer. “The common plants in Italy
includes olives, figs, grapes and tomatoes that thrive in the country's rich, fertile soil” (Wise,
2017). Italy holds over 25 million acres of farmland, producing an array of fruits, herbs,
vegetables and plants. A lot of these plants are staples of the country's cuisine, contributing to the
ideals of fresh produce in the Italian lifestyle. Italy is the second largest produce of olives in the
world, from olive oil to being chopped up raw for salads or added to beverages, to mashed into
tapenades or grilled up on skewers (Wise, 2017). There are many animal species found in this
Southern European country, common examples include “the small alpine marmot, European
snow vale, the Eurasian lynx, the Italian wolf, and the Marsican brown bear. On the coasts,
dolphins and Mediterranean monk seals are also common” (Nina, 2022). Again, Italy is unique,
and much of it is attributed to the flora and fauna found within its borders.
VI. Movement Relevance
When in Italy, we used busses, cars, and got around by foot. According to many travel
articles, the best way to travel around Italy, especially from city to city is by train. Italy is known
to have a large network of both fast-speed inner city trains, and regional services that connect the
smaller cities and towns. These fast-speed trains can get to speed of 185 miles per hour, which
cannot be matched by car. Which makes this mode of transportation very quick and efficient. In
terms of GDP, Italy is the number 8 economy, number 7 in total exports, and number 10 in total
imports. The top exports for the country are packaged mendicants, cars, refined petroleum, and
vaccines. The country exports mostly to Germany, France, the United States, the UK and
Switzerland. The top imports are crude petroleum, cars, packaged mendicants, petroleum gas,
and gold. Most of their imports are from Germany, France, China, the Netherlands, and Spain
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(OEC Italy, 2020). The present form of communication in Italy is direct communication. It is
said that, “they tend be open about their emotions and speak clearly about their point. Therefore,
avoid ambiguity and indirect speech” (Evanson, 2017). Their verbal communication is
sometimes characterized by raised voices, humor, and limited silence. Another piece of Italian
culture that makes them distinctive.
VII. Human-Environment Interaction Revelance
This facet of geography is outlined as being how people learn to use the tools given by
the environment and to change said environment to meet their needs. This factor is evident in
Italy in the ancient Roman aqueducts and in the building of Venice. In order to establish Venice,
the water had to be drained for the foundations to be built. In addition, they are facing to get
issues such as, “air pollution from energy and heating, transportation and industrial sources,
polluted inland waters, acid rain, and insufficient industrial waste treatment and disposal
programs” (Smith, 2015).
VIII. Summary
All in all, the beauty of this ancient European nation is much deeper than we could ever
imagine. Understanding the vast history of its geography, and how that geography has played a
role in Italy’s success as a country. Much of Italy’s success can be attributed to it geographical
location, and the many themes within geography that individualize the society. In order to best
understand the world around us, we must first understand the Region Relevance, Location
Relevance, Place Relevance, Movement Relevance, and Human-Environmental Interaction
Relevance.
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