Capital of a Mediterranean country. The most visited Mediterranean country: which countries of the Mediterranean do tourists like. Pros and cons of holidays in the Mediterranean

In the Mediterranean Sea, the seas are distinguished: Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Cretan, Aegean. In the pool mediterranean sea include the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Black Sea, the Sea of ​​Azov.

The modern Mediterranean Sea is a relic of the ancient Tethys Ocean, which was much wider and stretched far to the east. Relics of the Tethys Ocean are also the Aral, Caspian, Black and Marmara Seas, confined to its deepest depressions. Probably, Tethys was once completely surrounded by land, and between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of the Strait of Gibraltar, there was an isthmus. The same land bridge connected southeastern Europe with Asia Minor. It is possible that the Bosphorus, Dardanelles and Gibraltar straits were formed on the site of flooded river valleys, and many island chains, especially in the Aegean Sea, were connected to the mainland.

The Mediterranean Sea juts out into the land between Europe, Africa and Asia.

The seas of the Mediterranean basin wash the shores of 21 states:

Europe (from west to east): Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus; Asia (from north to south): Turkey, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel; Africa (east to west): Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. In the northeast, through the Dardanelles, it connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara and further through the Bosphorus - with the Black Sea, in the southeast - with the Suez Canal - with the Red Sea.

The area is 2500 thousand km².

The volume of water is 3839 thousand km³.

The average depth is 1541 m, the maximum depth is 5121 m.

The shores of the Mediterranean Sea near the mountainous coasts are predominantly abrasion, leveled, near the low ones - lagoon-estuary and deltaic; for the east coast Adriatic Sea Dalmatian-type shores are characteristic. The most significant bays: Valencia, Lyon, Genoa, Taranto, Sidra (B. Sirte), Gabes (M. Sirte).

The largest islands: Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus.

The large rivers Ebro, Rhone, Tiber, Po, Nile, etc. flow into the Mediterranean Sea; their total annual flow is approx. 430 km³.

The bottom of the Mediterranean Sea breaks up into several basins with relatively steep continental slopes, with a depth of 2000-4000 m; along the coasts, the basins are bordered by a narrow strip of shelf, expanding only between the coast of Tunisia and Sicily, as well as within the Adriatic Sea.

Geomorphologically, the Mediterranean Sea can be divided into three basins: Western - Algiers-Provencal basin with a maximum depth of over 2800 m, uniting the depressions of the Alboran, Balearic and Ligurian seas, as well as the depression of the Tyrrhenian Sea - over 3600 m; Central - over 5100 m (Central basin and depressions of the Adriatic and Ionian seas) and Eastern - Levantine, about 4380 m (hollows of the Levant, Aegean and Marmara seas).

The bottom of some basins is covered with Neogene-Anthropogenic strata (up to 5-7 km thick in the Balearic and Ligurian Seas) of sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Among the Messinian (Upper Miocene) deposits of the Algiers-Provencal Basin, a significant role belongs to the saline evaporite stratum (thickness of over 1.5-2 km), which forms structures characteristic of salt tectonics. Along the sides and in the center of the Tyrrhenian Basin there are several large faults with extinct and active volcanoes confined to them; some of them form large seamounts (Lipari Islands, Vavilov volcano, etc.). Volcanoes along the outskirts of the basin (in the Tuscan archipelago, on the Pontine Islands, Vesuvius, and the Aeolian Islands) erupt acidic and alkaline lavas, volcanoes in the center, parts of the Mediterranean Sea - deeper, basic lavas (basalts).

Part of the Central and Eastern (Levanta) basins are filled with sedimentary strata, including thick products of river runoff, especially the Nile. At the bottom of these basins, according to geophysical studies, the Hellenic deep-water trough and the Central Mediterranean swell were identified - a large arch up to 500-800 m high. Along the foot of the continental slope of Cyrenaica, the Libyan trough is traced, very clearly expressed in the relief and poorly filled with sediments. The basins of the Mediterranean Sea are very different in time of initiation. A significant part of the Eastern (Levantinsky) basin was laid down in the Mesozoic, the Algerian-Provencal basin - from the end of the Oligocene - the beginning of the Miocene, some basins of the Mediterranean Sea - at the beginning - the middle of the Miocene, Pliocene. At the end of the Miocene (Messianic Age), shallow basins already existed in most of the Mediterranean Sea. The depth of the Algiers-Provencal basin during the salt deposition in the Messinian was about 1-1.5 km. Salts accumulated as a result of strong evaporation and concentration of brine due to the influx of sea water into a closed reservoir through a strait that existed south of Gibraltar.

The modern depths of the Tyrrhenian depression were formed as a result of bottom subsidence during the Pliocene and Anthropogenic period (over the last 5 million years); as a result of the same relatively rapid subsidence, some other basins also arose. The formation of the basins of the Mediterranean Sea is associated either with stretching (pulling apart) of the continental crust, or with the processes of compaction of the earth's crust and its subsidence. In the department In areas of the basins, the processes of geosynclinal development continue. The bottom of the Mediterranean Sea in many parts is promising for the search for oil and gas deposits, especially in the area where salt domes are distributed. In shelf zones, oil and gas deposits are associated with Mesozoic and Paleogene deposits.

The hydrological regime of the Mediterranean Sea is formed under the influence of high evaporation and general climatic conditions. conditions. The predominance of the flow of fresh water over the inflow leads to a decrease in the level, which is the reason for the constant inflow of surface less saline water from the Atlantic. OK. and Black Cape. In the deep layers of the straits there is an outflow of highly saline water caused by the difference in water density at the level of the thresholds of the straits. Main water exchange occurs through the Strait of Gibraltar. (the upper current brings 42.32 thousand km³ of Atlantic water per year, and the lower reaches 40.80 thousand km³ of Mediterranean water); 350 and 180 km³ of water per year flows in and out through the Dardanelles, respectively.

The circulation of waters in S. of m has hl. arr. wind nature; it is represented by the main, almost zonal Canary Current, which carries waters predominantly. Atlantic origin along Africa, from the Gibraltar Strait. to the shores of Lebanon, n system tsiklonich. gyres in isolated seas and basins to the left of this current. The water column to the depths. 750-1000 m is covered by a unidirectional water transfer in depth, with the exception of the Levantinsky intermediate countercurrent, which carries the Levantine waters from about. Malta to the Strait of Gibraltar along Africa.

The speeds of steady currents in the open part of the sea are 0.5-1.0 km/h, in some straits - 2-4 km/h. The average surface water temperature in February decreases from north to south from 8-12 to 17 °C in the east. and center. parts and from 11 to 15 °С by 3. In August, the average water temperature varies from 19 to 25 °С. - at the extreme east, it rises to 27-30 °C. Large evaporation leads to a strong increase in salinity. Its values ​​increase from 3. to V. from 36 to - 39.5. The density of water on the surface varies from 1.023-1.027 g/cm³ in summer to 1.027-1.029 g/cm³ in winter. During the period of winter cooling in districts with increased density, intensive convective mixing develops, which leads to the formation of highly saline and warm intermediate waters in the East. basin and deep waters in the north of the western basin, in the Adriatic and Aegean seas. In terms of near-bottom temperature and salinity, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and most saline seas in the world. (12.6-13.4 ° C and 38.4-38.7, respectively). Relates water transparency up to 50-60 m, color - intense blue.

The tides are mostly semidiurnal, their magnitude is less than 1 m, but in some parts. points in combination with wind surges, level fluctuations can reach 4 m (Genoa Bay, near the northern coast of Corsica Island, etc.). Strong tidal currents are observed in narrow straits (Messina Strait). Max. excitement is noted in winter (wave height reaches 6-8 m).

The climate of the Mediterranean Sea is determined by its position in the subtropical zone and is distinguished by great specificity, which distinguishes it as an independent Mediterranean climate type, characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. In winter, a hollow of low atmospheric pressure is established above the sea, which determines unstable weather with frequent storms and heavy precipitation; cold northerly winds lower the air temperature. Local winds develop: mistral in the area of ​​the Gulf of Lion and bora in the east of the Adriatic Sea. In summer, most of the Mediterranean Sea is covered by the crest of the Azores anticyclone, which determines the predominance of clear weather with little cloudiness and low rainfall. During the summer months, there are dry fogs and a dusty haze carried out of Africa by the southerly sirocco wind. In the Eastern Basin, stable northern winds - etesias - develop.

The average air temperature in January varies from 14-16°С near the southern coast to 7-10°С in the north, in August - from 22-24°С in the north to 25-30°С in the southern regions of the sea. Evaporation from the surface of the Mediterranean Sea reaches 1250 mm per year (3130 km3). Relative humidity varies from 50-65% in summer to 65-80% in winter. Cloudiness in summer 0-3 points, in winter about 6 points. The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (about 1000 km3), it varies from 1100-1300 mm in the northwest to 50-100 mm in the southeast, minimum in July-August, maximum in December.

Mirages are characteristic, which are often observed in the Messinian Strait. (the so-called Fata Morgana).

Vegetation and animal world The Mediterranean Sea is distinguished by a relatively weak quantitative development of phyto- and zooplankton, which entails the paucity of larger animals that feed on them, including fish. The amount of phytoplankton in the surface horizons is only 8-10 mg / m³, at a depth of 1000-2000 m it is 10-20 times less. Algae are very diverse (peridine and diatoms predominate).

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high species diversity, but the number of representatives of the sep. species are small. There are crayfish, one species of seals (white-bellied seal); sea ​​turtle. 550 species of fish (mackerel, herring, anchovy, mullet, dorado, tuna, bonito, horse mackerel, etc.). About 70 species of endemic fish, including stingrays, anchovy species, gobies, sea. blenny, wrasse and needlefish. Of the edible mollusks, the most important are the oyster, the Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel, and the sea date. Of the invertebrates, octopuses, squids, sepia, crabs, spiny lobsters are common; numerous species of jellyfish, siphonophore; sponges and red coral live in some areas, especially in the Aegean.

The coast of the S. m. has long been densely populated, differs high level economic development (especially the countries located along its northern coast).

Agriculture of the Mediterranean countries: stands out for the production of citrus fruits (about 1/3 of the world harvest), cotton, oilseeds. In the system of international trade and economic relations, trade and economic relations occupy a special position. Located at the junction of three parts of the world (Europe, Asia, and Africa), the Northern Sea is an important transport route along which Europe's maritime links with Asia, North Africa, and also Australia and Oceania run. Important trade routes linking Russia and Ukraine with Western countries, as well as large cabotage lines between the Black Sea and a number of other ports of Russia and Ukraine, run along the S. m.

The transport significance of the Northern Sea area for Western Europe is continuously increasing due to the growing dependence of these countries on the import of raw materials. The role of S. m is especially great in oil transportation. S. m. is an important "oil" route between Western Europe and the Middle East. The share of the southern ports (the chief of which are Marseille, Trieste, and Genoa) in supplying Western Europe with oil is constantly growing (about 40% in 1972). Seaports are connected by pipelines both with the countries of Western Europe, including Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and with the oil fields of the Middle East and North Africa. Transportation of various types of raw materials, metal ores and bauxites, agricultural products is also great. products through the Suez Canal, through which Western Europe links with Asia and Australia. The largest ports are Marseille with outports in France, Genoa, Augusta, Trieste in Italy, Sidra, Marsa Brega in Libya.

Numerous industrial enterprises have been set up along the sea coast and on the islands. On raw materials delivered by sea, the chemical and metallurgical industries developed. In 1960–75, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily in Italy, the mouth of the Rhone in France, and others became major centers of the chemical industry. Oil and gas production began on the shelf of the Northern Sea (the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, the coast of Greece, and others).

Fishing in the North Sea is of secondary importance compared to other basins of the Atlantic Ocean. The industrialization of the coast, the growth of cities, the development of recreational areas lead to intense pollution of the coastal strip. The resorts of the Cote d'Azur (Riviera) in France and Italy, the resorts of the Levantine coast and the Balearic Islands in Spain, etc. are widely known.

2.1. Tourist resources of foreign Europe

2.1.2. Mediterranean European resort hearth

Countries located on the Mediterranean coast are especially popular with tourists. This region has a Mediterranean type of climate, developed tourist infrastructure, historical monuments of Antiquity and the Middle Ages, a large number of attractions.

Barcelona is a famous tourist center. Here are a complex of buildings and the Cathedral of the Holy Family by the famous architect A. Gaudi, the Nou Camp football stadium, the monument to Christopher Columbus, the highest in the world, and other attractions. The next part of the coast to the south is the Costa del Garraf, centered on the resort town of Sitges.

Further south lies the Costa Daurada - the "golden coast", so named because of the beautiful sea beaches of fine soft sand. The pride of the Costa Daurada is the second largest theme park in Europe - Port Aventura. On the territory of the Valencian Community, there is a part of the coast called Costa Azaar, with its center in the city of Castellón. This is 120 kilometers of coast washed by the Mediterranean Sea.

To the south of Costa Azahar is the sea coast with the center in the city of Valencia. Valencia, a city known throughout the world for its trade fairs, has become one of the most popular venues for international conferences. In the old city of Valencia, one of the largest in Europe, there are many monuments of culture and architecture. The old Lonja commodity exchange has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the outskirts of the city there are beaches and seaside villages. Valencia is rich in national museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Ceramics, and others.

To the south of Valencia is the famous Costa Blanca - the "white coast" - the coast of the Valencian community with the famous resorts of Gandia, Javea, Benidorm, Alicante. Benidorm, in particular, is famous for the Tierra Mítica theme park in its vicinity, where the ancient legendary civilizations of the Mediterranean are presented in miniature. The territory of the Valencian Community is not only the Mediterranean coast, but also the inland rural areas, which are of great interest to travelers. There are also many nature reserves. In the extreme south of Andalusia, there is a famous resort area - the Costa del Sol - the "sun coast". This part of the coast is known for resort centers for aristocrats and big businessmen. The capital of the province of Andalusia is the city of Seville. The heyday of the city began after the discovery of America. Spanish caravels brought here gold and other valuables from the New World, which was the reason for the development of the port city. Seville is considered the city of sailors, bullfighters and flamenco performers. The Seville Fair is held here every year.

The island part of Spain is very popular among tourists. The Canary Islands, located opposite the African coast, 1000 km from the Iberian Peninsula, thanks to their volcanic origin, exceptionally even climate throughout the year and wonderful beaches, provide the opportunity to enjoy all the delights of the sea throughout the year. Puerto de la Cruz and beaches in the southern part of Tenerife; the beaches of Las Playas del Ingles and Maspalomas on the island of Gran Canaria; Puerto del Carmen on the island of Lanzarote and Corralejo on Fuerteventura are some of the tourist destinations.

Located in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the Balearic Islands have a number of features that are unique to them. Here is an interesting and diverse coast, a rich world of birds and landscapes that amaze with their beauty. Ibiza, the third largest island in the Balearic archipelago, is recognized worldwide as one of the best resorts for young people. Young people from all over Europe come here in search of entertainment - Mallorca is the largest island of the Balearic archipelago. Due to its favorable Mediterranean climate, Mallorca is one of the islands visited by tourists all year round.

Spain is also the center of educational tourism. The golden age of Spanish education came during the Renaissance, when Spanish influence spread throughout the world. Since then, the greatness of the once powerful kingdom has faded, but even now in this country you can get a good education. Spanish universities have ancient traditions. The very first of them was founded in Salamat in 1218. Spanish universities are traditionally considered strong in teaching history and geography. The Spanish schools of fine arts also need no introduction.

At the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula is a constitutional monarchy GIBRALTAR. The length of the coastline of this tiny state is 12 km, and the total territory of the country is occupied mainly by rocks - only 6.5 square meters. km. Being under British jurisdiction, the territory of Gibraltar continues to be the subject of a dispute between Spain and the UK. The country's economy is directly dependent on British military aid, tourism income, ship maintenance, banking and financial activities. The country got its name from the distorted Arabic name Jebel al-Tariq (“mountain of Tariq”), which was given to this place in the 6th century. AD, when the Moors, led by Tariq ibn Seyd, captured Gibraltar and named it after their leader. Tourists enjoy a picturesque view of the Rock of Gibraltar, where an ancient fortification is located - an 18th-century fortress. Tourists are interested in the majestic Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary, the construction of which began in the 15th century.

In recent years, Gibraltar has become one of the recognized centers of sailing. A modern yachting center has been created here. Tourists are attracted here by the possibility of successful shopping, as the prices for goods here are much lower than in most European countries. On the main street of Gibraltar, Main Street, there are many pubs, souvenir shops, cafes and entertainment venues. The foot of the Rock of Gibraltar is not rich in places for beach holidays. But in recent years, efforts have been made to create artificial beaches.

PORTUGAL located in Southwestern Europe, on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is characterized by an abundance of landscapes: mountains and valleys in the northern and central parts are replaced by plains in the southern latitudes. It has mild winters and hot summers.

One of the main objectives of the economic policy pursued in recent years by the government of Portugal was to achieve the level of prosperity of the EU countries. Currently, about 80% of Portugal's foreign trade is with EU member states. It is believed that the country's accession to the euro zone contributed to the strengthening of the country's international prestige, which had a positive effect on the economy. Portugal exports industrial and agricultural products. One of the areas of specialization is the production of high-quality and relatively cheap shoes. The local winemaking is famous.

Tourism is also actively developing in the country. The tourist resources of Portugal include the capital of the country Lisbon, the coast in the vicinity of Lisbon, the southern province of Portugal Al Garve, the city of Porto, the island of Madeira. Lisbon - the westernmost capital of Europe - spreads like Rome and Moscow on seven hills. This is an ancient city, striking in the number of architectural monuments of architecture. Lisbon offers its guests a fairly large selection of comfortable hotels designed for people with different financial capabilities. The popular resorts of Estors and Cascais are located 15 km west of Lisbon. This is a traditionally favorite vacation spot for European nobility and the residence of royal families. Luxurious villas, eucalyptus groves, best beaches central part of the country, magnificent hotels, fine restaurants, world-class golf courses, one of the most famous casinos in Europe and the famous Formula 1 circuit - all this attracts millions of tourists.

Ltarve is the southernmost province of Portugal, washed by the waters of the Atlantic, with a coastline of about 200 km. Golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear seas, waters of the Ria Formosa Reserve with graceful flamingos, exciting options for outdoor enthusiasts and sports enthusiasts - all this attracts tourists here. Porto - the second largest city in Portugal - gave its name not only to port wine, but to the whole country. The city is the center of the petrochemical, textile and fish canning industries, and its harbor is the country's second largest port. Since the city attracts not only tourists, but also businessmen, the level of development of the hotel business here is quite high.

Madeira Island, together with Porto Saito Island and the uninhabited reserve islands, form an archipelago that has been one of the famous European tourist destinations for three centuries. Madeira is located 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1000 km from the mainland of Portugal. The central city of the archipelago is Funxaa. The island was discovered by the Portuguese Prince Henry. The prince planted here plantations of grape varieties that had previously grown only in Crete and Cyprus. The result was a wine of amazing quality - Madeira, which attracted merchants from all over the world to the island to purchase it. Christopher Columbus, who married the daughter of a local governor, lived on the island for a while. An important tourist destination in Portugal are the Azores, located in the Atlantic Ocean.

The pride of the Portuguese hospitality industry is the pousas, reflecting the architectural, decorative and gastronomic characteristics of the areas of Portugal in which they are located, avoiding the stereotype of international hotels. Located in a variety of buildings: medieval inns, castles, manors, they are equipped with modern equipment and offer their guests a cozy atmosphere.

FRANCE- the largest European country in terms of territory (after Russia) (an area of ​​​​about 550 thousand square kilometers) with a population of about 60 million people. The capital of France is Paris, located on the River Seine. As we have said, France is the second most popular tourist destination in the world (after the USA). In this case, it is appropriate to recall the words of Henri de Bornier: "Every person has two homelands - his own and France".

The geographical position of France is characterized by two main features: the position in the center of Europe among the developed countries, as well as access to the seas, which allows the use of cheap sea transport to communicate with overseas and European states. France, having significant reserves of certain types of mineral raw materials (uranium), is rich primarily in natural and climatic resources, which contributes to the development of agriculture and tourism. The relief of the country is also varied - there are three natural and climatic zones: the north with a temperate-humid maritime climate; the central array, which occupies a middle position and is characterized by a sharp temperature drop; south with a Mediterranean type of climate.

Taking its modern name from the Celtic tribe of the Franks, France has a rich history. The reign of Charlemagne, who contributed to the spread of Christianity in Western Europe, the royal power of the Louis and the seizure of the colonies, the world's first bourgeois republic and the aggressive policy of Napoleon Bonaparte, the constructive domestic and foreign policy of Charles de Gaulle, who managed to keep her former colonies in the sphere of influence of France , - this is a far from complete list of important historical milestones of the French state. The French Republic is administratively divided into 22 regions and 96 departments, economically it is an industrial country, where agriculture and non-manufacturing industries are more important than in many other European countries. World famous wines - cognac, Cahors, champagne come from France. Paris remains a world fashion center with a developed perfume and cosmetics industry.

The historically established radial system of French settlement has led to the fact that all roads in France lead to Paris, the hypertrophied development of which is one of the country's regional problems. Over the past millennium, Paris has developed as a cultural and political center that has even changed the course of world history. It has been known as the capital of France since 987. Paris was founded on the Île de la Cité and has a pronounced radial-circular layout corresponding to the stages of historical development: radial highways are connected by concentric rings of wide green boulevards. There is a university in Paris - the Sorbonne, founded in 1215, where you can study without age restrictions all your life.

The most beautiful panorama of Paris can be seen from the Eiffel Tower, which was built according to the project of Gustave Eiffel on the Champ de Mars, near the Seine, in 1887-1889, on the day of the Paris World Exhibition and the centenary of the French bourgeois revolution.

The streets of Paris have curious names: the streets of Achilles, Babylon, Paradise, Hell, God, Satan. Dozens of streets and squares are named after great people: Hugo, Balzac, etc., and also bear geographical names: Europe Square, Latin American Square, streets of Italy, Argentina, Moscow The best decoration of Paris, its blue necklace is the Seine. On its shore stands Notre Dame, Notre Dame Cathedral - the greatest monument of Gothic art. Its construction began in the 12th century. The cathedral is 130 meters long and 48 meters wide. Notre Dame is considered the geographical center of France, at its entrance there is a mark from which all distances in France are measured.

Not far from Notre Dame rises the pearl of Gothic architecture - the Sainte-Chapelle Chapel - two churches, lower and upper.

They were consecrated in 1248. The bright, joyful coloring of the stained-glass windows makes this relic of architecture look like a precious box.

Triumphal arch, built in 1806-1836. in the Empire style, adorns the Place de l'Etoile.

The Champs-Elysées is certainly the most beautiful of the 8500 streets of Paris, it is pleasant to walk along it at any time of the day or year.

The Champs Elysees is the site of traditional military parades. At the Champs Elysees, half a kilometer from the Arc de Triomphe, is the Champs Elysees - the residence of the President of France. On the banks of the Seine are the Palais Royal Palace with beautiful courtyards, the Tuileries Park, the Comedie Francaise theater.

The Louvre can be called the greatest museum in the world, an outstanding piece of French Renaissance architecture. The Louvre contains masterpieces of world painting and sculpture by famous masters, such as Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael Santi, Titian, and others. Unique works of the Ancient East, Ancient Greece and Rome, discovered as a result of archaeological excavations, are displayed here, as well as medieval monuments.

The works of impressionist artists: Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Matisse, Picasso and others are exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay. The Guimet Museum is dedicated to the art of the ancient East and ancient Egypt. There are countless museums in Paris, including the museums of Rodin, Hugo, Balzac, etc. Tourists get acquainted with the life of a free, lively city, see the Les Invalides, where Napoleon is buried, the Grand Opera, the Conservatory, the Luxembourg Palace and others. Martin, Madeleine, Temple, Filles-du-Celver, Beaumarchais) are a single and diverse street with a width of 35 m and a length of about 4.5 km This is a district of theaters, cabarets, shops, restaurants, editorial offices of the most important newspapers and magazines.

The Cote d'Azur (French Riviera) in the southeast of France on the border with Italy is known for prestigious resorts: Cannes, Grasse, Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu, Mengon, Antibes. The French Riviera is a venue for festivals and carnivals. The Cote d'Azur has everything you need to organize a good rest: a developed network of motorways, roads and railways connects it with all the largest cities in France and Europe; the international airport in Nice serves up to 7 million passengers a year; the hotel industry consists mainly of luxury hotels; there are 19 ski resorts. The Côte d'Azur has a well-developed and long-standing accommodation industry. A typical example is the prestigious Hotel Negresco in Nice. The hotel was founded by Henry Negresco. He was born in 1868. in the family of the owner of an inn in Bucharest. At the age of 15, Henry goes to work in Europe. Dreaming of building a hotel worthy of his clients, Henry decides to travel the world, visiting the most famous hotels in order to create his own palace on the Cote d'Azur, where visitors will be offered exquisite luxury and comfort. The hotel was designed by the famous architect E. Nierman and opened in 1913. In the very first year of its existence, the hotel brought a fabulous profit - 800,000 old francs. The modern owners of the hotel, continuing the work begun by the Negresco, complement the hotel with exquisite art objects. The hotel has 140 rooms costing from 200 to 1500 euros per night.

Aquitaine and the Midi-Pyrenees (southwest France), with the center of viticulture in the city of Bordeaux, are known for a combination of pine forests and beaches with fine sand, which end in the south with the prestigious aristocratic resort of Biarritz.

On the territory of Brittany and Normandy (western France), dizzying cliffs, sandy beaches, pink and lilac rocks are amazing, and in numerous picturesque ports (Brest, Le Havre) there are countless fishing boats. Normandy is the birthplace of impressionism, great writers and poets - Claude Monet, Guy de Maupassant and others. This is a land on which there are many fortresses, castles, abbeys. Many monuments of the Romanesque and Gothic architectural heritage are located here. The abbey of San Michel, founded in the 7th century, located on the island, as well as the cathedral in the city of Rouen, the picturesque Honfleur - the city of artists and poets, the medieval city of Saint-Malo - "the haven of royal pirates", the birthplace of Francois Chateaubriand are known all over the world.

The main attraction of Brittany is the powerful ebbs and flows.

They are called the "breathing rhythms" of Atlantic Europe. Every six hours, the seascape, and with it the coastline, changes beyond recognition. The region, located in the north of France, is the gateway to Belgium and the UK. The ports of Boulogne and Calais, as well as the Eurostar train terminal, link the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region with the UK.

Burgundy and Champagne-Ardennes is a region that has historically established itself as the center of French wines. The lands of the Loire and Pautou-Charentes are known for the mildness of the climate, the magnificent scenery of the river valleys and the rounded hills along the Loire, and the traditional cuisine (patés, seafood, frog legs). Pautou-Charentes is considered the birthplace of cognac. There are a large number of monuments of the Romanesque era. The Loire River has always been the most important waterway.

It was a natural outlet to the Atlantic Ocean - to Nantes.

At the same time, the Loire was the road to Paris, along which silks, spices, precious stones, and pearls arrived.

Lorraine in northwestern France shares a border with Germany along the Rhine River and the Vosges Mountains. The centers of this old industrial region, Metz and Nancy, are now primarily of tourist attraction. Their architectural monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Book.

The lands of Provence, Corsica and Languedoc in the southeast of France are full of evidence of a rich cultural past: Roman arenas and baths, triumphal arches, aqueducts. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the Languedoc-Roussillon region stretches from the border with Spain to the Rhone Delta. Wild beaches alternate with wild lagoons, a paradise for pink flamingos. The island of Corsica, where Napoleon was born, is known for its separatist sentiments and is unusually picturesque. The center of this area is Marseille, the largest port of France. Tourist cities of this area are also Perpignan and Montpellier. The region of Rhone-Alpes, Auverne, Limousin in the center of France is the center of winter sports, primarily skiing (Alberville, Grenoble), historical and educational excursions are also held here. The city of Strasbourg in the Alsace region is often referred to as the capital of Europe, as the Parliament of the European Union sits here. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin wrote about the beauty of the nature of Alsace in “Notes of a Russian Traveler” “The luxurious nature of Alsace, in gardens and fields, pours out all its fertility to the visitor, and in foaming joy gives the mortal the nectar of inspiration.”

France is a recognized center of winemaking and gastronomy. Almost all departments of the country have specifics in the preparation of wines and various delicacies. Therefore, gastronomic tours are popular, one of which is called "Wine Roads of France".

These tours are often combined with agricultural tourism, which is gaining more and more popularity in Europe. Through the picturesque places and vineyards of Alsace lies one of the attractions of the region - the famous wine road 170 km long. The delight of tourists is the acquaintance with many towns on this road, especially with the city of Colmar, immersed in flowers.

From the once large colonial empire of France, "fragments" remained in the form of overseas departments. Located in the southern regions, due to the favorable climate, they are an object of international tourist demand. These are Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Tahiti, New Caledonia.

In international tourism, France is considered an important ski destination, it is the leader in the number of ski resorts - there are more than 400 of them, as well as in terms of the total length and equipment of the slopes (6 thousand km of equipped slopes and over 4 thousand funiculars and lifts). It is in the French Alps that the highest mountain skiing in Europe is possible - up to 3900m.

Here, in Chamonix, is the longest ski slope in the world - 22 km long. Chamonix is ​​considered the oldest (1893) and most famous ski resort in the French Alps. Other ski resorts in France are also popular - Megeve, Morzine, Meribel, etc. Courchevel is called “the station chosen by the stars.” Here are the most expensive and sophisticated hotels in France.

France is a country with a rich history. Each historical era has left its mark on French architecture and art. The whole territory of France is full of architectural monuments associated with ancient Roman culture, Romanesque art, Gothic, the era of classicism, the romantic period. In this regard, old publications are of interest, in particular, the guidebook "France", prepared by Louis Gurtik, inspector of fine arts in Paris. The book contains illustrations of architectural monuments of different eras scattered throughout France.

Within the borders of the Cote d'Azur is the picturesque Principality of MONACO. The basis of the principality's economy is trade and financial activity (about 800 international companies and 50 banks are located in Monaco, which is due to a favorable tax regime) and tourism. The capital of the Principality, the city of Monte Carlo, is known for its gambling houses. However, here you can visit a number of attractions: the Prince's Palace, Palace Square, the Oceanographic Museum, the casino, the Japanese Garden, the Monaco Cathedral, the Museum of the History of the Princes of Monaco, the Maritime Museum.

On the border of France and Spain, there is the principality of ANDORRA, which is famous for its ski resorts, duty-free zone and water parks in terms of recreation. Andorra is an independent state, its area is 468 sq. km, population 65 thousand people.

It is located three and a half hours (225 km) from Barcelona Airport and 180 km from Toulouse Airport. The largest ski resorts in Andorra are Soldeu El Tarter, Pas de la Casa Grau Rouge, Pal Arinsal, Ordino Arcalis. Soldeu El Tarter is considered the most popular resort for both beginners and advanced skiers, and Pas de la Casa Grau Rouge is the ideal place for advanced skiers. Pal-Arinsal is suitable for beginners and students. Ordino Arcalis is the most remote resort from the capital of the Principality of Andorra la Vella. One of the main features of Andorra is a combination of quality rest and affordable prices. The relatively low cost of tour packages distinguishes it from Austria, France and Switzerland. The country's capital, Andorra la Vella, is located in a picturesque basin surrounded by high mountains. The city was founded in the 9th century, so there are many medieval buildings here.

ITALY has an area of ​​about 300 thousand square meters. km and a predominantly single-ethnic population of about 60 million people. Rome, the capital of Italy, is located on the Tiber River. The geographical position of Italy in the south of Europe contributes to its close ties with both European countries and the Mediterranean countries - North Africa and the Middle East.

The modern Italian Republic, consisting of 20 regions, became independent in 1861. The historical greatness of the country is personified by the city that existed until 476 BC. huge Roman Empire. The historical monuments of Italy are one of the main values ​​of world culture, so the inexhaustible interest of millions of tourists attracts them to this country at any time of the year.

The reserves of mercury ore and the famous white marble are the country's most important mineral resources. The Mediterranean type of climate is the most important natural and climatic resource. In economic terms, Italy is characterized by the production of products of medium complexity (household appliances, cars) and the consumer sector (fashion clothes, shoes, movies). An important place in the country's economy is occupied by agriculture, especially viticulture. Italy is the world leader in wine production. In Italy, one can single out the economically developed North, which is based on the "industrial triangle" Milan - Turin - Genoa, as well as the agrarian backward south, the largest center of which is Naples.

A powerful surge in the cultural and ideological development of many European countries, which occurred mainly in the 14th-15th centuries, and in Italy began as early as the 13th century, is commonly called the Renaissance (Renaissance). Therefore, Italy is so rich in the heritage of great artists, sculptors, poets, architects, philosophers. Among them are the names of Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael Santi, Michelangelo Buonarroti and many others.

Regional tourism in Italy is developing in accordance with the specifics of natural data and the presence of historical and cultural monuments. The geographical position of the Piedmont region determined its name - "at the foot of the mountains." This northwestern region borders France and is known for its mountain resorts.

The center and capital of the region is the city of Turin, a large industrial center of the North of Italy. Mechanical engineering, textile and electrical industries are developed here, and factories of the Fiat company are located. From the point of view of tourism, the most interesting in Piedmont are the mountain resorts (ski tourism, hiking in the mountains, cycling, horseback riding) and the sights of Turin. These include architectural ensembles in the Baroque style, the Egyptian Museum, the Savoy Gallery, etc.

The Valle d'Aosta region is geographically part of Piedmont, but enjoys the rights of autonomy. It borders France and Switzerland. The region is rich in minerals: iron, copper ores, and marble. Numerous powerful hydroelectric power plants located here supply electricity to all of Italy. It is famous not only for its cheeses, but also for its excellent ski resorts, where the highest mountain resorts in Italy (up to 3,500 m) are located, and thanks to this, the ski season continues until the beginning of May.

Nature lovers are attracted by the Gran Paradiso National Park and the surroundings of Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the Alps.

The capital of the region of Liguria is the city of Genoa. The region has developed agriculture (production of olive oil, cultivation of citrus fruits), metallurgical and machine-building industries (shipbuilding). Basically, tourism in Liguria is associated with seaside holidays. Here are the prestigious European resorts of Portofino, Rapallo, San Remo, where the annual song festival takes place. Genoa is a city with a rich historical past. During the Middle Ages, Genoa was one of the prosperous maritime republics. Monuments of different eras have been preserved here:

Palazzo Ducale, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Old city, the house where the famous navigator Christopher Columbus was born, the house-museum of Niccolò Paganini.

The center of the Lombardy region - the city of Milan - is the largest industrial, financial, and transport center of Southern Europe. It is known that in 568, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the hordes of Atilla, the leader of the Gothic tribes, captured the city. The locals called the barbarians Lombards ("long beards"). It is believed that it was from the Lombards that these lands got their name - Lombardy.

Milan's famous opera house La Scala is famous all over the world. Milan is the center of training in the art of opera singing. Milan has become a symbol of Italian fashion. One of the titles of modern Milan is the capital of industrial design. Furniture made in Milan is famous all over the world. One of the most famous sights of the city is the Duomo Cathedral built in the Gothic style. The cathedral was built of white marble with many spiers and statues.

Milan is a famous shopping center. The city's central department store is located in the main square and is called the Vittorino Emanuele Gallery. Football is very popular in the city.

Here is one of the largest football stadiums in Italy "San Siro".

To the north of Milan, in the spurs of the Alps, from east to west, there are beautiful lakes - Garda, Iseo, Como, Lugano, etc. The most important areas of tourism in Lombardy include: sightseeing (visiting the sights of Milan and medieval cities); rest on numerous picturesque lakes of Lombardy; riding on skiing; visiting theme parks; gastronomic tours; business tourism associated with participation in numerous exhibitions held in Milan.

The Trentino-Alto Adige region has a significant German-speaking population. This mountainous region borders on Austria. The largest centers of the region are Trento and Bolzano. Hydropower and agriculture are developed here. The most famous resorts of the region are Pinzolo, Marano, Brunico. Ski tourism is mainly developed.

The center of the Veneto region -. For several centuries it was the center of the Venetian Republic. In the Middle Ages, she was constantly at enmity with the then powerful Genoa. In the heyday of the Venetian Republic, the possessions reached as far as the Po River (now it separates the regions of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna) and the city of Bergamo, located next to Milan. The Venetian Republic lost its independence in 1797 when Napoleon captured it and handed it over to Austria. In the second half of the XVI century. The Venetian Republic becomes a kind of oasis and the center of the Renaissance. Here worked the artists of the Venetian school Giorgione, Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, sculptor Benvenuto Cellini.

The peculiarity of the geographical position of Venice is determined by the fact that the city is located on numerous islands of the Venetian lagoon, surrounded by canals, which are interconnected by bridges. Water buses have been running around Venice since the end of the 19th century. You can travel along the Venetian canals by river trams and gondolas. The length of the gondola is several meters, and the weight reaches 600 kg. Gondolas are made by local craftsmen. This is a rare handiwork. The cost of one gondola is several tens of thousands of euros. The main transport artery of Venice is the Grand Canal, which divides the city into two parts. Everyone is familiar with the Venetian striped poles sticking out of the canals. It is known that they practically do not rot in water, as they are made from special species of larch and oak.

Venice is world famous for its glassblowers. The craftsmanship of glassblowers is unique and passed down from generation to generation. At the end of the XIII century. Doges (rulers of the city) issued a decree for the eviction of all glassblowers from Venice. This was due to frequent fires. Artels were sent to five separate islands called Murano next to Venice.

In the very center of the city, Piazza San Marco is located. Here tourists see the magnificent sights of Venice:.

The clock tower with the Moors, the Cathedral of San Marco - decorated with 78 mosaics by Byzantine masters, the Rialto Bridge, the Doge's Palace - a masterpiece of Italian architecture, known throughout the world as "lace in stone", "frozen music". Many attractions in Venice have symbolic names.

For example, along the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the courthouse with a neighboring prison, sighing, convicts passed, who, perhaps, are here in last time could see the sky and the sea.

Tourism in the Veneto region has a multidisciplinary character: visiting Venice, sea holidays, outdoor recreation in the mountains, mountaineering, skiing, visiting theme parks, thermal treatment.

The Friuli-Venice-Giulia region is the easternmost region of Italy. It is located between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps. Agriculture is developed in the region, there are machine-building, metallurgical enterprises and light industry enterprises. The center of the region is the city of Trieste, which has a long history, as evidenced by numerous architectural monuments. One of them is a monument to four continents, located on the central square. “Why four and not five?” You ask, and you will get the answer: when this monument was created, Australia had not yet been discovered. At present, Trieste is a major seaport and transport hub not only in Italy, but also in the Northern Adriatic.

The center of the Emilia-Romagna region is the city of Bologna, where the oldest university in Europe is located. Agriculture, food industry (production of high-quality cheeses and sausages), mechanical engineering (factories "Ferrari" and "Mazaretti") are developed in the region. The largest cities in the region: Parma, Modena, Piacenza, Rimini (seaside resort of the Adriatic). Tourism here is associated with visits to seaside resorts, city tours.

The center of the Tuscany region is the city. The sights of Florence include cathedrals, palaces, squares, fountains, famous streets and bridges of the city: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the bell tower of Giotto of the XIV century, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Signoria Square, etc. Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, the birthplace of great artists , writers, scientists, sculptors: Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was the central figure in the art of the 16th century, the last master of the Renaissance. Having created ingenious works of painting, sculpture and architecture, he glorified the strength and power of the human person, liberated from feudal fetters. Leonardo da Vinci was at the same time an artist, art theorist, sculptor, architect, mathematician, physicist, mechanic, astrologer, anatomist, etc. In terms of talent and versatility, he is hardly equal among the representatives of the Renaissance. His masterpieces have come down to us - the fresco "The Last Supper" and the portrait "Mona Lisa" ("La Gioconda"). He strove to enrich his canvases with means of psychological characterization, revealing the rich inner world of a person with the help of facial expressions and gestures and a finely thought-out system of light and shade modeling. In Florence, there is a famous art gallery - the Uffizi, which presents the largest collection of Italian paintings and sculptures of the Renaissance.

Tuscany is of interest to travelers who love art, excellent cuisine and wines. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in Pisa. The major centers of Tuscany include Livorno, Pisa, Siena. Tuscany has prestigious seaside resorts. The most popular is the resort area of ​​Versilia, located on the coast of the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas.

The most famous resorts are Viareggio, Marina di Pietrasanta, Lido di Camaiori, Carrara. Not far from the coast of Tuscany is the island of Elba - a prestigious holiday destination. The island of Capraia, located between the coast of Tuscany and the island of Corsica, is one of the pearls of the Tuscan archipelago, declared a national park. The island is an untouched corner of nature, full of charm: crystal clear waters and a coast rich in wonderful grottoes and small bays. It is an ideal place to relax and practice numerous sea sports: scuba diving, sailing.

The region of Umbria is landlocked. The center of the region is the city of Perugia, famous for its university. For the lush and in many ways wild nature, Umbria received the title of "the green heart of Italy."

Agritourism is widespread here. Often places of accommodation for tourists are ancient castles located in picturesque places. Pilgrimage and event tourism are developed. The famous painter Raphael was born in Umbria, who became the head of a large school of painting in Rome. Raphael offered the most advanced solutions in the field of monumental painting. In the work of Raphael, the high ideas of the Renaissance are combined with a clear harmonic structure of forms. The pinnacle of Raphael's work is the painting "Sistine Madonna", stored in the Dresden Art Gallery in Germany.

The capital of the Marche region is the city of Ancona. This agricultural area is located in a picturesque area rich in historical monuments and folk art crafts. Since the Middle Ages, the region has been producing paper, which is in steady demand in Italy. The composer Rossini was born here. On the sea coast there are cozy uncrowded resorts.

In the region of Lazio is the capital of Italy - the city of Rome. Rome is a mecca for tourists not only in Italy, but throughout the world.

No wonder there is an expression: "All roads lead to Rome."

On the territory of the papal state of the Vatican, located in Rome, there are St. Peter's Cathedral and numerous museums. St. Peter's Cathedral holds many masterpieces: Pieta - one of the first works of Michelangelo; a canopy set over the papal throne by Bernini; a bronze statue of St. Peter, etc. In total, there are more than a dozen museums and galleries in the Vatican: the Pinakothek art gallery, a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture, the Etruscan Museum, the Sistine Chapel, etc. Millions of pilgrims visit the Vatican.

The sights of Rome include: Capitoline Square, the Colosseum, built in the I-II centuries. AD - this is the largest amphitheater of the ancient world, accommodating about 50 thousand spectators who watched the persecution and fights of gladiators; Spanish Steps, Pantheon (temple in the name of all the gods - I-II centuries AD), Castel Sant'Angelo, Trevi Fountain, ancient palaces and arches.

Rest on the sea attracts tourists here. The most famous and beautiful resorts are located south of Rome on the Riviera di Ulisse.

Between Rome and Naples is one of the most beautiful resort coasts of the Tyrrhenian Sea - the Riviera di Ulisse, or the Odyssey coast, known since antiquity. The coast of Odysseus is almost 100 km of beaches, amazing landscapes, clear sea, rich flora and fauna, small elegant towns, interesting story and tradition, the proximity of Rome, Naples and Pompeii, as well as the islands. In 1998 the coast has been awarded the blue flag of the EU for the cleanliness of the sea and beaches.

The center of the Molise and Abruzzi region, the city of Campobasso has long been famous for its steel products: knives and scissors. There are villages in the region whose inhabitants speak Greek and Albanian.

Tourism in Molise is underdeveloped compared to other regions of Italy.

The center of the Campania region is the city of Naples, located on the shores of a beautiful bay at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Not far from Naples in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, covered with ash during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. AD, archaeological excavations were carried out for many years. Now in the discovered houses of private individuals and in public buildings you can see beautiful examples of Roman painting and mosaics. Being one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, 81 Naples is also an industrial center. Many types of tourism are developed in Campania; sightseeing and educational (visiting, except for Naples, Pompeii, the islands of Capri, Sorrento, Ischia); vacation at sea; pilgrimage; ecological (visiting the Vesuvius volcano and the zone of mud geysers); gastronomic tours.

The region of Basilicata is located in a mountainous area. The center of the region is the city of Potenza. In a number of cities in the region, you can find the famous "sassi" - antique dwellings carved into the rocks and interconnected by ladders and passages. Tourism in this area of ​​southern Italy is less developed compared to other areas.

The nature here is very picturesque, but there are not enough accommodation facilities, in rural areas with small settlements there are few entertainment centers and shops.

The Calabria region is located on the "toe" of the Italian "satsog" and occupies the southernmost part of the peninsula between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Climatic factors contribute to the cultivation of citrus fruits, grapes, olives, almonds. The climate also favors the development of tourism. UNESCO has recognized Calabria as one of the cleanest places in Europe. Traces of the ancient Greek culture, which originally penetrated the Apennine Peninsula from here, have been preserved in the region. A well-known resort is Reggio di Calabria. Catanzoro - the capital of Calabria - is located in the narrowest part of Italy. Excursions to the island of Capri are practiced from Calabria - an island of rare beauty, a favorite place for international tourism. The small square and the neighborhoods adjacent to it are the center of the tourist and social life of the local town. Anacapri is a unique place at the foot of the Monte Salaro mountain with a cable car, located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. The writer Maxim Gorky lived and created his works in Capri for several years. Not far from Capri is the island of Ischia - the island of "Eternal Youth and Beauty", famous for its thermal spas. At any age, the thermal waters and mud available on the island are recommended for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and recovery from injuries of the musculoskeletal system, chronic respiratory diseases and some gynecological diseases.

The center of the Puglia region is the port city of Bari. This area is on the "heel" of the Italian "boot" and is one of the most developed areas of southern Italy. Here there are enterprises of the metallurgical and petrochemical industries. The main agricultural crops are grapes and olives. The largest centers are Taranto, Foggia, Lecce, Brindisi. Tourism in Puglia is more varied and intense than in neighboring Basilicata and Calabria.

Excursion-educational, ecological, pilgrimage tourism and recreation at sea have become widespread here. A problem for the development of tourism in Puglia is the relative remoteness.

However, the presence of airports in Bari and Brindisi makes it easy to get to the very south of the country.

The island of Sicily is the largest in the Mediterranean. The shores of the island are washed by three seas: in the north - the Tyrrhenian, in the east - the Ionian, in the west and south - the Mediterranean. The island is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina. Sicily is connected to the continent by a network of rail, sea and air routes. The largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, is also located on this island. The capital of Sicily is the city of Palermo. The sights of Palermo include the Church and the monastery of the Holy Spirit, the Church of San Lorenzo (XVII century).

On the island are the cities of Syracuse, Catania, Caltanisset, Trapani. Sicily is a national citrus producer and seafood supplier. From here, freshly caught fish and oysters are delivered by plane to Milan. The tourist opportunities of Sicily are extremely diverse: sea holidays, sightseeing tours, event tourism, boat trips, in particular to Malta, gastronomic and wine tours.

Sicily is an island visited mostly by wealthy people.

Prices for goods here are higher than in the provincial cities of Italy.

The beaches of the island do not have a sandy bottom everywhere, there is also a rocky one with sea urchins. Therefore, in order to protect yourself from sea urchins, it is recommended to purchase rubber slippers.

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The center of Sardinia - the city of Cagliari - was founded by the Phoenicians, then became a colony of Carthage, and then Rome. Sardinia has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the "nuraghi" - massive stone towers. Sheep and goats are bred on the island, from whose milk excellent cheeses are made. Tourism is one of the most important sources of income for the region. The resorts of the south of the island - Santa Margherita di Pula and the north - the Emerald Coast - are currently the most famous, fashionable and prestigious and, as a result, expensive.

Big businessmen, movie stars, famous athletes, famous politicians rest here. Of the excursions, the most popular sightseeing nuraghe, a trip to the island of Corsica.

Italy is not just a fabulously beautiful country, but also the cradle of world civilization. Once upon a time, all educated Europe spoke in Latin, and without such names as Petrarch, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, it is impossible to imagine the cultural history of mankind. And although now this country is not among the world leaders in the field of education, there are plenty of reasons to study in Italy, especially to study such disciplines as art history, painting, and design. Now in Italy there are about 50 public universities and nine private ones with a state license. There are five universities in Rome, the largest of which is La Sapienza.

Not far from Florence is the dwarf republic of SAN MARINO (25 thousand inhabitants). The cult of the saint to whom the legend ascribes the founding of the republic is widespread and deeply revered here. The legend tells how the master stonemason left his native island of Arbe in Dalmatia and came to Mount Titan to found a community of Christians persecuted for their faith by the then reigning emperor Diocletian When the power in the Roman Empire weakened, and the temporary power of the Pope had not yet been established, the citizens living on Mount Titan decided to create free cities. The stonemason gave herself the name "Land of San Marino", later "Free City of San Marino", and then "Republic of San Marino". In the 1960s, due to the increase in the flow of tourists, the accelerated development of the tourist business, handicraft production and trade began here. The main tourist attractions of the republic are Mount Titan, the historical center of San Marino, parks, camping and local towns. Pottery is a typical handicraft product. San Marino stamps and coins are in great demand. They can be purchased in the capital at the state institution of philately and numismatics. The production of wines and liqueurs is developed in the republic.

Every year more than 3 million tourists from all over the world come here to see medieval monuments, see the ruins of the castles of Guaita and Chesta, admire the sea distances from observation platforms.

NORTH ADRIATIC COUNTRIES( , ). The change in the political map of Europe led to the formation of new states in the Balkans, including Slovenia and Croatia, which quickly became centers of international tourist demand.

SLOVENIA- "the green corner of Europe", a predominantly one-national state located in the foothills of the Alps and having access to the Adriatic Sea (the length of the coastline is 46 km). These geographical features favorably position the country in relation to international tourist demand, which is based on vacations on the sea coast - the resorts of Portorož, Piran, Izola, as well as in the ski resorts of Kranjska Gora, Bovec, etc.

Kranjska Gora is a prestigious mountain resort in the foothills of the Julian Alps. Nearby is the Triglav National Park. Triglav is the highest alpine peak in Slovenia (2864 m), which is the symbol of the country and is depicted on its national flag.

Bovec is not only a ski center, but also a place for rafting on the Sosha River. Extreme water sports competitions are held here. The advantage of holidays on the sea coast of Slovenia is that in terms of natural and climatic conditions it is comparable to the French and Italian Riviera, but the prices for tourist services, primarily for accommodation facilities, are much lower here. In Slovenia, there is no such "chic" as on the Cote d'Azur of France, but the quality of the services provided is quite consistent with the European level. The most famous seaside resort on the Slovenian Riviera is the city of Portorož, or the "port of roses". Along the waterfront of Portoroz there are hotel and health-improving complexes "More", "Bernardin", "Metropol". Other tourist attractions in Slovenia include the architectural monuments of the country's capital Ljubljana, alpine lakes (Lake Bled with a beautiful chapel in its center and Lake Bohinj).

One of the popular holiday destinations in Slovenia is Lake Bled.

Tourism in the vicinity of the lake began to develop from 1854. thanks to the enterprising Swiss Arnold Rikli. He appreciated the recreational attractiveness of these places and stimulated the development of local tourism resources. By 1900 several hotels were built in the vicinity of the lake, accommodating a total of 1000 guests. In 1870 to the resort area of ​​Lake Bled was carried out Railway. In 1902. Princess Elisabeth spent her honeymoon at the lake. And a year later, Bled and its surroundings received a gold medal in Vienna as the best holiday destination in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. One of the prestigious accommodation facilities in the vicinity of Lake Bled is "Villa Bled" - the place where Yugoslav leader Josef Broz Tito liked to relax. The Slovenes want to turn the vicinity of Lake Bled into an advanced recreational area, where many types of tourism will be developed, in particular, agrarian tourism, which is becoming more and more popular in Europe. The mayor of the administrative district of Bled, D. Antonić, spoke about the development plans for the resort of Bled: “Bled is not only a lake and a castle.

The vicinity of Bled is inhabited by 11 thousand inhabitants. There are many beautiful villages here and we hope to include them in the tourist area of ​​Lake Bled. Farm holidays are on the rise in Europe.

For tourists, the capital of the country, Ljubljana, is of undoubted interest - a city with a population of 280 thousand people. In the center of the city on a hill rises a medieval castle - a kind of "calling card" of Ljubljana. The small river Ljubljanica flows through the city, flowing into the Sava and in the past was used as a transport artery. Ljubljana is a university city.

About 50 thousand students study here. An outstanding role in the development of the city was played by the Slovenian architect J. Pleshnik (1872-1957). As a result of the implementation of his projects, Ljubljana turned from a provincial to a capital city.

There are balneological resorts in the country, for example, Rogaška Slatina. From Slovenia, as well as from Croatia, one-day trips are organized tourist trips to neighboring countries, in particular to Italy (Venice and Trieste). If Venice is, first of all, a storehouse of attractions, then Trieste is considered in the tourist environment as a place for successful shopping. Cheap but high-quality Italian shoes are especially appreciated. Other types of tourism are also popular in Slovenia. One of them is fishing on clean mountain rivers, in particular on the mountain river Sosha. Other tourist attractions in Slovenia include the karst Postojna Cave, a stud farm in the city of Lipica.

On the territory of Slovenia there is a large seaport of Koper, known since the times of the Venetian Republic. The oldest city in Slovenia is Ptuj, which was once a settlement of the ancient Romans. The experience of Slovenia in the development of tourism is instructive in many respects. Slovenes have achieved a reversal of the trend in the ratio of the prevalence of domestic tourism over outbound tourism. Most Slovenian citizens prefer holidays in their homeland rather than abroad. The reason for this is the reduction in prices, due to the growing competition in the country's tourism market, while the tourism infrastructure is constantly being improved.

CROATIA- a state located south of Slovenia.

A distinctive feature of the geographical position of Croatia is the presence of a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea (about 1800 km), which can be divided into three parts. In the north there is an economically depressed region of the Istrian peninsula with ecologically clean tourist centers (Porec, Pula, Roven, Umag, Opatija, Rabac, Novigrad, Vrzar). In the center of the coastline (Dalmatia region) are the well-known administrative centers of Croatia Zadar and Split. In the region of Central Dalmatia there is a famous resort area Makarska Riviera. It stretched from the city of Brela in the west to the city of Gradach. The road from the airport of Split to the resorts of the Makarska Riviera takes up to one and a half hours. Makarska Riviera is a national nature reserve. The sea here is the cleanest on the coast of Croatia.

Due to its central location on east coast Adriatic Dalmatia has always played an important cultural and historical role. Numerous cities and towns in Dalmatia have a rich history. Many of them were founded in antiquity and in the Middle Ages. Pebble beaches, pine forests, olive groves, mountains, cozy bays are characteristic of this part of the Croatian coast. All this makes the Makarska Riviera a popular holiday destination. Famous tourist centers of the Makarska Riviera are the cities of Brela, Makarska, Podgora, and in the south there is the famous wine-making center Dubrovnik, awarded in 1996 for outstanding services in the field of tourism. prize "Golden Apple". The capital of Croatia is the city of Zagreb. It stretches from the foothills of the Zagreb Mountains in the vast valley of the Sava River. The origin of the name of the city "Zagreb" is often associated with one of the local legends. According to one of them, during the military campaign of the Croatian detachment, its leader stuck a sword into the ground at a halt. From there, a fountain of cold water gushed out.

“Shovel in!” the leader exclaimed, and the soldiers - some with a helmet, some with their palms - began to “shovel” and drink the long-awaited water.

Others believe that the name of the city comes from the old Croatian word "zagreb", meaning "mound, fortification, hillfort".

There are many natural attractions in Croatia. The natural monument - Plitvice Lakes - annually attracts thousands of tourists. There are several state reserves in Croatia.

Not far from the western coast of the Istrian peninsula is the Brijuni nature reserve, consisting of 2 large and 12 small islands. There is a well-presented Mediterranean vegetation, there is a zoo Risnjak Nature Reserve - a wooded mountain range north of the port of Rijeka. deep canyons In Croatia, there are over a thousand islands, of which only 66 are inhabited. The islands of Croatia are of interest to beach lovers and yachtsmen real estate became a well-known Hollywood star, who paid $ 1.8 million for complete privacy.

It should be noted that, apparently, investments in Croatian real estate are per- 88 selective in the sense that after the probable accession of Croatia to the EU, its value may increase significantly in the future.

Special mention should be made of the Brijuni archipelago, once a prestigious recreation center for the European aristocracy. The archipelago has a favorable geographical position, it is separated from the Istrian peninsula (northern Croatia) by a three-kilometer Fazansky Strait and is located 10 km from the city of Pula, one of the administrative and transport centers of Istria. Brioni has a mild Mediterranean type of climate: the average winter temperature is 6.3°, spring - 12.2°, summer - 22.2°, autumn - 14.8°. The archipelago was developed for tourism purposes at the end of the 19th century. Austrian businessman P. Kupel-weiser. Subsequently, after the end of World War II, Yugoslav President Josef Tito spent six months of the year here and received the heads of other countries. Currently, the archipelago has a national park with exotic plant species, and numerous animals live here. Some of them move freely throughout the entire archipelago. Therefore, the trees on the islands are fenced off so that the “gluttonous” deer do not eat their bark. A few vacationers, a peaceful atmosphere, combined with favorable natural and climatic conditions create a special flavor of recreation here. At present, trying to attract tourists, sightseers, the Croatian authorities are trying to increase the prestige of their country. For this, various events are organized here. So, for the fifteenth time in the summer in the city of Umag, an open championship of Croatia in tennis is held with the participation of famous international sports stars. SERBIA and MONTENEGRO(Montenegro) are located south of Croatia and are also popular and promising for international tourism.

The coastal resort area of ​​Montenegro is in great demand among tourists. The coast of Montenegro is represented by famous resorts: Kotor, Herceg Novi, Budva, St. Stefan, Ul-tsin, Ada Bojana, in the vicinity of the port of Bar, etc. Mediterranean Montenegro has long been a prestigious holiday destination. So, the beach in Becici back in 1936. in Paris was recognized as the best beach in Europe.

George Byron and Bernard Shaw spoke with admiration about the Montenegrin coast. So, seeing Budva, Byron wrote: “When our planet was born, the most beautiful meeting of sea and land took place on the Montenegrin coast. And when they scattered the pearls of nature, they threw them in full handfuls on this earth. Budva is located in one of the most beautiful places on the Adriatic coast.

Here, between the lush vegetation and the sea, long sandy beaches lie, in the immediate vicinity of which comfortable hotels are located. Old Budva is surrounded by Renaissance walls - a unique architectural monument of the 15th century. The city regularly hosts art festivals and holidays.

In the north of the Montenegrin part of the Adriatic coast, the cities of Herceg Novi and Kotor are located. Kotor is located, as it were, inside the coast on the banks of Boka Kotorska - the largest and most picturesque fjord in this part of the Mediterranean. The fjord juts out inland for 28 kilometers. Objects of medieval architecture Which are under the protection of UNESCO. Herceg Novi is called the Mediterranean botanical garden. It is a city of carnivals and art. Not far from Herceg Novi is a small health resort Igalo. It is famous for its modern physiotherapy and mud therapy center. The beaches of Igalo help patients with chronic rheumatism, diseases of the joints, muscles, patients with disorders of the nervous system. St. Stephen is known as a prestigious aristocratic resort. Since the beginning of the 60s of the XX century, crowned persons from all over the world, as well as famous actors and public figures, have been resting here.

Ulcinj is one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic coast.

Fine healing sand of local beaches is rich in salt and iodine. It contributes to the treatment of rheumatism, nervous disorders and female diseases. Ada Bojana - the most beautiful resort in the south of the Montenegrin coast in recent decades has become the capital of lovers of contact with nature without intermediaries - nudists. Bar is the largest Montenegrin port. The city is connected by rail to Belgrade. The bar is surrounded by olive groves. Sutomore, a popular resort with sandy beaches and comfortable hotels, is responsible for tourism on the Bar Riviera. One of the most beautiful cities in Europe is the capital of Serbia and Montenegro, the city of Belgrade - a port city on the Danube at the confluence of the Sava River. From the 1st century BC. on the site of Belgrade was the Roman city of Singidunum. Belgrade is located on 7 hills, it has many monuments of ancient Roman, medieval and Turkish architecture.

Unusually beautiful houses of the XVIII-XIX centuries. in the style of Balkan architecture.

It should be noted that Serbia and Montenegro are countries with ancient Orthodox traditions. Christianity came to Serbia earlier than to Rus'. There are a large number of Orthodox churches and monasteries on the territory of the country, which are visited by pilgrims and sightseers, for example, the Sopo-chany monastery, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Southern Serbia). In Serbia, modern types of tourism, in particular, skiing, have also become widespread. The largest winter resort in Serbia - Kopao-nik. The resort is located 300 km south of Belgrade.

GREECE- an important center of international tourism in South-Eastern Europe. The Hellenic Republic with a population of 10 million consists of 13 dioceses, which are divided into 51 prefectures. Greece has numerous islands. A trip to Greece is a journey through historical eras. Traces of the past are here at every step.

Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the era of Turkish rule and modernity are closely intertwined here.

The capital of Greece is the city of Athens, the center of world tourism. The first settlements arose here in the 16th-13th centuries. BC. The glory of Athens began with the development of democracy in the 6th century BC, when the first steps towards it were taken by Solon and Cliephenes. The "golden age" for Athens begins in the 5th century. BC. and is associated with the name of Pericles. It was under him that the Parthenon was built. Aeschylus, Sophocles and Aristophanes write their brilliant tragedies and comedies, Socrates builds his philosophical system, highlighting the Man in it. In whatever part of the city you are, the Acropolis is visible from everywhere with the proudly towering columns of its temples. From the top of the Acropolis, two ancient theaters are visible - the Odeon and the theater of Dionysus, the oldest in Europe. The sights of Athens also include the buildings of the university (1837), the conservatory, the National Archaeological Museum and, of course, Plaka - the old part of the city.

Crete - the largest island in Greece - offers a variety of non-traditional opportunities for recreation and entertainment.

The tourist season here begins in April and ends at the end of October. Crete is one of the centers of the ancient Aegean culture, which had Cretan-Mycenaean writing (III-II millennium BC) - linear writing A and B. In 1900. As a result of archaeological excavations in Crete, the English archaeologist A. Evans discovered the Palace of Knossos, many of whose buildings were decorated with paintings, as well as numerous tools for work and life, and a household archive-plates with a letter. Kings of Knossos in the XVI-XV centuries. BC. were the rulers of the Cretan state.

In the shops of Heraklion, Agnos Nikolos, Rethymo and Chania, you can see a lot of beautiful jewelry and furs, works of folk art. In the bazaars and shops of the island, along with traditional vegetables and fruits, exotic ones grown in Crete are also sold - avocados, kiwi, bananas, sweet figs, healing mountain herbs.

Rhodes is considered the sunniest island in Greece. The city of Rhodes is home to Castellane Castle, which was once a meeting place for Mediterranean merchants. There is a so-called Butterfly Valley on the island. From all over Europe, tens of thousands of butterflies flock here, attracted by the special aroma of resin exuded by the trees growing here. The island is one of the few places in Greece where there is a casino.

Corfu is located in the Adriatic Sea, 2.5 km from the mainland of the country and is the northernmost island of Greece. The central city of the island - the city of Corfu - is the history of this land frozen in stone: Venetian houses and squares, English mezzanines, French-style arcades. Corfu is closely associated with the legends and myths of Ancient Greece. It was on Corfu that the brave Argonauts found refuge, hiding from the pursuit of the king of Colchis, Eet. The king of Corfu, Alkinoi, blessed the marriage of the beautiful sorceress Medea, daughter of Eeta, and the brave Argonaut Jason. One of the most beautiful and romantic episodes of Homer's Odyssey is also connected with this island. Here, after a shipwreck, the exhausted Odysseus was thrown out by the sea, where he was found by the beautiful Nausicaea, the daughter of Alcinous and Areta.

Tourists have also chosen other Greek islands: Santorini, Skiathos, Kefalonia, Lesvos. Very attractive for tourist routes in Greece is the region of the Halkidiki peninsula. Halkidiki consists of three peninsulas: Kassandra, Sithonia and Agios Athos. The outline of Halkidiki resembles the trident of Poseidon, ready to plunge into the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea. Halkidiki is the birthplace of the great ancient philosopher Aristotle. The peninsula is located an hour's drive from Thessaloniki Airport.

Tourist demand in Greece is supported by the wide sale of Greek furs and wines, in particular the famous Metaxa cognac. In terms of regional tourism differences in Greece, Attica (Athens, Piraeus) can be distinguished; Northeastern and Northern Greece; Central and Southern Greece and island territories. Greece is currently one of the most visited countries by pilgrims. Every pilgrim dreams of coming to Mount Athos. Holy Mount Athos is located on the eastern ledge (finger) of the Chalkidiki peninsula. This place is considered the inheritance of the Most Holy Theotokos, and Orthodox monasteries have existed here for many centuries. There are only male monasteries on Athos and only men make pilgrimage here.

MALTA located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, 93 kilometers south of Sicily and 288 kilometers from the African coast. The Republic of Malta occupies about 300 sq. km of the Maltese archipelago, including the islands of Malta, Gozo and Camino, as well as a number of uninhabited islands. The capital of the state is the city of Valletta. The Mediterranean type of climate allows you to relax in Malta all year round. From May to October is the most favorable time for a beach holiday, and from November to April is a season favorable for educational tourism, as well as recreation for people of the "third age". Malta has developed many types of tourism.

Cultural and educational tourism is associated with an abundance of historical sights, the secrets of the Order of Malta, architectural monuments of the country's capital, Valletta. The shores of the archipelago are mostly rocky and many tourists like to sunbathe on the flat rocks. The crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, the wonderful sunny climate create a healing effect. Educational tourism is associated with teaching English language programs. Malta has long been an English colony.

in Malta in 1989. a historic meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and George W. Bush took place, which marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War. One of the advantages of Malta is the possibility of holding large business forums. Congress tourism has prospects. In Malta, many sports can be practiced all year round. The sports complex in the city of Mars is called one of the best in Europe.

Sports activities in Malta are mainly related to the sea (diving, sailing).

As already noted, the Mediterranean Sea unites Europe, Africa and Asia. Therefore, the characteristics of its coast as a tourist region are very multifaceted.

The Mediterranean countries, like the Alpine ones, are among the most profitable destinations in tourism (Table 1). The top 16 countries account for more than 60% of all international tourism receipts.

Table 1. The most profitable international tourism destinations in 2001

* data for 2000 .

travel agency tourism mediterranean

Traditionally, Europe has been and remains the region of greatest attraction for tourists. This is facilitated by the high level of economic development of most countries, the income of the population and its social structure (the predominance of the middle class), which make it possible to realize the need for recreation outside their countries.

There are about 40 sovereign states in Europe, most of them are small in size. Eleven countries have an area of ​​less than 50 thousand square meters. km. Only two countries - France and Spain - have an area of ​​​​more than 500 thousand square meters. km. European countries are conveniently located relative to each other - they have common borders, which mainly pass along easily surmountable natural boundaries.

The development of tourism in Europe is facilitated by the natural and geographical features of the region. Its shores are distinguished by significant indentation, an abundance of inland seas, bays, bays, which contributed to the creation of numerous ports on the coasts. Most European countries have a coastal position, many of them are located on islands and peninsulas, close to busy sea routes from Europe to Asia, Africa, Australia and America.

Natural and recreational resources of the region are very diverse. In Europe, low-lying, hilly and mountainous regions alternate. In general, natural and climatic conditions are favorable for recreation, especially in the coastal countries of southern Europe, characterized by an abundance of sun and heat.

Cultural and historical factors also contributed to the transformation of Europe into a leading tourist region. She made a huge contribution to world civilization. Nowhere in the world is there such a high saturation with a variety of historical and architectural monuments of different eras - the Neolithic, the Ancient World, the Renaissance, the Age of Discoveries, Industrial Revolutions and Revolutions.

In Europe, travel has become a feature of the modern lifestyle. This is facilitated by economic and political stability in the region, the desire of governments of different countries to cooperate, including in the field of tourism. Of great importance is the signing of the Schengen Agreement, according to which a single tourist destination has been created in the center of Europe.

Space. Tourism development was also facilitated by the introduction of the single currency of the countries of the European Community - the Euro.

The most striking feature is the concentration of tourists around the Mediterranean Basin. The most visited country not only in Europe but also in the world is France (every fifth vacationer on the old continent comes to this country). Spain and Italy are very popular among tourists.

Among the types of tourism that have been developed in Europe, medical and recreational, business, religious, educational, educational, cruise (sea, river, lake) are distinguished. Most travelers in Europe include visiting various entertainment facilities and events in their vacation.

Medical tourism in this region develops in Slovenia, Croatia. The resorts of Vichy (France) were already popular in the 19th century. A relatively new center of balneotherapy Balneology - (from Latin balneum - to heal pain, a later meaning - bath; logos - word, teaching, science), the doctrine of mineral waters and hydrotherapy, as well as mud therapy, sea therapy, climate therapy, etc. First of all, a section of medical science that studies the origin and physico-chemical properties of mineral waters, methods of their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for external and internal use. located in Turkey - Pammukale, where mineral waters flow down the salt terraces, creating a very picturesque brilliant white landscape.

Business tourism- trips of people, most often businessmen and civil servants for business purposes: signing agreements, contracts, negotiations, consultations, exchange of experience, etc. Often, business tourism also includes trips to congresses, congresses, conferences, fairs and exhibitions ( event tourism). Business tourism employs well-to-do people who spend a lot of money on transport, expensive hotel rooms, souvenirs and purchases, excursions, etc. It should be noted that business tourists always open a new tourist destination.

Most of the world's business travel takes place in Europe, which

leading in terms of spending on business tourism. As business tourism centers on the coast stand out: France, Italy, Spain. Europe is popular for holding various international exhibitions, fairs, congresses. shopping shopping, shopping English shopping) - a form of pastime in the form of shopping (most often shopping and entertainment complexes) and buying goods (clothes, shoes, accessories, hats, gifts, cosmetics, etc.). has always been present in tourism, but until recently it was not distinguished as an independent type of tourism, since it was of secondary importance in tourist trips. With the collapse of the world system of socialism, the opening of borders, the decline of national economies and the impoverishment of the population of the former socialist countries, a significant part of tourists began to travel exclusively for commercial purposes. Unlike Western European countries, where shopping trips to a neighboring country were carried out on an individual basis, in the former socialist countries, due to the preservation of border and customs formalities, commercial tourism began to be predominantly organized and carried out through travel companies.

In the last decade, the so-called shopping tourism is gaining momentum. Shopping tours differ in the range of intended trips: near and far abroad. In the far most popular in most major cities of the European countries of the Mediterranean coast - Paris (France), Rome, Milan (Italy), Turkey (Istanbul), etc.

In European countries, there are entire "trading villages" or outlet villages. It sells a variety of quality goods, from hairpins to chic dresses. It is noteworthy that prices in trading villages are lower compared to store ones, sometimes up to 70%. "Trading villages" are very popular, both among the Europeans themselves and among visitors for the quality of goods, a wide range and unprecedented discounts.

Sales are regularly held in Italy and France. During the sales period, not only clothes, shoes, but also other groups of goods are sold at low prices, which leads to great demand from consumers. In some European countries (for example, in Italy, France), the sales period is strictly regulated by legislation requiring discounts and promotions to be held on a certain day.

Tourist flows are often determined by such special events as international exhibitions, fairs, meetings, conferences, congresses, sports events, competitions, festivals, visiting which is the essence event tourism.

International exhibitions and fairs are a kind of review of achievements in the most important areas of human activity. The main functions of international exhibitions and fairs are the dissemination of world culture, the exchange of scientific and technical information, the promotion of products and the expansion of foreign trade relations. The status of “exhibition” and “fair” cities is occupied, first of all, by the capital and largest cities, in which their own potential of visitors (city residents) is significant and there are many foreign tourists. Very often, such events are organized in coastal cities, which are included in the program of cruise tourism visits. About 80% of exhibition events are held in Western European countries. Especially a lot of them are held in France.

In terms of their role and place in tourism, various theatrical events are similar to exhibition events: carnivals, festivals, national holidays, song and beauty contests. Festivals of classical art can gather up to 55 thousand people. Film festivals have become the most important events in the world of creativity. They are traditionally held in Cannes (France), Venice (the world's first international film festival in 1932). Among the festival events that attract thousands of tourists are: bullfighting (Spain, France), wine festivals (France).

Religious tourism. Europe is basically the Christian world, so among the many places that attract pilgrims, Christian shrines stand out. The largest centers of Christian pilgrimage are Rome with the Vatican.

Swimming and beach holidays is one of the most popular in the world. Three-quarters of tourists prefer to spend their holidays near water - on rivers, lakes, the sea coast or on a sea voyage. The most attractive are the sea coasts, as part of the formula of passive recreation, known as the "three S": sea-sun-beach (Sea-Sun-Sand).

Within the European region, several recreational areas of seaside recreation have been formed. Chief among them is the Mediterranean. It is characterized by: the predominance of the linear form of recreational development of the territory (along the sea coast), the large role of the islands, the pronounced seasonality of tourist flows with a preponderance of the summer (bathing) season, the creation of predominantly large complexes with a high concentration of tourists. Of the countries of the Mediterranean, Spain, Italy, France, and Greece stand out in terms of the scope of tourist activities.

Rest on the water and near the water includes various recreational activities: swimming, sunbathing, walking along the coast, sports games on the beach (for example, beach volleyball), surfing Surfing - (eng. surfing) - sports. 1) type of water sport - sliding on the water on a special board; 2) a board for sliding on water. and windsurfing Windsurfing - (English windsurfing), a kind of sailing - racing on a special board (windsurfer or surfer; length 3.7 m, width 0.65 m, weight 27 kg) with a freely rotating mast mounted on it (height 4.2 m) for sail area of ​​5.2 m2, boating, boating, water skiing and biking, scuba diving, fishing, etc.

A powerful tourist industry has been created in coastal recreational areas. Sanatoriums, boarding houses, hotels, yacht clubs, and entertainment venues stretch for many kilometers along the coast in a continuous chain.

The therapeutic effect of the seaside climate and thalassotherapy Thalassotherapy - (gr. thalassa sea + therapy) type of climatotherapy - treatment with sea climate and sea bathing., high level of service have turned the coastal areas of many countries into world-class resorts. The attractiveness of a bathing and beach holiday has led to the creation of cottages, villas, bungalows for modern recreation, timeshare system buildings on the coasts of the seas, rivers and lakes. for a certain period of time (eg one week per year)., tent cities, campsites, trailers. At the same time, among those who go to the sea there are many who travel "savage".

The oldest seaside resort area in the world is the Ligurian coast of France (Nice, Cannes). The coast of the Ligurian Sea from Cannes (France) to La Spezia (Italy) is called the Riviera, and is divided into French and Italian. This is a recreation and tourism area of ​​international importance with numerous climatic resorts. San Remo is the most famous resort on the Italian Riviera.

Currently, most Mediterranean countries are intensively using their island and coastal territories for the development of bathing and beach recreation. The most visited of them are the islands of Capri and Ischia near Naples (Italy), the Adriatic coast of Croatia (the resort of Dubrovnik, Split), the southern coast of Turkey (the resort of Antalya), Cyprus (the resort of Limassol), the coast of Tunisia (the resort of Sousse).

Most foreign tourists come to Spain to relax on the coast, they are attracted by the beaches of the Iberian Peninsula, resorts on the Balearic (Mallorca) and Canary (Tenerife) Islands, while island resorts are more popular.

Well developed in the European countries of the Mediterranean basin educational tourism, which is associated with information consumption of recreational resources. It is focused mainly on familiarizing tourists with cultural values: archaeological and cultural-historical monuments, architectural ensembles, ethnography (everyday life, culture, traditions of peoples, folklore), economy. Educational tourism rarely acts as an independent direction, usually

cognitive purposes of travel are combined with others - recreation, entertainment.

In its pure form, educational tourism is usually short-term, lasting from a single excursion to 5-7 days. In educational tourism, the proportion of older people is very high, which leads to exactingness in the quality of hospitality services.

Educational tourism is concentrated mainly in cities with a rich history. There are many countries with an outstanding cultural and historical past in the European part of the Mediterranean.

For example, Greece as a whole is a unique collection of monuments of ancient and ancient culture in the open. Each city has a museum or archaeological sites, the ruins of circuses, theaters, places of worship and temples. In Attica is the capital of the state - Athens. This area has a large number of antiquities and buildings of historical significance: at Cape Sounion - the temples of Poseidon and Athena; in Bravron - the temple of Artemis; in Ramnund, the temple of Nemesis; in Marathon - the place of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians; in Elefsina - the temple of Demeter; monuments of the Byzantine era - the monasteries of Kesarjani and Daphnia. In Thrace, elements of eastern and western cultures coexist harmoniously. There are sights of the Neolithic era, monuments of the Hellenistic period, as well as Roman and Byzantine times. Macedonia is famous for world-famous archaeological monuments. The center of Macedonia is the seaport of Thessaloniki. The city is decorated with many Roman and Byzantine monuments, among which the most famous is the White Tower. The old city and many Byzantine churches have also been preserved. The largest island of this archipelago is Rhodes. Rhodes is rich in monuments of art from different eras. Numerous monuments of antiquity have been preserved, for example, the remains of the temple of Aphrodite of the 3rd century BC. BC e. In III-I centuries. BC e. The Rhodes School of Sculpture was formed. Among the medieval monuments are Byzantine temples of the 11th-15th centuries, buildings of the 14th-16th centuries, examples of Muslim architecture of the 16th-19th centuries. .

In Spain, a large Cultural Center World-class Europe - Madrid - the state capital. Part of the historical buildings of individual districts has been preserved here. The most unique architectural landmark is the city's Plaza Major. The main Christian temples are concentrated around this square - the Main Cathedral, the Basilica of San Francisco, the Gothic Obispo Chapel. Near the Royal Palace of Oriente are the ancient monastery of Encarnacion and the monastery of the mendicant Franciscans. The gardens of the royal palace are open to tourists, and the palace itself is considered a landmark of Madrid. In the center of the city is the oval Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun). It was on it that many historically important events took place: uprisings, battles, strikes, rallies.

The main palaces of the kings and the Spanish nobility are concentrated in the historical center of the city, which are now repositories of masterpieces of art. One of the best art galleries in Europe is the Prado Museum. His collection of paintings includes works by El Greco, Goya, Velasquez, Raphael, Rubens and many other world famous artists. Tourists are also amazed by the collections of other museums - the Reina Sofia Art Center, the Valhahermosa Palace. Near the museum there is a unique botanical garden, which contains an impressive collection of 30 thousand varieties of plants. The Madrid Center of Latin American Culture is popular with guests, where many unique items of worship and everyday life of the countries of the Americas are presented.

In addition to Madrid, other cities of the country, founded in ancient times, are of great interest to guests. Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures, each in itself and in mutual influence, gave rise to the emergence of cities that, to this day, keep the richest historical and artistic heritage and the uniqueness of the atmosphere.

The second largest city in Spain is Barcelona - the capital of the semi-autonomous Catalonia. Here, a mixture of cultures of different eras and peoples is clearly manifested. Cities declared by UNESCO as the Heritage of Humanity are of great interest to tourists due to their natural, landscape and material wealth. These include: Santiago de Compostela (the center of Galicia), where the third most important Christian shrine after Jerusalem and Rome is located - the tomb of St. Jacob; the oldest and most picturesque area of ​​Granada - Albaicin; the medieval university center of Salamanca in Old Castile and León; Avila, the main attractions of which are a two-kilometer fortress wall with 88 towers and the monastery of St. Teresa; Segovia - with a Roman two-tiered aqueduct for supplying water to the city and the Alcazar fortress; natural wonder Cuenca, enchantingly nestled between crescent-shaped bends of two rivers; Caceres, striking with the splendor of its historic streets; Toledo overlooking the Tagus River; Cordoba, the former capital of the Omeya caliphs, as well as the Jewish quarter; San Lorenzo is an outstanding monumental structure.

Italy can rightfully be considered a country-museum, a country-monument. According to scientists, about 65% of the world's cultural heritage is concentrated here. Many cultural and historical attractions are located in the ancient cities of Italy. Each of them has a unique, characteristic appearance, its own atmosphere.

Rome is the capital of the country, the largest in Italy and one of the oldest cities in the world. Within its boundaries is the city-state of the Vatican - the residence of the Pope. Every year, Rome is visited by 3.3 million foreign tourists, so great is the interest in world-famous monuments and ensembles of antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. These are the ruins of the Roman Forum at the base of the Palatine, Capitol and Esquiline hills. The grandiose Colosseum - a symbol of the greatness and power of Rome - is well preserved, although in the Middle Ages it was used as a public quarry. During the Renaissance and during the heyday of the Baroque style, many rich and grandiose churches appeared. The most famous of them are Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni In Laterano, San Paolo Fiori Le Mura, as well as St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican - the largest and most important cathedral in the Catholic world. The city is associated with the names of major European artists: Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens. The National Gallery of Ancient Art, the Borghese Gallery, the National Roman Museum and others are world famous.

Milan is the second largest city in the country and is considered its industrial capital. The most famous architectural monument and symbol of Milan is the Milan Cathedral, the construction of which lasted from 1386 until the middle of the 19th century. Many tourists visit the museums of Turin. Here it should be noted the Egyptian Museum, the Saba-ud Gallery, the Madama Palace, where the Museum of Ancient Art is located, the Risorgiment Museum, the Automobile Museum.

Venice is the most famous city in the eastern part of the North of Italy. It can rightly be called a city of tourists. It is a world famous museum city, mysterious and unforgettable, with flowing canal streets, the main one being the Grand Canal. The heart of Venice is the amazingly colorful Piazza San Marco. Perched on top of a column, the winged lion - the heraldic symbol of Venice - overlooks the grandiose Cathedral of San Marco; stone lace of the Doge's Palace; a bell tower pierced into the sky, where Galileo Galilei installed his first telescope in 1609.

France is a land of diverse and beautiful landscapes, historical and modern cities. This country had a significant impact on the development of the history and culture of Western Europe, as well as the whole world.

Paris is the heart of the administrative, political and cultural life of France. Virtually unscathed during the two world wars, the city center with magnificent boulevards and elegant city mansions dates back to the time of Napoleon. Louvre and Versailles, Arc de Triomphe and Place Vendôme, Tuileries Garden, Eiffel Tower, Train Station d'Orsay and Notre Dame Cathedral attract thousands of tourists here. Historical sites, bohemian cafes, palaces of kings, aristocratic mansions and ultra-modern high-rise buildings - everything is woven together here.

The French capital is one of the centers of the spiritual life of the world. There are about 2000 historical monuments and 200 museums here. Many cultural and historical attractions are located in the suburbs of Paris. Particularly interesting are the Palace of Versailles, built for Louis XIV; architectural ensemble Rambouillet - the residence of the President of France; Vincennes castle; the castle of the Condé family in Chantilly; Cathedral of Saint-Denis - the residence of the bishop and the tomb of the French kings of the XII - XVI centuries; cathedral at Chartres; the museum of national antiquities in the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which houses one of the richest collections of prehistoric objects in the world; the aviation and space museum at Le Bourget on the territory of the airport, where civil and military aircraft are exhibited from 1897 to the present day; Claude Monet's house in Giverny.

Of great interest to tourists are medieval castles in the Loire Valley: Chenonceau, Angers, Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Chinon and others. These architectural structures, so unlike each other in appearance, from the gloomy citadels of Langeais and Chinon to the classic examples of the Renaissance of Azay-le-Rideau or Chenonceau, well convey the spirit of the past era, bear the stamp of mystery and romanticism.

As a rule, any tourist trip is inherent entertainment. People go on a journey for new unforgettable impressions, thrills and positive emotions. Leisure combined with entertainment prevails among other travel purposes and forms the most massive tourist flows in the world. Entertainment during a tourist trip can be associated with visiting various events (sports, festivals, competitions, shows, carnivals) and institutions (shops, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks and amusement parks, casinos).

Nowadays, entertainment has become a global industry with huge, rapidly growing revenues. Theme parks occupy a special place in this industry. The idea of ​​theme parks originated in Europe at the end of the 19th century. At the World Exhibition in Brussels, for the first time, an amusement corner appeared (from the French. Attraction - “attraction”) - carousels, a Ferris wheel. A little later, the world's first attraction on a literary basis appeared in Paris - "From a Cannon to the Moon." Visitors climbed one by one into the cramped "spacecraft", they were enveloped in smoke, and then a lunar landscape appeared behind the porthole. Together with the carousels located in the neighborhood, it became known as the Luna Park.

Entertainment centers organized in the form theme park, are developing in France, Spain:

· "EuroDisneyland" - France, located 30 km from Paris, the largest theme park in Europe. This park is built on the model of the California Disneyland and combines 5 thematic zones. During the year, European Disneyland receives visitors 2 times more than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

· Futuroscope is a French theme park located 400 km from Paris in the city of Poitiers. The park is a huge number of glass pavilions, made in the modernist style of "cities of the future". Here you can visit cinema halls made in the form of a crystal, a pipe, a ball, a cube. The screen is located everywhere, even under the feet. This is one of the most technically advanced parks, where attractions of the 21st century are collected. With the help of lasers, a special atmosphere of "virtual reality" is created here.

· "Asterix" - a French park, whose guests find themselves in the times of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece.

· "Port Aventura" (Port Aventura - Adventure Port) - the largest amusement park in Spain, the second largest in Europe, is located in the Mediterranean resort area near the city of Salou. Guests of the park travel in space and time, having the opportunity to visit "Polynesia", "imperial China", "Cities of the Mayan Indians" or "Wild West of America".

· "Land of Myths" (Terra Mitika) - the park is located in Spain, near the city of Benidorm. The park depicts the great ancient civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome.

One of the developed areas in the tourism of Mediterranean Europe are cruises. A cruise is a tourist trip on board a special passenger ship. Initially, a cruise was understood as a sea voyage on the same ship along a closed route with stops at ports of interest, sometimes with short radial excursions to the hinterland. Later, river trips were also included in the category of cruises.

Cruise travel appeared in the 50s. 20th century But rest in sea voyages was known in the Ancient World. The Eastern Mediterranean, replete with numerous islands and convenient bays for the protection of unreliable ships, was an ideal place for recreation on the water.

Sea cruise routes differ in the specifics of their organization. Distinguish:

Ring routes in a certain basin, for example, the Mediterranean Sea, calling at 8-12 ports of various coastal countries and popular sea resorts;

Open jaw routes, for example, around Europe, Scandinavia and others, when tourists follow only one end of the route;

Short trips to the sea for 2-3 days. Quite often, such flights are used for special purposes, for example, for organizing a gambling business. So, in Israel, gambling is prohibited, but on ships leaving the territorial waters of the country, such gambling entertainment is permissible.

Coastal sea excursions and pleasure trips;

Long routes and round-the-world trips lasting up to a year.

The most developed cruise routes are the Mediterranean Sea with calls to the ports of Turkey (Istanbul), Greece (Piraeus), Egypt (Port Said, Alexandria), Israel (Haifa), Italy, Spain. But the high comfort of a cruise vacation makes it expensive and therefore inaccessible for citizens of the CIS countries.

Recently, all over the world, including the Mediterranean countries, much attention has been paid to eco-tourism. Ecological tourism(or ecotourism) is a special form of travel, in which outdoor recreation is combined with the knowledge of its objects and phenomena. Ecotourism is a special sector of the tourism industry, which, according to estimates, covers about 12% of the tourism market with a growth rate of 2-3 times the growth rate of the entire tourism industry.

The Asian countries of the Mediterranean region are no less attractive to tourists than European ones due to the following factors:

Huge, extremely capacious territory for receiving tourists;

The presence of a huge number of historical and cultural monuments, as well as natural attractions;

Finding in Asia the most important world shrines and centers of pilgrimage;

Ethnic diversity of the continent.

Southwest Asia covers a huge and extremely heterogeneous territory in geographical, historical and socio-economic terms. This includes 16 states, including those with access to the Mediterranean Sea: Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey.

Israel is an ancient land that attracts with the sun, diversity interesting places and sights, a striking contrast between antiquity and modernity. The history of Israel is so long and varied that it is difficult to find any place, valley or city that would not be associated with some important event, would not keep the memory of Ancient Israel from the time of Moses, Solomon or David, about the era of the Roman or Arab dominion, about the deeds of Christ and the removed apostles, about the campaigns of the crusader knights, about Byzantine domination.

The main tourist centers of Israel are:

· Jerusalem is a holy city and a great heritage of mankind. Its almost four thousand years of history keeps in its memory the events of the distant past that determined the fate of dozens of countries and peoples. It is in this place that the roots of three world religions intertwined, here are the holy places of worship for each of them. For Jews, this is the Wailing Wall (the western part of the Temple Mount), for Muslims, the El Aksa Mosque (the third most important shrine after Mecca and Medina), and for all Christians, the Sorrowful Path (Via Doloraza) and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Since Jerusalem is one of the largest religious centers in the world, religious and pilgrimage tourism is most widespread here. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of three world confessions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) come here to bow to their shrines. According to Israeli experts, over 20% of foreign visitors visit the country for religious reasons or for the purpose of pilgrimage.

· Tel Aviv - Yafo - the largest city of Israel and the business center of the country. Old Jaffa, which is already about 3000 years old, is one of the oldest Mediterranean ports. It is full of the charm of antiquity and medieval architecture, oriental flavor. Young, growing Tel Aviv is only about 100 years old.

· Haifa is the country's second largest industrial city and an important seaport. Here is the only metro line in Israel, as well as the largest university. The city was founded in the Roman era, and has existed as a large settlement since the time of the Crusades (XI-XII centuries). The main attraction of Haifa is Mount Carmel, towering next to it, on which there is an existing from the 13th century. Catholic monastery of the Carmelites. Not far from the monastery stands the lighthouse "Stella Maris" with a statue of the Madonna above the entrance. On the territory of the so-called Persian Gardens is the Bahai Temple, where the remains of the founder of this religious movement are buried. The attention of guests is attracted by the Haifa Museum with rich collections of ancient and modern art, the Museum of Japanese Folk Art and other museums.

Small historical cities spread throughout the country:

Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world;

Masada is a powerful fortress on top of a 300-meter cliff;

Ashkelon, which in ancient times was one of the five main cities of the Philistines;

Gaza - according to legend, it was here that the Philistines blinded the biblical hero Samson;

The city of Ramla was founded in 717 AD. as the capital of Eretz Israel and Syria, and experienced several periods of prosperity and decline;

Beit Lehem (Bethlehem), where King David spent his childhood, and Christ was born in a cave in the center of the city, and others.

Cyprus is an island of beauty and a land of contrasts. The tranquility and silence of the villages contrast sharply with the hectic life of modern cosmopolitan cities. In 1974, Turkish troops landed in Cyprus, and since then 37% of the northern territory of the country belongs to Turkey. There are no diplomatic relations between the Greek and Turkish parts, and the Turkish part is closed to entry from the Greek side.

Cyprus is an island with a rich history and culture, which was largely determined by its position - at the crossroads of three continents, at the crossroads of civilizations. The whole island is a huge open-air museum, where the cultural and historical heritage of the past is carefully preserved.

The main tourist centers of Cyprus:

Nicosia (Lefkosia) is the capital of Cyprus. It is located approximately in the center of the island and is easily accessible from all cities in the country. There are a large number of bars, cafes, restaurants, discos, fashion shops, luxury hotels. Various exhibitions and international fairs are often held.

· Located on the south coast, Limassol is the second most important city and has the reputation of a popular seaside resort, wine-growing center and the country's most important port. It is the site of the Carnival and Wine Festival, a major tourist center with a lively nightlife.

· Larnaca is the second most important port of southern Cyprus after Limassol. It is located near Stavrovouni, one of the most ancient monasteries in Cyprus. Larnaca stands on the spot where once was built in the X century. BC. and the city of Kition, which is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. According to legend, its founder was the grandson of Noah. Today Larnaca is a convenient harbor for ships, has a yacht club, which is visited by athletes from all over the world.

· Paphos is located on the southwest coast of the island. This is the capital of Cyprus during the Roman rule. It is here, not far from Paphos, that there is a place where, according to legend, the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, came ashore from the foam of the sea. Paphos is not only a seaside resort, but also an open-air museum. The attention of guests is invariably attracted by the Royal Tombs, the ruins of the ancient city near the village of Kouklia, the monastery of St. Neophyte, which was carved into the mountain by the monk himself and contains beautiful examples of Byzantine frescoes dating from the 12th-15th centuries. The coast of Paphos is rocky and semi-desert. The famous Coral Bay beach is interesting for its picturesque coves with clear and clear water. In Paphos, there is still a relic pine forest, walking in which, according to Cypriot beliefs, is very good for health.

· The azure sea and beautiful sandy beaches, diverse vegetation bordering the entire coast - this is Agia Napa (Ayia Napa), located in the southeast of Cyprus, 40 km from Larnaca. Now it is a famous tourist center, which is famous for its souvenir shops, taverns, discos and bars. Fashionable hotels and boarding houses are lined up along the entire coast to Cape Greco and located 16 km to the north of the bay with groves of fig trees. The area adjacent to the cape has been declared a nature reserve. The Aquapark, Lunapark and Marine Park enjoy great attention. Children and adults are attracted by a wide variety of attractions and entertainment. Throughout the year, various cultural events and festivals are organized in Agia Napa, reflecting the historical and national traditions of the island.

A country spanning two continents, an ancient civilization dating back about ten thousand years, Turkey combines the charms of Europe and Asia. Turkey is a real paradise for connoisseurs of nature and history, because nowhere in the world you will find such a variety of cultures as in Asia Minor.

Turkey has resorts for every taste, and this is one of the components of its popularity. The most popular resorts are located on the Mediterranean coast:

· Antalya - the central city of the Turkish Riviera - is one of the oldest cities in the country. In the vicinity of Antalya is the main international airport where tourists arrive. Rest in the city itself is designed primarily for lovers of entertainment and nightlife.

· There is a lot of greenery and fruits in Alanya, the beaches here are sandy - gently sloping and clean. Tourists with children like to come here; there is a large selection of water attractions. The city itself is not very large, but rich in historical monuments and attractions, which allows you to diversify your vacation.

· Belek is located to the east of Antalya, surrounded by picturesque forests. This is an elite resort, here are the most expensive hotels on the coast (including clubs) and the best golf courses in Asia.

· Kemer is located 40 km southwest of Antalya. A distinctive feature and a significant plus of Kemer are the wonderful beaches of round pebbles, thanks to which the sea, even in shallow water, always remains crystal clear. In addition, Kemer has a very healthy climate and a lot of greenery - most of the hotels are located directly in the forest park area.

· Side is located on a green peninsula east of Belek and is an expensive, fashionable resort. Hotels here are mostly club hotels; luxurious five-star hotels have vast territories equipped with everything necessary for recreation and sports. The names of great people are connected with the history of Side - Alexander the Great, Ptolemies, Seleucids; the memory of their times is kept by the ancient stones of the Amphitheater, Thermae, temples of Apollo and Athena.

· Bodrum is called the capital of the Turkish "azure coast". The city is located on a peninsula to the southwest of Turkey, on the Aegean Sea, between two equally popular resorts - in the north it is Kusadasi (Izmir), in the south - Marmaris. It is surrounded by picturesque mountains and covered with pine forests, tangerine and orange groves.

· Kusadasi is located on the shores of a lovely sea bay. People come here to relax in comfortable hotels, go in for water sports, make excursions to Ephesus, Miletus, Izmir, Didyma, Pergamon, Troy, Hierapolis and Pamukkale.

· Marmaris, once a quiet fishing town, is one of the largest tourist centers of the southwestern coast of Turkey. It is located on the shore of a picturesque bay, surrounded by mountains covered with pine forests.

In addition to beach and educational holidays, other areas are developing in Turkey:

Medical tourism: the main resort for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, gynecological diseases and skin diseases is the Pammukale resort. There are also balneological resorts: Cheshme, Yalova and Bursa;

Ski resorts: Palandoken - the youngest ski resort in Turkey - is located near the border with Armenia; Uludag, located 35 km from the famous Bursa - the first capital of the Ottoman Empire;

Diving (diving) "to dive"- dive) is scuba diving with special equipment. In English diving simply means "diving", and is used to describe scuba diving ( scuba diving) or without it ( free diving), diving ( hooka diving) and just diving .: there are a lot of suitable places for diving in Turkey. In Kemer you can look at a sunken ship, underwater caves, in Kalkan the waters are rich in beautiful and diverse underwater inhabitants, in Fallza there are very convenient points for diving, in Kirkgez there are underwater caves, Mersin is distinguished by its purest and transparent water;

Rafting Rafting (English raft - raft) - rafting on mountain rivers on rafts of various designs .: tourists will get an unforgettable experience of canoeing along mountain rivers. An experienced instructor supervises the rafting process, so it is relatively safe;

Jeep safari Safamri (Arabic travel) - originally hunting trips in East Africa, today - quite peaceful and relatively inexpensive excursions into the wild: this type of holiday is for those who want to see the life of the Turks in the outback. Climbing the serpentine uphill, tourists will see corners of nature that have not been destroyed by human activity.

Such a variety of types of tourism, a favorable climate, a hospitable and friendly population, an abundance of hotel enterprises for every taste and the efforts of the authorities to promote tourism products make Turkey attractive to a large number of tourists from all over the world.

In general, Southwest Asia can be considered one of the most promising regions in terms of tourism development. Wide access to many seas and bays, geographical position at the junction of three parts of the world, diverse relief and climatic conditions, a large number of sunny days, unique natural attractions, numerous historical, cultural and religious monuments, the presence of a developed tourist infrastructure in a number of states (Cyprus, Turkey , Israel) - all these and many other factors contribute to the wide attraction of guests from other parts of the world, as well as the development of tourist exchange within the region.

No less promising and attractive are some countries of North Africa that are part of the Mediterranean region.

Africa is an extremely interesting, very promising, but the most poorly developed tourist region. Among the factors favoring the development of tourism in the north of this continent, the following can be distinguished:

1) proximity to Europe and Asia;

2) warm weather and plenty of sun all year round;

3) the presence of beautiful beaches in many coastal regions of Africa, on the basis of which sea resorts can be created;

4) diverse exotic nature, including unique wild fauna;

5) variety of cultural and historical sights.

Among the factors that hinder the development of tourism in the countries of interest to us are the following:

1) the low economic level of most African countries;

2) underdeveloped tourist infrastructure and transport network;

3) unstable domestic political situation in a number of countries on the continent.

A special form of maritime tourism - cruises - is developing quite successfully in the African region. This is due to the relatively short distance between the ports of Europe and Asia in relation to the ports of Northern and West Africa, location off the coast of islands attractive to travelers - Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Using a cruise trip around the Mediterranean, tourists can see

for one trip to the countries of three parts of the world.

Main tourist areas North Africa are located in the coastal parts of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, i.e. in the subtropical part of the northern hemisphere. Despite the fact that the maximum tourist visits occur in the summer months, the number of arrivals there is quite significant in the winter months as well. Algiers can host 9 months of the year (the best months are March-May and September-November). Morocco is a country of year-round tourism, but even here, although the local winter is preferable for Europeans, summer continues to play a more important role. In the southern regions of Tunisia, the season lasts all year round, but in other regions, the tourist season can be considered 8 months.

Tourism in Egypt in the north is connected to the Mediterranean through the city of Alexandria. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, located 225 km northwest of Cairo, in the Nile Delta. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 332-331 BC. Under the Ptolemies, the city was the capital of Egypt and one of the largest centers of Hellenistic culture, as well as early Christianity. The mild climate throughout the year, beautiful sandy beaches stretching for 40 km along the coast attract thousands of tourists. The city is rich in cultural and historical attractions: the El Montada Palace, the Greco-Roman Museum, the Roman amphitheater in the town of Kom el-Decca, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shukafa.

In Alexandria, dozens of hotels of various categories, numerous transport and travel agencies, branches of national and transnational banks, cafes, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs are at the service of guests.

Tunisia is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean. It combines numerous cultural riches left over from bygone civilizations - the Punic Epoch Punic Wars- wars between Rome and Carthage (264 - 146 BC). The Punic Wars got their name from the Latin name of the Phoenicians-Carthaginians - Punicians (Puns) (lat. poeni or puni) ., Roman, Arabic, Western.

The capital of the state is the port city of the same name - Tunisia. But it does not stand on the very shore of the sea, but on the shores of the lagoon lake El-Bahir, or Lake Tunis. The lake is connected to the sea by a navigable canal. The city itself is popular for numerous attractions:

Medina - the medieval part of the city; The center of the Medina is occupied by a vast covered bazaar, which adjoins the Great Mosque (Olive Mosque);

Cubic domed mausoleum of Kharasanid;

The palaces of Dar al-Bey (XVIII century), where the government residence is located, and Darben-Abdallah (XVIII-XIX centuries), which are decorated inside with multi-color marble and colorful paintings;

Bardo Country Palace (XVIII-XIX centuries), where the national museum "Alaui" is located;

The Museum of Islamic Art in the Dar Hussein Palace, which has the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world.

In the northern suburbs of Tunisia, the attention of tourists is attracted by the monuments of the Punic era - the ruins of the once mighty Carthage, destroyed by the Romans two millennia ago: the baths of Emperor Anthony, the amphitheater, the National Museum.

In addition to Tunisia, the country has many other tourist regions that are popular in the world:

· Tabarka is located 20 km from the border with Algeria and is a typical Tunisian city, untouched by modern civilization. In July-August, the Coral Festival is held here - a festival of Tunisian culture. In the vicinity of Tabarka is the island of La Galita, where the only seal colony in the Mediterranean lives and where you can get acquainted with the remains of Punic and ancient Roman buildings.

· Resort of Bizerte - an old Phoenician trading post Factoria (mid-century lat. factoria) - 1) trading office and settlement of European merchants in colonial countries; 2) trade, supply and procurement point in remote fishing areas. with its attractions: Moorish houses and a fish market, mosques and fortress walls of the old seaport with the Spanish bastion towering above it, the white marble square of the martyrs.

· Founded over 5 centuries ago, Hammamet, which grew out of a fishing village, is located 65 km from the Tunisian capital. This is one of those resort places where tourism began in Tunisia. Vacationers here are waiting for wide sandy beaches, modern hotels with a high level of service, many cozy cafes, restaurants, shops, lively bazaars. Attracts tourists and a large amusement park. Hammamet has gained fame as a magnificent children's resort and its thalassotherapy center, located on the territory of the five-star Royal Azur Hotel.

· The administrative capital of the Cap Blanc region, Nabeul is well known for its pottery, ceramics, hand embroidery and other handicrafts. Excellent hotels, interesting holidays and low prices have made this area attractive for Russian tourists.

· More than 100 km south of Hammamet stretches the Sahel region, which in Arabic means "shore", "outskirts", the main city of which is Sousse with numerous lakes. Known as far back as the 1st millennium BC. as an important port of the Carthaginian state, this city is considered even older than Carthage. Not far from Sousse, there is a small but very popular port of El Kantaoui in the Mediterranean with a realm of yachts and pleasure boats, luxurious Andalusian-style hotels and villas framed by thousand-year-old olives.

· 24 km from Sousse is a major historical, cultural and tourist center of the country - Monastir. One of the largest international Mediterranean resorts, Monastir has served as the backdrop for many films with a renovated historic center. The mausoleum of the first president of Tunisia, Bourguiba, harmoniously blended into the appearance of the ancient city - a uniquely beautiful creation of architecture with an octagonal minaret and carved domes.

· The beaches of Mahdia are still little known outside the country. Once a stronghold of pirates, the old fishing port has become a modern, fast-growing seaside resort, where the leisure and entertainment industry is gaining a foothold. New luxurious hotels appear on the coast with wide white-sand beaches.

· El Jem is located halfway between Sousse and Sfax. It perfectly preserved the building of the Colosseum, surrounded by three-tiered arcades 36 meters high. This majestic ancient amphitheater, designed for 40 thousand spectators, is one of the largest structures in the world and surpasses in beauty all the Roman monuments of that era that have survived to this day. The El Jem Museum has a very interesting collection of mosaics from various archaeological sites around the city.

· To Djerba - the island of date palms, tourists get by ferry. They are attracted here by clear warm water, magnificent beaches, original architecture and the beauty of the old port of Azhim.

Tunisia is rightfully considered one of the most attractive countries for seaside holidays. Mild Mediterranean climate, clean and warm Mediterranean Sea, modern hotels immersed in exotic greenery, impeccable service, numerous preserved monuments of the country's centuries-old history, interesting excursions and exquisite national cuisine - all this attracts guests from different countries.

Tunisia's inbound tourism depends on the European market. About 80% of tourists come here from European countries. Currently, Tunisia is widely represented in the Russian tourist market and is beginning to gain popularity in Kazakhstan.

The ethnographic features of numerous peoples open up broad prospects for the development of educational tourism in North Africa. One of the popular areas of educational tourism is ethnographic tourism - visiting the places of traditional residence of the natives, which is common in Egypt and Tunisia.

For example, in Tunisia, a two- or three-day trip to the places where the Berber Berbemras live (self-name - amahag), a group of peoples (tamazight, reef, shilh, Tuareg, Kabil, Shauya, etc.), the indigenous population of North Africa, Central and Western Sudan . matmata tribes is one of the most exciting adventure for tourists. The desert mountains of Matmata, on the slopes of which there are caves of troglodytes Troglodytes (troglodyti, Greek "cave dwellers") - in ancient times the common name for peoples who lived in dugouts or caves at a low level of culture. , were chosen by Steven Spielberg for the filming of Star Wars. Troglodytes live in chalk caves open to all winds. In some of them, which can only be reached with the help of a rope ladder, restaurants or hotel apartments for exotic lovers are arranged.

Thus, the location of the Mediterranean Sea at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as favorable climatic conditions, make the region versatile and very attractive for tourists with any needs, providing an opportunity to satisfy them in almost all areas and types of tourism.

The Mediterranean Sea is a unique basin that separates three continents. The countries of the Mediterranean include the countries of the European Union, Asia and Africa. Tourists always associate the Mediterranean with a mild climate, warm water, delicious food and good rest. The area of ​​this largest sea in the world is more than 3 million square meters. km, and it includes the Black Sea, the Sea of ​​​​Marmara and the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov. Consider which countries are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean and where it is better to relax according to your interests.

It washes 21 states. All these countries are located on the gentle coasts of the largest sea in the world, and the coastal zone of these countries is distinguished by comfortable beaches and warm gentle waters. Consider where the Mediterranean Sea is located on the world map with the countries around it. On the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea there are resorts of the following countries:

1. Morocco - Tangier and Saidia.
2. Spain -, Almeria, Barcelona, ​​Cartagena, Ibiza,.
3. Algeria - Bejaia, Oran, Annaba.
4. France - Cote d'Azur, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Corsica.
5. Tunisia - Kelibia, Monastir, Bizerte.
6. Italy - Alghero, Sardinia, Syracuse.
7. Libya - Tripoli, Kufra, Misrata, Ubari, Tobruk.
8. Monaco - The whole state is one whole resort.
9. Egypt - Alexandria, Dellis, El Alamen, Baltim.
10. Malta - Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, Bujiba.
11. Israel - Nahariya, Haifa, Ashdod, Akko, Herzliya.
12. Slovenia - Portorož, Izoloa.
13. Lebanon - Juni, Tyre.
14. Croatia - Dalmatia, Istria.
15. Syria - Latakia, Badrousseikh, Al-Samra.
16. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Neum.
17. Turkey - Izmir, Bodrum, Marmaris, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Belek.
18. Montenegro - Budva, Milocer, Petrovac.
19. Cyprus - Larnaca, Limassol, Protaras, Tuscany.
20. Albania - Vlora, Himara, Saranda.
21. Greece - Crete, Kitira, Methoni, Rhodes.

Also, such countries on the Mediterranean Sea as the Palestinian state and the Northern region of Cyprus, as well as Dakelia, Gibraltar and Akrotiri have access to sunny beaches. Undoubtedly, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Italy and France are recognized as the most favorite among tourists from this list of states. It is here that beach lovers from all over the planet strive, because the best beaches and resort areas are equipped here.

Depth of the Mediterranean Sea - maximum and average

The depth of the Mediterranean Sea is quite diverse and depends on the region. Conventionally, the Mediterranean can be divided into three main basins - western, central and eastern. What depth in each of the basins can be seen on the depth map, because the bottom topography of such a huge reservoir differs in structure in each region. The maximum depth is observed near southern Greece in a deep trench and is 5120 m. However, the average depth of the Mediterranean Sea does not exceed 1540 m.

The length and width of the Mediterranean Sea is not indicated exactly, the fact is that the basin is constantly changing its boundaries and it is almost impossible to calculate the exact values. The length of the Mediterranean Sea from the northernmost to the southernmost section is approximately 3200 km, and from the western to the easternmost point 1200 km. The total area is 2,500 sq. km. The water temperature in the winter months is 12C°, and in the high summer season 25C°.

An interesting fact, scientists believe that the Mediterranean basin is nothing more than the remains of the ancient prehistoric oceanic basin Tethys, which covered the main part of the planet with water. In addition to the Mediterranean, these remnants also include the Black Sea, the Aral and the Caspian. Today since Atlantic Ocean The Mediterranean is connected by a strait called Gibraltar, everyone knows this, but not many people know that this strait passes between two rocks that were on Earth in the time of ancient heroes and were then called the Pillars of Hercules.

To understand what washes the Mediterranean Sea, you should look at the geographical images of the planet. On satellite imagery and paper maps, you can see that the four largest peninsulas crash into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, these are the Apennine, Balkan, Iberian Peninsulas and Asia Minor. Also in the Mediterranean there is a cluster of the largest islands, which are also loved by tourists, in the first place are Sicily, Ibiza, Crete, Malta and Rhodes.

Mediterranean Sea surrounded on all sides by land. One glance at the map is enough to agree with such a judgment. This was also known ancient Greek scientists.

• Countries and islands
• Countries
• Islands
• Eastern Mediterranean

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Features of geographical location and climate

mediterranean sea named for a reason, from all sides it touches with continents.

Nowhere else in the world has one been found large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean only by a tiny, for such a scale, jumper - Strait of Gibraltar.

Sea in your own way geographic location located between: Asia, Europe, Africa.

Total area - 2,500 square kilometers. The maximum depth is 5 121 meters.

It is connected by canals and straits with black, red And Seas of Marmara.

Concerning bottom topography, then he has all typical for the sea peculiarities:

Part Mediterranean Sea includes inland seas:

• Aegean;
• Alboran;
• Adriatic;

If you are going to relax on the Adriatic Sea, find out detailed information about its resorts from this article

• Balearic;
• Ionian;
• Ligurian;
• Tyrrhenian.

in winter the weather is very changeable, regularly storms happen, and pass heavy rainfall. The temperature drops significantly due to the influence northern winds.

In summer observed here dry fog and a small amount precipitation.

Tourists come en masse to these places closer to the middle of summer. By July the reservoir warms up +27 degrees.

Countries and islands

to the mediterranean includes vast territories of countries and islands. We give examples of some of them below.

Countries

• Turkey. There are resorts that are very fond of Russian tourists. Most of the attendants are talking in Russian, which simplifies the rest in a foreign country for our tourists. There are many excellent beaches, inexpensive hotels and one of the best in the world kitchens. The reservoir washes the following major Turkish cities - Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya And Izmir.
• Italy. It is located in the western Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza And spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun. Resort towns are Rome, Sicily And Milan.

Italy is a great place to relax not only in summer but also in winter. Read about the winter resorts of this country here

• Spain. Ibiza, Barcelona And Majorca- these are exactly the settlements that travelers come to who want to have fun and have a good time. Especially it concerns youth loving noisy parties.
• Croatia. A country attractive for tourists, first of all, rapidly gaining momentum yachting. To do this, the state allocates multi-million investment.
• Montenegro. Especially worth a look at the beach Ada Bojana. Here the purest sand, which can only be found throughout Adriatic. In addition, tourism is actively developing here among nudists.
• Albania. chic kitchen, beautiful landscapes- this is how local resorts are characterized.

In ancient times, it was believed that the Mediterranean Sea is located in the center of the world. Roman natives called him by inland sea, since all its shores were conquered by them.

• Morocco. Here intersect European And Islamic traditions and cultures. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to see cultural attractions. Particularly popular Casablanca.
• Tunisia. ancient museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments architectures that are memorable markets- at local resorts which are not found miracles.

Islands

Also in the Mediterranean a bunch of big and small islands interesting for travelers. Among them stand out:

• Djerba. Located in the north Africa. Translated from ancient Arabic as "wheat town". The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. pink flamingos, ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice- this is simply not to be missed if you find yourself on Djerba.
• Sardinia. Located next to Dagger And Sicily. Archaeologists constantly find various tombs And ziggurats. These are the main attractions of the island.
• Vulcano. Tourists come here to see the numerous volcanic craters.

Scientists have found that because of the catastrophic floods, which occurred 5.3 million years ago, just filling has occurred Mediterranean Sea. For two years such a large water basin was formed!

Eastern Mediterranean

Most often to Eastern Mediterranean include the coasts of Greece, Italy and Turkey, this opinion is wrong. If we approach this issue in terms of geography and look at the map, it turns out that the Eastern Mediterranean includes:

Decided to relax in Cyprus? Find out what others think of the island's hotels in this article.

Pros and cons of holidays in the Mediterranean

On the Mediterranean ideal holiday in september. At this time already the heat subsides while the water stays warm. An additional plus is that the reservoir contains a large amount useful salts And No dangerous poisonous plants And animals.

Can be viewed attractions completely different countries of the world and get to know their culture. After all, the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of a good half continents of the world.

In the resorts of the Mediterranean is very developed resort medical infrastructure. Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins can easily find a place for recreation and recreation.

There are no cons. Unless, of course, the scorching summer sun is not considered a drawback.