Editing Southern Europe (section)

== Economy and transport ==

Southern Europe has major maritime routes along the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean coasts. Ports connect the European interior with North Africa, western Asia, and routes through the [[Suez Canal]]. The Strait of Gibraltar provides the main maritime entrance between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="mediterranean-transport"/>

Road and railway corridors cross the Pyrenees, Alps, Italian Peninsula, and Balkans. Northern Italy provides routes between the Mediterranean and central Europe. Greece provides road and maritime connections between the southern Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean. Ferry systems are particularly important for the Greek islands, Italian islands, and Adriatic coast.<ref name="italy-transport"/><ref name="greece-transport"/>

The regional economy includes manufacturing, shipping, agriculture, construction, finance, fishing, and tourism. Coastal cities support ports and commercial services, while inland areas contain industrial districts, agricultural regions, and transport corridors. Tourism is concentrated around historic cities, islands, beaches, mountain areas, and Mediterranean coastal settlements.