LANDFORMS

includes Aegean Sea coastline and islands plus northern Mediterranean coastline (southern Mediterranean coastline along Africa is omitted)

includes modern-day countries of Greece, coastal Turkey, lower Balkans (Albania; Macedonia; countries formerly part of Yugoslavia = Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, Croatia), Italy, southern France, Spain, various islands including Crete

complex system of mountains, volcanoes, deep river valleys, coastal plains, islands and seas

tectonically active area:  continental rifting that causes earthquake and volcanic activity (examples: Pompeii in Italy, Thera in Aegean)

major landforms in Italy are Apennine Mtns, Arno River, Tiber River, Po River, Swiss Alps to north

major landforms in Aegean are Crete, Cyclades islands, Greek mainland, various mountain ranges and rivers

CLIMATE

Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters
 

POSITIVE FEATURES

1.  wide variety of plants, many of which were domesticated (facilitated shift to food production)

2.  sources of raw materials, especially metal ores and obsidian (related to craft production and inter-regional exchange)

3.  many natural harbors (related to sea-based exchange networks and naval branch of military)
 

NEGATIVE FEATURES

1.  seasonal water shortages at lower altitudes (presents challenges to food producers)

2.  earthquake and volcanic activity (destructive to structures, particularly problematic in urban areas)