Venice Geography
Colin Carmona-Murphy
Mr. Zanardo
Geography P. 3
February 24, 2011
Venice, Italy Introduction
Venice is a city located in the northern part of Italy that is known mostly for its tourism and it’s very interesting physical geography. What makes Venice a city of geological interest is the fact that it is filled with waterways and canals, which are replacements for the conventional cobblestone streets commonly found in Europe. The city of Venice has one major waterway called the Grand Canal which winds throughout the entire city, interconnected with many smaller, and narrower canals. Because of the many canals scattered through Venice, modern age Venice is faced with many geological problems such as sinking, and climate. Although Venice is an extremely old city, it still incorporates modern technologies and cultures to create booming tourism and a great economy. With the interesting geographical features like the canals, it is no surprise that many problems occur from these features, but also generates a phenomenal economy and tourism industry.
The Canals of Venice The canals of Venice, Italy are the most important geological feature that makes Venice, Venice. The canals run throughout the city allowing them to be water-traffic corridors. In total there are 150 distinct canals with the most important and largest being the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal splits the city almost directly in half because of its shape. It forms a large “S” shape. The canal is 3,800 meters long, with average widths of 30-90 meters, and average depths close to five meters. The water in the canals is a mixture of fresh water from a nearby river, and salt water from the Mediterranean Sea, creating a mixture called “brackish” water. Venice as a city is built on large piles of mud which means The Grand Canal was created because of an earlier river which eroded the mud over time causing there to be a wider canal then most others in
Mr. Zanardo
Geography P. 3
February 24, 2011
Venice, Italy Introduction
Venice is a city located in the northern part of Italy that is known mostly for its tourism and it’s very interesting physical geography. What makes Venice a city of geological interest is the fact that it is filled with waterways and canals, which are replacements for the conventional cobblestone streets commonly found in Europe. The city of Venice has one major waterway called the Grand Canal which winds throughout the entire city, interconnected with many smaller, and narrower canals. Because of the many canals scattered through Venice, modern age Venice is faced with many geological problems such as sinking, and climate. Although Venice is an extremely old city, it still incorporates modern technologies and cultures to create booming tourism and a great economy. With the interesting geographical features like the canals, it is no surprise that many problems occur from these features, but also generates a phenomenal economy and tourism industry.
The Canals of Venice The canals of Venice, Italy are the most important geological feature that makes Venice, Venice. The canals run throughout the city allowing them to be water-traffic corridors. In total there are 150 distinct canals with the most important and largest being the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal splits the city almost directly in half because of its shape. It forms a large “S” shape. The canal is 3,800 meters long, with average widths of 30-90 meters, and average depths close to five meters. The water in the canals is a mixture of fresh water from a nearby river, and salt water from the Mediterranean Sea, creating a mixture called “brackish” water. Venice as a city is built on large piles of mud which means The Grand Canal was created because of an earlier river which eroded the mud over time causing there to be a wider canal then most others in
Bibliography: Works Cited 1. "Canals of Venice & Grand Canal History/Location – Italy." Famous Wonders of the World: Best Places to Visit, See Travel Pictures. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://famouswonders.com/canals-of-venice/>. 2. "Grand Canal (Venice)." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopaedia. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_(Venice)>. 3. "HowStuffWorks "Geography of Venice"" Howstuffworks "Geography" Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://geography.howstuffworks.com/europe/geography-of-venice.htm>. 4. "Physical Geography." Macalester College: Private Liberal Arts College. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog61/ataff/physical geography.htm>. 5. "The Sinking City of Venice." Interesting Thing of the Day. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://itotd.com/articles/495/the-sinking-city-of-venice/>. 6. Squires, Nick. " 'Moses Project ' to Secure Future of Venice - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph Online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/3629387/Moses-project-to-secure-future-of-Venice.html>. 7. "Venice." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice#Economy>.