Some definitions of southern Europe, also known as Mediterranean Europe, include the countries of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Italian peninsula, southern France and Greece. Other definitions sometimes include the Balkan countries of southeast Europe, which are geographically in the southern part of Europe, but which have different historical, political, economic, and cultural backgrounds. 

Different methods can be used to define southern Europe, including its political, economic, and cultural attributes. Southern Europe can also be defined by its natural features — its geography, climate, and flora. 

Southern Europe's most emblematic climate is that of the Mediterranean climate, which has become a typically known characteristic of the area. The Mediterranean climate covers much of Portugal, Spain, Southeast France, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, the Western and Southern coastal regions of Turkey as well as the Mediterranean islands. Those areas of Mediterranean climate present similar vegetations and landscapes throughout, including dry hills, small plains, pine forests and olive trees.
Describe vegetation of the Mediterranean
What type of forests?
What does the Iberian peninsula consist of?
What other peninsula is part of the region?
Where are the Balkans located?
Which lands have the Mediterranean climate?
And?
And?
Does Turkey have the same climate?
What parts?
dry hills
dry hills
pine
pine
Spain and Portugal
Spain and Portugal
the Italian peninsula
 the Italian peninsula
in the southern part of Europe
in the southern part of Europe
Greece
Greece
Italy
Italy
much of Portugal
much of Portugal
Yes
Turkey
the Western and Southern coastal regions
the Western and Southern coastal regions