Agricultural activities have been going on in this natural region since ancient times. Therefore the people of the Mediterranean areas are used to this type of climatic region and find out the means to adjust according to the situation. Conditions have never been unfavorable as the region has long growing season as well as long hours of sunshine. While the coastal plains are cultivated with wheat, barley and other crops, the adjoining hill slopes are covered with fruit trees. Though crops are cultivated mainly for local consumption, a variety of citrus and other fruits are processed and exported in large quantities.
Large-scale production of grapes has led to production of different varieties of wine. In this regions three general classes of crops have always been developed and this has been going on incessantly through the ages. These crops include that of wheat, barely and beans which can be planted in the fall so that the advantage of cool season moisture may be taken. Grapes, olives, nuts and various fruits can be grown because these are drought resisting crops. Crops can be raised under irrigational facilities and as a result of that vegetables and various types of fruits can be produced. On account of lack of pastures the livestock breeding and rearing is somewhat difficult, so generally a very few dairy and beef animals are available here. Sheep and goats are generally found in the hilly and mountainous region and are especially meant for getting milk and meat.
In the new Mediterranean lands the pattern of farming is slightly different though the climatic similarity persists. For example, in California there are many advantages. Agricultural lands are on the lowlands and sufficient water supply is available for the irrigational purposes. Crops are produced here. Cotton dominates the scene in the southern end of the valley. Middle Chile, the Capetown district of Africa and the regions of Australia all have good agricultural areas in their respective continents. In middle Chile the wheat is the principal crop, wheat and sheep go side by side in time Australian economy. In the Murray basin of Australia dime to irrigational facilities there is intensive agriculture. Tree fruits, grapes and dairying are the main characteristics of this region.
Fishing activity is common in the Mediterranean region and adds to the local economy. Coastal areas are most suitable for fishing. Sardines are the chief commercial catch.
Mining is an important activity in these regions. Mediterranean basin has not such minerals, which may help in establishing heavy industries. Bauxite is found in the Rhine Valley of France and Yugoslavia. Italy is on top in producing mercury. Rich iron ore is found in Algeria and Chromium in Turkey. California is outstanding region for producing petroleum. The lack of coal in California has been compensated in the form of Petroleum by the nature for its industrial development.
This Mediterranean or Dry Summer Subtropics region is not much favored for the industrialization, but even then some industrial areas are well marked. Chile has a steel industry. Fruit processing industry has been developed in the countries of Mediterranean basin and California. In California the motion picture industry is concentrated in Hollywood. Petrol refining and automobile assembling are prominent industries of California. There are many steel mills operating in the San Francisco Bay area. Los Angels basin is also predominantly industrial.
In Mediterranean area the ancient cities are still in the scene namely Athens, Naples, Rome, Florence, Geneva, Marseilles, Barcelona, Valencia, Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Beirut and Istanbul. Tel Aviv and Haifa are two important urban centres of Israel. Santiago is the great city of Chile. Valparaiso is the main art of Chile. Capetown is port as well as urban centre of Cape Province of Africa. Adelaide is the main city of Murray basin in Australia. Perth is also an important city of Australia. Los Angeles, San Francisco is an important city of U.S.A.
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