Relief

• Has hindered development of a good transport network and also makes building of roads, railways etc. more expensive.
• 85% is upland, above 200 metres.
• The Apennine Mountains dominate.
• The Apennines stretch for 1050km along the Italian peninsula.
• Lowland areas limited to coastal zones.
• Little flat land available for road building.
• Mountains are steep and cut by deep valleys.
• As a result the roads are narrow and winding.
• Bridges have to be built across the valleys. This is very expensive and difficult.
• Tunnels have been blasted through hills and this  adds greatly to the cost of providing a good transport network.
• The Apennines are often covered by snow in winter due to high altitude. This disrupts road transport in the region.
• It is difficult to construct roads from east to west as Apennines act as a barrier.
• Roads constructed are often narrow and winding and can’t be used by large trucks. This impedes industrial development.