with the expansion of Greek colonies,olive culture reached southern Italy and northern Africa in the eighth century B.C.,and then spread into southern Frace.Olive trees were planted throughout the entire Mediterranean basin under Roman rule.In ancient Greece and Rome, Olive oil was a valuable trading commodity. Ships were built for the sole pupose of transporting it form Greece to trading posts around the Mediterranean
olive trees can endure harsh weather conditions however,warm,dry summers and rainy winters favor good harvests.According to Italian folk tradition, there are five factors that create the ideal conditions for the olive tree sun,stone,drougth,silence,and solitude.Italy and Spain are now the world biggest producers of olive oil.