Agriculture, Industry, and Trade in Spain
Agricultural Landscapes of Spain
Wet Spain
Located in Cantabria, Galicia, and the Cantabrian mountainous areas, the dominant slope is near the coast. The main activity is cattle ranching; farming is secondary due to few flat areas. The habitat is scattered, and the plots are bocage.
Mediterranean Spain
It is characterized by mountainous terrain and very fertile lowlands. In the pre-littoral areas, the terrain is more rugged and steep. Agriculture dominates; livestock is minor and there is no logging. Agriculture is differentiated between irrigated and rainfed.
Inland Spain
It is situated on the plateau and the Ebro valley. The terrain is characterized by being high and flat, with little rainfall in summer and very cold winters. Agriculture is dominant, with two types: irrigated and dry land. There is also extensive grazing of cattle, and to a lesser extent, sheep farming. Logging is dedicated to wood and resin, and in the north, to wood and cork production. The habitat is concentrated, and the landscape is openfield.
Canary Islands
Its rugged terrain is volcanic, and the climate is subtropical. The predominant activity is agriculture. Specialized intensive irrigated agriculture has developed in monoculture or tropical crops, along with intensive greenhouse farming. Traditional rain-fed crops include grapes and potatoes. The habitat is concentrated.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
The CAP has four goals:
- Increase the productivity of profitable products.
- Ensure that the farming population has a good standard of living.
- Ensure self-sufficiency.
- Ensure reasonable prices.
Industrialization in Spain
Growth in the Spanish economy is due to three exogenous factors: foreign investment, currency from migrants, and tourism.
The manufacturing step involved designing equipment and an industrial base (steel and chemical) industries for consumer goods (automobiles, appliances).
The crisis of 1973 significantly affected Spain, especially steel, textiles, and shipbuilding.
The causes of this change included necessary competition from the NICs (newly industrialized countries).
Emergency zones for reindustrialization (ZUR) were established to revive industries.
Industrial Regions
Spain has strong regional imbalances.
Developed Industrial Areas
These are the central areas of metropolitan regions. Two contradictory processes have occurred: the collapse of mature sectors and the emergence of cutting-edge industries.
Industrial Development Axes
There are three main areas: the Basque Country, the Ebro Valley, and the Mediterranean.
Areas and Industrial Hubs in Decline
These include Asturias, Cantabria, Ferrol, the Bay of Cadiz, and the Ponferrada plain. They are mature industrial areas in crisis, and the incorporation into the EU has exacerbated the situation.
Rail Transport
Three networks:
- RENFE
- FEVE
- AVE
Imbalances:
- European network integration faces technical obstacles, as the Spanish gauge is wider.
Shipping
- The port network is distributed between the state and the autonomous communities.
- Passenger traffic is low.
- Cabotage traffic is dedicated to transporting petroleum.
- International cargo traffic is very important.
Air Transport
- Rapid development due to the demand for tourism, business, and incorporation into the EU.
- Barajas Airport functions as a hub, with Barcelona standing out for tourism, along with the airports in the Balearic Islands, Alicante, Valencia, and Malaga.
- Passenger transport is very competitive, but freight transport is scarce due to its high cost.
Trade
Internal Trade
- Greater purchasing power.
- Decreased purchase frequency due to the incorporation of women into the workplace.
- Payment methods (credit card).
Typology:
- Wholesale: Madrid market.
- Retail: Traditional trade, supermarkets, malls, etc.
Foreign Trade
- The balance of payments has a surplus.
- Exports: Less important primary sector, semi-manufactured goods, equipment, and consumer goods.
- Imports: Energy products, industrial and agricultural goods.
- Trade area: EU and South America.