Climate, Energy, and Tourism in Spain
Climates of the Iberian Peninsula
The Spanish territory is characterized by a wide range of climates.
The Oceanic Climate
It occupies the north of the peninsula, i.e., the Cantabrian coast and Galicia.
Rainfall is abundant and regular, as these are areas that are under the continuous action of storms, although its maximum is in winter and minimum in summer. The rain falls softly, thus it is easier for it to leak into the soil.
Temperatures are mild, although with differences between coastal and inland areas. On the coast, the sea determines the influence of cool summers and mild winters. Inland, by decreasing the influence of the sea, the winter temperatures are colder.
Mediterranean Climate
The area of Mediterranean climate is the largest in Spain. It includes the mainland south of the oceanic climate zone, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Rainfall is scarce and irregular. Its distribution is characterized by drought in summer and equinoctial maxima. Rain often falls in the form of heavy storms, which, together with the deforestation of watersheds, causes deep erosion.
Temperatures vary between coastal and inland areas, and thus, it has the following subtypes:
- The maritime Mediterranean climate encompasses the entire peninsular Mediterranean coast (minus the Southeast), the south Atlantic coast, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
- The continental Mediterranean climate covers the interior of the peninsula, except for the middle of the Ebro valley.
- The dry or sub-desertic Mediterranean climate includes the Southeast Peninsula and the middle zone of the Ebro valley.
Spanish Energy Sources
Energy sources are the resources that provide useful energy for various applications, such as industry. Spain is an example of energy imbalance and dependence, since energy consumption clearly exceeds production.
Coal
Coal is a stratified black rock fuel that is formed by the decomposition of plant debris. There are different types of coal: anthracite, coal, and lignite.
During the first industrial revolution, coal played a dominant role and its output grew, but now production has declined significantly due to the problems with coal mining.
Oil
Oil is a mineral oil, very dark, composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons. It is formed by the decomposition of plant and animal marine organisms.
Oil ranks first in Spanish energy consumption, but domestic production is low and does not allow self-sufficiency, so imports are used.
Nuclear Energy
Obtained by fission (separation of heavy atoms of uranium), but is still in production for fusion experiments.
Nuclear fission energy is too recent in Spain, as its growth was linked to the need to reduce dependence on oil following the crisis of 1975. Nuclear power does *not* supply 100% of national needs; a more accurate statement would be that it supplies a *significant portion* of national needs.
Renewable Energy Sources
New renewable energy sources began with the oil crisis. We distinguish between them:
- Mini-hydro plants
- Solar energy
- Biomass energy
- Wind power
- Geothermal energy
Tourism in Spain
Spanish tourism has undergone tremendous development since the 1960s, and today Spain is one of the great powers for tourists worldwide.
The factors that led to the booming tourism are:
- Economic growth in Europe after the Second World War.
- Progress in transportation (improvement of roads and rail network and reduction in the price of air travel).
- The geographical proximity of Spain to European customers.
- Excellent weather conditions and landscape.
- The quality of the beaches.
- Attractive cultural monuments, traditions, and cuisine.
- State facilities for this activity.
The most visited tourist areas correspond to areas of “sun and beach” tourism, including the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean coast, and Madrid, which hosts a major cultural tourism sector.
However, to the traditional “sun and sea” tourism (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean coast), other types have been added due to a desire for quality and new attractions:
- Beach tourism on the Galician and Cantabrian coasts, less saturated than the Mediterranean.
- Rural tourism.
- Cultural tourism.
- Sports tourism (ski resorts).
- Relaxation in spa tourism.
- Business tourism.