Demographic Shifts & Climate Analysis: Spain (1960-2001)
Demographic and Climate Changes in Spain (1960-2001)
Population Analysis (1960 vs. 2001)
Youth Population (0-10 years)
Comparison: The youth population in 2001 was reduced by 25% to 50% compared to 1960.
Explanation: This change is due to factors such as delayed marriage, increased costs of raising children, and greater female participation in the workforce.
Social Consequences: Reduced school enrollment, potential failure to ensure generational change, and strain on the welfare state due to an aging population.
Elderly Population (65+ years)
Comparison: The elderly population increased significantly from under 100,000 in 1960 to over one million in 2001.
Explanation: Increased life expectancy due to advancements in food, medical care, and social development.
Social Consequences: Increased spending on social and health services for the elderly.
Demographic Structure Models
1960 Pyramid: Warhead or bell-shaped, typical of developing countries with high birth rates and low mortality rates. This reflects the “development” phase with improved healthcare infrastructure.
2001 Pyramid: Urn-shaped, characteristic of developed countries with low birth rates and high life expectancy, indicating an aging population. This is due to improved hygiene, health habits, and the use of contraceptives.
Climate Analysis (1960-2001)
Thermal Climate Differences
The climogram on the left shows an annual average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius (warm), while the right is closer to 14 degrees Celsius (mild). The left climogram has a minimum winter temperature around 10 degrees Celsius and a hot summer (25 degrees Celsius in August). The right climogram has a similar winter but a less extreme summer, with monthly maximum temperatures ranging between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
Annual Thermal Oscillation and Aridity
The first climogram has a thermal oscillation of approximately 15 degrees Celsius. The second has a mean of about 10 degrees Celsius.
Aridity is defined as insufficient rainfall to maintain vegetation. The left climogram has four dry months (May to August), while the right one has no dry months.
Climate Types
Left Climogram: Represents a dry climate, typical of inland Spain, with maximum rainfall in autumn, indicating Mediterranean influence. The mild winter and hot summer suggest a coastal Mediterranean climate, likely Levantine.
Right Climogram: Represents a wet climate, typical of northern Spain, with maximum rainfall in autumn and winter, indicating Atlantic influence. The mild winter and relatively cool summer are typical of a coastal area subject to an oceanic climate, such as Galicia or the Cantabrian coasts.