Economy, Politics, and Tourism in Spain
Major Crops
Cereal
Barley, wheat, and corn are highlighted. Castile, Aragon, and Catalonia stand out for their production.
Olive and Vine
The central area comprises the Andalusian provinces, with Jaén and Córdoba leading olive production. Castile dominates the vineyard landscape, followed by Valencia, Catalonia, Andalusia, and Rioja.
Fruit Trees
Citrus fruits distinguish the Valencian Community, which dedicates a major percentage to citrus cultivation along the Mediterranean coastal strip from Tarragona to Murcia, in addition to flowers and Lleida.
Greenhouse Vegetables
Year-round production of fresh vegetables necessitates winter cultivation, especially in Andalusia.
Fisheries Sector Expansion
With the Law on Fleet Restoration and Protection of 1961 and the fishing decade of 1970, the fishing fleet reached significant development. However, the sector faces challenges such as depletion of species, fishing practices that reduce biodiversity, and difficulties in coastal fishing areas. Agreements with countries like Morocco, Mauritania, the USA, and Canada, where Spain fishes, oblige a more rational and sustainable use of marine resources, including aquaculture.
EU Fisheries
Spain’s entry into the EU was expected to boost the fishing sector, but several factors hindered this:
- Excessive capture by other EU countries relative to available resources.
- A fully open European market, forcing Spanish fishermen to compete with others.
- Financial aid primarily for fleet renewal, which, in Spain’s case, led to more boats but a loss of small-scale fishing capacity.
- Spain’s reliance on pre-EU agreements with third countries like Morocco, which became difficult due to fish stock depletion.
Energy in Spain
Spain’s energy sources include:
- Coal: A traditional energy source burned in thermal power plants.
- Nuclear Energy: Electricity generated from nuclear power plants built in the 1970s and 1980s. This source faces controversy due to waste disposal, leading to the closure of plants like Vandellòs I.
- Hydropower: Electricity produced from rivers with abundant flow, such as the Douro, Tagus, Guadiana, and Ebro.
- Alternative Energies: Solar energy, exploiting Spain’s high degree of sunshine, and wind farms utilizing windmills in designated parks.
European Union Institutions
The European Council
Composed of heads of state or government of member states, accompanied by their foreign ministers. This highest political body defines the general policy orientation and development.
The Council of the European Union
Representatives of member states meet to make important decisions, including early warnings on foreign affairs.
The European Parliament
Elected by universal suffrage, it exercises a legislative function, making and amending laws, and approving the EU budget.
The European Commission
With an executive function, formed by the president and commissioners, it ensures compliance with European norms.
Other Institutions
These include the European Central Bank, Court of Auditors, Committee of the Regions, and the European Ombudsman.
Tourism in Spain
Spanish Tourist Model
Tourism in Spain boomed in the 1960s, becoming a mass phenomenon primarily of foreign origin. This sun and beach tourism model has been complemented in recent decades by domestic tourism, maintaining a mass vacation model at affordable prices.
Origin and Destination of Foreign Tourists
The main sources of foreign tourists are the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the USA, and Portugal. The favorite destinations are Catalonia, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Andalusia, and the Valencian Community.
Hotel Amenities
The largest selection of hotels and inns is located in the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, followed by Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and the Valencian Community.
Domestic Tourism
Leisure services now involve a large portion of the Spanish population. While free time was once enjoyed locally, new forms of leisure have been introduced.
Spanish Politics and Governance
Sovereignty
The power of the state to govern its inhabitants. In Spain, the people elect their rulers.
Representative Democracy
The people govern by electing their representatives.
Universal Suffrage
All Spaniards are entitled to vote from the age of 18.
Political Pluralism
Different political parties represent diverse proposals.
Referendum
The government uses referendums to decide on specific questions by ballot.
Rights and Duties of Spaniards
Rights
- Right to life (beatings and the death penalty are prohibited)
- Presumption of innocence
- Right to privacy
- Right to equality before the law
- Right to education
- Right to strike
- Right to choose residence and nationality
- Right to freedom of association
- Right to property
Duties
- Duty to defend Spain
- Duty to work and pay taxes
The King
The King represents the unity of Spain and moderates state institutions. The position is hereditary, passing from male to female.
Functions of the King
- Sanctions and promulgates laws passed by the Cortes (Parliament)
- Convenes and dissolves the Cortes
- Proposes the President of the Government
- Appoints ministers
- Commander-in-chief of the armed forces
The Cortes (Parliament)
Composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. It makes laws (legislative power), approves budgets, and controls the government’s actions.
The Government and Administration
The government holds executive power and ensures compliance with laws.
Relations Between the Government and the Cortes
The government’s policies are subject to parliamentary scrutiny. The Congress may hold the government politically responsible through a motion of censure, which requires the support of one-tenth of the deputies and a vote after five days. If successful, the Prime Minister must resign.
The Judiciary
The judiciary is independent of other branches of government. The Chief Justice is appointed by the King on the proposal of the General Council of the Judiciary. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Spain. The General Council of the Judiciary governs the judiciary, defining roles, making appointments and promotions, conducting inspections, and enforcing disciplinary procedures.