Geographic Coordinates and Iberian Relief: A Comprehensive Guide
Unit 1: Geographic Coordinates
Geographic Coordinates
A spatial reference system using imaginary lines (parallels and meridians) to locate any point on Earth. Requires latitude and longitude. Example: Menorca (40° N, 4° E).
Geographic Determinism
19th-century geographic theory stating that physical factors determine human activities. Societies develop based on environmental characteristics. Key figure: Ratzel. Example: Relief influences trade and communication.
Equator
The 0° parallel, equidistant from the poles, dividing Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Essential for geographic coordinates.
Mapping Scale
Numerical proportion indicating the reduction of reality on a map. Allows distance measurements. Can be numeric (e.g., 1/50,000) or graphic (a segmented line). Small scale for detailed, confined spaces (e.g., 1/500 to 1/10,000). Large scale for vast areas (e.g., >1/1,000,000). Example: 1/50,000 means 1cm = 500m.
Geography
Studies, analyzes, and interprets natural elements and phenomena. Example: Relief, climate, water, soil.
Human Geography
Studies, analyzes, and interprets human-caused phenomena and human-nature interaction. Example: Population, economic activities, urban spaces.
Latitude
Angular distance from the Equator (0° to 90° N/S).
Longitude
Angular distance from the Greenwich Meridian (0° to 180° E/W).
Portolan Charts
Medieval thematic maps depicting coastlines, rivers, and navigation details. Replaced symbolic Christian maps. Combined accuracy with aesthetics. Example: Majorcan cartographic school.
Unit 2: Iberian Relief
Depressions
Sunken areas within continents. Types: closed, coastal, and below sea level. Iberian depressions formed by block subsidence (Duero, Tagus, Guadiana) or pre-existing basins (Ebro, Guadalquivir).
Iberian Clay
Found in river depressions (Duero, Tagus, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, Ebro) and coastal plains. Formed in Tertiary and Quaternary periods. Composed of clay. Erosion creates badlands.
Iberian Limestone
Forms an inverted ‘Z’ on the map (Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains, Iberian Range, Betic System). Also found within depressions (e.g., páramos). Mostly Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Karst erosion creates sinkholes, caves, etc.
Siliceous Iberia
Covers western mainland (Galicia, Extremadura, Sierra Morena, Central System) and some mountain axes. Primarily Precambrian and Paleozoic. Granite and metamorphic rocks. Hydrolysis erosion creates rounded landscapes.
Meseta Central
Extensive plateau (45% of Iberian Peninsula) divided by Central System. Formed in Paleozoic, eroded in Mesozoic, uplifted and fractured in Alpine orogeny. Average altitude: 660m. Slopes westward.
Karst Modeling
Chemical weathering of limestone by water with high CO2 content. Creates sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. Example: Ciudad Encantada.
Glacial Modeling
Erosion by ice during glaciations. Creates U-shaped valleys, cirques, and glacial deposits. Example: Pyrenees glaciers.
Coastal Modeling
Erosion and deposition by waves and rivers. Creates beaches, dunes, lagoons, estuaries, deltas, etc.
Alpine Orogeny
Relief formation during late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Collision of African and Eurasian plates. Created current land-ocean distribution. Folded soft materials and fractured hard materials. Example: Betic System, Central System.
Hercynian Orogeny
Relief formation during Paleozoic. Collision of African and Eurasian plates. Created Hercynian Mountains, later eroded to form the Hesperian Massif.
Coastal Plains
Formed by river and marine sediments. Often narrow due to proximity of mountains. Example: Turia and Júcar plains.
Volcanic Relief
Formed by volcanic eruptions. Example: Canary Islands, Columbretes Islands, Garrotxa region.