Geography and Socioeconomic Dynamics of Spain

Posted on Oct 30, 2024 in Geography

Unit 9: Spain

1. Introduction

Spain (Latin term Hispania), called Iberia by the Greeks, occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing it with Portugal, the Principality of Andorra, and Gibraltar.

Location: Northern Hemisphere, temperate zone.

Extension: 505,956 km²

Territorial Units:

• Iberian Peninsula (493,484 km²)
• Balearic Islands (Mediterranean, 5 islands, 300 km from Valencia)
• Canary Islands (Atlantic, volcanic origin, 1,400 km south of the peninsula and 100 km from the Saharan coast, 7 main islands)
• Ceuta and Melilla (Spanish enclaves in Africa)

Spain’s location between the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas, and its proximity to Africa, contributes to its internal diversity and contrasts.

2. Relief

The Plateau: The central plateau is the most important element of Spanish relief. It consists of high plains surrounded by or interrupted by mountains.

Other relief features include:

• Galician Massif, Cantabrian Mountains, Iberian System, and Sierra Morena
• Depressions of the Ebro and Guadalquivir
• Outer mountain ranges: Pyrenees, Cordillera Costero-Catalana, and Betic Cordilleras

3. Climate Types

Spain’s climate is influenced by latitude, relief, geographical position, westerly winds, and air masses. The main climate types are:

• Winter: Dominated by cold continental anticyclones, polar Atlantic anticyclones, and the Azores anticyclone. The polar front brings storms and rain.
• Summer: Anticyclonic and hot, with occasional summer storms.
• Spring and Autumn: Variable weather, alternating between storms associated with the polar front and anticyclonic situations.

A notable phenomenon is the drop in cold temperatures in the Mediterranean area during autumn.

4. Climate and Vegetation

Spain has three main climate types:

a) Oceanic Climate:

• Precipitation: Abundant and regular, maximum in winter, minimum in summer.
• Temperatures: Mild throughout the year, cool summers, mild winters.
• Location: North of the peninsula, Cantabrian coast.
• Subtypes: Coastal (mild summers and winters), Interior (colder winters).
• Vegetation: Deciduous forest (oak, chestnut, beech), heath, and gorse.

b) Mediterranean Climate: Affects most of the territory.

• General Features: Low rainfall.
• Maritime Mediterranean: 300-800mm rainfall, mild winters, hot summers. Located on the Mediterranean coast and Balearic Islands.
• Continental Mediterranean: Inland areas (except Ebro valley). Cold winters, hot summers, low rainfall.
• Dry Mediterranean: Southeast peninsula and part of the Ebro Valley. Very low rainfall, mild winters on the coast, cold winters inland, hot summers. Vegetation: Evergreen forest and scrubland.

c) Mountain Climate:

• Location: Above 1000 meters altitude.
• Precipitation: Abundant (often snow), above 1000mm.
• Temperatures: Low, short cool summers, long cold winters.
• Vegetation: Mountain vegetation belts.

Canary Islands Climate: Subtropical, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and Africa, moderated by the cold Canary current. Temperatures: 15-20ºC. Rainfall: Scarce (300mm in the west, 150mm in the east). Low thermal amplitude.

5. Population

The Spanish population is characterized by:

• Uneven growth
• Spatial imbalance
• Changing migration trends

Evolution and Factors:

Spain experienced a demographic transition between 1900 and 1975. From the 1920s to the late 1950s, the Second Republic, instability, and civil war affected population growth.

The modern demographic regime began in 1975. Causes of population change include changing attitudes of women, increased living standards and education, and shifts in migration trends.

Distribution:

Spain’s population distribution is imbalanced, with densely populated areas (over 250 inhabitants/km²) in the archipelagos, Madrid, and the Levantine coast, contrasting with sparsely populated inland areas (around 10 inhabitants/km²).

6. Agriculture and Livestock

Influencing factors:

1. Physical Factors: High altitude, steep slopes, irregular and low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and poor soils.
2. Agrarian and Demographic Structure: Loss of labor due to migration to cities, changes in diet, and entry into the EEC.

Agricultural Use:

Spain has transitioned from traditional agriculture to a more specialized system with technical improvements like mechanization, seed selection, fertilizers, and new cultivation techniques.

Livestock and Fisheries:

Livestock accounts for 40% of agricultural production. There has been a shift from dairy to meat production. Main meat production areas include Castile and Leon, Galicia, Extremadura (cattle), Catalonia, Aragon, and Castile and Leon (pigs and poultry).

Spain is a major fishing power, with key areas in Galicia, the Canary Islands, and Andalusia.

7. Urban Development

Urbanization Process:

The location of Spanish cities is a result of historical processes, including foundations by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans, and industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries.

1960-1975: Strong growth due to the baby boom, industrial expansion, and tertiary activities.

Since 1975: Slowdown and de-urbanization in large cities due to economic and industrial crises.

Current Trends:

• Postindustrial urbanization driven by tertiary activities and tourism.
• Revitalization projects in medium-sized cities.

City Hierarchy:

• Metropolis (National): Madrid and Barcelona.
• Metropolis (Regional): Seville, Bilbao, Valencia, Malaga.
• Metropolis (Sub-national): Las Palmas, Valladolid, Alicante.

8. Urban Planning

Urban planning in Spain has evolved from basic sanitation regulations in the late 19th century to the 1956 Land Law and modern urban planning, which considers all elements of the territory, including cities, environment, and infrastructure.

Current planning processes focus on:

• Revaluating damaged areas
• Promoting gentrification
• Restoring urban heritage
• Recovering coastal and river banks
• Regulating housing areas
• Managing peri-urbanization

9. Economic Modernization and Planning Challenges

Spain’s territorial organization is based on autonomous regions under the 1978 Constitution. The goal is to achieve equality and correct regional imbalances.

Since 1975, industrialization has been key to economic development. However, regional imbalances persist, with:

• Development Axes: Madrid, the islands, and the Mediterranean coast (tourism, industry, services).
• Decline Axes: Cantabrian region.
• Underdeveloped Areas: Extremadura, Murcia, Andalusia.

Planning aims to achieve balanced regional development through infrastructure investment in depressed areas, using instruments like EU funds, regional incentives, and the Inter-territorial Compensation Fund.