Iberian Peninsula: Geography, Biogeography, and Natural Resources
1. Geographic Setting
1.1 Location
The Spanish state occupies four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, situated between two water masses (the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea) and two continents. This location provides unique environmental and climatic characteristics:
- Temperate Zone Location: Between 36º N and 45.47º N, experiencing a climate influenced by tropical and polar air masses.
- Position Between Two Water Masses: The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea result in significant rainfall in the northwest and contrasting temperatures, dividing the peninsula into Atlantic and Mediterranean climate domains, the latter distinguished by dry summers.
- Relief: A large central plateau surrounded by mountain ranges and two major depressions, resulting in a predominantly upland territory. The high average elevation leads to cold winters, frost, and snow in inner areas. The mountainous terrain hinders communication, and the entire peninsula is tilted towards the Atlantic Ocean.
1.2 Biogeographic Regions
The Iberian Peninsula’s location between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic allows for two biogeographic regions, with the Canary Islands forming a third, the Macaronesian region. All three are found in Catalonia:
- Euro-Siberian Region: Characterized by deciduous forests (tall trees with straight trunks, smooth, thick leaves that fall in autumn, e.g., beech and oak), heath (dense thickets with heather and broom), and meadows (abundant herbaceous vegetation and pastures).
- Mediterranean Region: Dominated by evergreen forests (medium-height trees with thick, rough bark and large, globular canopies, e.g., holm oak, pine, and oak) and scrub (resulting from forest degradation or human activity, including maquis, garrigue, and steppe).
- Macaronesian Region: Featuring tabaibal-cardonal, laurel forests, and conifer forests (e.g., wild Tabaiba or Cardón, laurel, lime, and Canary Island pine).
1.3 Landscape Diversity
The diversity of Spanish landscapes is due to six factors:
- Echoclimatic Factor: Based on moisture balance, thermal regime, and accumulated heat, distinguishing between the Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean biogeographic regions.
- Relief and Soil Types: Dependent on altitude, slopes, and soil composition.
- Type of Property: Large estates versus smallholdings.
- Plant Cover: Meadows, thickets, forests, wastelands.
- Agricultural Activities: Type of crops, rainfed or irrigated systems.
- Urbanization and Infrastructure: Leading to urban, suburban, and urban fringe landscapes.
2. Natural Resources
2.1 Mineral Resources
Spain possesses varied mineral resources due to the complex geological formation of the Iberian Peninsula. However, only rocks and industrial minerals are abundant, while metallic and energy minerals are scarce.
Metallic Minerals: Although various metallic minerals are present, few are commercially exploited, with only minimal quantities of iron, lead, and cassiterite extracted.
Energy Minerals: Coal is the only significant energy mineral, mined in the Cantabrian Mountains (Asturias, León) and Teruel. Some small oil and natural gas fields are exploited offshore in Tarragona and Huelva, respectively. Uranium is not currently exploited.
Industrial Rocks and Minerals: Spain is a major European producer of slate, marble, and granite, with this sector showing continuous growth.
2.2 Water Resources
Spain can be divided into wet Spain and dry Spain, corresponding to the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates. Wet Spain experiences precipitation throughout the year, while dry Spain faces seasonal deficits, exacerbated by high insolation and evapotranspiration.
Water resource irregularity, especially in the Mediterranean basin, necessitates water reuse, reservoir construction, and groundwater exploitation. Only about 40% of these resources are utilized. Rainfall and evapotranspiration patterns create water surplus and deficit areas. Water management is further complicated by population distribution, industrial needs, and agricultural demand.
Aquifers, forming underground streams and water layers, provide 30% of urban water supply and a quarter of irrigation needs. In 2007, the Spanish government established 14 hydrographic districts, comprising watersheds, coastal waters, and groundwater, with 9 in the Atlantic basin and 5 in the Mediterranean basin.
2.3 Other Resources
Other important natural resources include soil, solar radiation, wind, and forest resources.
Soils: Spain has four main soil types:
- Inceptisols: Young soils, covering over half the territory, suitable for agriculture if moisture is sufficient, found on slopes.
- Entisols: Undeveloped soils, covering 15% of the land, composed of unaltered material, found on coastal plains, high plains, and river valleys.
- Aridisols: Covering 10% of the territory, surface soils rich in salts, found in areas where evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation, limiting agricultural productivity.
- Alfisols: Covering 5% of the territory, productive dry soils, preferably found on well-drained fluvial terraces, suitable for irrigation.
Solar Radiation: Measured in kilowatt-hours per square meter, solar radiation is essential for agriculture, photovoltaic energy production, and tourism.
Forest Resources: Important for biodiversity conservation, CO2 fixation, biomass utilization, and social purposes.
Wind Resources: Abundant in specific areas like Gibraltar, the Ebro Valley, and Galician estuaries. Wind energy can significantly reduce reliance on other energy sources.