Modernization and Primary Sector Activities in Spain

Posted on Feb 15, 2025 in Geography

Recent Modernization in Spain

Key economic indicators:

  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The sum of all goods and services produced in a year, deducting the portion attributed to foreign goods and services and adding income obtained in other countries.
  • Per Capita Income: Calculated by dividing the GDP by the total population.
  • Well-being: Defined as the equality of opportunities, extended to all, to access tangible or intangible assets considered socially desirable.

Characteristics of modernization:

  • Stable and sustained GDP growth.
  • Reduced investment in research.
  • Predominance of small and medium-sized enterprises and industries.
  • Shortage of raw materials for industry and energy sources.
  • Presence of physical barriers.
  • Tertiarization of the economy.
  • Decrease in the unemployment rate.

Primary Sector Activities in Spain

Agriculture

Spanish agriculture has, in general, overcome the traditional system, adopting characteristics of modern agriculture.

Major Crops:

  • Grapes
  • Cereals
  • Legumes
  • Fruit Trees
  • Vegetables
  • Industrial Crops
  • Rice
  • Flowers

Livestock

This sector has undergone a major transformation in its structure and production, leading to significant growth. Specialized beef production is prominent. There’s also a tendency to enhance livestock production. Extensive livestock farming remains important in specific areas.

Spanish Agricultural Landscapes

Oceanic or Wet Agricultural Landscape

  • Habitat: Scattered, with many small population centers.
  • Land Ownership: *Minifundio* (small landholdings).
  • Agriculture: Polyculture (multiple crops).
  • Livestock: Beef cattle.
  • Forestry: Oak, chestnut, pine, and eucalyptus.

Mediterranean Agricultural Landscape

  • Habitat Type: Concentrated.
  • Land Ownership: *Minifundio* and dryland farming.
  • Agriculture: Both dryland and irrigated farming.
  • Livestock: Sheep and goats.
  • Forestry: Pine.

Interior Peninsula Agricultural Landscape

  • Habitat Type: *Camuy*
  • Land Ownership and Farming: *Minifundio*.
  • Agriculture: Dryland farming.

Wet Mountain Agricultural Landscape

  • Habitat Type: Dispersed.
  • Land Ownership: Communal.

Fishing in Spain

Fishing involves obtaining food resources from the sea, rivers, and lakes. In Spain, it holds significant economic importance, as it is one of the world’s leading fishing powers, with São Paulo being particularly prominent. The Spanish coast is divided into 8 regions: Northwest, Cantabrian, Tramontana, Levantine, South Mediterranean, South Atlantic, Balearic, and Canary.

Most catches consist of fish (sardine, tuna), while mollusks (octopus) and shellfish (mussels, lobster) make up a quarter of the total. Aquaculture, a technique allowing the captive breeding of marine species, is gaining increasing importance.

The primary purpose of fishing is human consumption.

Fishing in Spain faces significant challenges:

  • Depletion of some fisheries due to overexploitation and water pollution.
  • Restrictions imposed by certain countries.
  • Quotas required by the European Union.
  • The need for renewal and modernization of the fishing fleet.
  • Shortage of fuel.
  • Consequently, the population engaged in fishing is declining.