Spain’s Diverse Geography and Environmental Challenges
Physical Geography of Spain
Rivers
Atlantic: Guadiana, Tagus, Douro, Guadalquivir.
Cantabric: Bidasoa, Nervión, Nalón, Narcea, Eo.
Mediterranean: Ebro, Llobregat, Besòs, Turia, Júcar, Segura, Vinalopó.
Capes
- Palos
- Gata
- Trafalgar
- Finisterre
- Estaca de Bares
- San Vicente
Climate and Biomes
Spain has Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Continental climates. Its peninsular biomes include:
- Mediterranean temperate forests
- Deciduous forests (Atlantic)
- High mountain laurel forests
The peninsula’s latitude allows for two biogeographic zones: Eurosiberian and Mediterranean. The Mediterranean zone is further divided by rainfall (200-800mm annually).
Relief
Spain features a large central plateau (Meseta) surrounded by mountain ranges (sierras) and two major depressions. The Pyrenees divide Spain from the rest of mainland Europe. 11% of the land is below 200m.
Vegetation
- Mediterranean: Evergreen forests
- Atlantic: Deciduous forests, heath, meadow
- Laurel: Coniferous forests, laurel
Factors influencing landscape diversity include relief, soil types, land ownership, plant hedges, farming activities, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
Natural Resources of Spain
Minerals
- Metallic: Copper, gold
- Industrial: Granite, marble, slate
Energy and Minerals
Coal: Spain’s coal resources are dwindling, and exploitation causes pollution and acid rain.
Gas: Primarily imported from Algeria.
Oil: Some domestic production, but Spain heavily relies on imports.
Water Resources
Water is crucial for agriculture, industry, services, and tourism. However, Spain faces water scarcity due to climate conditions. Subsoil aquifers are used for agriculture and urban consumption, but over-exploitation and contamination from agriculture and livestock are concerns.
Soils
- Aridisols: Driest soils (Aragon, Murcia, Alicante, Almería)
- Inceptisols: Most of the peninsula, limiting agriculture
- Entisols: Mediterranean coast
- Alfisols: 5% of Spanish territory (Guadalajara, Guadalquivir)
Solar Radiation
Solar energy is used for electricity and hot water, supporting agriculture and tourism.
Forest Resources
Forest area is increasing due to abandoned farmland and alternative energy sources. Mediterranean forests have slow growth and are currently uneconomical, but biomass potential exists for electricity and heating.
Wind Resources
Wind energy has growth potential, particularly in Navarra. However, wind power lacks continuity.
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Natural Hazards
Spain faces droughts, floods (autumn), and wildfires (high temperatures, low precipitation). Desertification threatens biodiversity and ecosystems, particularly in Almería.
Seismic Risk
Spain has low seismic risk, but some activity has been documented, particularly near the Gibraltar Strait (African and Eurasian plate boundary).
Anthropic Risks
Risks include transport of dangerous goods (e.g., Prestige oil spill), mining, and nuclear energy production.
Management of Natural Heritage
: the protected area in Spain is 11.6% of the state and nutrition , Canary Islands and La Rioja their surface is protected 30% of each region in spain pertny environmental management in the regions with the law heritage. where brand categories NATIONAL PARK, NATURE RESERVE, natural parks, Natural Monument, protected landscape. EU delimitan wing spaces protected by the Natura 2000 network. Environmental Protection also includes the maritimes. The ESAP terrestrial protected areas are mostly of high Muntaner Muntaner and esplica for 2 Facts:-senior-fragile mountain environment and a deteriorating due antropikes so preserving k month. Other media as the wetlands are located in AK because urban growth and also the surrounding agricultural activities (Tables daimel nature, Ebro Delta, Llobregat)