Spain’s Economy: Fishing, Energy, Industry, Agriculture & Mining
Fishing in Spain
Fishing is an important economic activity in Spain. There are two different major fishing regions:
- Atlantic Region
- Mediterranean Region
Fishing activity has the following problems:
- The exhaustion of domestic boilers
- The limits on catches
- The age of the fleet
They have made a conversion of fishing. Measures taken include:
- The modernization of the fleet
- The establishment of joint fishing companies
- Aid to areas most affected
- The development of aquaculture
Energy Sources in Spain
Non-Renewable Energy
- Coal: Coal is used to produce electricity in power stations. The depletion of deposits, low-quality coal, and mining difficulties explain the decline in Spanish coal production.
- Oil: It’s the most used energy source in Spain but comes from outside. Major refineries are located in Tarragona, Algeciras, Huelva, and Puertollano.
- Natural Gas: Its consumption has increased demand for power plants, industries, and domestic use. It relies on imports.
- Nuclear Power: It ranks first in the domestic energy production.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources are of recent introduction. Hydroelectric plants are located in the northern peninsula. Wind energy has experienced a dramatic increase. Solar energy is mainly in Andalusia. The use of biomass energy is progressing slowly.
Industry in Spain
Industrialization began in Spain in the 19th century and was not consolidated until the 1960s.
The Spanish industry has the following characteristics:
- Fastest-growing industries are automotive, chemical, electrical, and electronic equipment.
- High-tech industries are important but have to compete against multinationals and depend on foreign technology.
- Traditional industries that have been declining are steel, metal products, appliances, and shipbuilding.
- Predominance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
- Research and Development: In relation to other countries, Spain spends few resources on technological innovation.
Spanish Agricultural Landscapes
There are three types:
- Ocean Landscape: Extends along the northern peninsula. Traditional agriculture based on polyculture loses importance with forage crops. Livestock is the most important activity in the primary sector, especially cattle. Logging is important since many forests from which timber is obtained and cellulose.
- Mediterranean Coast Landscape: Spans the Mediterranean coastal strip, the valley of the Guadalquivir, and the Balearics. In agriculture, irrigated crops predominate, especially on the coasts and in the Guadalquivir valley. The traditional livestock is sheep and goats. Forest harvesting is low.
- Indoor Mediterranean Landscape: Corresponds to the peninsular. In agriculture, upland extensive monocultures dominate. Intensive irrigation is located in river valleys. The traditional livestock is sheep, swine, and goats. Forest harvesting timber from stands of pines.
- Landscapes of the Canary Islands: Agriculture differs according to location: seaside irrigated crops abound, while the inner areas of high dryland crops predominate. Livestock production is low; goats are highlighted. Forest harvesting is reduced.
Mining in Spain
For several decades, the Spanish mining industry has been going through a restructuring that stems from several causes:
- The depletion of resources
- The low profitability of farming in relation to the high costs of extraction
- Its strong environmental impact
- The low competitiveness with other countries
The restructuring has several consequences:
- The disappearance of many mining companies and foreign capital investment in others.
- The introduction of technological innovations has led to the closure of exports that could not apply.
- The decline in metal mining compared to non-metallic mining.