Spain’s Natural Features: Soils, Rivers, Climate

Posted on Apr 1, 2025 in Geology

Soils in Spain

Soil types in Spain differ according to the predominant rock type:

  • Siliceous Zone: Formed by rocks such as granite, quartzite, and slate.
  • Limestone Zone: Composed of limestone, where erosion results in a karst landscape.
  • Clay Zone: An area with materials like clay and clay loams.
  • Volcanic Zone: Found in the Canary Islands, composed of volcanic materials.

Rivers of Spain

Cantabrian Watershed

Features numerous short rivers originating in mountains near the coast. They have an abundant and regular flow.

  • Bidasoa
  • Nervión
  • Nalón
  • Narcea
  • Navia

Atlantic Watershed

Galician rivers like the Miño and Sil are plentiful and regular. Other major rivers in this watershed (Duero, Tajo, Guadiana, Guadalquivir) are long with many tributaries but have an irregular flow.

Mediterranean Watershed

With the exception of the Ebro River, these rivers are typically short and have irregular flows. They experience severe drought in summer and can suffer from seasonal floods.

  • Ter
  • Llobregat
  • Turia
  • Júcar
  • Segura

Lakes and Ponds in Spain

Spain has numerous lakes and ponds, which are generally small, though some are only seasonal. They can be distinguished into three types according to their origin:

Endogenous Lakes

Caused by internal movements of the Earth.

  • Tectonic Lakes: Formed in sunken block areas, e.g., Lake of La Janda (Cádiz).
  • Volcanic Lakes: Occupying ancient craters, e.g., Fuenteillejo Lagoon (Ciudad Real).

Exogenous Lakes

Produced by the action of external erosive agents.

  • Glacial Lakes: Found in areas eroded by ancient glaciers, e.g., ice-lakes in the Pyrenees and the Sierra de Gredos, and Lake Sanabria (Zamora).
  • Karst Lakes: Located in areas affected by the dissolution of limestones, e.g., Ruidera lagoons (Albacete and Ciudad Real).
  • Arreic Lakes: Formed in sunken, arid areas of the interior peninsula, e.g., Tablas de Daimiel (Ciudad Real).
  • Eolian Lakes: Created by wind erosion forming watersheds, e.g., Ampurdán lakes (Girona).
  • Coastal Lakes: Seaside lagoons and marshes, e.g., Mar Menor (Murcia), Albufera (Valencia), salt marshes of the Guadalquivir and Ebro Delta.

Mixed Lakes

Created by a combination of several factors, such as tectonic and karst processes, e.g., Lake Banyoles (Girona).

Climate Patterns in Spain

Temperature

Temperatures generally increase from north to south. They are lower in the interior of the peninsula, which also experiences a greater annual temperature range.

Precipitation

Precipitation exhibits strong seasonal variation, except in the northern peninsula. Rainfall generally decreases from north to south, from west to east, and from the coast inland.

Types of Climate

  • Oceanic: Mild temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
  • Mediterranean: Pronounced dry season in summer.
    • Coastal: Mild temperatures and moderate rainfall.
    • Inland: Wide annual temperature range and low rainfall.
  • Subtropical (Canary Islands): Reduced temperature variations and low rainfall.
  • High Mountain: Cold winters and cool summers, with rainfall higher than in nearby lowland areas.

Vegetation Across Spain

The vegetation in Spain is one of the richest and most varied in Europe.

Oceanic Climate Vegetation

Characterized by deciduous forests (e.g., oak, beech).

Mediterranean Climate Vegetation

Features evergreen shrubs and drought-tolerant plants adapted to prolonged summer drought.

  • Coastal: Mainly oaks, also cork oaks, pine trees, shrubs, and bushes.
  • Inland: Holm oaks dominate; degraded areas feature scrubland.

Subtropical Vegetation (Canary Islands)

Includes unique laurel forests (Laurisilva).

High Mountain Vegetation

Vegetation is phased according to altitude (flats or zones). Species vary significantly by mountain range.

Protected Natural Areas in Spain

Spain has numerous protected areas, including National Parks:

  • Atlantic Islands of Galicia
  • Monfragüe
  • Caldera de Taburiente
  • Garajonay
  • Timanfaya
  • Doñana
  • Teide
  • Sierra Nevada
  • Tablas de Daimiel
  • Cabañeros
  • Cabrera Archipelago
  • Ordesa y Monte Perdido
  • Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici
  • Picos de Europa