Spain’s Economic Transformation: 1950s-1970s
In the 1950s, Spain was running out of isolation, and the first signs of economic recovery appeared. In 1957, after a student crisis, Franco remodeled the government, bringing in ministers closer to the more radical Movement and appointing the so-called technocrats. These technocrats prioritized efficiency and economic measures in line with Western capitalism over political ideology. Several laws were introduced to organize the state, but without abandoning its character as a personal dictatorship.
Read MoreIndustrialization, Society, and Agriculture in 19th-Century Spain
Industrialization and Transportation
Reasons for Industrial Backwardness
The main causes of this delay were the geography of the country, which hampered communications. Also influencing the situation were the shortage of raw materials and energy sources, and slow population growth. A fourth factor was the lack of capital. The result was dependence on foreign capital, which financed railway construction. The state also played a negative role, with the continued issuance of debt, attracting capital,
Read MoreSpanish Fisheries, Forestry, Livestock, Energy, and Geography
Fisheries in Spain: Population, Landings, and Market
The Population Engaged in Fisheries: The subsector’s dedicated workforce is 0.4%.
Evolution:
- Since 1968: A decrease in the number of crew per ship begins.
- From 1977: A crisis occurs in the deep-sea fleet, leading to a decrease in the number of crew.
Causes: The economic crisis of 1973, the establishment of 200-mile exclusive economic zones, and legal laws for the sea to protect against overexploitation of fish stocks.
The average age of the crew is
Read MoreKey Geographical & Political-Economic Concepts
Key Geographical Concepts
Meridian: Imaginary semicircles running from the North to South Pole, each measuring 180º. The reference meridian is Greenwich (0º). Longitude is measured east or west from this meridian. There are infinitely many meridians.
Latitude: The angular distance from any point on Earth to the Equator, measured north or south.
Longitude: The angular distance from any point on Earth to the Greenwich Meridian (0º), measured east or west.
Falla (Fault): A fracture in the Earth’s crust
Read MoreIndustrialization and Colonialism in 19th and 20th Centuries
Industrial Revolution in Peripheral Europe
A common feature among all these countries was their inability to reach a significant industrial level. A lower level of human capital was another common feature. A third feature was the absence of prior agrarian reform, which resulted in very low agricultural productivity. In the case of the Iberian Peninsula, low agricultural productivity was one of the biggest drags on the economy.
In the 1790s, a modern cotton industry developed in Catalonia, thanks to
Read MoreUrban Development and Societal Dynamics: A Comprehensive Study
Unit 8: What Is a City?
Defining a City
Several factors define a city:
- Population Size: The most common factor. In Spain, any population center with over 10,000 inhabitants is classified as a city.
- Economic Activity: Primarily focused on secondary and tertiary sectors.
- Habitat Concentration: Compact morphology and high population density.
- Centralization of Activities: Cities are well-connected hubs that centralize the flow of people, goods, capital, and ideas. Urban life is fast-paced, anonymous, cosmopolitan,