Agricultural and Environmental Terms Explained
Understanding Agricultural and Environmental Terms
Waters
It is that sea area over which the coastal countries exercise jurisdiction (the right to sovereignty) on the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of resources, both water and the seabed and subsoil. In 1982, the UN established its boundaries from the shoreline to 200 miles. Since then, Spain has negotiated fisheries agreements through the EU with other countries, as the national fishing grounds are insufficient for the demand
Read MoreSettlement and Land Management: A Spanish Territory Study
Settlement and Land Management
Settlement refers to the process of establishing settlements and residential areas for populations. It also involves the exploitation and occupation of previously uninhabited territories.
We can distinguish between rural and urban settlements. In Spain, a municipality with fewer than 2,000 residents is considered rural, while one with more than 10,000 is considered urban.
Rural settlements are those where more than a quarter of the workforce is employed in the primary
Read MoreInternational Division of Labor & Second Industrial Revolution
The International Division of Labor
This period is characterized by a profound transformation of the global market for manufactures and agricultural products resulting from the addition of new suppliers and technological advances.
1. Agriculture
- Northwest Europe: Germany, Scandinavia, and France. The traditional agricultural sector entered a deep crisis. These countries were subjected to an external supply of grain cheaper than what they produced. Each country adopted a different measure:
- Great Britain:
Spanish Population’s Demographic Regimes
Demographic Regimes
In the evolution of the natural movement of the Spanish population, various stages or demographic regimes are distinguished, along which birth rates, death rates, and natural growth present homogeneous features. These stages include the old demographic regime, the demographic transition, and the modern regime. The demographic transition in Spain occurred later than in other European countries.
The Old Demographic Regime: Until the Early 20th Century
It is characterized by high birth
Read MoreGeography and Environment Glossary
G
Thermal Gradient: The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude. It is expressed in ยบ x 100 m.
Garriga: A secondary type of plant formation in the Mediterranean area on calcareous soils where the original forest has been destroyed. It consists of low scrub, thyme, rosemary, etc.
Livestock: A primary sector activity involving the breeding of animals (intestinal system, extended or mixed) to supply the market with meat, milk, and derivatives.
Globalization: The process of global
Read MoreUnderstanding Urban and Rural Settlements: Key Concepts
The Urban Settlement
The urban settlement is the result of a process of population concentration in cities. The growth of cities leads to the formation of a metropolitan area, comprised of a central core (the metropolitan area itself) and surrounding urban areas.
A conurbation originates when two nearby towns unite to form a single entity. A megalopolis is the result of the union of several conurbations.
City Functions
Cities serve various functions, including:
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Political