Christian Kingdoms: Expansion and Consolidation in Medieval Spain
Navarre and Aragon: Independence from the Franks
At the beginning of the 9th century, Hispanics in Jaca created the county of Aragon and expelled all Franks, creating the Kingdom of Navarre-Pamplona (817).
Vifredo the Velloso made the office hereditary. Count Borrell II refused to renew the oath of allegiance to the Frankish king. Thus, the Catalan counties were born, with Barcelona becoming the most important.
Consolidation of the Kingdoms
In the 11th century, under the reign of Sancho III the Great
Read MoreUrban Structure: Old Town, Expansion, and Periphery in Spanish Cities
Urban Structure of Spanish Cities
As a result of the long process of urbanization, Spanish cities with complex plans can be structured into three distinct areas: the old town, the expansion (ensanche), and the periphery.
1. The Old Town
1.1.1 The Origin
- Location of the city in relation to a wider geographical area (e.g., confluence of rivers or roads, along a communication axis) and its relation to the functions of the city on the surroundings (e.g., political or military control of an area, a region’
Spanish Political and Social Landscape: Key Insights
Political Parties in Spain
Spain has a diverse political landscape with numerous parties, including:
- Social parties like the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), the Partido Popular (PP), and United Left (IU).
- Regional parties such as the Valencian Nationalist Bloc (Bloc), Convergence and Union (CiU), the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), and the Andalusian Party (PA).
Provincial Administration in Spain
The provincial administration serves multiple roles:
- Electoral boundaries
Demographic Imbalances in Spain: Population Density Trends
**Demographic Imbalances in Spain**
In 2008, data revealed that the population of Spain amounted to 46 million people. Their distribution is studied by the density of the population, which relates the population of an area to its size in square kilometers.
D = Population / Area (km2) = Inhabitants per km2
The Spanish population density increased to 91.1 inhabitants per km2 in 2008. However, there are serious imbalances between areas of high concentration, exceeding the national average, and areas of
Read MoreSpain’s Tourism Sector: An In-Depth Analysis
Spain is a global tourism powerhouse, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Tourism is predominantly characterized by mass tourism, often referred to as “sun and beach” tourism, targeting a clientele with moderate purchasing power who typically stay in hotels and apartments in coastal areas.
Dependence on International Tour Operators
A defining feature of Spain’s tourism sector is its dependence on international tour operators. These are wholesale companies that manage all stages of
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age: Culture, Politics, and Society Under the Habsburgs
The Golden Age of Spanish Culture
Cultural Splendor: The Golden Age: During the sixteenth century, Spanish culture was of outstanding quality and wealth. In the seventeenth century, it became even more relevant, marking the Golden Age of Spanish culture, especially in Art and Literature. This period is traditionally known as the Golden Age. Literature continued the brilliant production of the previous century, with authors like Miguel de Cervantes and his masterpiece Don Quixote de La Mancha, as
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