Spain’s 17th Century: Crisis, Decline, and Shifting Power
Spain in the Seventeenth Century: A Time of Crisis
The seventeenth century marked a significant period of decline for Spain, characterized by a multifaceted crisis encompassing the economy, demography, warfare, and the eventual end of the Habsburg dynasty. The reigns of Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II saw the power of the king diminish, with influential figures like the Count of Olivares and the Duke of Sanlúcar wielding considerable authority.
The Count-Duke of Olivares and Spain’s International
Read MoreEcosystem Dynamics: Population and Human Impact
Ecosystem Population Dynamics
A population is a group of individuals of the same species that interact within a specific space. Demographic parameters, such as size, age distribution, birth rate, and mortality rate, are used to characterize it.
Population growth is conditioned by the availability of environmental resources and interactions with other populations in the community.
- Environmental resistance refers to all biotic and abiotic factors that limit population growth.
Population Growth Curves
In
Read MoreCatholic Monarchs: Dynastic Union and the Conquest of Granada
Catholic Monarchs: The Dynastic Union
Isabel of Castile and her husband, Ferdinand of Aragon, are known as the Catholic Monarchs. They were given this title by the Pope for ending the power of Islam in the Iberian Peninsula. Their marriage resulted in a common policy for both kingdoms, leading to significant successes abroad. This policy was further consolidated when their grandson, Charles of Habsburg, inherited the family estate.
The unification of Castile and Aragon under the Catholic Monarchs
Read MoreBritain’s Industrial Revolution: Origins and Impact
1. Why Britain Became the First Industrialized Country
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the mid-18th century. The following factors explain why Britain pioneered the revolution, overtaking neighboring countries and becoming the first industrialized nation (the “workshop of the world”):
- A political system in which the power of the monarchy had been limited by Parliament since the 17th century and in which the bourgeoisie had a lot of influence.
- An abundance of resources and raw materials,
Climate, Energy, and Tourism in Spain
Climates of the Iberian Peninsula
The Spanish territory is characterized by a wide range of climates.
The Oceanic Climate
It occupies the north of the peninsula, i.e., the Cantabrian coast and Galicia.
Rainfall is abundant and regular, as these are areas that are under the continuous action of storms, although its maximum is in winter and minimum in summer. The rain falls softly, thus it is easier for it to leak into the soil.
Temperatures are mild, although with differences between coastal and inland
Read MoreEarth’s Climate, Weather, and Political Systems
Earth’s Climate and Weather
The sun is the main source of energy on land.
The atmosphere is the gaseous layer surrounding the Earth, mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen.
The Elements of Weather
- Temperature: Reflects the amount of heat in the atmosphere.
- Precipitation: Water from the atmosphere that falls to the surface as rain, hail, or snow.
- Humidity: The quantity of water vapor in the air.
- Atmospheric Pressure: The weight of the atmosphere at a given point on Earth. Measured with a barometer.
- Wind: