Valencian Community: Geography, Climate, and Economy
Physical Map of the Valencian Community
Mountains occupy most of the Comunidad Valenciana, leaving only a narrow strip of coast to the plains. At the northern end, it borders the Iberian System.
Rivers
The main rivers are Júcar, Turia, Mijares, Vinalopó, Palancia, and Serpis.
Climate
The Valencian Community has several distinct climate zones:
- Typical Mediterranean Climate: This extends all along the coast north and center of the Community. It has mild winters due to the softening temperature characteristic of the sea. Summers are long, quite dry, and hot, with highs around 30°C.
- Continental Mediterranean Climate: Winters are cold, and summers are warmer than in the typical Mediterranean climate, with maximum temperatures in some areas reaching 35°C. Precipitation is also small but better distributed throughout the year.
- Dry Mediterranean Climate: This extends from the northern Alicante province to the southern tip, bordering the Region of Murcia. Temperatures are very hot in summer, and winters are very mild (10-13°C). Rainfall is scarce.
- Mountain Climate: The mountain climate is governed by altitude, a factor that influences temperature and precipitation. Precipitation tends to be more abundant in the form of snow during the winter.
Vegetation
The dominant species is oak, with holm oak and cork oak. The understory is woody, thorny, and aromatic. Also present are species such as juniper, strawberry tree, rosemary, thyme, and arrow grass. In wetter areas, oak appears as the dominant species.
Key Statistics
- Area (km2): 23,255
- Population: 5,016,348 (11% of the national population)
- Birth rate (%): 11.31
- Mortality rate (%): 8.44
- GDP per capita ($): 19,164
- Workforce sector: 3.4% (Primary), 31.8% (Secondary), 64.9% (Tertiary)
- Unemployment rate (%): 11.59
Primary Sector
Agriculture
There is a considerable difference in available water resources depending on geographic location, thus clearly distinguishing between rainfed crops and irrigation:
- In dry areas, almonds, carob, and olive trees are the traditional crops.
- Irrigation is dominated by citrus, especially oranges, which represents most of the citrus and rice. The cultivation of vegetables and flowers is also significant.
Livestock
Livestock is very important in the Valencian Community, with the exception of beekeeping. Thanks to the wide variety of plants from the soil, it is the largest in the state. Fishing also occupies a place of little relevance in the Valencian economy.
Fishing
The 518 km of coastline are poor in fish, and more recent years have depleted the seabed. Catches are sold entirely in the region and are fresh, but not enough, and imports are necessary. However, there is some fishing in all ports along the coast.
Secondary Sector
There are five large centers concentrated in several clusters specialized in different subsectors. They are, from north to south.
Also preserved are traditional activities such as ceramics from Manises, Ribesalbes, or Acoral; nougat and nougat ice cream from Alicante; and the manufacture of furniture and chests with wicker from Gata, Mogente, etc.
Tertiary Sector
This sector has become an important factor of income since the sixties of the last century. It currently represents 58% of GDP, but this fact has led to significant speculation, especially on the coast, leading to ecosystem destruction and environmental degradation.
The professions are: banking and services, transport, and tourism.