Spain’s Urban System: Hierarchy and Relationships
Spanish Urban Hierarchy
Metropolis:
- National Cities: The large metropolitan areas of Madrid and Barcelona have populations exceeding 3 million. They offer highly specialized services, numerous offices of multinational and domestic companies, and high-technology industries.
- Metropolitan Regions: These are mid-sized metropolitan areas, including Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Malaga, and Zaragoza. Their populations range between 500,000 and 1.5 million. They have diverse functions and services.
- Sub-Cities:
Understanding Water Pollution and Its Environmental Impact
Water pollution causes the contamination of surface waters due to excessive waste disposal. This waste comes from various human activities, including industrial farming, which brings toxic products and the transport of heavy metals. Intentional discharges from washing tanks in high volumes further exacerbate the issue. The consequences include a loss of water quality that adversely affects aquatic ecosystems. The most affected river sections are the low and middle areas, which face contamination.
Read MoreNeolithic and Metal Ages: Dawn of Civilization
The Neolithic: The First Human Revolution
About 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, the human way of living began to change. Some hunter-gatherers settled and learned to cultivate plants and keep animals in small herds. This was a big change and one of the most relevant developments in human history. It has been aptly called the Neolithic Revolution.
Farming
The first farmers lived in warm countries. They settled near big rivers because they needed a good supply of water. The very first
Read MorePopulation Structure by Age and Sex in Catalonia
Characteristics of Developed Countries’ Demographics
Developed countries (phase 4) share three common characteristics:
- Aging population
- Low fertility rates
- High life expectancy
The aging of the population is associated with two main issues:
- Sustainability of the Welfare State: If we maintain the welfare state (which guarantees citizens a range of free services in return for taxes), is immigration a solution?
- Immigration: This can lead to low or zero population growth.
Several factors contribute to these
Read MoreDemographic Regime & Economic Sectors: Pre-Industrial Era
Demographic Regime and Productive Sectors
Old Demographic Regime: Before the Industrial Revolution, population growth was limited due to factors such as low agricultural productivity, crises, and subsistence farming. The primary sector significantly impacted hygiene and medicine. Wars were a major cause of mortality. People primarily lived in rural areas, although there was an increase in agricultural activity and a growing urban population. Population growth was scarce and of short duration. This
Read MoreSpain: Economy, Transport, Tourism, and Demographics
Tertiary Sector of the Spanish Economy
The tertiary sector of the economy refers to the process by which the service sector gains prominence over the primary (agriculture, fishing, mining) and secondary (manufacturing) sectors, becoming the leading sector in terms of both employment and contribution to GDP.
Services to Production
Services to production are tertiary activities (design, management, marketing) that support industrial production. Employment in these services can sometimes exceed that of
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