Iberian Peninsula History: From Prehistory to the Reconquista
Iberian Peninsula: A Historical Journey
1. The Process of Hominization
1. The Process of Hominization in the Iberian Peninsula. New Findings:
Prehistory explores the human journey before writing began, 800,000 years ago on the peninsula. Early Homo reached Europe from Africa; its oldest remains were found in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos), in the Gran Dolina, dating back 800,000 years. These were Homo ancestor remains—ancestors of two species that later lived on the peninsula: Neanderthal Man
19th Century Spain: Economic Transformation, Industrialization, and Infrastructure Modernization
19th Century Spanish Economy: A Transformation
Economic and Agricultural Changes
The Spanish economy of the nineteenth century was characterized by slow growth, relatively backward compared to other European nations. Until 1840, the economy stagnated; however, a recovery led to slow growth in the century’s final third.
Agricultural transformations were slow. Spain was primarily agricultural. Until the mid-1830s, production stagnated, with a property-linked (operating lease) system and livestock dominance.
Read MoreBiological, Forest, Agricultural, Livestock, and Water Resources
Biological Resources
These resources share a biological origin, and if managed rationally, can provide renewable materials.
Forest Resources
Forests provide resources and play a vital role in balancing the biosphere through:
- Soil conservation (protection against erosion, rain, and wind)
- Decaying material contributing to soil formation (humus)
- Oxygen release and carbon dioxide uptake
Forests provide materials such as:
- Wood: The primary structural material from trees, composed of cellulose and lignin (sugars)
Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architectural Masterpiece
Kaufmann House
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Date: 1935 – 1937
Location: Bear Run, Pennsylvania (USA)
Style: Organic
Materials Used: Concrete, natural stone, glass, and aluminum.
System: Industrial materials.
Formal Analysis
Support Elements
This architectural work rises from a stone base. The house rests on a solid foundation, supported by stone walls and reinforced concrete columns. These elements support the different floors and cantilevered terraces that extend over the landscape. Each of the three terraces
Read MoreSpain’s Autonomous Communities: Formation, Organization, and Financing
The Formation Process of Autonomous Communities in Spain
The Autonomous period started after Franco’s death. Adolfo Suarez granted a pre-autonomy regime in Catalonia, which then spread to 13 regions. The map was 14 pre-autonomies, almost coinciding with the present, with the exception of La Rioja and Cantabria (integrated into Castile and Leon), and Madrid (which had the opportunity to form a single community or incorporate into Castilla La Mancha).
The Autonomic Period
This period began after enacting
Read MoreCatalonia and Spain within the EU: Economy and Political Structure
* Rompuy brothers and Catherine Ashton in the EU
Catalonia and Spain within the EU:
1. Economic Exchanges and Development
Spain is a post-industrial nation, transitioning from industry to a service-based economy, largely due to ICT development. Catalonia, Spain’s most productive region, significantly contributes to the Spanish economy, making Spain a major EU country. Catalonia’s GDP per capita is about 30% above the European average, with above-average GDP growth and increasing exports. However, education
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