Geography of Spain: Relief, Soil, and Location
Geographical Location of Spain
Spain is a European country located in the northern temperate hemisphere. The Spanish state comprises the following areas:
- The majority of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, positioned away from the center of the continent. Its natural boundaries are the Bay of Biscay and the Pyrenees to the north, the Strait of Gibraltar to the south, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
- The Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea,
Geography Glossary: Key Terms and Definitions
Annual Rainfall Patterns
Annual rainfall patterns are a set of changes experienced by rainfall throughout the year. They may be regular when there are no dry months, or irregular with more than two dry months.
Industrial Restructuring
Industrial restructuring is a shock treatment acting intensively in a short period, applying necessary reforms to adapt to new industries’ technological cycles and market competitive conditions. Actions are based on matching supply to demand, financial restructuring of
Read MoreSpain’s Fisheries: Common Policy, Regional Significance, and Aquaculture
Part 2
Spain and the Common Fisheries Policy
Spain joined the European Community in 1986, retaining a significant fishing potential equivalent to two-thirds of the European fleet. Upon signing the accession agreement, Spain faced stringent conditions and a seventeen-year transition period, with full integration expected by 2002.
Initially, Europe lacked a common fisheries policy. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) shares similarities with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and encompasses four key
Read MoreUnderstanding Political Systems, Economic Sectors, and Industrial Areas in Spain
Characteristics of Democratic and Authoritarian States
Democratic States:
- Main Feature: The people decide.
- Elect their political representatives in free elections.
- These representatives form assemblies or parliaments.
- Can be republics or monarchies:
Republic
The head of state is a president elected through elections.
Parliamentary Monarchy
The Head of State is a monarch by inheritance who exercises their functions under the control of parliamentary institutions.
Authoritarian State:
- The population lacks freedoms.
Mediterranean, Inland, and Atlantic Landscapes of Spain
Landscapes of Mediterranean Spain
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by its hot summers, with average temperatures that can reach 25 degrees Celsius, and mild winters, around 10 degrees Celsius. The highest recorded rainfall is in autumn when rains may occur due to sudden cooling of warm, moist air, causing floods. The original vegetation, such as oak and cork oak, has been replaced by pine trees. Where the forest disappears, scrub brush vegetation, or *garrigue*, grows. In drier areas, the
Read MoreSpain’s Fishing Industry: A Deep Dive into Seafood and Agriculture
Importance of Fishing in Spain
Fishing, hunting, and gathering have historically been vital for human sustenance. Spain, with its 6,600 km of coastline, has a long-standing maritime tradition, further reinforced by religious practices that promote fish consumption.
Spain, a maritime nation with a strong Christian heritage, is among the top consumers of fish, with approximately 40 kg per person annually, compared to the European average of 20 kg.
Fisheries Structure
While fishing’s direct contribution
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