Climate and Vegetation Types in Spain

Latitude: Temperature increases as you go south. Precipitation is higher in the north. Relief: Altitude causes temperature to fall and precipitation to rise. Mountain ranges are barriers that block air masses. The influence of the sea makes coastal temperature milder and increases the contrast in temperature in the interior.

Oceanic Climate: Galicia to País Vasco

Temperature is mild with no great contrasts, cool winters, and mild summers. There is abundant and regular precipitation with very few dry months. Vegetation is characterized by deciduous forests of oaks and beeches, meadows, and grasslands.

Mediterranean Climate: Mediterranean coast and interior

Precipitation is moderate (800-300) and irregular with droughts in summer. Temperature doesn't vary greatly on the coast, but there are sharp seasonal contrasts in the interior. Vegetation includes Mediterranean forests with evergreen trees such as holm oaks and cork trees, scrubland (maquia and garriga), and bushes like rosemary and thyme.

Sub-tropical Climate: Canary Islands

Precipitation is very scarce (150-300), temperature is high with warm winters, very hot summers, and very little temperature contrast. Vegetation includes some exclusive species (endemics) such as dragos, palm trees, and in the most humid areas, laurisilva forests and fayal-brezal. In the highest areas, vegetation is mainly scrubland (violeta del Teide).

Mountain Climate: In mountains at elevations higher than 1000m

Temperature is low (winters around 0) and there is abundant precipitation (snow in winter). Vegetation changes with altitude, ranging from trees to shrubs, meadows, moss, and lichens.