Key Concepts in Environmental and Political Geography

Environmental and Territorial Geography

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters occur when nature destroys as a result of the action of elements like relief, climate, and water, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods. Example: Floods in Valencia.

Deforestation

Deforestation refers to forest loss resulting from the creation of new open spaces for agriculture and livestock. It is also caused by the construction of infrastructure, acid rain, desertification, and forest fires. Example: Deforestation in Serra de Na Burguesa, Mallorca, caused by forest fires.

Natural Area of Special Interest (ANEI)

A Natural Area of Special Interest is a space declared for its unique natural values of wildlife or landscapes. In the Balearic Islands, these areas are well protected under Law 30 of January 1991 as areas of special protection interest. Example: The special interest area of Puig de Maria in Pollensa.

Vegetation Tiers or Belts

Vegetation tiers refer to physical environments and flora that can be distinguished as one ascends a mountainous area. This is usually associated with a particular type of potential vegetation. Example: Holm oaks found up to 800 meters in the Mediterranean.

Water Treatment and Purification

Water treatment (debugging) is the activity of removing impurities from contaminated water through filters and specific treatments to recover it. Example: Treatment plants used to purify urban waters.

Recycling and Organic Recovery

Recycling involves operations for the recovery of waste byproducts for reuse. When these operations consist of composting or biomethanization, they receive the designation of "organic recycling." Example: The recycling of glass, paper, and oil are the most commonly used types of recycling.

Exorheism

Exorheism is a characteristic of those areas where watercourses have their mouths in the oceans or seas. Example: The seas and rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, such as the Ebro and Tajo.

Administrative-Political Centralization

Administrative-political centralization is a territorial state system of articulation characterized by governing an entire space using a single political and administrative center of power. Example: The Spanish model in the 19th century, except during the Second Republic and following the 1978 Constitution after the Francoist era.

Autonomous Regions

Autonomous regions are local authorities with political autonomy established within the state configuration following the approval of the 1978 Constitution. Example: The Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

Provincial Territorial Divisions

A province is a land division into territorial units modeled after French departments, established in 1833. Each province has a capital to reinforce the administrative reach of the central government across regions. Example: Girona has been a province of Spain since 1833.