Natural Resources and Medieval Spanish Literature

Raw Materials and Energy Sources

Types of Raw Materials

Raw materials are classified into three types: raw materials of animal and plant origin, and raw materials of mineral origin.

Non-Metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals are those from which other materials are obtained, including sulfur, rock salt, gypsum, and mica. Rocks are also considered non-metallic raw materials; rocks are also considered non-metallic raw materials. Mines and mining refer to the process of extracting raw materials of mineral origin.

Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy sources are natural resources that are processed to produce energy for domestic purposes and the operation of industries and transport. They are divided into two groups: depending on their economic importance, they are classified as traditional or alternative; and depending on whether or not they will run out, they can be renewable or non-renewable.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

These are limited and may run out:

• Coal: It is a rock and a fossil fuel. Coal is a pollutant, and being expensive to mine has led to a significant decline in its use.
• Oil: Another fossil fuel with a high calorific value.
• Natural gas: It has a similar origin to oil; natural gas consumption is rising because it is less polluting than oil or coal.
• Nuclear energy: Enriched uranium is the fuel used in nuclear reactors, which generate an enormous amount of electricity.

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are practically inexhaustible and include the Sun, water, and wind. Five examples include:

• Hydropower: Uses the force of water stored in reservoirs to generate electricity.
• Solar or photovoltaic energy: These are made from a special material that generates electricity from sunlight.
• Wind energy: It is a non-polluting energy, but wind turbines significantly alter the landscape and cause noise pollution.
• Geothermal energy: This type of energy uses the heat from inside the Earth, especially in areas with intense volcanic activity.
• Tidal energy: This uses the movement of seawater caused by tides, waves, and currents.

Literatura Medieval Española

Primeros Testimonios y Autores

Las Jarchas son los primeros testimonios de la lírica peninsular en lengua romance, breves poemas escritos en mozárabe. Gonzalo de Berceo es el primer poeta castellano de nombre conocido. Nació a finales del siglo XII en Berceo (La Rioja). Se educó en el Monasterio de San Millán; sus poemas están escritos en cuaderna vía. Todas sus composiciones son religiosas; la más destacada es Milagros de Nuestra Señora.

El Cantar de Mío Cid

El Cantar de Mío Cid es la obra más importante de la épica medieval castellana, y la única que ha llegado casi completa hasta nuestros días. Su estructura consta de:

• Cantar del destierro.
• Cantar de las bodas de las hijas del Cid.
• Cantar de la afrenta de Corpes.

El Arcipreste de Hita

Juan Ruiz, Arcipreste de Hita, de quien apenas se conocen datos biográficos, es el autor de la obra más representativa del Mester de Clerecía en el siglo XIV: el Libro de Buen Amor. Es una obra de carácter misceláneo; la intención del libro es advertir de los peligros del "amor loco" frente al "amor divino". Presenta variabilidad métrica: combina la cuaderna vía con estrofas de arte menor y se basa en fuentes bíblicas.