Physical Geography of Spain

Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation

Erosion: The process that wears out rocks on the surface with the help of ice, water, and humans. Plateaus are high plains resulting from the erosion process.

Transport: The movement of eroded materials.

Sedimentation: The deposition of materials in another location.

Landforms

Mountains and Valleys

Mountains: Elevated landforms with significant relief.

Mountain Ridges: Linear chains of connected mountain peaks.

Valleys: Elongated areas of low land between mountains.

Basins and Plains

Basin: Depressed areas where a river and its tributaries flow.

Plains: Areas of flat land with an elevation below 300m, often found near the coast or in river basins.

Plateaus and Depressions

Plateaus: High, raised areas of flat land.

Depressions: Very low areas that are below sea level.

Cliffs, Gulfs, and Bays

Cliffs: Steep rock formations.

Gulfs and Bays: Inlets where the sea extends into the land (bays are smaller than gulfs).

Capes, Peninsulas, and Coastlines

Capes: Areas of land that extend into the sea.

Peninsulas: Larger areas of land surrounded by water on three sides.

Continental Shelf: A large plateau surrounding a continent, reaching a depth of 200m.

Continental Slope: The sloping region that leads down from the continental shelf into the deeper ocean.

Oceanic Features

Abyssal Plain: Vast, flat areas of the deep ocean floor, typically found at depths of 3000-7000m.

Mid-Ocean Ridges: Long, underwater mountain ranges found in the abyssal plains.

Ocean Trenches: Long, deep cracks in the ocean floor.

Human Geography

Flat Areas: Regions below 500m in elevation, often found near coasts and river valleys. These areas typically have a mild climate and favorable conditions for agriculture and transportation, leading to denser populations.

Mountainous Areas: Regions with high elevations, often sparsely populated due to challenging terrain and harsh climates. Economic activities in these areas may include tourism, mining, and livestock farming.

Water

Continental Water

Rivers: Continuous flows of water originating from rain, melting ice, or springs, eventually flowing into a sea, lake, or another river. Rivers are essential for human consumption, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation.

Lakes: Enclosed bodies of water that accumulate in depressions. Saltwater lakes are called inland seas.

Groundwater: Water that accumulates underground when rain and river water infiltrate porous ground. It flows downward until it reaches an impermeable rock layer, forming an underground reservoir called an aquifer.

Marine Water

Marine Currents: Masses of ocean water that move like rivers, driven by wind, temperature differences, and Earth's rotation. Currents can be warm or cold and significantly influence regional climates.

Tides: The daily rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.

Waves: Undulating movements of water on the surface of the sea, primarily generated by wind.

Water Availability and Management

Most of Earth's water is not suitable for human consumption. Overexploitation and uneven distribution pose significant challenges to water resource management. Hydraulic engineering plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability throughout the year.

Formation of Spain's Relief

The Iberian Peninsula, where Spain is located, has a complex geological history. The central plateau, known as the Meseta Central, fractured and underwent tectonic forces. Some blocks sank, while others rose, forming mountain ranges like the Galician Massif, the Cantabrian Range, and the Iberian Mountain Chain. Sediment deposition at the edges of the plateau further shaped the landscape. The Ebro and Guadalquivir depressions formed alongside the Pyrenees and the Baetic Chain. Volcanic activity on the Atlantic Ocean floor gave rise to the Canary Islands.

Rocky Substrates in Spain

• Siliceous Rocks: Primarily granite and slate, found in the western part of the peninsula.
• Limestone Rocks: Formed from marine sediments during the Mesozoic Era, abundant in the Pyrenees and Iberian Mountains.
• Clays: Fine-grained rocks deposited in low-lying areas during the late Tertiary and Quaternary periods, predominant in the inner plateau and Baetic Chain.
• Volcanic Rocks: Common in the Canary Islands, formed during the Tertiary Era.

Relief Regions of Spain

• Inner Plateau (Meseta Central): The central part of the peninsula.
• Surrounding the Inner Plateau: Galician Massif, Cantabrian Mountain Chain, Iberian Mountain Chain, and Sierra Morena.
• Beyond the Inner Plateau: Pyrenees, Baetic Chain, Catalan Coastal Chain, and the Ebro and Guadalquivir basins.

Relief of the Coasts and Islands

• Cantabria and Galicia: Characterized by rocky cliffs and estuaries.
• Western Andalucia: Sedimentary coasts with sandy beaches.
• Mediterranean Coast: Long beaches alternating with cliffs.

River Systems in Spain

• Cantabrian Watershed: Short, abundant, and regular flow.
• Atlantic Watershed: Long rivers flowing parallel to the west coast.
• Mediterranean Watershed: Smaller rivers with weak and irregular flow.

Ramblas: Dry riverbeds that only carry water during periods of heavy rain.

Physical Geography of Spain: Key Characteristics

• Second largest country in the European Union.
• Second most mountainous country in Europe.
• Average altitude of 660m.
• Meseta Central crossed by the Central System and Toledo Mountains.
• Three major river basins: Duero, Tagus, and Guadiana.
• Mountain ranges surrounding the Meseta: Cantabrian Range, Iberian System, Sierra Morena, and Galician Massif.
• Two major river basins outside the Meseta: Ebro and Guadalquivir.
• Three alpine ranges: Pyrenees, Baetic Chains, and Catalan Coastal Chain.
• Two archipelagos: Canary Islands and Balearic Islands.
• Predominantly rocky coasts with few estuaries and inlets.

Climates of Spain

• Oceanic Climate: Galicia and the northern part of the peninsula.
• Mediterranean Climate: The rest of the peninsula.

Climate Types

Anticyclone

A high-pressure weather system characterized by sinking air that rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Anticyclones typically bring clear skies and calm weather. As the air descends, it warms and becomes drier, inhibiting cloud formation and precipitation.

Equatorial Humid Climate

• High temperatures year-round with minimal annual variation.
• Rainfall throughout the year, exceeding 2000mm annually.
• Located within 5 degrees latitude of the equator.
• Characteristic vegetation: Tropical rainforests.
• Examples: Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Gulf of Guinea, Madagascar, South India, Indonesia.

Tropical Wet and Dry Climate

• Located between 5 and 25 degrees latitude.
• Warm temperatures year-round with a distinct wet and dry season.
• Rainfall decreases and the dry season lengthens with increasing distance from the equator.
• Characteristic vegetation: Savannas, grasslands, and woodlands.
• Examples: Central America, Caribbean, parts of South America, Africa south of the Sahara.

Warm Desert Climate

• Centered around the tropics.
• Hot temperatures, often exceeding 30°C (86°F) monthly average.
• Large diurnal temperature range (hot days and cool nights).
• Very low precipitation, below 350mm annually.
• Sparse vegetation.
• Examples: Arizona, Atacama Desert (Peru), Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert.

Cold Desert and Steppe Climate

• Located in higher latitudes or at higher elevations.
• Low precipitation.
• Cold winters with freezing temperatures.
• Short, cool summers.
• Sparse vegetation, mainly grasses and shrubs.
• Examples: Great Basin (Nevada), Patagonia, Gobi Desert, steppes of Central Asia.

Mediterranean Climate

• Located on the western coasts of continents between 30 and 40 degrees latitude.
• Hot, dry summers.
• Mild, wet winters.
• Annual rainfall between 400 and 800mm.
• Characteristic vegetation: Evergreen forests (e.g., oak, pine), shrubs, and drought-resistant plants.
• Examples: California, Mediterranean Basin, Central Chile, Southwest Australia.

Humid Subtropical Climate

• Located on the eastern coasts of continents between 25 and 40 degrees latitude.
• Hot, humid summers.
• Mild, cool winters.
• Abundant rainfall, typically exceeding 1000mm annually.
• Characteristic vegetation: Deciduous forests, evergreen trees, and a variety of shrubs and grasses.
• Examples: Southeastern United States, southeastern South America, eastern China, Japan, Australia.

Oceanic Climate

• Located on the western coasts of continents between 40 and 60 degrees latitude.
• Mild temperatures year-round with a small annual temperature range.
• Abundant rainfall throughout the year, exceeding 1000mm annually.
• Characteristic vegetation: Deciduous forests (e.g., oak, beech), coniferous forests, and ferns.
• Examples: Pacific Northwest (USA), British Isles, Western Europe, New Zealand.

Continental Climate

• Located in the interiors of continents, far from large bodies of water.
• Large annual temperature range with hot summers and cold winters.
• Moderate precipitation, typically between 500 and 1000mm annually.
• Characteristic vegetation: Deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and grasslands.
• Examples: Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North America (Great Plains).

Subarctic Climate

• Located in high latitudes, typically above 50 degrees latitude.
• Short, cool summers.
• Long, cold winters with freezing temperatures.
• Low precipitation, mostly falling as snow.
• Characteristic vegetation: Boreal forests (taiga) dominated by coniferous trees.
• Examples: Canada, Alaska, Russia, Scandinavia.

Tundra Climate

• Located in very high latitudes or at high elevations.
• Extremely cold winters with temperatures often below freezing for months.
• Short, cool summers with temperatures rarely exceeding 10°C (50°F).
• Low precipitation, mostly falling as snow.
• Permafrost (permanently frozen ground) is common.
• Characteristic vegetation: Low-growing plants such as mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs.
• Examples: Arctic regions, high mountains.

Mountain Climate

- Andes Cantabrian mountains, Himalayas... occur above 2000m, temperatures go down 0.64º abundant rainfall 1000mm or 2000mm no dry months, vegetation forests moros meadows the plant change with the altitude.