Spain's Diverse Agricultural Regions

Agricultural Landscapes of Spain

Wet Spain's Agricultural Landscape

• Includes northern and northwestern peninsular surface areas with few flat plains.

Agrarian Structure in Wet Spain

• Features a large, scattered population.
• Minifundia (smallholdings) are common.
• Land uses are primarily focused on livestock farming.

Agriculture in Wet Spain

• Agriculture is extensive.
• Previously, small-scale polyculture was practiced.
• Today, there is specialization in garden and fodder crops.

Livestock in Wet Spain

• Livestock farming is the most important economic activity.
• Economic prospects are currently not very promising.

Forestry and Industry in Wet Spain

• Forestry is another important activity.
• Industry focuses on timber or pulp and paper production.

Interior Peninsular Agricultural Landscape

• Includes both uplands and the Ebro Depression.

Agrarian Structure in Interior Spain

• Population includes immigrants.
• The property system is concentrated, encompassing both smallholdings and large estates.
• Land uses are varied.

Agriculture in Interior Spain

• Accounts for 44% of the dryland surface.
• Dominates the páramo and campiña, engaging in extensive crops.
• Irrigated crops allow for more intensive exploitation of industrial plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Livestock in Interior Spain

• Sheep and swine livestock predominate.

Forestry in Interior Spain

• Logging is characteristic of some areas.

Mediterranean Agricultural Landscape

• Includes coastal and Mediterranean littoral areas, the Guadalquivir Valley, and the Balearic Islands.

Agrarian Structure in Mediterranean Spain

• Features large, deeply divided ownership.
• Land uses are diverse.

Agriculture in Mediterranean Spain

• Crops include both irrigated and dryland farming.

Livestock in Mediterranean Spain

• Cattle and swine livestock are common, with a majority found in Catalonia.

Mountain Agricultural Landscape

Agrarian Structure in Mountain Regions

• Population has very low densities.
• Property is often fragmented.
• Land uses are diverse and complementary.

Agriculture in Mountain Regions

• Practiced in valley bottoms.
• Includes garden crops.

Livestock in Mountain Regions

• Livestock grazing is under an extensive regime.

Forestry in Mountain Regions

• Logging focuses on firewood exploitation as fuel.

Canary Islands Agricultural Landscape

• Climate: volcanic relief and warm.

Agrarian Structure in the Canary Islands

• The population is in decline, predominantly concentrated.
• Property settlement shows significant contrasts.

Agriculture in the Canary Islands

• The cultivated surface area is reduced.
• Coastal areas are dominated by monoculture.
• In middle and upper areas, traditional agriculture is practiced.

Livestock in the Canary Islands

• Sheep and caprine livestock are scarce.

Forestry in the Canary Islands

• Forest exploitation uses pine wood for charcoal production.