Spain's Diverse Geography: Climate, Rivers, and Unique Features

Climate Factors in Spain

Astronomical and Meteorological Factors

Geography

• Strategic Location Between Two Seas

Precipitation

• Dry, Humid, and Arid Regions Across Spain

Average Annual Temperature Distribution

• Latitude
• Marine Influence
• Altitude

Pressure and Winds

• Breezes
• Local Winds

Other Climatic Elements

• Insolation
• Cloudiness
• Humidity
• Aridity

Rivers of Spain

The Spanish river network exhibits several key characteristics:

• Dissymmetry in the river network, influenced by relief.
• Parallelism with mountain systems.
• Alternation between rivers and mountain systems.
• Intense connection with the occupation of the territory.

River Flow and Regimes

• Absolute and Relative Flow
• River Regimes:
  • Snowy (Nival)
  • Pluvial (Rainfall)

Major River Regimes

• Oceanic Rainfall Patterns
• Mediterranean Rainfall Patterns
• Subtropical Rainfall Patterns
• Nival Regime

Factors Conditioning Rivers

• Climate
• Relief
• Soil
• Vegetation
• Human Factors

Principal Watersheds and Rivers

Climate Zones and Characteristics

Oceanic Climate

• Precipitation: +800 mm
• Temperature: 13-14°C
• Characteristics: Mild winters and cool summers

Continental Climate

• Precipitation: -600 mm
• Temperature: 10-14°C
• Characteristics: Dry winters and high summer temperatures

Mediterranean Oceanic Climate

• Precipitation: 700-500 mm
• Temperature: 17-19°C
• Characteristics: Warmer winters, warm summers

Mediterranean Continental Climate

• Precipitation: 700-300 mm
• Temperature: 17-18°C
• Characteristics: Cooler winters and very warm summers

Mediterranean Subtropical Climate

• Precipitation: 900-400 mm
• Temperature: 19°C
• Characteristics: Warm winters and hot summers

Subdesert Climate

• Precipitation: -300 mm
• Temperature: 21°C
• Characteristics: Mild winter and warm summer

Levantine-Balearic Climate

• Precipitation: 400-700 mm
• Temperature: 16°C

Catalan Mediterranean Climate

• Precipitation: 500-900 mm
• Temperature: 13-18°C

Canary Archipelago Climate

• Precipitation: 250-500 mm
• Temperature: 19-21°C

Mountain Climate

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Geographical Uniqueness of Spain

Key Peninsular Location and Geographical Position

• Situated Between Two Seas
• Adjacent to Africa

Relief Configuration

• Massive Form
• High Average Altitude
• Peripheral Mountain Disposition

Spain as a Crossroads

• Natural Influences (Fauna and Flora)
• Human Level Interactions

Geostrategic Position

• Economic and Political Relationships with America and Africa

Key Features of the Iberian Peninsula

• High Altitude
• Existence of a Plateau
• Peripheral Disposition of the Peninsula's Reliefs

Geological Composition of the Peninsula

• Siliceous Iberia
• Limestone
• Shale

Formation of Peninsular Relief

• Orogenic Activity
• Geological Eras: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary