Spanish Agricultural Landscapes: A Regional Analysis

Spanish Agricultural Landscapes

Wet Agricultural Landscape of Spain

Includes the north and northwest peninsular. The physical environment has a hilly area, with oceanic climate and abundant rainfall throughout the year.

Land Structure

• Large population, but insufficient income leads to emigration.
• Dispersed settlement pattern.
• Minifundist property system with small farms, often fenced.

Land Uses

• Cattle farming is the primary activity.
• Extensive agriculture occupies a small area.
• Coastal areas have agriculture in valleys, but it is limited due to narrowness.
• Agriculture is limited by erratic rainfall, specializing in orchards and forage plants.

Livestock

Breeding is the most important economic activity, favored by climate, demand for milk and meat, and rural exodus. Small and medium-sized farms are common in Galicia.

Logging

Logging is another important activity, providing materials for furniture and paper.

Interior Peninsula Agricultural Landscape

Includes the two plateaus and the Ebro basin. The physical environment has a high average altitude, continentalized Mediterranean climate, low rainfall with summer droughts, and frost risk.

Agrarian Structure

• Emigration has caused depopulation and land abandonment.
• Population is centered in specific areas.
• Varied property system: minifundismo in the Ebro valley, large properties in Salamanca and Burgos.

Land Uses

• Agriculture occupies 44% of the surface.
• Upland moors and meadows are used for field crops: cereals, olives, and vines.
• Wheat has been replaced by barley, and fallow land has decreased.
• Irrigation allows more intensive agriculture, using reservoirs and underground water for industrial plants, fodder, fruits, and vegetables.

Livestock

• Important in certain areas.
• Sheep dominate in dry lands, while cattle and pig breeding have increased in irrigated areas.
• Extremadura is characterized by the paddock landscape, with oak and cork forests.

Logging

Logging is important in areas like Pinariega Soria.

Mediterranean Agricultural Landscape

Includes the coastal and pre-Mediterranean areas, the Guadalquivir Valley, and the Balearic Islands. The physical environment has a hilly area and a coastal Mediterranean climate with rare summer precipitation.

Agricultural Structure

• Large, dispersed populations, with irrigated areas.
• Dryland areas have small properties, especially in Murcia.

Agriculture

• Irrigated crops are favored by mild temperatures, high insolation, and international demand for horticulture.
• Dry crops include cereals, olives, and vines in the Guadalquivir valley and pre-littoral areas.

Livestock

Cattle and swine are mainly in Catalonia due to urban demand. Sheep and goats are common in drylands, and wild bulls in the Guadalquivir area.

Mountain Agricultural Landscape

The physical environment has high relief, cold winters, and abundant precipitation, much of it as snow.

Farming Structure

• Low population density, depopulation, and scattered settlements in valleys.
• Small, closed property plots with diverse land uses.