Spanish Agricultural Landscapes and Regional Farming

Wet Spain: Oceanic Agricultural Landscapes

In the north and northwest, characterized by an oceanic climate, the agricultural structure is defined by an aging population scattered across villages and towns. Land is primarily owned by smallholders.

Land Use and Crop Specialization

Land use is diverse:

• Agriculture: Polyculture featuring fruit orchards and potatoes, largely for home consumption.
• Poorer quality land: Used for barley and rye.
• Modern trends: There is now a specialization in vegetable crops and fodder plants.

Fields are often closed, surrounded by hedges or walls, creating a Bocage landscape.

Livestock and Forestry

Livestock is of high importance, though it faces challenges such as small farm sizes, lack of grazing land, and competition regarding EU quotas. Many farmers engage in part-time farming. Additionally, forestry supports industries like furniture and paper production.

Interior Peninsular: Plateau and Ebro Depression

Located in the Ebro valley and the central plateau, this region features a Mediterranean climate. The agricultural structure has been impacted by a population exodus and depopulation, with settlements concentrated in villages.

Property and Land Use

Property ownership varies:

• Small landholdings: Found in the irrigated Duero and Ebro valleys.
• Large plantations: Located in Salamanca, Burgos, La Mancha, Extremadura, and Aragon.

Rainfed and Irrigated Agriculture

Rainfed agriculture is traditional, focusing on wheat, cereals, olives, and vines. While fallow land was common, there is a shift toward growing barley and grains using irrigation and fertilizers. Key locations include Castile and León for cereals and vineyards, and Aragon, Extremadura, and La Mancha for olives.

Irrigated agriculture was previously minor and traditional (vegetables) but is increasing due to the development of reservoirs.

Livestock Evolution

In Castilla, sheep and cattle feedlots are growing, alongside pig farming. In Zamora, Extremadura, and Salamanca, the landscape features pastures and sheep. While the traditional system remains, the porcine (pig) sector is growing because beef production is currently more buoyant.

Mediterranean Coast and Guadalquivir Valley

This region includes the Mediterranean coast, the Guadalquivir valley, and the Balearic Islands. The population, once dispersed, is now more concentrated. Ownership consists of both smallholdings and large estates (latifundios), particularly in western Andalusia.

Agricultural Diversity

• Rainfed crops: Found in the Guadalquivir valley and mountainous areas, producing olives, vines, cereals, and almonds.
• Irrigated crops: Horticultural crops, citrus, and tropical fruit trees.

Livestock

Livestock includes fighting bulls (brava) in the rainfed areas of the Guadalquivir valley, as well as cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.

Mountainous Agrarian Landscapes

The agrarian structure in mountain regions is marked by depopulation, with residents concentrated in small nuclei at the bottom of valleys. Property is divided between small farms and communal lands.

Land Use and Regional Variations

Forestry is prevalent on the slopes. Agricultural practices vary by region:

• North: Gardening at the bottom of the valleys.
• East: Terraced olives and almonds.

Livestock and Transhumance

Livestock thrives in bush areas and mountain ranges. An extensive regime is used for cattle and sheep in the north. In the Mediterranean mountains, transhumance is practiced, moving sheep from the valleys to the summits.