Spanish Agriculture: EU Integration and Landscapes

Spanish Integration in the Common Agricultural Policy

The entry of Spain into the European Union represented several positive aspects:

• Modernization of farming methods.
• A larger market for selling products.
• Financial assistance for growing new crops.

However, there are also some negative aspects:

• Increased competition within the Spanish market.
• A reduction in aid as the European Union expands to more members.
• Imposition of production quotas.

Agrarian Landscapes in Spain

Types of Agrarian Landscapes

In Spain, we can find four different climatic domains; as a result, there are four distinct agrarian landscapes. Each of these landscapes has its own specific characteristics, but we will examine the basic ones for each.

Continental or Interior Landscape

This landscape extends from the Central Plateau, including Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura. In this landscape, we find:

• Dry agriculture: Cereals, grapes, and olives.
• Irrigated land: Such as the fertile plateau of the Ebro.
• Livestock: Sheep graze freely during part of the year. We can also find cattle and pigs in the mountain regions.

Atlantic Agrarian Landscape

We find this landscape in the north of the Peninsula, including Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. The characteristics are:

• Extensive cattle farming: Animals live in free-grazing conditions on pastures.
• Forestry: The original forest has been replaced by eucalyptus and pines.
• Limited agriculture: Little land is cultivated, though we find corn, potatoes, apple trees, and vegetables.

Mediterranean Agrarian Landscape

It represents the entire length of the Mediterranean Coast and the Balearic Islands.

• Fruit, vegetables, and flowers are vital for agriculture.
• Irrigated agriculture dominates the coast, while non-irrigated agriculture is found in interior zones.
• There is a significant amount of pig farming and poultry. These areas feature very competitive farms.

Canary Islands Landscape

It is difficult to grow crops on these islands because of the mountainous terrain and limited water supply. In the most fertile lands, we grow:

• Vegetables and tobacco.
• A large quantity of bananas.
• Tropical fruits like pineapples.