Understanding Spanish Agriculture: Key Regions and Practices

Agricultural Landscapes of Spain

The Wet Agricultural Landscape of Spain

This landscape encompasses the north and northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is characterized by an uneven terrain with limited flat areas and a consistently wet oceanic climate.

Agrarian Structure

The agrarian structure is defined by:

• A traditionally sparse population settled in villages and parishes.
• Smallholder property system.
• Predominantly agricultural land use.

Agriculture

Polyculture is declining, with a shift towards specialized orchard crops, fodder for livestock, and pastures, particularly corn fodder, aligning with the growth of semi-intensive livestock farming.

Livestock

Livestock farming is a significant economic activity, favored by the prevailing weather conditions.

Logging

Logging is another important activity, supplying the furniture industry and pulp production.

Peninsular Hinterland Agricultural Landscape

This area includes both the uplands and the Ebro depression. The landscape features a high average altitude on the plateau and a Mediterranean climate with limited summer rain and minimal frost risk in northern areas.

Agrarian Structure

The agrarian structure is characterized by:

• Population emigration, with settlements concentrated in small towns within the Duero and Ebro valleys.
• Varied property systems, ranging from smallholdings to large estates, particularly in Salamanca, Burgos, and Castilla-La Mancha.
• Diverse land uses.

Agriculture

Agriculture varies between rainfed and irrigated areas.

• Rainfed areas in the uplands and the Ebro valley are primarily dedicated to grain crops, grapes, and olives.
• Irrigation allows for more intensive land use.

Livestock

Livestock farming is important in specific regions:

• Sheep farming predominates in drylands and the Ebro depression.
• In Castile and Leon, feedlot cattle farming for milk production has grown near urban centers and modern irrigated areas, along with pig farming.
• In Extremadura, pastureland is a defining feature.

Logging

Logging is characteristic of areas such as Tierra Pinariega in Soria.