FREE ESSAY ON SPAIN

SPAIN

Physical Geography
Land forms
The entire area of Spain is 504,750 sq. km. Spain is about the size of 
Arizona and Utah combined. Spain has high plateaus surrounded by low 
coastal plains. The most famous mountain range in Spain is located in the 
north. It is called the Pyrenees. Other mountain ranges are the Cantabrian, Sierra Moreno
and the Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges.
Climate
In the north, the climate is moderate with year-round rainfall. The south 
and the east have a mediterranean climate. The southern and eastern part of 
spain has long dry summers and mild winters.
Water systems
There are nine major rivers in Spain. These rivers drain into the 
Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. The Mino, the Duero, the Tajo, the
Guadiana, and the Guadalquivir, each flow into the Atlantic. The Segura, the
Jucar, the Turia, and the Ebro all empty into the Mediterranean. The longest 
is the Tajo and the Ebro.
Economic Geography
Spain was one of the poorest countries in Western Europe. It 
improved after it joined the European Union in 1986. Spain's gross national 
product per capita has more than tripled in the last generation. It is now 
$15,890. Economic opportunities are now available for the majority of the 
population. Unemployment is still a major problem for the economy.
Agriculture
Agriculture is still important, even though it is no longer the basis of Spain's economy.
Farmers produce a lot wheat and barley. Spain leads the world in production of olives and
olive oil. Many Spaniards raise livestock such as sheep,goats,and cattle. The production
of wine is also important. In the north the major products are beef cattle, vegetables,
and fruit. In the Mediterranean it is olives, almonds, citrus fruits, grapes, and
vegetables. In the Meseta the major products are grains, olives, and grapes.
Resources
Spain has many natural resources. Some of the leading resources are
coal, iron ore, mercury, gypsum, zinc, lead, copper, and hydroelectric 
power. Other resources in Spain are lignite, uranium, pyrites, fluorspar, tungsten,
kaolin, cork, and potash.
Industry
The industries of Spain are of a wide variety. These resources include 
textiles and clothing, footwear, metal manufacturing, chemicals, shipbuilding, 
auto manufacturing, and tourism.
Urban Geography
Ethnic make-up
The ethnic groups in Spain are Basques, Catalan, and Galicians. The
Spanish have Mediterranean and Nordic ancestry.
Population
Spain's population in July 2000 was 39,996,671. The population growth rate is .11%. The
birth rate is 9.22 births/1000 population . The death rate is slightly lower, it is 9.03
deaths/1000 population. The men 's life expectancy is 75.32 years. The women's life
expectancy is 84.49 years. (www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html).Madrid
has 3.6 million people. They have the largest population. Barcelona has 1.8 million
people. About 79% of the country lives in urban areas. The remaining percentage (21%)
live in rural areas.(Chicoine, pg 60)
Culture
People
The people of Spain are called Spaniards. There are four official 
languages. Castilian Spanish is used for business and government. Catalan 
is spoken by 17% of the country, Galician, 7%, and Basque, 2%.Catalan is 
spoken in the northeast corner, Galician in northwest, and basque in the north.
(Culturgram, pg 2) 97% of the people are literate. (Background notes, pg 1). The people
in Spain over 15 can read and write.
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html).
Belief Systems
Spain is predominately Roman Catholic. 99% of the people are 
baptized members (Culturgram, pg. 2). Spanish life is influenced by Catholic traditions.
Freedom of religion was granted in the 1970s. There are also muslims and Jews in Spain. 
Lifestyle
The family is important with Spain. Divorce rates are very low. The father is head of the
home. The wife is responsible for caring for the house and children. Men are considered
strong and masculine. The women are expected to be understanding and feminine. Men have
more social freedom than women. 
The kids in Spain begin dating in groups at 14. In some areas, couples can only date if
they plan to marry. A boy has to meet a girl at a prearranged site, rather than call her
at home. The average marriage age for men is 27, for women it is between 20 and 24.
Spain's main sport is soccer. Bullfighting is also a popular attraction. 
Bullfighting is considered an art more than a sport. Team sports are not part 
of school programs. Most Spaniards like to go to the movies, watch TV or go 
for walks. 
Communication
In 1993, there were 379 telephone lines for every 1000 inhabitants. 
The telephone company in Spain is called the Telefonica de Espana. In 1994 
there were 16,067 phone lines installed, only 14,985 worked. Spaniards have 
high prices for the telephone service. Only 2% of the Spanish population own 
a cell phone. (Background notes, pg 10) The telecommunication system is mostly modern and
good for domestic and international use. There are many radio and television stations in
the country. Some major radio stations are AM 208, and FM 715. There are 228 TV stations.
There are about 16.2 million TV s and 13.1 million
radios.(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html)
History
Between the Sixteenth Century Spain was the most powerful 
European nation. The Basque are the first people in Spain. They are also the 
oldest group in Europe that is still living. The unification of Spain was 
complete in 1512.
Table of Contents
Physical Geography pg 1
land forms
climate water systems
Economic Geography pg 2-3
agriculture 
resources
industry
Urban Geography pg 3-4
ethnic make-up
population
lifestyle
Culture pg 4-5
people
belief systems
communication
Bibliography
Chicoine, Stephen. (1997). Spain Bridge between Continents. Marshall Cavendish
Corporation
Spain. (1994, July). Culturgram. Monthly Journal
Spain. (2000, August). Background notes. Monthly Journal
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html)
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