Geography of Spain. Climate of Spain
The capital of Spain is Madrid. Spain ranks most(85%) of the Iberian Peninsula. It borders on France to the northeast, separated by the Pyrenees. The country also borders on Portugal, Andorra, the English colony of Gibraltar and Morocco. In the south and east it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the north and west Atlantic Ocean(Bay of Biscay). Spain includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic and Pititus Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Spain is the second largest country by area (509.9 thousand km2). Population - 40.85 million people.
Physiographic characteristics of the region and the specifics of Spain
The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located 300 kilometers from the sea. The dominant role in the relief is played by systems of mountain ranges and high-mountain plateaus.
Plateaus and mountains make up about 90 percent of its territory. Almost half of the country's surface is occupied by a vast high plateau, the largest in Europe - with average height 660 meters Meseta. It is distinguished by alternating plateaus, folded-block ridges and mountain basins. The Cordillera Central divides the Meseta into two parts: northern and southern.
In the north, Meseta is bordered by the powerful Cantabrian Mountains, which stretch along the coast of the Bay of Biscay for 600 kilometers, isolating the interior from the influence of the sea. In their central part there is the Picos de Europa massif (from Spanish - Peaks of Europe) with heights of up to 2648 m. These alpine-type mountains are composed mainly of deposits of the Carboniferous period - limestones, quartzites, sandstones. The Cantabrian Mountains are an orographic and tectonic continuation of the most powerful mountain system in Spain - the Pyrenees.
The Pyrenees are several parallel ridges stretching from west to east for 450 kilometers. This is one of the most inaccessible mountainous countries in Europe. Although their average height is not very high (just over 2500 meters), they have only a few conveniently located passes. All passes are at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Therefore, only four railways go from Spain to France: two of them bypass the Pyrenees along the coast from the north-west and south-east, and two more railways cross the Pyrenees in the Aerbe - Oloron-Sainte-Marie and Ripoll - Prades sections, through a system of tunnels. The widest and high part mountains - central. Here is their main peak - Aneto Peak, reaching 3405 meters.
The Iberian Mountains system adjoins the Meseta from the northeast, maximum height(Mont Cayo peak) - 2313 meters.
Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountains stretch the low Catalan Mountains, the southern slopes of which drop off into the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan Mountains (average heights 900-1200 meters, peak - Mount Caro, 1447 meters) follow for 400 kilometers almost parallel to the coast Mediterranean Sea and actually separate the Aragonese plateau from it. The areas of coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia north of Cape Palos to the French border are highly fertile.
The entire southeast of the Iberian Peninsula is occupied by the Cordillera Betica, which is a system of massifs and ridges. Its crystalline axis is the Sierra Nevada mountains. In height they are second only to the Alps in Europe. Their peak, Mount Mulacén, reaching 3,478 meters, is the highest point in peninsular Spain. However, the highest mountain peak in Spain is located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) - the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 meters.
Most of Spain's territory is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level. It is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland.
The only large lowland - the Andalusian - is located in the south of the country. In the northeast of Spain in the river valley. The Ebro is the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main rivers of Spain (and the only navigable one in the lower reaches) flows through the Andalusian lowland - the Guadalquivir. The remaining rivers, including the largest: Tagus and Duero, the lower reaches of which are located in neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are distinguished by sharp seasonal fluctuations in level and rapids.
Large areas of the country suffer from water shortages. Related to this is the problem of erosion - millions of tons of topsoil are blown away every year.
The capital of Spain, Madrid, is located in the geographical center of the country and is the highest capital in Europe.
There are more than two thousand beaches on the coast of Spain: Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa del Assar, Costa de Almeria, Costa Blanca, Mar Menor, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Rias -Bajas, Rias Altas, Costa Cantabric, Canary and Balearic Islands.
Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. Average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast it is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures usually drop below zero only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, temperatures rise to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to south coast). On the northern coast the temperature is not so high - about 25 degrees Celsius. Spain is characterized by very deep internal climatic differences, and it can only conditionally be entirely attributed to the Mediterranean climatic region. These differences are manifested both in temperature and in annual amounts and precipitation patterns. In the far north-west the climate is mild and humid with little variation in temperature throughout the year and big amount precipitation. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather prevails with drizzling rain, almost without frost and snow. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in northwestern France. Summer is hot and humid, average temperature rarely above 16 degrees Celsius. Annual precipitation exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm. Conditions are completely different in the interior of the country - on the plateaus of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. These areas are influenced by the plateau-basin topography, significant altitude and local continental air. They are characterized by relatively low precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations between seasons. In Old Castile and the Aragonese plain there are quite cold winters with frosts and strong, sharp winds; Summers are hot and fairly dry, although maximum precipitation occurs during this season of the year. Nueva Castile has a slightly milder climate, with warmer winters but also low rainfall. Agriculture in all these areas requires artificial irrigation.
Minerals
The subsoil of Spain is replete with minerals. Particularly significant are the reserves of metal ores, the deposits of which are associated with the outcrops of the folded base of the Meseta or with volcanic rocks of mountain structures. Along the northwestern edge of the Meseta, within the Gallic massif, there are tin, tungsten and uranium ores in Caledonian and Proterozoic granite intrusions. A strip of lead-zinc-silver deposits stretches along the southern outskirts of Meseta. There is also a large deposit of mercury of global importance - Almaden. Iron ores are found in the north and south of Spain. They are confined to the structures of the Mesozoic and Alpine magmatic cycles. These are well-known deposits in the Bilbao region on the northern slope of the Biscay Mountains and in Almeria on the southern slope of the Beta Cordillera. In the north, in the Carboniferous sediments that fill the foothill depression of the Asturian Mountains, there is the largest coal basin in the country. In addition, there are small deposits of coal on the southern slope of the mountains and in some other areas. The Cenozoic sediments of intermountain and intramountain depressions contain strata of salts and brown coal. Significant reserves of potassium salts are located within the Ebro Plain. It is worth noting, however, that most of the mineral deposits in the country are of very modest size and are quite depleted, like many deposits in other European regions, which makes Spain dependent on the export of minerals, mainly from North Africa.
Spain is a southern European country. It occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pyrenees Mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest European countries, except for Portugal, which occupies the western part of the peninsula. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land, Spain borders Portugal in the west, France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees Mountains) and the tiny state of Andorra in the northeast, and Gibraltar in the south.
Total area: 504,782 km2.
Forming a natural border with France, the Pyrenees were for centuries the main reason for Spain's political and social isolation from Central Europe. The inextricable connection of the Spaniards with the sea was also of great historical significance: the length of the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is almost 3200 km. Finally, the culture of Spain was influenced by the proximity of the African continent, because the width of the Strait of Gibraltar is only 14 km.
Contrary to the popular belief that Spain is a classic case of plenty of beaches and sun, more than 65% of Spain's territory is located above 500 m (including more than 25% above 1000 m). The Cantabrian Mountains (up to 2648 m), stretching along the northern Atlantic coast, the Iberian Mountains (2313 m) and the Cordillera Central (2592 m) in the east and center of Spain, as well as the Beta or Andalusian Mountains (3478 m) in the south of the country. Between them stretches a vast area of plateaus, the so-called. Meseta (from the Spanish mesa - table).
Castile - the cradle old Spain, is located on this plateau.
Thanks to its endless expanses and bizarre topography, created under the influence of the sun and erosion, the lunar landscapes of the Meseta make a truly indelible impression on numerous tourists. The coastal regions of Spain differ markedly from each other in climate, vegetation and topography. On the Mediterranean coast, steep cliffs give way to picturesque coves among the rocks (at Cape Creus, north of Cadaques) with endless sandy beaches (Alicante). On Atlantic coast fjord-like areas (Cape Fisterra in Galicia) alternate with steep rock walls and green meadows (Asturias).
Among tourists, the following names of coastal regions have been established:
Costa Brava - "Wild Coast", Costa Daurada - "Gold Coast", Costa del Azahar - "Orange Coast", Costa Blanca - " White Beach", Costa del Sol -- " sunny Beach" and Cos ta de la Luz - "Coast of Light".
Form of government and administrative structure
Spain is the last state in modern Europe where a fascist dictatorship existed for the longest time. This is the only country in which the ideology of fascism survived the Second world war, and in which the authoritarian regime disappeared naturally as a result of Franco's death. The year of Franco's death (1975) marks the democratic beginning of modern, enlightened Spain. Freely elected governments under Adolfo Suarez and Felipe Gonzalez, and since 1996 under José María Aznar, have cautiously and deliberately “opened up” the country politically and economically. Although joining the EU and NATO was not without controversy, the decision is now shared by most Spaniards. There are many examples indicating a real transition to democracy: a referendum on the adoption of a new constitution, a guarantee of the rights of regional autonomy, the introduction of the right to divorce, as well as the abolition death penalty. The pluralist structure of the previously centralized state became indicative of the changes that occurred in public life. Administratively, Spain is divided into 52 provinces, united in 17 autonomous regions, which largely independently resolve development issues. Each region has its own parliament and government. Members of the provincial municipalities are elected by the communities and, together with the regional parliaments, send their representatives to the Senate of the National Legislative Assembly in Madrid (Cortes; Cortes Generales). The second chamber of the Cortes consists of deputies elected by direct popular vote. From 1982 to 1996 ruling political party Spain remained PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol), headed by Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez. After various troubles involving corruption and the secret service, the conservative People's Party (Partido Popular) led by José Maria Aznar won the elections for the first time in 1996, marking a turning point in Spanish politics. The third most important was again the Union of Left Forces (IU Izquierda Unida). The head of state, which is a constitutional monarchy, is King Juan Carlos I. On the proposal of the Prime Minister, he approves the members of the cabinet. Having inherited power from Franco in the absolutist sense of the word, the representative of the Bourbon dynasty, already in the historical speech from the throne on November 22, 1975, placed emphasis in a completely different way than expected. He declared that he wanted to be "King of all Spaniards in a free and modern society." The king confirmed the seriousness of his intentions six years later, when with a bold order he returned the rebel military to the barracks. Unlike other European monarchs, he was not only a “representative person”, but also an influential politician. According to the constitution, he is endowed with great powers.
Coat of arms of Spain- bringing together its entire history. It represents all the kingdoms that united in modern Spain: Castile is represented by a castle; Leon, Asturias and Galicia - by a lion; Aragon, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands - four red stripes on a gold background; Navarre - in the form of chains; Andalusia is depicted in the form of a pomegranate, since in Spain it grows mainly only on the lands of Granada - the last Muslim state captured by Christian kings during the Reconquista; in the heart of the coat of arms - on an oval shield, three golden lilies in an azure field with a scarlet border represent the Angevin branch of the Bourbon dynasty, to which the king and his family belong, and the crown crowning the coat of arms is a sign that Spain is a kingdom; the columns symbolize the Pillars of Hercules, as Gibraltar was previously called, which at one time was considered the end of the world. It is interesting to note that the well-known dollar sign is the same Pillars of Hercules, entwined with a ribbon.
National flag of Spain consists of three horizontal stripes - the top and bottom red, the middle yellow, the width of which is twice as wide as the red one. On the yellow stripe there is an image of the coat of arms of Spain shifted to the shaft.
Legend associates the symbolic meaning of the colors of this flag with its origin. According to legend, one of the kings of Aragon wanted to have his own banner. Looking around various projects banner, he stopped at one with a smooth golden field. Then he ordered a cup of fresh animal blood to be presented and, dipping two fingers into it, the monarch ran them across the yellow cloth, on which two red stripes appeared.
The flag of Spain in its modern form has existed since 1785, when King Carlos III of Bourbon ordered Spanish warships to use signs that distinguished them from ships of other countries - the white naval standard of Spain, decorated with the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, could easily be confused with the standards of ships of other countries . Since then, red and yellow colors have traditionally been associated with Spain, although they were adopted as state colors only in 1927.
In 1931, a republic was proclaimed and a new flag was adopted in the form of a horizontal tricolor with red, yellow and purple stripes of the same width. However, in 1936, the military mutiny of General Francisco Franco ended the republic and restored the yellow-red flag. The flag depicting the modern version of the coat of arms was officially introduced on December 19, 1981.
Introduction:
Relevance of the topic: tourism is one of the leading and most dynamic sectors of the world economy. Due to its rapid growth rate, it is recognized as the economic phenomenon of the century.
The development of tourism in the world is influenced by scientific and technological progress, improving the quality of life of the population, increasing the amount of free time, vacations, economic and political stability and a number of other factors.
The importance of tourism in the world is constantly increasing, which is associated with the increased influence of tourism on the economy of an individual country.
International tourism in the world is extremely uneven, which is explained primarily by different levels of socio-economic development of individual countries.
Greatest development international tourism received in Western European countries.
Of the huge number of diverse tourist routes that open today to everyone who is about to travel, millions of travelers from all over the world choose Spain every year.
Spain stands out noticeably among other European countries. Its position at the junction of Europe and Africa, the Christian world and the world of Islam, the closed Mediterranean and the endless Atlantic has left an indelible mark on the entire appearance of the country. There is always room for surprise here. That is why Spain is one of the world's largest centers of tourism and recreation.
The purpose of the test: to determine the physical and geographical position of Spain; study the climatic and natural resources of the country; consider the tourist complex, as well as determine the prospects for the development of tourism.
- Physico-geographical position of Spain:
Spain (after Switzerland) is the highest mountainous country in Europe, mountains and plateaus make up 90% of its territory. The Meseta plateau occupies almost half of the country. The Cordillera Central divides the Meseta into northern and southern. To the north of Meseta stretch the Cantabrian Mountains, which are a continuation of the most powerful and inaccessible mountain system in Spain - the Pyrenees. The Spanish southern slope of the Pyrenees is a major international center mountain tourism. The Iberian Mountains stretch northeast of the Meseta. Between the Eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountains, the low Catalan Mountains stretch all the way to the Mediterranean coast. In the southeast of the country lies the Cordillera-Betica system of massifs and ridges. Mount Mulacén is the highest point in Spain. The remaining 10% is occupied by the Andalusian Plain, the Aragonese Plain in the Ebro River Valley in the northeast, and smaller lowlands along the Mediterranean Sea.
The coast of Spain is very diverse: here you can find dunes, cliffs, and long beaches, sandy or covered with pebbles. Part of the coast of Galicia resembles the Norwegian fiords, and north coast The Atlantic is replete with limestone headlands and tiny caves. On the Mediterranean sea coast, despite the huge number of hotels and cultural beaches, there are deserted lagoons and swamps.
- Climatic conditions of the country
Temperate maritime climate. This climate spread to the north and northwest of the country. It represents moderate temperatures and heavy rainfall that occur throughout the whole year. The amount of precipitation per year in this part of the country reaches 1600 millimeters, this is in the northwest.
Mediterranean climate. This climate is mainly found in the south of the country and on the Mediterranean coast. The Mediterranean coast lies in the southeast of the country. This climate is characterized by mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers. The annual precipitation here is 300-800 millimeters, which contributes to the need for artificial irrigation. This part of the country has the mildest climate, because its temperature in January is 14-15 degrees Celsius.
Continental climate. The latter climate is located in the interior of Spain, that is, in the center of the country. The temperature here is normal, winters are cool and summers are warm.
- Resources of Spain
The fauna of Spain is also very rich and diverse. In the north, the fauna is Central European: many deer, roe deer, and wild boars. IN mountainous areas Red deer and Pyrenean ibex have been preserved. Sport hunting of deer is permitted. Brown bears are sometimes found in the Cantabrian and León mountains. Of the predators, quite a few wolves, foxes, and, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, Spanish lynxes have survived. In summer in Spain you can see up to 25 species of birds of prey: hawks, eagles, griffins, falcons. There are a lot of colonies of waterfowl: geese, ducks, herons, flamingos, white storks. There are also many species of reptiles found here: lizards, snakes, chameleons, and in the semi-deserts in the southeast of the country tarantulas and scorpions are found. A lot of fish are found in the estuaries and in the Atlantic, mainly sardines, with smaller amounts of herring, cod, anchovies and various types of shellfish. The Mediterranean Sea is home to tuna, salmon, anchovies, crayfish and lobsters.
- Population
- Andalusians
- Basque
- Valencians
- Galicians
- Castilians
- Catalans
The population density of Spain is about 80 people per 1 square kilometer. Due to the intensive development of agriculture, an increased population density is observed in the valleys of the Guadalquivir and Ebro rivers. The percentage of the urban population is approximately 76%. More than 2.5 million Spaniards live abroad in Spain. And the influx of emigrants amounts to 850 thousand people. Life expectancy is 79 years.
99% of the people in Spain are Catholics. The official language is Spanish. The adult literacy rate of Spain is about 98%. In 2009, spending on education amounted to 6%.
Spain is characterized by a high unemployment rate, which in 2009 amounted to 19%. During the first quarter of 2010, Spain's unemployment rate rose by 1.22% and now stands at 20.05% of the total Spanish population. The consequence of unemployment is the replacement of labor-intensive manual labor with mechanized labor. Despite such a high level of unemployment, there is a very high level of consumption of material goods. For example, in 2009, 69% of the Spanish population had cars, 2.4 people per housing, while 13% of the Spanish population had suburban housing.
5. Country's economy
Spain is an industrial-agrarian country. The most developed industries are: mining, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, automotive, electrical, chemical and textile.
Spain occupies one of the first places in the world in reserves and production of mercury, uranium, tin, lead, zinc, copper, and iron ores; there are deposits of high-quality coal, oil and gas, bauxite, gold, silver, pyrite, etc. Ferrous metallurgy smelts steel and cast iron. Non-ferrous metallurgy produces lead, zinc, copper, aluminum.
Mechanical engineering, petrochemistry and production of building materials are developed.
The country has many modern enterprises in the textile and food industries. In terms of the amount of irrigated land, Spain ranks one of the first in Europe, the main crop is wheat, barley, oats, corn, rye, rice, legumes, potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, and vegetables are grown. Large areas are occupied by vineyards, producing famous varieties of Spanish wines. The country occupies a leading place in the world in the collection of olives and almonds, and one of the first in the collection of citrus fruits. Livestock farming is developed in Spain - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, mules, donkeys.
A special stock of bulls is bred for bullfighting. The fleet of Spanish sea fishing vessels is the largest in Europe. In the service sector, tourism is of national importance. Main foreign trade partners: EU countries and the USA.
6. Administrative zoning of Spain.
Tourist potential of the regions.
Administratively, Spain is divided into 52 provinces, united in 17 autonomous regions, which largely independently resolve development issues. Each region of the country has its own, often unique, tourism resources, and therefore plays a significant role in the development of tourism (Appendix 1).
Regions of Spain (brief description, tourism potential of the region):
Basque Country
The Basque Country attracts holidaymakers with its ideal beaches and mountain peaks, as well as a special spirit unlike any other region in Spain.
The Basque Country is located in the north of Spain and has characteristics typical of the northern part of the country, although the south of the region has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and minimal annual rainfall.
Due to the proximity of the ocean and mountains, the territory is characterized by a favorable climate: without cold in winter and tedious heat in summer.
The Basque Country consists of three provinces and has about two million inhabitants.
One of the provinces, Alava, is a plain covered with vineyards. In the other two, Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya, the terrain is mostly mountainous and the coastal strips are sandy.
The Basque Country has been granted broad autonomy. IN administrative center region, Vitoria, the parliament sits and the government works. The Basque language is completely different from Spanish.
Even though the Basque Country is one of the most industrialized areas of Spain, there are still many areas of almost untouched nature in the region, especially beautiful National parks Valderejo, Urkiola, Urdaibai and magical landscapes along the Guernica River. Basque Country - best region for hiking, golf and everything mountain species sports Another attraction is the coast and beaches of the region.
To the south of Alava are the salt mines of Salinasde Añana, once discovered by the Romans. Salt is still mined here using the same method as many years ago.
Cities:
Bilbao- a city founded at the beginning of the 14th century, the capital of the province of Vizcaya, one of the first ports of Spain, is the industrial center of northern Spain today.
The main attraction of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Foundation Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo Guggenheim Bilbao), dedicated to avant-garde art (Appendix 2). The museum was opened in 1997 and in a short time became one of the main attractions in the world. Up to 1.5 million people visit it annually.
Never has a single monument of art and architecture changed the history of an entire city so radically. Thanks to tourism, the city gained a second life in the last century.
San Sebastian- A popular seaside resort of the Spanish aristocracy in the last century. The La Concha beach located there is well known outside of Spain. The city's beautiful buildings, superb beaches and vibrant cultural life make it a privileged tourist destination in Spain.
The city is known for its large summer festivals. The San Sebastian Film Festival was founded in 1953 and is now one of the leading European festivals.
San Sebastian is famous for its sandy beaches. The city has three main beaches: Ondarreta, Zurriola beach and the famous Playa de la Concha, which looks like a picturesque bay surrounded by continuous vegetation.
Vitoria- Vitoria is famous for its active cultural life and several festivals of international importance. The city has a very beautiful old part.
Holidays and culture:
First of all, the Basque country is famous for its cultural festivals. In addition, the region has retained a large number of local traditions and holidays.
In August, Bilbao hosts a "herding dog competition". And in Buñol at this time “tomato battles” are taking place, where residents throw tomatoes at each other.
For centuries, the inhabitants of the Basque country have preserved their ancient culture, the special value of which is its language, Euskera. The secret of its origin has not yet been revealed.
Cantabria
Cantabria is one of the most popular resorts in northern Spain. The region is famous for its magnificent caves. Tourists are also attracted by the beautiful beaches on the coast and beautiful mountain landscapes.
The autonomous region of Cantabria (until recently the province of Santander) is located in northern Spain. The climate and vegetation of Cantabria are characteristic of “wet” Spain.
Sights and recreation:
The main attractions of the region are the beautiful national parks, protected areas and the extraordinary beauty of the Cantabrian caves.
Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres - This park covers the magnificent dune system at the mouth of the Pas River and is an impressive bird market where migratory birds gather each season.
Saja-Besaya Park (Parque Natural Saja-Besaya) is a real paradise for hunting lovers. It represents the largest hunting grounds in Cantabria and Spain and covers almost the entire western territory of Cantabria.
Peaks of Europe National Park (Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa) – Created in 1995, covering an area of 700 km2, includes ten municipalities and three autonomous communities: Asturias, Cantabria and Castile-Leon. This is the largest national park in the country, it consists of three mountain ranges. Some of the deepest chasms in the world can be seen here. Peaks of Europe National Park is the most frequently visited by tourists, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Center for the Study of the Monte and Castillo Caves (Centro de Interpretacion y cuevas del Monte)
El Castillo) is one of the most interesting places and Paleolithic heritage of all Europe. Consists of four incredibly beautiful caves (El Castillo, Las Monedas, La Pasiega and Las Chimeneas).
Cantabria has everything needed for a rapidly growing adventure tourism sector. Windsurfing, horse riding, snowboarding, rafting, hiking, diving, sailing, canoeing, hiking, mountain climbing - all this and many other activities are available in Cantabria.
Cities:
Santander is the capital of Cantabria and one of the most beautiful cities in the region. Stretching along a beautiful bay with spacious beaches, the city welcomes the Spanish royal family every summer. The unusually beautiful La Magdalena Palace (Palacio de la Magdalena) annually hosts the summer University (Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo), which is of international importance. The Sardinero zone (El Sardinero) is very popular among tourists - a resort area with beautiful embankments and sandy beaches (Appendix 3).
Santillana del Mar Not Big city ok with medieval buildings and narrow streets, in which there are the prehistoric caves of Altamira, which received the status of a historical heritage of mankind in UNESCO.
Asturias
Asturias is the historical pride of all of Spain with its beautiful corners of untouched nature and friendly local people making this region unique and attractive to tourists.
Asturias still retains its ancient title of principality (Principado de Asturias). This is a small historical, mountainous region located in the north of Spain, off the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Asturias borders Cantabria, Galicia and Castile Leon. The key features of the geography of Asturias are its steep coastline with sharp coastal cliffs and mountain landscapes. The climate of Asturias, like the rest of northwestern Spain, is very different from the southern regions of the country. Summer is usually humid and warm with little rain. Winters are quite moderate, but with frequent cold snaps. It is especially cold in the mountains, where snow lies from November to May.
Sights and recreation:
National Park Peaks of Europe (Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa) - this is the first national park Spain was formed in 1918 on the territory of three regions.
In the Asturian part of the park there are the famous lakes of Covadonga (Lagos de Covadonga). The serpentine narrow road rises straight into the mountains and ends at the shore of Lake Enol. From here you can start hiking along the mountain ranges and green meadows stretching along the crystalline clean waters lakes (Appendix 4).
The main place of pilgrimage and the most visited tourist attraction in Austurias is the sacred altar of the Virgin of Cavadonga (Virgen de Covadonga). The chapel with the image of the maiden and the remains of Pelayo is located in a cave (Santa Cueva) on a steep cliff. The winding path leading to it is always filled with groups of pilgrims and tourists.
Cities:
Oviedo- the capital of the Principality of Asturias, a beautiful city full of greenery, in which the main attractions are the 16th century Gothic Cathedral (San Salvador's Cathedral) and two churches representing the heights of magnificent pre-Romanesque art and which are a heritage of world significance - Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillier ( San Miguel de Lillo.).
Gijon- a city on the sea coast with beautiful beaches and old fishing quarters. Gijon is a large city, which it owes to its port, one of the largest on the Cantabrian coast.
Galicia
Galicia – this “end of the world”, as the region was called in ancient times, is famous for its green fields and forests, magnificent monuments of world significance and breathtaking coastline.
The territory of Galicia is located in the northwestern part of Spain. The region borders on the east with Asturias and Castile Leon, on the south with Portugal. The region is divided into four provinces: La Coruna, Lugo, Pontevedra and Ourense.
Sights and recreation:
For tourists, Galicia is of particular interest, since on its territory there is one of the most revered places by Catholic pilgrims - Santiago de Compostela. Today's Galicia is an excellent destination for tourists interested in culture and ecology.
Due to the extraordinary beauty of nature, rural tourism is especially popular in Galicia.
The most popular holiday destinations in Galicia are Las Rias Altas, famous for its fishing villages, extraordinary beaches and impressive cliffs, and Rias Baixas, with its beautiful national parks and nature reserves.
Studying monumental historical monuments and original folk architecture, getting to know the symbols of Galicia - barns, granaries and stone crucifixes, observing wildlife and local customs are just some of the reasons to visit this region.
Cities:
Santiago de Compostela– the capital of Galicia and its tourist pearl. Is one of the most beautiful cities region and a center of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world. The walls of the Cathedral (La Catedral de Santiago), built in different eras, represent an interesting architectural ensemble.
La Coruna– In this beautiful oceanfront city, you can easily travel back in time to the origins of ancient myths and legends, and then return to the present, modern image of this city. You can see the Roman lighthouse, which is two thousand years old, or the famous balconies of the city ( Las Galerias de La Marina). These extraordinary glazed facades are the hallmark of the city and the longest facades in the world.
Vigo- this seaport charms tourists with its old streets of the fishermen's quarter and slopes leading directly to the sea.
Lugo. The city is surrounded by Roman fortified walls (Muralla Romana), which have preserved their appearance in almost their original form. This fortress was recognized as a world heritage site in 2000.
Pontevedra- ranks second in Galicia, after Santiago de Compostela, in terms of size and preservation of the historical zone. The Pontevedra region is considered one of the most beautiful provinces of Spain, thanks to the area called Rias Bajas with its magical landscapes.
Catalonia
Catalonia – most beautiful region, one of the autonomies of Spain, famous for its interesting history, rich culture, ancient customs, and, of course, magnificent Mediterranean resorts. Catalonia is the largest cultural, business and industrial center of Spain.
Catalonia is located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and surrounded by the picturesque Pyrenees mountains to the west.
The mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful nature and huge beaches make Catalonia one of the world's leading resorts.
Protecting Catalonia from the winds, the Pyrenees Mountains and the influence of the sea ensure pleasant weather almost all year round. The Mediterranean temperate climate means that winters here are mild (average temperature is not less than 10 degrees), and summers are hot and dry.
Sights and recreation:
Catalonia is a paradise for the most discerning holidaymakers, because here, without exaggeration, there is everything. It is in Catalonia that there are the magnificent and super popular resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa de Maresme, and Costa Dorada. Tourism here is very developed - in addition to beautiful beaches, the Catalans offer vacationers a very large number of hotels, clubs, cafes, restaurants, children's attractions, and water parks. Cities in Catalonia have many attractions, very ancient or recently created. And the capital Barcelona is actually an open-air museum.
Art lovers should definitely visit the Dalí Theater and Museum in Figueres. In the city where the artist was born and raised, there is a museum where you can not only see the works of Salvador Dali, but also get into a special surreal world created by the genius. The artist was buried in the same building.
Lovers of amazing flora and fauna can visit the largest Barcelona Aquarium in Europe, where thousands of species of marine life are represented.
The Port Aventura amusement park was recently built, but has already gained popularity. It contains a huge number of attractions and replicas of various geographical areas of the world.
Cities:
Capital of Catalonia - Barcelona– one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is not only an important cultural and economic center of Spain, but also one of the leading cities in Europe. Many attractions, unique architecture and history make it popular among tourists.
Barcelona was founded in the 2nd century. BC e. by the Romans. Her historical Center has retained its amazing medieval Gothic style. Antonio Gaudi, the famous architect, native and true patriot of Barcelona, poured his soul into creating the famous image of this city, where antiquity coexists with the most beautiful monuments of modern art (Appendix 5).
Tarragona- the center of the province of the same name in Catalonia. This is an ancient region, it was here that the capital of the territories of present-day Spain conquered by the Romans was located. In this region, fragments of buildings of the Roman conquerors have been preserved - an amphitheater, a forum, a coliseum, a fortress and an aqueduct. You can visit the museum, which displays the finds of archaeologists from the excavations of the Roman period of Tarragona.
Tarragona is also famous as a tourist center - it is the main city of the Costa Dorada resort - golden Mediterranean beaches.
Girona- Also ancient city, which survived many conquerors - the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs. Here you can see the history of Catalonia firsthand. Throughout the territory of the province of the same name - Girona - monuments of various cultures have been preserved. The city of Girona is the center of the world famous resort Costa Brava.
Murcia
etc.................
The geographical position of Spain is such that it stands out among other European countries with a number of unique features. Spain alone combines the advantages of several countries and is the center of the unification of three continents: Africa, America and Europe.
The geographical position of Spain is as follows: it is located in southwestern Europe, occupying about 85% of the entire area of the Iberian Peninsula. This includes the Canary Islands, which are conveniently located in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Pitius and Balearic Islands, which lie in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea, from the Iberian Peninsula to the west, representing 1% of Spain's territory. The largest and famous islands groups: Minorca, Cabrera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Formentera.
The Canary Islands group includes 7 large and small islands. They lie near the northwestern coast of Africa. Their territory makes up 1.5% of the entire area of Spain.
To this day, there is a sovereign dispute with Great Britain regarding the rights to Gibraltar - an area of 6.5 square meters. km, which is located on the southern side of the Iberian Peninsula.
It can be noted that in general the state occupies a total area, which is expressed in the following figures - 504,788 sq. km. Spain borders by land with Portugal, France, the English colony of Gibraltar and Andorra. Spain administers Ceuta and Melilla, located in Morocco, as well as the islands of Alucenas, Chafaranas and Vélez de la Gomera.
Spain is a country that ranks fourth in size in Europe (after Russia, France and Ukraine).
The country is washed from the east and south by the Mediterranean Sea, from the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and from the north by the Bay of Biscay. Spain is at the crossroads of very important Mediterranean and transatlantic air and water routes that link Europe with the African and American continents.
Just 14 km from Africa lies the point of the Iberian Peninsula, which is considered the southernmost.
The capital of the state is the city of Madrid. The head of state is the king.
Relief
Most of Spain is covered mountain ranges and plateaus, around which lie picturesque lowlands and plains. Only 10% of the total area of this state is occupied by forests. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe!
Almost half of the area was occupied by the Meseta plateau. TO mountain system include the Cantabrian, Catalan, Iberian mountains, Cordillera, Pyrenees, which stretch from west to east of the state and reach a height of 2,500m. Very popular place for mountain tourism - Southern Pyrenees. Most high point The country is considered to have Mount Mulacén (about 3,478m), which is located in southeastern Spain.
Economic-geographical location
Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe. The entire territory of the country is located on the Iberian Peninsula (occupies about 85% of its total territory), Pitius and Balearic Islands(Mediterranean Sea), Canary Islands (Atlantic Ocean), Chafarinas Islands, enclaves on the African coast, the cities of Melilla and Ceuta (North African coast).
The total area of the territory is 504.782 thousand square meters. km. Madrid is the capital of Spain.
Mainland Spain borders:
- Portugal (in the west),
- France and Andorra (in the north),
- Morocco, Melilla and the colony of Gibraltar.
In the northwest and southwest the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Bay of Biscay, and in the east and southeast by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
The geographical position of the Iberian Peninsula relative to Europe and the African continent provides great strategic importance.
The state is located at the intersection of important air and sea routes, connecting Europe with America and Africa.
The proximity of the oil and gas-bearing regions of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the Mediterranean location, play a major role. This favors the development of large coastal industrial complexes.
Modern Spain is one of the highly developed countries.
Spain is the world's leading manufacturer and exporter of cars, ships and other Vehicle, equipment for gas compressors and nuclear power plants, machine tools, forging equipment, chemical goods, petroleum products, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy products, cement and other building materials, agricultural products (olives, fruits, vegetables).
Note 1
More than 70% of foreign trade turnover comes from Germany, France, and Italy. These countries are the leading importers of Spanish consumer goods and the main suppliers of engineering and technology-intensive products.
Natural conditions
Spain is characterized by exceptional natural diversity. The landscapes of northern and southern, inland and coastal territories are very different from each other.
There are many on the Iberian Peninsula mountain ranges, covered with coniferous and deciduous forests, dry steppes are located on the plateaus. The plains account for only 10% of the territory, the rest is occupied by plateaus, hills and mountains.
The largest mountain ranges include: the Catalan Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Iberian Mountains, the Toledo Mountains, the Cordillera Central, the Cordillera Betica, the Sierra Morena, the Sierra Nevada with the highest point in Spain - Mount Mulacén (3478 m).
Lowlands are located along the periphery of the country. The most important economically are the Andalusian lowlands (growing crops), the Murcia and Valencian lowlands (citrus cultivation areas).
The climate of Spain is characterized by climatic contrasts. The main part of the country is located in the zone of influence of the subtropical Mediterranean climate. The northern regions experience heavy rainfall all year round. Some southern regions lack precipitation (300-800 mm per year).
Natural resources
Minerals. The world's richest deposits of lead and zinc ores, copper pyrite, and manganese have been developed in the Sierra Morena Mountains. Almaden is the largest mercury deposit. The ore belt with deposits of tin and tungsten is located in Galicia. The country has deposits of iron ore and coal (Basque Country, Leon, Asturias), reserves of gold, silver, bauxite, molybdenum, titanium, uranium, kaolin, rock salt and fire clays. Construction raw materials are represented by gypsum, basalts and marble. There are small oil deposits (Catalonia, Burgos) and gas (Basque Country, Cadiz, Aragon).
Water resources. They are unevenly distributed: in the east and southeast there is a lack of water, in the northwest there is an excess. The main rivers of the country are the Tagus, Duero, Guadiana, Ebro, Guadalquivir, and Minho. There are large reserves of underground water.
Agricultural Resources. The country has 25.6 million hectares of agricultural area. Grain production, gardening, grape growing, poultry farming and livestock farming are developed. The country is one of the world's leading producers of olives, olive oil, and grape wines. In Andalusia, the Levant, the Balearic Islands, citrus fruits are produced, in Extremadura and Valencia - almonds and pomegranates, in the areas of the city of Elche - dates, in northern Spain - apple trees and pears, in Extremadura - vegetables and fruits, in Alicante, Murcia - tomatoes, in Valencia - onion, on Canary Islands- avocado and mango.
Bioresources. Spain occupies a leading position in fish catching and processing. The main fishing ports are in Galicia - Riveira, Vigo, La Coruña. Pasajes - major port on the shores of the Bay of Biscay. Fishing is developed in the Canary Islands. The main centers of fish processing are La Coruña, Vigo, and El Ferrol.
Recreational resources. The development of tourism is favored by the sunny climate, the magnificent nature of the mountain ranges, pebble and sandy beaches, numerous sources mineral waters.
Flora and fauna
Note 2
About 8 thousand different plant species grow in Spain. There are significant differences in vegetation patterns different areas countries.
The most typical are deciduous forests and rich meadows. In the northern regions there are few forests; vegetation of the Mediterranean type predominates (evergreen shrubs - gariga, maquis; subshrubs - tomillarama). There are many forests along river valleys and on mountain slopes; beech and cork oak predominate among the tree species.
Various types of palm trees, pine trees, agave, and prickly pear grow on the Mediterranean coast. Cultivated plants include plantations of tangerine, olive, lemon, peach, apricot and fig trees, and grapes.
In areas with dry soil, juniper, prickly gorse, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and sage grow.
The fauna of the country shows Central European and African connections. The most common representatives of the animal world: brown bear, deer, roe deer, fallow deer, chamois, lynx, wild boar, fox, wolf, forest cat, mountain goat, hares, moles and squirrels. Egyptian mongooses, genets, and chameleons are found near the Strait of Gibraltar.
In the mountainous regions, red deer and mountain (Pyrenean) goat and chamois are preserved. In the mountains of the province of Toledo and the semi-steppe regions of Extremadura, fallow deer is common.
In Spain there are endemic forms of avifauna: Sultan's hen, blue magpie, flamingo. Typical representatives are blue magpie and red-headed chukar, black hawks, waterfowl (geese, ducks, flamingos, herons, stork).
