And with p and n and I Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, which forms the extreme southwestern protrusion of Europe. The area of Spain is 505 thousand square kilometers. The population is almost 40 million people. The official language is Spanish. The capital is Madrid. The monetary unit is the Spanish peseta.
The relief of Spain Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, there are very few lowlands in the country. Most of the surface is occupied by the Central Plateau with an average height of m above sea level. In the north, the Pyrenees rise, in the south, the Andalusian mountains.
The climate of Spain is Mediterranean, however, there are differences between the climates of individual territories. In the central part of the country, summers are hot, winters are cool, even snow storms occur. On the northwest coast, the climate is mild and humid. Forests grow from beeches, chestnuts, oaks. The hottest climate on the shores Mediterranean Sea, in January it is + 13 °, in July + 27 ° С. Climate of Spain
Population of Spain Throughout the country, the population is unevenly distributed, the coastal areas are densely populated. The urban population predominates over the rural population. With the exception of Madrid, all major cities lie by or near the sea. Spain includes a number of historical regions, whose populations differ in language and culture. The core of the Spanish state is Castile. Basques, Catalans, Galicians differ from Castilians, but they all form a single Spanish nation.
Urban life in Spain With the transition to more developed production and the expansion of the service sector, the migration of Spaniards from the countryside to the cities began. Today, about 75% of the population lives in cities. The largest city in Spain is Madrid. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with which Madrid constantly competes. Barcelona is the most important Mediterranean port and the center of a large, densely populated industrial region.
Globally, Spain is the leader in the production of olive oil and the extraction of mercury, the second in the world in the extraction of pyrites and the third in the production of grape wines. Spain is a country with developed industry and agriculture. Natural resources provide a good base for industrial development. A significant role is played by the mining industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering (ships, cars, machine tools). Oil refining is growing, and the textile and food industries are developing. Economy of Spain
Almost half of the country's territory is in agricultural turnover. Forests cover 12% of the territory, and pastures 48%. The main food crops are wheat and barley. An important industry is sheep breeding. Many branches of agriculture work for export.
Tourism Industry - Spain is one of the five countries most popular with tourists. In 2000, her tourism revenues exceeded $ 30 billion. - Foreign guests are attracted by the warm climate, magnificent Mediterranean beaches and major historical centers of art and architecture - Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia. -About 50 million tourists visit the country annually.
With the capital in the city of Madrid. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. According to one version, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician expression "i-shpanim" - "coast of rabbits". It occupies 4/5 of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands with a total area of 504,782 km² (together with small sovereign territories on the African coast, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla), being the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France. The average elevation of the surface of Spain is 650 meters above sea level. The country is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.
Physical and geographical characteristics
Relief
The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located 300 kilometers from the sea. In the relief, the dominant role is played by systems of mountain ranges and high-altitude plateaus.
Highlands and mountains make up about 90 percent of its territory. Almost half of the country's surface is occupied by the vast, highest in Europe - with an average height of 660 meters - the Meset plateau. It is distinguished by the alternation of plateaus, folded-block ridges and mountain basins. The central Cordillera divides Meseta into two parts: north and south.
The Pyrenees are several parallel ridges stretching from west to east for 450 kilometers. This is one of the most difficult to access mountainous countries Europe. Although on average they are not very high (just over 2500 meters), they have only a few conveniently located passes. All the 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 northwest and southeast, and two more railways cross the Pyrenees in the sections of Aerbe - Oloron- Sainte-Marie and Ripoll - Prades, through the tunnel system. The widest and high part mountains - central. Here is their main peak - Aneto peak, reaching 3405 meters.
From the northeast, the system of the Iberian Mountains adjoins Meset, the maximum height (peak of Mon Cayo) is 2313 meters.
Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian mountains, there are the low Catalan mountains, the southern slopes of which drop off like ledges to the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan mountains (average heights of 900-1200 meters, the peak is Mount Caro, 1447 meters) follow for 400 kilometers almost parallel to the Mediterranean coast and actually separate the Aragonese plateau from it. The coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia north of Cape Palos to the border with France 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 Mulasen, reaching 3478 meters, is the highest point of peninsular Spain. However, the highest mountain peak in Spain is located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) - this is the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 meters.
Most of the territory of Spain is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level. It is the second tallest country in Europe after Switzerland.
The only large lowland - Andalusian - is located in the south of the country. In the north-east of Spain in the valley of the river. Ebro stretches the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main rivers of Spain (and the only navigable river in the lower reaches), the Guadalquivir, flows through the Andalusian lowland. The rest of the rivers, including the largest ones: Tajo and Duero, whose lower reaches are located on the territory of neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are distinguished by sharp seasonal fluctuations in level and rapids.
Large areas of the country suffer from a lack of water. Related to this is the problem of erosion - millions of tons of the topsoil are blown out annually.
Climate
Spain is one of the warmest states in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures drop below zero, usually only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to the southern 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 regime.
On extreme northwest the climate is mild and humid with slight fluctuations in temperature throughout the year and a lot of rainfall. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather prevails with drizzling rains, almost without frost and snow. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in the northwest of France. Summers are hot and humid, the average temperature is rarely below 16 degrees Celsius. Annual quantity precipitation exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm.
Completely different conditions in internal parts countries - on the plateau of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. These areas are affected by the influence of the plateau-basin relief, significant altitude and local continental air. They are characterized by a relatively low amount of precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations over the seasons. Old Castile and the Aragonese plain have fairly cold winters with frost and strong, harsh winds; summers are hot and rather dry, although the maximum precipitation occurs during this season of the year. In New Castile, the climate is slightly milder, with more warm winter but also with low rainfall. Agriculture in all these areas requires artificial irrigation.
The soil
In the northwest of Spain, on the coastal plains and the windward slopes of the mountains, brown forest soil is developed. The interior regions of the country - Old and New Castile, the Iberian mountains and the Aragonese plateau - are characterized by brown soil; in the driest, treeless areas, there is a thin calcareous gray-brown soil with areas of solonchaks in relief depressions. In the arid landscapes of Murcia, gray soils are developed. They are not gypsum-bearing and not saline; when irrigated, they give high yields of fruit and other crops. The heavy clay soil of barros stands out on flat ancient alluvial plains, which is especially favorable for rice cultivation.
Flora and fauna
Diversity climatic conditions- from humid in the north to arid in the south - determines the heterogeneity of flora and vegetation in Spain. In the north, there are features of similarity with Central Europe, and in the south - with Africa. Traces of forest vegetation in Murcia, La Mancha and Granada indicate that in the past a significant part of the territory of Spain was forested, but now forests and light forests occupy only 30% of the country's area, with only 5% being full-fledged closed stands.
Evergreen oak forests grow in the northwest of the country. Mountain forests have more deciduous oak species, along with beech, ash, birch and chestnut, which is typical of Central Europe. In the interior regions of Spain, small tracts of dry evergreen forests with a predominance of oak, interspersed with pine forests and shrubs, have been preserved in places. In the driest areas of New Castile, the Aragonese plateau and Murcia, there are fragments of semi-deserts (usually on salt marshes).
In areas of southern Spain with more rainfall, especially along the coast, there are typical Mediterranean dwarf shrub-herb communities such as garrigue and tomillara. Garriga is characterized by the participation of local species of gorse and cornflowers, while tomillara is characterized by the presence of aromatic labiates (shrub species of thyme, rosemary, etc.), as well as cistus. A special variety of garriga are scattered thickets of the dwarf fan palm, which is very characteristic of Andalusia, as well as communities with a predominance of tall grass alpha, or esparto, a hardy xerophyte that gives strong fiber.
In the fauna of Spain, Central European and African ties are evident. Among the European species, two varieties of brown bear deserve mention (large Asturian and smaller, black, found in the Pyrenees), lynx, wolf, fox, forest cat. There are deer, hares, squirrels and moles. In Spain and North Africa, the burial eagle is found, and the blue magpie found in the Iberian Peninsula is also found in East Asia. On both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, there are genetas, Egyptian mongooses and one species of chameleons.
Minerals
Minerals of Spain: The mineral resources of Spain are abundant. Especially significant are the reserves of metal ores, the deposits of which are associated with the outcrops of the folded base of Meseta or with the volcanic rocks of mountain structures. On the northwestern outskirts of Meseta, within the Gallic massif, in the Caledonian and Proterozoic granite intrusions, there are tin, tungsten and uranium ores. A strip of lead-zinc-silver deposits stretches along the southern outskirts of Meseta. There is also a large mercury deposit with world significance- 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 the well-known deposits of the Bilbao region on the northern slope of the Biscay Mountains and in Almeria on the southern slope of the Cordillera Beta. In the north, in the Carboniferous deposits that fill the foothill depression of the Asturian Mountains, there is the country's largest coal basin. In addition, there are small deposits of coal on the southern slope of the mountains and in some other areas. In the Cenozoic sediments of intermontane and intramontane depressions, strata of salts and brown coal occur. Significant reserves of potash 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 exhausted, like many deposits in other European regions, which makes Spain dependent on imports of minerals, mainly from North Africa.
Economy
Airports in Spain are subordinate to the public organization Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena)), which in turn is subordinate to the Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento de España). According to the 2006 Act on Autonomy of Catalonia, three Catalan airports have been transferred to the Generalitat of Catalonia, which runs them jointly with the public organization Aerocat. Madrid Airport (Barajas) with a passenger traffic of 50.8 million in 2008 is one of the busiest airports in the world. Barcelona Airport (El Prat) handled 30 million passengers in 2008. Less busy airports are in Gran Canaria, Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca, Alicante and Bilbao.
The Spanish airlines are: Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Air Pullmantur, Binter Canarias, Iberia LAE, Iberworld, Islas Airways, Spanair, Vueling Airlines.
Spain aims to have a million electric vehicles by 2014 as part of the government's plan to save energy and improve the environment.
Light industry
Food industry
V Food Industry winemaking stands out (in the production of grape wines, Spain is second only to France and Italy in Europe), the production of vegetable oil (1.7 million tons in 1996; Spain is the world leader in the production of olive oil (about 0.5 million tons per year), fruit and vegetable and canned fish. Spain is among the top ten world manufacturers of cars, ships, forging equipment and gas compressors, machine tools, petroleum products and chemical products. industrial production concentrated in the northeast (Catalonia), the north of the country (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) and Greater Madrid.
Agriculture
The leading branch of agriculture is crop production (gives over 1/2 of the cost of production). They grow wheat (about 20% of the cultivated area), barley, corn (in the central and southern regions of the country), rice (on the irrigated lands of the Mediterranean coast; its yield in Spain is one of the highest in the world), potatoes and sugar beets, legumes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables (vegetables occupy 60% of the cultivated area), olives - (leading in the cultivation of olives in the world) - (Andalusia, Castile la Mancha, Extremadura), citrus fruits and tobacco. Viticulture - on the Mediterranean coast and in the areas of Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura. In the very south of the country, almonds (the leading export in Western Europe), dates and sugarcane (in Europe grow only in Spain), figs, pomegranates, and cotton are grown.
Fishing
Spain is among the top ten countries in the world for catching fish and seafood (1.1 million tons in 1996) and their processing, is a major exporter of fresh fish and canned fish.
Most of the fishing takes place off the coast of the Basque Country and Galicia. Most of all caught sardines, hake, mackerel, anchovies and cod. Every year, 20-25% of the total catch is processed for canned food.
Banking sector
Spanish banks need a € 59.3 billion recapitalization, according to stress tests posted on the Spanish central bank's website. The financial crisis in Spain led to an explosion of separatism. Economic crisis in Spain begins to gradually develop into a political one. On the one hand, the regions with their extremely weak banks need the help of the country's government. On the other hand, some territories, in particular Catalonia, believe that without the guiding and guiding hand of Madrid, they would feel much better.
The crisis was not limited only to the financial sector. Property prices fell, which in turn increased unemployment. Spanish construction company Martinsa-Fadesa has filed for bankruptcy after failing to refinance a € 5.1 billion debt. In the second quarter, property prices in Spain fell by 20%. In the Castile-La Mancha region, approximately 69% of all buildings built in the past three years are still pending. Deutsche Bank expects a 35 percent drop in property prices in Spain by 2011. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero has accused the European Central Bank of exacerbating the situation due to the rise in interest rates.
Population
Population dynamics:
- year - 6.5 million people;
- city - 4.5 million people;
- city - 6 million people;
- city - 11.3 million people;
- year - 6.2 million people;
- year - 11.55 million people;
- year - 18.6 million people;
- city - 24.1 million people;
- city - 29.9 million people;
- city - 36.3 million people;
- year - 45.97 million people
The population of Spain is 46.16 million (October 2011).
According to a 2008 genetic study by the University of Leeds, 20% of the modern population of Spain has Jewish roots, and 11% have Arab and Berber roots.
History
On the southwestern coast of Iberia, a culture emerged in the Bronze Age, from which at the end of the 2nd millennium the Tartesse civilization was formed, which traded metal with the Phoenicians. After the depletion of the mines, Tartessus falls into decay.
Along the east coast of Spain in the III millennium BC. NS. Iberian tribes appeared; some hypotheses link their ancestral home with North Africa. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian. In the middle of the II millennium BC. NS. Iberians began to settle in fortified villages in what is now Castile. The Iberians were mainly engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and hunting, knew how to make tools from copper and bronze. The Iberians used the Paleo-Spanish script previously created by the Tartessians. The Iberian language was not related to Tartessian.
There is Roman evidence that Ligurs previously lived in Spain, but nothing is known about their existence in the historical period.
In the late Bronze Age, the culture of the fields of burial urns penetrates into Iberia (the remnants of which in the historical period were probably the Lusitanians), and at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. NS. most of Iberia is colonized by Celtic tribes. Part of the Celts who lived in the neighborhood with the Iberians, having fallen under their influence, created the Celtiberian culture; the Celts who lived in the western part maintained a relatively conservative lifestyle and were unwritten. Celts of Iberia became famous as warriors. It was they who invented the double-edged sword, which later became the standard weapon of the Roman army and was used against their own inventors.
XX century
XXI Century
In March 2004, in Madrid, on the outskirts of the Atocha train station, 13 explosions thundered, as a result of which 191 people were killed and 2050 were injured. This attack was organized by an underground Islamist organization that followed the ideology of Al-Qaeda. The explosions took place three days before the parliamentary elections and were terrorists' response to the participation of the Spanish military in the military operation in Iraq. Most Spaniards blamed the attacks on the government of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who sent Spanish troops to support the United States and Britain. Aznar's government adopted this decision unilaterally, without coordinating it with the parliament (Kortes) and despite the massive protests of civil society, which took part in thousands of demonstrations against the participation of the Spanish army in the war. In addition, mass polls conducted by a state agency indicated that about 80% of the country's population was against Spain's entry into the war. The People's Party led by Aznar lost the elections on March 14, 2004.
At the beginning of 2004, the new socialist government of José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero carried out sharp turn in foreign policy Spain: from supporting the US course to solidarity with most EU countries. After winning the elections on March 14, 2004, the socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, thus fulfilling an important point in the electoral program of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSWP). The subsequent parliamentary elections in 2008 were again won by the PSOE. New parliamentary elections in Spain took place on November 20, 2011.
In 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain. Thus, Spain became the third state in the world, after Holland and Belgium, to recognize the legal equality of marriage unions regardless of the sex of the spouses. Nowadays, same-sex marriage is recognized in many countries, as well as in some states in the United States.
One of the problems of modern Spain is the problem of immigration. Basically, residents of the Maghreb and Latin America come to Spain. At the beginning of the new century, according to rough estimates, there were 2.5 million Hispanics in the EU, 800 thousand of whom were in Spain. However, after the terrorist attacks in 2004, the attitude of the Spaniards towards immigrants has changed significantly.
Political structure
Administrative division
50 provinces included in 17 autonomous regions. Also in Spain there are 2 so-called autonomous cities (ciudades autónomas) in Africa - Ceuta, Melilla and the sovereign territories of Spain.
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Cities
The largest cities in Spain are:
Culture
Spain is rightfully considered an open-air museum. The vastness of this country carefully preserves cultural and historical monuments who are famous all over the world.
The most famous museum in Spain, the Prado Museum, is located in Madrid. Its vast exposition cannot be viewed in one day. The museum was founded by Isabella of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VII. The Prado has its own branch located in Cason del Buen Retiro and stores unique collections of Spanish painting and sculpture of the 19th century, as well as works of English and French painters. In the museum itself, large expositions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art are presented. The Prado owes its name to the Prado de San Jerónimo alley, where it is located, which dates back to the Enlightenment. The Prado Museum currently holds 6,000 paintings, over 400 sculptures, and numerous treasures including royal and religious collections. For several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings.
It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed during the reign of Charles I, known as the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad character and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by a gloomy worldview, it is not surprising that the ruler was an admirer of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre pessimistic fantasy. Initially, Philip acquired Bosch's paintings for El Escorial, the hereditary castle of the Spanish kings. It was only in the 19th century that the paintings were transferred to the Prado Museum. Now here you can see such masterpieces of the Dutch master as "The Garden of Delights" and "The Hay Carrier". Currently, in the museum you can enjoy not only painting and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to "revive" famous canvases. The first such performance was dedicated to the paintings of Velazquez and was a huge success with the public.
There are many more in Spain unique museums and galleries: the Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum of Catalonia, located in Barcelona, National Museum sculptures in Valladolid, El Greco Museum in Toledo, Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca.
Spanish cuisine
Sport
The main sport in Spain has been football since the beginning of the 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling and, more recently, Formula 1 are also important thanks to the presence of Spanish champions in all of these disciplines. Today Spain is a leading sports power in the world, and the development of sports in the country was particularly pushed by the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 2008 Spain won the European Football Championship, and in 2010 it won the World Football Championship. In 2012, Spain won the European Football Championship over Italy with a score of 4: 0.
In general, in the 2000s, the Spanish national teams won the world and European championships in almost all game sports: football, basketball, water polo, field hockey, roller hockey, handball, volleyball and the Davis Cup in tennis.
It is also worth noting that Real Madrid Football Club is officially recognized as the best club in the world of the 20th century.
Military establishment
In the new doctrine 1/2004, the main enemy of Spain (both external and internal) is terrorism. It is noted that from now on, Spanish troops will be able to take part in international peacekeeping actions directly approved by the UN or, as it was in Kosovo, enjoying the obvious support of the world community. In addition, participation in hostilities will require permission from the Spanish Parliament.
The new military doctrine increases the role of the JEMAD Defense General Staff, headed by General Felix Sans. At the end of October 2004, he made a statement about the need to "balance" unequal relations between Spain and the United States, which emerged after 1953, when Spain and the United States signed a military defense cooperation agreement, according to which the United States received the right to use several large military bases in Spain.
In 2001, Spain abolished military service and completely switched to a professional army.
There are no laws in Spain prohibiting openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the military. On March 4, 2009, Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon (the first woman in this post) issued a decree repealing a previously existing law that prohibited transgender people from serving in the military.
Spanish foreign policy
The preamble to the Spanish Constitution proclaims the readiness "to cooperate in strengthening peaceful relations and cooperation with all countries of the world." Currently, Spain's foreign policy is mainly based on three areas: Europe (especially the EU), the Ibero-American direction, the Mediterranean Sea countries.
Today Spain has diplomatic relations with all UN countries. More recently, Spain has relations with Bhutan (since October 2010), South Sudan (since its independence from Sudan in July 2011) and the Caribati state (since September 2011).
On April 12, 1994, the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain was signed. Currently, bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain have an extensive legal framework: the basis of interaction in various fields is formed by more than 50 treaties, agreements, protocols and other documents.
Morocco
In the foreign policy of Spain, Morocco occupies one of the key places for which the Moroccan kingdom is the most important African partner, if only due to its territorial proximity. The main directions of Spanish policy in Morocco are: issues related to the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the unresolved problem with Western Sahara, problems of illegal migration, issues of stopping drug smuggling, etc.
Relations between Spain and the Maghreb countries began to develop most actively after the Socialist Party came to power in Spain in 1982.
Under the government of the People's Party, headed by Prime Minister H.M. Aznar, who were in power from 1996 to 2004, relations could not be called good and were rather characterized by instability, in particular, the conflict around the island of Perehil (Leila) occupies a prominent place in 2002.
The socialists, who came back to power in April 2004, led by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, had a firm intention to improve relations with their neighbors, primarily with Morocco. After the meeting between Mohamed VI and Juan Carlos in 2005, relations between the two monarchs improved markedly. The conflict in Western Sahara, which arose a long time ago, has always had an adverse effect on relations between the two countries. After thwarted by a quadripartite conference, Morocco in 1975 authorized the Green March to Western Sahara with the aim of “clearing” Western Sahara from Spain. The result was an agreement between Spain, Mauritania and Morocco on the transfer of temporary control over the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.
Close economic ties are an important component of relations between the two countries. In 1995, the Moroccan government decides to stake everything on foreign investors, the most important of which are Spain and France.
Peacekeeping missions
The Spanish Armed Forces, consisting of 3,000 people, took part in 5 peacekeeping missions of the EU, NATO, UN. These missions are: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; KFOR in Kosovo; FINUL to Lebanon and the UN Mission in Darfur (Chad).
Various questions
Transport in Spain
The length of highways is 328,000 km. The car park - more than 19 million cars. 90% of passenger and 79% of cargo transportation is carried out by road. The length of the railways is 14,589 km. About 6.5% of all cargo is transported land transport and 6% of passengers.
About 300 vessels with a total displacement of 1.511 million tons are involved in maritime transport. Vessels under Spanish flags carry from 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 seaports control almost 93% of all traffic.
The leading place is air Transport... Of the 42 airports, 34 carry out regular flights. Across international Airport Madrid handles 56 million passengers every year. The airport in Barcelona serves about 30 million passengers annually.
Education in Spain
Spain has a system of compulsory free secondary education from 6 to 16 years old. About 70% study in public schools, public universities - 96,5 %.
The largest universities in the country: Autonomous University of Madrid, Complutense (in Madrid), Barcelona Central and Autonomous, Santiago de Compostea, Polytechnic University in Valencia.
Mass media in Spain
Spain has a well-developed media network. 137 newspapers and about 1000 magazines are published. Most read daily newspapers: Pais, Mundo, Vanguardia, ABC, Periodico, Marka. Magazines for women "Patrones", Labores del HOGAR, Moda.
The leading radio stations are SIR, COPE, Radio Nacional de España (RNE). The international department of Spanish national radio, known as Radio Exterior de España, broadcasts in Spanish and six foreign languages. The Russian service of Spanish foreign broadcasting has been operating (with a short break) since the days of Franco, but is less known than similar broadcasters in Russian from the USA, Germany, and France.
Major TV channels: TVE (covers the entire territory of the country), private studios Telesinko and Antena 3, as well as the round-the-clock news channel Canal 24 Horas, which broadcasts around the world. The Autonomous Communities have their own regional television broadcasting in national languages.
Siesta in Spain
Crime in Spain
V last years the proportion of immigrants among Spanish offenders has gradually increased. This is due to the increase in immigration to Spain (including illegal) from African countries, as well as from Latin America. Among the latter, two gangs from the Dominican Republic became especially active: Dominicans Don't Play and Trinitarios (Trinitarians - named after the underground organization La Trinitaria, which fought for the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1838 ).
Real estate market in Spain
The average cost per square meter in Spain for the 1st trimester of 2011 is 1777.6 euros (1793.8 euros - new construction; 1764.8 euros - second-hand). Most high prices(in € / m²): San Sebastian - 3762.3; San Cugat del Valles - 3282.6; Getcho - 3224.3; Barcelona - 3103.5; Pozuelo de Alarcon - 2964.0; Madrid - 2921.0.
The main real estate in Spain is villas, apartments and apartments. At the moment, buying real estate in Spain has become more profitable, since on August 20, 2011, the Spanish government temporarily changed the tax - VAT on the purchase of new housing from 8% to 4%.
Telecommunications in Spain
In astronomy
In honor of Spain, the asteroid (804) Spain is named, discovered on March 20, 1915 by the Spanish astronomer Jose Comas Sola at the Fabra Observatory in Barcelona. It was the first asteroid discovered from Spain.
see also
| Portal "Spain" | |
| Spain in Wiktionary | |
| in Wikisource | |
| Spain at Wikimedia Commons | |
| Spain on Wikinews |
- Spanish grand
- Spanish galleon
Spain is one of the most elevated countries in Europe - mountains occupy more than 90% of its territory.
Along the northern border, from the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, stretches an extensive system of young Pyrenees mountains (the highest point is Mount Aneto, 3404 m). The Pyrenees ridges stretching from west to east almost parallel to each other are not very high (on average 2500 m), but their relief is very complex, there are many gorges, rocky walls (among them one of the highest cliffs in Europe - Governe, or Juverni, which has a height about 1200 m, and a waterfall of the same name 800 m high), steep cliffs and rugged valleys. Many peaks are covered with snow all year round, which often covers a few passes - the weather is very changeable here. The Western Pyrenees, one of the greenest regions in Spain, is home to about 1,200 species of higher plants, with mountain forests climbing over 2,400 meters. The eastern part is slightly poorer, but also has many rare species of flora and fauna.
Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian mountains, the low Catalan mountains stretch, the southeastern slopes of which drop off like ledges to the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan mountains (average heights of 900-1200 m, the peak is Mount Montseny, 1712 m) follow for 400 km almost parallel to the sea coast and in fact separate the elevated Aragonese plateau from it. The coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia, north of Cape Palos and up to the border with France, are highly fertile, but the mountains themselves are dry and have little natural diversity.
Almost the entire central part of Spain is occupied by the ancient and highly dissected plateau of Meset (here is the highest point of the mainland of the country - Mount Mulasen, 3478 m) with a whole system of accompanying mountain ranges. This is the largest elevated plateau in Europe in terms of area, on average, has a rather insignificant height (about 660 m), but literally abounds in various plateaus (Torcal de Antequera, Ciudad Encantada, Old Castile and New Castile, etc.), folded-block ridges, deep river valleys and intermontane basins. In addition, numerous ridges divide Meseta into several large massifs - the Central Cordillera divides it into northern and southern parts, the Sierra Morena, Sierra Nevada and Cordillera Betica are fenced in from the south, the Cordillera Subbetica - from the southeast, the Iberian and Cantabrian mountains , as well as the Picos de Europa massif (2648 m) - from the north-east and north.
In total, there are more than 70 mountain ranges in Meseta, which turns its relief into a complex system of mountains, hills, plateaus and plains, which occupy more than half of the territory of Spain. Moreover, the Cordillera-Betica mountain system is considered the second highest in Europe, second only to the Alps, and Mount Mulasen (Sierra Nevada) is the most southern part Europe (37 degrees north latitude!), Where snow persists in summer. The vegetation of Meseta is mostly dry Mediterranean, there are many stony wastelands in the mountains, and agricultural areas in the valleys and on the lower slopes.
In the south of the country, between the Andalusian mountains, the Sierra Morena and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, stretches the only large lowland of the country - the Andalusian. Here, in the area of the old foothill trough, the most big river countries - Guadalquivir, forming a plain gradually expanding to the west. Almost all of it, like other relatively large valleys of the country (Duero, Guadiana, Minho, Tajo, the Aragonese Basin and the Ebro Valley), is occupied by crops of wheat, citrus, olive, cork oak and vineyards. Given the presence of rivers so large at first glance, the country is experiencing a fairly strong water shortage, especially noticeable in recent years.
The Balearic Archipelago and the adjacent Pitius Islands are the ancient part of the Iberian Peninsula, separated from it by the subsidence of part of the seabed. In fact, this is a continuation of the Betheskie Mountains, which remained, due to isolation from the mainland, exactly as the entire territory of modern Spain was before the beginning of the Alpine folding era. It is dominated by low-lying and hilly plains. In the northwestern part of Mallorca stretches mountain range Trumuntana is up to 1445 meters high, and the south is occupied by the dry and rocky Mijorn zone. Menorca is a low (up to 358 m) plateau, which drops off to the sea with steep ledges. The shores abound with bays, in the elevated regions there are many karst formations. The vegetation is Mediterranean, with a large number of evergreen shrubs and dry grasses, but on most of the islands it is heavily modified by man.
The Canary Islands are one of the most naturally unusual areas in the world. The islands are of volcanic origin and are a group of ancient volcanoes towering above the surface of the water. Moreover, due to different ages and morphology, here you can find almost all forms of the planet's volcanic landscape - lifeless lava and tuff fields, black gorges and "volcanic pipes", dilapidated calderas of old volcanoes and high cones of young ones, with which the green slopes of fertile valleys are in sharp contrast. Tenerife has the highest mountain in Spain - Teide volcano (3718 m), and adjacent Pico Viejo (3103 m) is the fourth highest in the country. And at the same time, the local mountains are constantly "growing". In total, there are more than 640 volcanoes on the Canary Islands (there are more than 300 of them in Lanzarote alone!), And some of them are active. And on the island of Palma, a vast rock mass with a height of up to 2423 meters surrounds the largest volcanic crater on the planet - the Caldera De Taburiente (La Caldera).
In terms of its biology, the Canary Islands can be safely considered the most unique region of the country - almost half of the plants growing here are not found anywhere else on Earth, and a third of them are represented by ancient relict forms that died out in other regions of the planet many millions of years ago. Only on the slopes of Teide can be found at least five belts of vegetation, and the total variety of species here reaches 400! The composition of the fauna is much more modest, which is not surprising - the nearest mainland coast is 115 km away. However, even those few animal species that inhabit the archipelago are of great interest to science and tourists.
Geographical position, territory and borders of Spain
Spain is a southern European country. It occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The area of the country is 504.8 thousand square kilometers. The Pyrenees mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest of European countries, except for Portugal, which occupies western part peninsula. (Yu.N. Gladkiy, 2008).
Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The length of its borders is 3144 km. By land, Spain is bordered by Portugal to the west, France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees) and the tiny state of Andorra to the northeast, and Gibraltar to the south. The maximum length of the country from west to east is about 1000 km, from north to south - 840 km. (Yu.N. Gadkiy, 2008).
Spain (after Switzerland) is the most highland country in Europe, mountains and plateaus make up 90% of its territory. The Meseta Plateau (which means "table" in Spanish) occupies almost half of the country. In the western part of Meseta there are many tectonic faults and river valleys, in the east it is smoother. The Central Cordillera divide Meseta into northern (Starokastilskiy plateau) and southern (Novokastilskiy plateau). Most of Meseta is flat and waterless, with so little rainfall in Almeria that it can be called the only true European desert. However, lush oases are also found here. (Yu.N. Gladkiy, 2008).
To the north of Meseta, along the coast of the Bay of Biscay, stretch the Cantabrian Mountains with the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) massif in the center. The Cantabrian mountains are a continuation of the most powerful and inaccessible mountain system of Spain - the Pyrenees (several parallel ridges stretching for 450 km from west to east). The average height of the Pyrenees is about 2500 m. The highest peak is Aneto peak - 3404 m. The Spanish southern slope of the Pyrenees is a major international center for mountain tourism.
From the north-east of Meseta stretch the Iberian mountains up to 250 km wide and up to 2313 m high (Moncayo peak). It is in the Iberian mountains that the largest rivers of Spain - Duero and Tagus - originate. Between the Eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountains, the low Catalan Mountains stretch to the Mediterranean coast. (R. Altamira-i-Crevea, 1951)
In the southeast of the country lies the system of massifs and ranges of the Cordillera Betica with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the center. Mount Mulasen (3478 m) is the highest point in Spain. (R. Altamira-i-Krevea, 1951).
The remaining 10% is occupied by the Andalusian Plain between the Sierra Morrena and the Cordillera Betica (along which the Guadalquivir River flows), the Aragonese Plain in the Ebro Valley in the northeast, and shallower lowlands along the Mediterranean Sea. (R. Altamira-i-Krevea, 1951).
The largest rivers in Spain: Ebro (928 km), Tajo (910 km), Guadiana (820 km), Duero (Douro in Portugal) (770 km), Guadalquivir (560 km).
The coast of Spain is very diverse: here you can find dunes, cliffs, and long beaches, sandy or covered with pebbles. Part of Galicia's coastline resembles Norwegian fiords, while the north Atlantic coast is replete with limestone headlands and tiny caves. On the Mediterranean coast, despite the huge number of hotels and cultural beaches, there are deserted lagoons and swamps, the most famous of which is Coto Donana. (R. Altamira-i-Krevea, 1951).
The cultivation of the land was carried out, and in some places is still carried out, using traditional methods, therefore, unlike other European countries, in Spain in many places nature has been preserved in its original form. (R. Altamira-i-Krevea, 1951).
Surface relief
More than 65% of the territory of Spain is located above 500 m (including more than 25% - above 1000 m). The largest discharge is 3478 liters (Mulasen town in the Sierra Nevada ridge). The general plan of the structure of the surface corresponds to the main tectonic structures: the northwestern, western and central parts of the country are occupied by plateaus and medium-altitude ridges and plateaus formed on the site of the Epigercyn platform; the northern, eastern and southern margins are represented by folded mountains and accumulative plains of foothill troughs. Highlands and plateaus (the main one is Meseta) are widespread. 800-1000 m to the northwest. (in Old Castile) and 500-600 m in the south-east. (in New Castile), above the surfaces of which the island mountain ranges of outlier or block origin rise. Between the plateau of Old and New Castile from the southwest. to S.-V. stretches a system of en-echelon folded-block and block flat-topped steep slopes of the Central Cordillera. On the northwest. the country is the Galician massif and the León mountains, strongly dissected by faults with deep river valleys embedded in them. The Cantabrian Mountains stretch along the Bay of Biscay, turning in the East into a powerful system of weakly dissected Pyrenees Mountains (height up to 3404 m, Aneto Peak) with mountain-glacial relief. From the South, the Pyrenees are bounded by the narrow Aragonese plain with the r. Ebro, south of which are the Iberian Mountains. On S.-V. countries, between the Pyrenees and the lower river. Ebro, stretches the Catalan Mountains, strongly dissected by river valleys. South and Y.-V. occupied by the Andalusian mountains with a number of ridges, between which are located numerous inside mountain basins. Y.-Z. the country is occupied by the alluvial Andalusian lowland - the most extensive in Spain, which has a hilly relief in the northern and eastern parts near the mountains and slightly dissected - at the Gulf of Cadiz. (S. L. Kravts, 1950).
Geological structure, formation of modern relief and minerals
The main place in geological structure Spain is occupied by the Proterozoic and Paleozoic folded complexes of the Iberian Meseta, overlain in the East by the Meso-Cenozoic platform cover. In the North, the Iberian Meseta is framed by the southern edge of the Pyrenees, in the South of the Andalusian Mountains (Beta Cordillera). In the Iberian Messet, there are 3 tectonic zones. The northern one, covering the Cantabrian and Iberian mountains, arose on the site of a geosynclinal trough filled with thick terrigenous sediments of the Early Paleozoic, carbonate-terrigenous sediments of the Middle Paleozoic and (in the Asturian Basin) a parallel coal-bearing strata of the Carboniferous. The main folding refers to the end of the Carboniferous (Asturian phase). The center, a zone stretching through Galicia and Castile, corresponds to an ancient geo-anticlinal uplift penetrated by granites; the Cambrian (Sardinian) folding was of great importance here. The southern (geosynclinal) zone (Sierra Morena) is composed mainly of products of basic underwater volcanism and graywackes; she experienced folding in the mid Devonian. The Meso-Cenozoic platform cover is formed by carbonate sediments; in the river basin Ebro, flysch and molasse strata appear in it, which underwent intense folding in the Oligocene (in the Pyrenean phase). The Beta Cordillera consists of a series of tectonic sheets displaced northward. The inner covers are composed of metamorphic Paleozoic, the outer ones are carbonate and detrital rocks of the Mesozoic, Paleogene and Lower Miocene. (L. E. Rodin, 1988).
Of the minerals, significant are ore deposits associated with Paleozoic complexes and granites (in the north and south of Spain). The most remarkable is the southern ore belt, confined to the Middle Paleozoic effusive-terrigenous strata and the Hercynian granites of the Sierra Morena and Huelva. It includes pyrite deposits of copper, hydrothermal deposits of mercury, lead and zinc ores. Large deposits of iron ore in Galicia, Asturias, Leon, Vizcaya, Santander, Granada; pyrites - in Huelva, Seville, smaller ones - in Murcia and Asturias; pyrites contain up to 10% copper. The richest reserves of mercury in the world are concentrated in Almadena (province of Ciudad Real). Deposits of lead-zinc ores are known in the provinces of Jaén (Linares, La Carolina) and Murcia (Cartagena, Mazarron), as well as in Santander (Rheosin and Reynosa), etc. Significant reserves of uranium ores, according to which Spain ranks 6th in capitalist world and 2nd place in Europe. The main uranium deposits are located in the provinces of Salamanca, Caceres, Badajoz, Jaén and Lleida. Tungsten and tin ores are found in Galicia and in the provinces of Salamanca and Cáceres. There are deposits of gold, silver, arsenic, manganese. Of the nonmetallic minerals in Spain, potassium salts (carnallite and sylvinite) are known, which occur in the valley of the river. Ebro, kaolin and apatite. Local energy resources consist mainly of coal reserves. Coal basins contain a small number of seams of low thickness with large slopes, highly dislocated, which complicates the mechanization of mining and makes it unprofitable. About 90% of coal production comes from the basins of Asturias, Leon and Palencia. (L. E. Rodin, 1988).
Climate
Spain is one of the warmest states in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures drop below zero, usually only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to the southern 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 regime. (L. E. Rodin 1988).
In the extreme northwest, the climate is mild and humid with slight fluctuations in temperature throughout the year and a lot of precipitation. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather prevails with drizzling rains, almost without frost and snow. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in the northwest of France. Summers are hot and humid, the average temperature is rarely below 16 degrees Celsius. Annual precipitation exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm. (L. E. Rodin, 1988).
Quite different conditions in the interior of the country - on the plateau of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. These areas are affected by the influence of the plateau-basin relief, significant altitude and local continental air. They are characterized by a relatively low amount of precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations over the seasons. Old Castile and the Aragonese plain have fairly cold winters with frost and strong, harsh winds; summers are hot and rather dry, although the maximum precipitation occurs during this season of the year. New Castile has a slightly milder climate, with warmer winters but also low rainfall. Agriculture in all these areas requires artificial irrigation. (L. E. Rodin, 1988).
Water resources
The rivers of most of Spain are mainly fed by rain and sharp seasonal fluctuations in runoff during its winter-spring maximum and minimum in summer, when large rivers become very shallow, and many small ones dry up. Only in the north and north-west are the rivers full-flowing throughout the year, with relatively uniform water discharge over the seasons. In the Pyrenees, the Andalusian mountains and partly in the Central Cordillera, the rivers are fed by rain with snow. The largest rivers in the Atlantic Ocean basin: Tahoe, Duero, Guadiana, Guadalquivir. The Mediterranean basin includes pp. Ebro, Hucar, Segura. Majority large rivers crosses sections with rapids, which, along with their summer dryness, impedes navigation. The rivers of the north of Spain are used mainly for energy purposes, the rest are mainly used for arts, irrigation (regulating reservoirs have been created on many rivers). The lakes are small, located mainly in the mountains. (E.N. Gritsak, 2005).
Soil cover
The soil cover presents significant differences in wet and dry Spain. In the north of the country, there are two main types of soils - wet forest brown soils (close to Western European ones) and more or less peaty soils, turning into semi-bog and boggy. Peaty soils are especially characteristic of the undulating granite plateaus of Galicia, where there are even large areas of peatlands, which are very rare in Spain.
For dry Spain, the most typical red earth soils developed on the sea coasts and hilly areas. Due to the dryness of the climate, they are usually thin, on rocky slopes they have a skeletal character. The most fertile are the alluvial soils of the coastal lowlands and river valleys. On calcareous rocks, chernozem-like humus-calcareous soils are observed. On a large part of Meseta and on the mountains, soils belonging to the dry varieties of forest brown soils are widespread. In the drier regions of Meseta and the Aragonese Plain, more or less saline low-humus soils are developed, partly of semi-desert thaw, with the appearance here also of individual spots of salt marshes. Low-fertile sandy, pebble and skeletal stony soils are quite widespread on Meset and the Iberian tori.
Spain is a large state in the southwestern part of Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary, Pitius and Balearic Islands. Territory area - 504 750 sq.m., land area - 499 400 sq.m.
Geographic characteristics
The Kingdom of Spain is located in southern Europe, occupying about five-sixths of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula. The situation is isolated, due to the presence of the Pyrenees Mountains. Except Portugal on the west side.
The territory is bordered by countries such as France, Andorra and Gibraltar to the northwest and south. Approximately 30% of the country is the massif of the Meseta plateau with the Central Cordillera ridges in the central part. The rest of the territory is occupied by the Pyrenees, which make the center of Spain difficult to access from the mainland.
Nature
The mountains
The main part of the country is occupied by the Meset plateau with the Central Cordilleras. In the north and east are the Iberian, Pyrenees, Cantabrian, Catalan mountains, the south side is the Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains. Most of the territory is occupied by plains, pastures, the coast is distinguished by beautiful beaches and bays ...
Rivers and lakes
Numerous rivers flow on the territory and there are lakes with a predominantly rain origin. This affects the water level - in the summer, with low humidity, rivers and lakes become very shallow, in winter the water level rises.
The following rivers flow through the country: Tajo with a length of 910 km, Duero - 780 km, Guadiana, whose length is 820 km, Guadalquivir with a length of 560 km. The country's lakes are located mainly in mountainous areas, they are not subject to seasonal fluctuations as strongly as the water resources of the plains ...
Seas and ocean washing Spain
The special geographical position of Spain makes it attractive for tourists. This is due to the presence of more than 4 thousand km of coastline with luxurious beaches, picturesque rocks, quiet, cozy bays. The country in the south and east is washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the north - by the waters of the Bay of Biscay, and in the southwest - by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean ...
Plants and animals of Spain
The flora of Spain is very rich, it has about 8 thousand plants, many of which are endemic. But vast forests have survived only in the north of the country, which is associated with the active economic activities... The diversity of the flora is determined by the climate, mainly deciduous forests (ash, chestnuts, elms, beech, oaks), in the mountains there are evergreen coniferous and oak forests, there are vast alpine meadows higher up.
Spain is characterized by deciduous forests, including pedunculate and rock oaks, ash, hazel. Beech and fir are widespread in the mountains. Mediterranean areas are rich in plantings of laurel and stone oak. Due to human intervention, many forests have already disappeared or turned into vast pastures, along the edges of which there are rare forest belts and primary shrubs. Such a border consists of broom, retama, hawthorn, thorns, thickets of wild roses.
Richest in vegetable world are the North Atlantic slopes of the country, the plains of the Ebro River. The "dry" part of the country is distinguished by Mediterranean types of vegetation - thickets of juniper, myrtle, and cistus.
The fauna is also very diverse; roe deer, wild boars, deer live in the northern regions, the Pyrenean goat and deer are preserved in the mountains. Also in the mountains you can find brown bear, foxes, wolves, lynxes. The country's territory is considered the richest in Europe in terms of the variety of birds. In summer, about 25 species of birds of prey live on the territory, in late autumn and early spring, rare bird species, colonies of flamingos, geese can be observed on the territory.
In Spain, reptiles are found in abundance - snakes, lizards, chameleons. Scorpions and tarantulas can be found in the southeast and semi-desert. In inland waters, the surrounding seas are home to salmon, lobsters, as well as tuna, lobsters, crayfish ...
Climate of Spain
The climate is pronounced Mediterranean subtropical, winters are mild and rainy, summers are hot and dry. But from the northwest to the southeast, the climate changes dramatically, due to the proximity of Africa. Average annual temperature fluctuates within + 14 / + 19 °, in winter - up to + 4 / + 5 °, in summer the average temperature is + 29 °. The level of precipitation is different for individual regions of the country - in the mountains it reaches 1000 mm per year in winter, in flat areas - 300-500 mm per year ...
Resources
Spain is rich in Natural resources due to its geographic location... The Sierra Morena mountains contain the largest deposits of zinc, lead ores, manganese, and copper pyrite. Iron ore concentrated in the Basque Country, Leon, Asturias, Almeria, Teruel, Granada, the estimated volume of such ores is about 2.5 million tons. Galicia and the northern part of the country are rich in tungsten and tin, the provinces of Salamanca and Cordoba are rich in uranium ores.
In terms of mercury reserves, Spain is in first place, large reserves of cinnabar are in the valley of the river. Baldeasage, province of Ciudad Real. Pyrites are concentrated in the southern regions of the Sierra Morena mountains. The reserves of coal, lingites, anthracite are concentrated in the northern regions, Galicia, Aragon, Asturias. But there is very little coking coal, its overall quality is not high ...
