Spanish Geography Notes PDF

Dv zscDistance, Climate, and Population ❖​ Southeast of Europe `​1`2`11`e3 ​ Occupys ⅘ of the Ibérica Peninsula ❖​ Estrecho de Gibraltar separates Spain from Africa ❖​ Climate Very varied ​ North Coast and Mountains ​ Tempered and the most cold...

Dv zscDistance, Climate, and Population ❖​ Southeast of Europe `​1`2`11`e3 ​ Occupys ⅘ of the Ibérica Peninsula ❖​ Estrecho de Gibraltar separates Spain from Africa ❖​ Climate Very varied ​ North Coast and Mountains ​ Tempered and the most cold ​ South ​ Very hot ​ Central and Southeast ​ Altering seasons- very hot summer and very cold winter ​ “Castilla tiene seis meses de invierno y seis meses de infierno” Principal Mountains and Rivers ❖​ Spain has the most mountains in Europe besides the Swiss ❖​ Half of the country is covered by a plateau (Altiplanicie) called la Meseta ​ Mountains on the Plateau ​ Las Sierras de Guadarrama (North of Madrid) ​ Los Gredos ​ Divide Castilla y León and La Mancha ❖​ Other Mountains ​ South ​ La Sierra Morena ​ Separates Guadalquivir Valley of la Mancha and La Sierra Nevada ​ La Sierra Nevada ​ Has the highest point on the peninsula (el Mulhacén) ◆​ 3,478meters- near Granada ​ Northwest ​ Los Montes Cantábricos ​ Top- 2,600 meters ​ North ​ Los Pirineos- near French Border ​ Top- 3,300 meters ❖​ Rivers ​ Five Major Rivers ​ Form Rich Valleys ​ All rivers besides Ebro end in the Atlantic Ocean ​ North  ​ El Ebro ​ The ancient name is Iberus- the name given to the peninsula ​ Pass through Zaragoza and ends in the Mediterranean ​ El Duero ​ Starts near Burgos in Castilla y León, passes through Valladolid, and enters Portugal to finish in the Atlantic ​ Centro ​ El Tajo ​ Longest river ​ Pass through Toledo and Portugal, finishing in the Atlantic Ocean near Lisboa ​ South ​ El Guidiana ​ Passes through Mérida y Badajoz (both ancient Roman centers) ​ El Guadalquivir ​ Near Córdoda and Sevilla ​ The most navigable river in Spain ​ The name in Arabic means “grande river” Minerals and Principal Products ❖​ Mostly an Agricultural Country ​ North ​ Abundant in Wood and Fish ​ Central ​ Wheat (trigo) and other grains (Cereales) ​ South ​ Sherry wine ​ Olives ​ Olive Oil ❖​ Largest Producer of Olives and Third Largest Producer of Wine ​ Southeast ​ Rice ​ Oranges (famous oranges of Valencia) ​ Lemons, dates, other fruit ❖​ Minerals- very rich ​ North ​ Iron- most important ​ South ​ Lead mines in Linares  ​ Southeast ​ Copper mines along the Tinto River ​ Central South ​ Mercury mines in Almadén ​ Largest in world ​ Last thirty years ​ Steel, Iron, and metalwork industry ​ Particularly the automotive industry ​ The textile industry is out of Cataluña ​ Very important Territorial Divisions of Spain ❖​ Spain has fifty providences ❖​ Divided into eight regions ❖​ Regions ​ North ​ 6 regions- Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, El País Vasco, Navarra, and La Rioja ​ Galicia ​ North of Portugal and along the Atlantic ocean ​ Los Gallegos- descendants of Celtics from central Europe ​ They can speak Gallego, similar to Portuguese ​ Important port is Vigo and La Coruña ​ Asturias ​ Between Galica and Cantabria ​ Famous for its mining industry ​ Covadonga- The hero Pelayo defeated the moors in 718 ◆​ This began the time period known as “La Reconquista” ​ Important cities are Oviedo and Gijón ​ Cantabria ​ East of Asturias ​ Home of the Altamira cave ◆​ Holds prehistoric paintings ​ El País Vasco ​ Close to Los Pirineos ​ North Central ​ Has mountains, good irrigation, and is beautiful ​ The vascos- descendants with unknown origin ​ They speak Vascuence  ◆​ Language is very old and unknown origin ◆​ Has no relation with any European language ​ The Vascos are very religious ◆​ Sin Ignacio de Loyola ​ Founded La Compañia de Jesús (Los jesuitas ​ Home of the famous San Sebastián beach known as el Biarritz or El Lido de España ​ Navarra ​ The mountainous region east of El País Vasco ​ Capital is Pamplona ◆​ Famous for annual fairs ​ They celebrate the festival of San Fermín in July ◆​ Attracts many tourists ​ La Rioja ​ Famous for its good wine qualities ​ Capital is Logroño ​ Central ​ Three regions ​ Castilla ​ ​ Occupying the majority of the central plateau ​ Divided into two parts ◆​ North- Castilla y Leon ◆​ South- Castilla- La Mancha ​ Much of the Castillo was constructed during the war between the Christians and the Moors. ​ Their language is El Castellano- the official language of the country ​ No other region has influenced the national life like La Castilla ◆​ The kings were very important in uniting the regions into one nation ​ Castilla and Leon have rich mines of iron and carbon ​ Madrid ​ The center economy of Spain ​ Residence of the government and the courts ​ Capital of the Country ​ Extremadura ​ South of Castilla and Leon ​ Filled with mountains ​ Guadiana River runs through it ​ Filled with monuments from Roman times  ​ Birthplace of great conquistadors ◆​ Francisco Pizarro, Hernán Cortés and Vasco Núnez de Balboa ​ South ​ 1 region ​ Andalucía ​ Receives a lot of influence from the Arabic culture ​ Some cities represent distinct periods of history ◆​ Cádiz- founded by the phoenicians (fenicio) ​ Center of Phoenician Commerce ◆​ During Muslim control ​ Córdoba, Granada, and Sevilla flourished ​ Can find typical Spanish houses ◆​ Painted in bright colors, patio in the middle, balconies by the street ​ East ​ Four regions ​ Cataluña ​ Northeast, along the Mediterranean coast ​ Most industrial region ​ Barcelona- important city ◆​ Has the largest port in the country ​ Speak two languages- Castellano and their language Catalán ◆​ Catalán- derived from Latin ​ Some separatists in Cataluña have tried to gain independence in a few cases ​ Valencia ​ South of Cataluña ​ Known for fertile land and excellent irrigation system ​ Known as “La huerta de españa” ◆​ Due to numerous agricultural products and also their famous Valencia Oranges ​ Use the canal system for irrigation ◆​ First introduced by the Moors ​ The traditions and customs represented in novels by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez ​ Murcia ​ South of Valencia, on the Mediterranean ​ Rich in minerals like iron and copper ​ Important products are lemons, oranges, and dates  ​ Aragón ​ Northeast ​ Sheep is their important industry ​ Zaragoza- main city ◆​ Gets its name from the Roman emperor Julius Caesar ◆​ Was of great military importance during the Roman occupation ❖​ Extra land Possessions ​ Gained from the Spanish Empire ​ Las Islas Baleares ​ Form archipelago (archipiélago) in the Mediterranean ​ Islands include Mallorca, Menorca e Ibiza ​ The capital is Palma de Mallorca ​ Tourism is the main industry ​ Las Islas Canarias ​ Form archipelago (archipiélago) of seven big islands in the Atlantic ​ Face the south of Marruecos ​ Divided into two providences ​ Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas ​ Since 1982, the islands have had an autonomous community ​ Melilla and Ceuta ​ Two ports on the coast of Marruecos ​ Have been a part of Spain since the 15th and 17th centuries. Main Cities ❖​ Madrid ​ The country’s capital ​ Largest city ​ Almost four million people ​ Is in the center, so has a lot of historical interest ​ Has El Museo de Prado ​ Art work from Greco, Valázquez, etc ​ El Palacio Real ​ One of the largest and most luxurious palaces in the world ​ El Parque de Buen Retiro ​ Main park of the city ​ An ancient place of recreation for Spanish Nobles ​ La Puerta de Sol ​ Main plaza- vendors sell here  ​ El Escorial ​ Near Capital ​ Massive monastery founded by King Felipe in 1563 ​ Construction took over 22 years ​ Contains the Pantéon de Los Reyes of Spain ​ Has a beautiful library, church, and rich collection of paintings and tapestries ​ El Valle de Los Caídos ​ Huge monument near the capita ​ Constructed in honor of the warriors that died in the Spanish Civil War ​ On top of the roof, there is a cross that is more than 125m in height ​ General Fransisco Franco was buried there ◆​ Was dictator from 1939 to his death ❖​ Barcelona ​ Capital of Cataluña ​ Main port of Spain ​ Divided into two parts ​ Las Ramblas ​ ​ One of the most beautiful avenues in all of Europe ​ La Plaza de Cataluña ​ Commercial and social center of the city ​ A large part of is traditionally a large art and culture center ​ Many famous painters and writers have lived here ​ Outskirts of city ​ Famous monastery of Montserrat ​ Visited year-round by tourists ❖​ Sevilla ​ ​ Shores of Guadalquivir ​ Main city of Andalucia ​ During Colonial period ​ Only port where boats left for the New World ​ Catedral de Sevilla ​ Most gothic cathedral in all of the world ​ Contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus ​ La Giralda ​ Built-in 12th century ​ Bell tower next to Sevilla cathedral ​ Example of Arabic architecture ​ Sevilla is a typical city in Andalucia  ​ Has ancient skinny streets with beautiful patios inside colorful homes ❖​ Valencia ​ A port on the Mediterranean shores ​ A grand architectural, industrial, and commercial center ❖​ Granada ​ Situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada ​ Final fort of the Moors ​ Conquered by the Kings Catholics in 1492 ​ Interesting places ​ El Albaicín ​ A picturesque town where gypsies (Gitanos) live since the 16th century ​ La Alhambra ​ Ancient palace of the moor’s kings ​ Home of the famous Patio de Leones ​ Home to other examples of Muslim arts ​ Generalife ​ Other moor palace ◆​ Famous for its gardens ◆​ Summer residence of the Moors kings ❖​ Toledo ​ Shore of the Tajo River ​ A small distance from Madrid ​ Capital of Gothic Spain ​ Former residence of Spanish kings until 1560 ​ El Grecos paintings immortalize city ​ Famous Places ​ Alcázar de Toldeo ​ Moor Castle destroyed during the Civil War in 1936 ​ Has been totally reconstructed ❖​ Cadíz ​ Port off the Atlantic ​ During primitive times, a colony of the Phoenicians ❖​ Bilbao ​ Vizcaya providence capital ​ Center of the mining industry in the north ​ Had a very important role during La Guerras Carlistas at the death of Fernando the 7th in 1833 ❖​ Burgos ​ Ancient capial of Castilla y Leon  ​ Has a famous cathedralwith the same name ​ Marvellous gothic architecture ​ Has the tomb of Cid Campeador ​ Spanish National Hero ​ Santiago de Compestela ​ Visited throughout the year because of its religious pilgrims ​ Can find the tomb of Apostel Santiago ​ Patron Saint of Spain ​ Salamanca ​ Home of one of the oldest universities in Europe ​ La universidad de Salamanca ​ Founded in the 13th century ​ City has a Roman cathedral of the 12th century ​ A Gothic cathedral of the 16th century ​ Also has many buildings from the 16th and 18th century ​ Córdoba ​ On the shores of Guadalquivir ​ During the tenth and eleventh centuries, was the capital of the Muslim government of Spain ​ It was the most important cultural center in all of Europe ​ One of the most picturesque cities in Spain ​ Has a famous mosque (Mezquita) ◆​ Now a cathedral ◆​ An Arabic monument that was constructed in the year 786