Geography of Spain

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Geography of Spain

Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered by France and Andorra to the north, the Bay of Biscay to the northwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the east and southeast, Gibraltar to the south, and Portugal to the west. Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla.

Topography

Spain's topography is characterized by a large central plateau called the Meseta Central, which is surrounded by several mountain ranges. The most prominent mountain ranges include the Pyrenees in the northeast, which form a natural border with France, the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest, the Sistema Central in the center, and the Sierra Nevada in the south. The highest peak in Spain is Teide, a volcano on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, which stands at 3,718 meters above sea level.

Rivers

Spain has several major rivers, including the Ebro, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, the Duero, which flows into Portugal and then into the Atlantic Ocean, the Tajo, which is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, and the Guadalquivir, which flows through the southern region of Andalusia.

Climate

Spain's climate varies significantly across its regions. The northern coast, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, has a maritime climate with mild temperatures and high rainfall. The interior regions, including the Meseta Central, experience a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The Mediterranean coast enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate.

Regions

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities. Some of the notable regions include Catalonia, Andalusia, Madrid, Valencia, and Galicia. Each region has its own unique geographical features, cultural heritage, and climate.

Islands

The Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea, include major islands such as Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. The Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, include islands such as Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote.

Natural Resources

Spain is rich in natural resources, including coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, and hydropower potential.

Environmental Issues

Spain faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, pollution of the Mediterranean Sea, and water scarcity in some regions. Efforts are being made to address these issues through various environmental protection policies and initiatives.

Related Pages

• Spain
• Iberian Peninsula
• Pyrenees
• Meseta Central
• Balearic Islands
• Canary Islands
• Andalusia
• Catalonia
• Madrid