Ocean ATLANTIC Pe tae FF PHYSICAL RELIEF OF SPAIN The relief of Spain Spain has an average altitude of 660 metres and is the second most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. Peninsular relief has three main features: * The Inner Plateau forms the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. It is divided into two sub-plateaus by the Central Mountain Chain. ‘The Northern Sub-plateau is made up of the sedimentary basin of the Duero and the Castilian low-relief plains. The Southern Sub-plateau is crossed by the Mountains of ‘Toledo and is formed by the sedimentary basins of the Tajo and the Guadiana, the plain of La Mancha, and the low-relief plains of Extremadura, * The Galician Massif, the Cantabrian Range, the Iberian Mountain Chain and the Sierra Morena surround the Inner Plateau. * The following features are beyond the Inner Plateau: the Pyrenees, the Baetic Chain, the Catalan Coastal Chain and the Guadalquivir and Ebro river basins. gy > The relief of the coasts and islands Spain has more than 4,000 kilometres of coastline. * The coasts of Cantabria and Galicia have rocky cliffs and estuaries (rias). * The coasts of western Andalusia receive sediment transported by the Guadalquivir and are very sandy. * On the Mediterranean coast, long beaches alternate with cliffs in places where the mountains reach the coast. ‘The relief of the islands: the Balearic Islands are an extension of the Baetic Chain. Mount Teide (3,718 metres), the highest mountain in Spain, is on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. aSSE ee {7 vit PHYSICAL RELIEF OF SPAIN “Name: @ Complete the mind map about the physical relief of Spain. The relief of Spal Plain Se + SouthemSub-Plateau Mountains — Asturian wassit + Bostic system: + Tajo basin Basins * Catalan coast | ‘GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY 1. Protocole material Saran EoveaGO, SL. a aea Water in Spain Rivers ‘The Iberian Peninsula has three watersheds, which are the dividing lines between drainage basins: they are the Cantabrian, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. They have very different characteristics. * The Cantabrian watershed: the rivers which flow into the ‘The mouth o the Nolén fiver inthe ‘estuary (or ra) near Prev. Cantabrian Sea. ~ These rivers are short because their source is in mountains near the sea. Their flow is abundant and regular throughout the year. ~ From east to west, the main rivers are the Bidasoa, Nervién, Nal6n, Narcea, Navia and Eo. ‘The Atlantic watershed: the Galician rivers and those which cross the Inner Plateau and the Guadalquivir depression. ~ Except for those in Galicia, these rivers are long. They cross wide plains and their flow is abundant thanks to their tributaries. However, their flow is irregular ‘The Guadiana River as it flows through and diminishes in summer. neem ee = From north to south, the main rivers are: the Mitfio, with its tributary the Sil; the Duero, whose basin is the largest in Spain; the Tajo, which is the longest river on the Peninsula; the Guadiana, which in some places runs underground through limestone terrain; the Guadalquiv, which forms an extensive landscape of marshes whereit flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean watershed is smaller than the Atlantic watershed. This is because the Iberian Mountain Chain and Baetic Chain (which divide the two watersheds) are close to the Mediterranean Sea. ~ The Ebro is long and has an abundant flow because itrains a lot near its source and it is fed by tributaries in the Pyrenees. At its mouth, it forms an extensive delta ~ The other rivers in the Mediterranean watershed are shorter, with a weak and very irregular flow. They include the Ter, Llobregat, Turia, Jticar and Segura ~ This watershed also has ramblas, which are dry river beds that only carry water when it rains heavily, usually in autumn,cantebrina sea fa were ped OCEAN ATLANTIC DD contabrian, ta Meciterranean i rans | = Rivers | L2G takes ad ese | 2 Ras | RIVERS AND LAKES OF SPAIN Lakes ‘There are many lakes and wetlands in Spain (over 2,000), but they are not very large. They are of great ecological value and form a natural habitat for many species of plants and animals. They also provide stopovers for migratory birds. Mountain lakes like Sanabria, Pefialara and Laguna Negra, as well as a number of small Pyrenean lakes (called ibones), originated in glaciers. Other lakes, such as Lagunas de Riduera, were formed when limestone rock dissolved in water. a) WORK WITH THE MAP gi . “@rone three important rivers _Ineach watershed. etsy Groundwater An aquifer is formed from surface water which filters into the ground, The water runs down through porous materials until itreaches a layer of impermeable rock where it accumulates. In Spain, this natural resource is very important during droughts, and in regions with few rivers and lakes. . Groundwater is mainly used for human consumption and agricultural irrigation,ATLANTIC OCEAN ATLANTIC OCEAN g CANARY ISLANDS o we CLIMATES OF SPAIN Climates and landscapes + The oceanic climate extends across northern Spain. Temperatures are mild, with cool winters and warm summers Precipitation is abundant and regular (more than 800 mm annually). ‘The landscape has been humanised. In many areas, deciduous oak and beech trees have been replaced by pine and eucalyptus trees, as well as pastures for cattle. + The Mediterranean climate is characteristic ‘of most of the Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla. thas three sub-climates, which all have long dry summers. ~ Typical. Winters are cool and summers are hot in most coastal areas. Precipitation is between 300 and 700 mm annually, and it mainly falls in autumn and spring. ~ Continentalised. In inland areas, temperatures are very low in winter and high in summer. Precipitation is between 400 and 600 mm annually, ~ Semi-arid. Winters are mild and summers are hot in the south-east. Precipitation is less than 300 mm annually. There are long periods of drought. Cantabrian Sea ‘Climate i veeanic TB wounan ee) BEI Subveopic! [ED Meciteranean Typical TD cominentaies senaria Mediterranean woodland (holm oak and cork trees) is no longer very extensive. Intensive land use has transformed these landscapes. The subtropical climate is characteristic of the Canary Islands. Temperatures are mild all year round. Precipitation is scarce and mainly occurs in winter. Vegetation includes conifers and laurel trees (aurisilva), and endemic species like the dragon tree and the Canary palm. ‘The mountain climate is found in the highest mountain ranges. Winters are long and cold, and summers are short and cool. Precipitation is abundant. Vegetation changes with altitude. 8'SNgIoeoni03 vAVTIUNS @ sTa¥LAODDLOS TWIssI¥P Mw OS et VADISI 3 ¥4VH9039 a oz 4228 eae é> SVWIT9 ‘VNVdS3 “O€ OSYNISY+ ae «20 50 10 20 Alvitude: 5230 Clinate: BSk se 18.9 05 0G 07” 08 ve: 389 —