MAPS
This map here shows the mountain ranges within the country of Spain. As you can see, this country is not so flat, but instead has several chains of mountains including the famous Cantabrian Mountain Chain and the Pyrenees that separate France from Spain.
APA Citation: Wild Nature of the Cantabrian Mountains (Spain). (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2015, from http://wildnaturespain.blogspot.com/p/normal-0-21-false-false-false-es-x-none.html
Here is a vegetation map of the entire country. A vegetation map varies from a climate map in that this shows what types of trees, shrubs, grasses, etc. that grow in each area. Based on this map, most of the inland areas are either Mixed Forest or Deciduous Forest. Along the coast, areas of Mediterranean Scrublands and Grasslands exist. Only one small area of Coniferous Forest lays just below the Pyrenees Mountain Range on the border of Spain and France.
APA Citation:
Kyran and Mercedes Findlater travel the world. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2015, from http://findlatertravels.blogspot.com/2014/08/spain-week-2-madrid.html
For a cultural map, I found this really interesting one that shows the areas of the country that speak different dialects. The country as a whole speaks the language of Spanish, but just as the U.S. does, there are different accents, pronunciations, and dialects for each part of the country. The major of the country (middle) speaks a dialect known as Castilian, but even that is divided into different sections. APA Citation: They Speak More Than Just Spanish in Spain - A Texan in Spain. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015, from http://www.trevorhuxham.com/2014/01/they-speak-more-than-just-spanish-in.html
IMAGES
BioDiversity
Spain is a country rich in plant and animal life, creating biodiversity. From the glorious coastlines to the high mountain ranges, life thrives throughout the country. Spain is actually considered on of the most bio-diverse nations within Europe (Convention on Biological Diversity). Between 8,000-9000 species of vascular plants exist in Spain alone, along with 60,000-70,000 fauna species living in the waters of Spain’s coasts (Convention on Biological Diversity). It is no surprise that with these conditions available, the early Spanish civilizations created a rich and full cultural diversity that has been celebrated over the centuries. Spain’s culture is very well known for its delicious cuisine including the freshest fish, meats, and fruits, its multitude of handcrafted wines, and of course its infamous bull fighting, all of which have stemmed from the environment.
The richness of Spanish soil within the inland valleys combined with the arid climate deem suitable for a wide variety of vegetables as well as olives and grapes (Food in Every Country). Foods such as citrus fruits, nuts, wheat, and greens flourish under these agricultural conditions. Some of the country’s most famous dishes were results of the crops naturally grown in the area including fresh baked breads, gazpacho, and paella. Spain’s proximity to other early European civilizations such as Italy and Greece brought the Spanish people brilliant ideas on how to create these plentiful crops into delicious foods (Foods in Every Country). The people began to press their olives to create olive oil, which is a staple in Spanish cuisine, like most European countries. Soon, the grapes were also taken advantage of to turn wine making into a craft. Several different types of wine are made within Spain, varying by region, like rioja, sherry, and sangria (Food in Every Country). The secret to the greatness of their wine is the high elevation of the Spanish plateau along with the fresh sea air coming in from the coastlines (Wines from Spain). In more recent times (during the wine revolution of the 1980s), Spain began to see its grape crops as a huge economic opportunity (Wines from Spain). Not only is wine a large part of the Spanish culture, but it is also one of their trademarks. Wildlife is another aspect of biodiversity that has contributed to Spanish culture. The coastlines are full of diverse species of fish that yield in major economic profit along with opportunity for cuisine. Spanish cities are famous for their fresh seafood and their cured meats. Early Spaniards began to domesticate the wild animals of the area including sheep, cattle, and pigs. The mountainous areas within the country prove suitable for herding and raising sheep and cattle (Convention on Biological Diversity). The Spanish people took these animals to add to their cuisine, and also to their entertainment. Bull fighting is a form of entertainment very particular to Spain. As early as 711 A.D. people could be traced back to gathering together to watch bullfights (Spain Info). Originally, the fight took place on horseback, but now it is known for a brave bullfighter (called a Matador) standing alone in front of a large and angry bull. The matador entices the bull with a red flag and tricks it by raising the flag just as the bull is about to run through it. It is quite the event for the Spanish people, and many festivals derive from it. Spain is recognized worldwide as a place full of culture. From the delicious cuisine to the remarkable entertainment, people come from all over to experience it for themselves. Tourism is huge in Spanish cities for their cultural distinctions, and the Spaniards have their land to thank. The land continues to provide many different crops and livestock for the people and it is the job of the people to protect the land and thus, their culture. Works Cited Food in Every Country. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.foodbycountry.com/Spain-to-Zimbabwe-Cumulative-Index/Spain.html Spain - Country Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=es#facts Spain Culture: Bull Fighting in Spain. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.spain- info.com/Culture/bullfighting.htm Wine Regions of Spain. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/regions |
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