D THE PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION

OF HUMAN ACTIVITY ^

A R C T I C O
 To study human and economic geography,
we need to understand the physical
environments that humans inhabit.
People perceive the physical environment
in different ways. A mountain can be an
obstacle for transport systems or a source
of valuable resouces.
Our planet is divided into climate zones
with different characteristics of temperature,
precipitation and vegetation. Differences
between climate zones mainly depend on
latitude, but altitude and the action of the
sea aiso play a part.
These factors influence the different
landscapes on Earth, which range from
the abundant vegetation of rainforests to
the dry and empty lands of desert regions.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

W h a t a r e the m a i n physical characteristics

of the Iberian peninsula?

Do y o u think that the physical environment

affects the lives of people in Europe a n d
A f r i c a in the same w o y ? W h y ?

The m a p shows different températe climotes.

W h i c h ones offect Europe? A n d the Iberian
Peninsula?

W h a t types of landscapes c a n y o u identify

in the photographs?

OBJECTIVES

W e a r e g o i n g to learn about:

• the Earth's g r e a t land masses.

• the different l a n d s c a p e s of S p a i n a n d
Europe.

• the Earth's different climate z o n e s

• S p a i n ' s rivers a n d coasts.

.KEYWORDS IN THE UNIT

• basin • plateou • steppe

• floodploin • relief • tundra

• massif • savannah • watershed

The great land masses
The continents
C o n t i n e n t s a r e large á r e a s o f l a n d s e p a r a t e d b y t h e
highest mountain
oceans. áreas
I high altitude plateaus
I and mountains
W e divide t h e Earth into s i x c o n t i n e n t s , e v e n t h o u g h médium altitude
plateaus and mountains
there are technically five continental landmasses
consisting of A f r i c a , t h e A m e r i c a s , A n t á r c t i c a , E u r a s i a
(formed by Europe a n d Asia) a n d O c e a n i a .

• A f r i c a . T h i s is a v e r y s o l i d a n d u n i f o r m c o n t i n e n t ,
f o r m e d b y a n c i e n t a n d heavily e r o d e d r o c k s .
N u m e r o u s p l a t e a u s a n d b a s i n s , o c c u p i e d b y rivers
or large l a k e s , a r e p r e d o m i n a n t .

• T h e Americas. They almost extend from t h e

North Pole to t h e Antarctic Circle. T h e y s e p á r a t e Grea^ • ' t L

the Atlantic O c e a n from t h e Pacific O c e a n .

T h e y a r e d i v i d e d into t h r e e p a r t s : N o r t h A m e r i c a ,
S o u t h A m e r i c a a n d , b e t w e e n t h e m , t h e i s t h m u s (a ^_ ^ ^ v , ^ j y | i s s i s s i p | ^ - ' í »
A T L A N T
narrow strip of land) o f C e n t r a l A m e r i c a a n d t h e Q> c o n t n r u u A ' t s : A^rcccx ; A n m r C c c x ,
islands of t h e W e s t I n d i e s . O C E A

T h e relief is c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y a l o n g a n d y o u n g
m o u n t a i n c h a i n in t h e w e s t , w i d e p l a t e a u s a n d p l a i n s
c r o s s e d by rivers in t h e c e n t r e , a n d heavily e r o d e d
a n c i e n t m a s s i f s in t h e e a s t .
Guiana
AO.OOO csPo-n<is dLvstrt b o i e c k sin
Hijhlands
• A s i a . T h i s is a large l a n d m a s s l o c a t e d in t h e e a s t e r n
cxcjross T b ^ x ^ c ocfio-n. .^cmazon
part of E u r a s i a .
^ Basin

There are four sectors: e x t e n s i v e plains a n d p l a t e a u s Brazílian

(north); h i g h m o u n t a i n r a n g e s a n d p l a t e a u s ( c e n t r e - Hishiands

south); l a r g e p e n í n s u l a s (Indian O c e a n ) a n d
a r c h i p e l a g o s (Pacific O c e a n ) . Paraná
Basin

• E u r o p e . T h i s is a large p e n i n s u l a in t h e w e s t e r n p a r t Aconcagua^

of E u r a s i a . T h e U r a l s a n d t h e C a u c a s u s m o u n t a i n ^NEW VOCABULARY 6959 m ,X

.•"Pampas
ranges a n d t h e C a s p i a n a n d B l a c k s e a s m a r k t h e heavily: to a g r e a t e x t e n t
boundary witri A s i a . T h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a boundary: d i v i d i n g line
sunken: a t a l o w e r level t h a n the
separates Europe from Africa.
surrounding oreo

• O c e a n i a . T h i s is f o r m e d o f a b o u t 1 0 0 0 0 i s l a n d s
distributed a c r o s s t h e P a c i f i c O c e a n . T h e r e
are four z o n e s : A u s t r a l a s i a , M e l a n e s i a ,
THE AMERICAS. Mountain systems in the Americas run from north to
Micronesia and Polynesia. south, paraLlel to the Pacific. The main mountain ranges are the Rocky
• A n t á r c t i c a . T h i s is l o c a t e d a t t h e S o u t h P o l e Mountains, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Andes. These mountain
ranges also incLude high plains and volcanoes.
and is s u r r o u n d e d b y t h e A n t a r c t i c O c e a n . Its
waters converge with those of t h e A t l a n t i c , In the centre of the continent, there are wide floodplains, crossed by
Large rivers like the Mississippi-Missouri, the Amazon, the Orinoco and
Indian a n d P a c i f i c o c e a n s .
the Paraná.
a Bit H o w many continental l a n d m a s s e s a n d To the east there are ancient, highly eroded landforms, such as the
continents a r e t h e r e ? Ñ a m e t h e m . Canadian Shield, the Appalachian Mountains, the Guiana Shield and
b fá W h a t is A f r i c a í o r m e d o f ? A n d O c e a n i a ? the Brazilian Highlands.
The sunken and semi-dry land of the Atlantic coast forms lakes, gulfs and
C What features form t h e boundaries b e t w e e n
islands.
Europe and A s i a a n d E u r o p e a n d A f r i c a ?

8 Dossier
 EUROPE. Plains are predominant, such as the ASIA. The highest mountain on Earth, Everest (8848 m), is found in Asia in
Great European Plain, while heavily eroded the Himalayas. Other important landforms are the Taurus and the Zagros
ancient mountains (the French Massif Central mountains, the Hindú Kush, the Kunlun and the Pamir mountains, and
and the Spanish Meseta) and younger mountains the Tibetan Plateau.
(the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Caucasus) The main rivers cross the great plains and include the Ob and the Lena in
appear in the centre and south. Long navigable the north; the Yangste and the Huang he in the east; and the Mekong and
rivers (the Volga, the Don) flow across the the Ganges in the south. Depressions are sometimes occupied by lakes, such
Great European Plain. as the Caspian Sea, which, due to its size, is known as a sea.
Along the coast, archipelagos like those of Japan, the Philippines and
Indonesia experience high seismic activity in the form of earthquakes and
volcanoes.

^ P l a i n
OCEANIA. Australasia
includes the island continent
of Australia, the island of
CeTííal»-^" ríSerlachovsi^ Lowland Tasmania and the New
^'^"^sr 3 - 3 ™ i V Turan Zealand archipelago.
M e s ra
» t a * " "—
° 4.8 1 0 m ^ r_ A 5
U6R3u3Vm
" " Lowland
3404m MTS Key features in Australia
^ Tibetan'*
are the Great Dividing Range
in the east and the plains,
basins and ancient mountains
'
S A H-'' A I in the rest of the territory.
Tibesti Deccan \
I Tibesti
as'
l^lateau The Southern Alps (New
í„í^Ptiilippines -V
Zealand) are young mountains
Nig^r of partly volcanic origin.
Basin
RuwcnzoriSHftS
Highlandsá L Turkan-
Melanesia, Micronesia and
^ , ^ ^ Polynesia are three groups of
r j - V i ^ o t o ^ Í l 9 9 m ÍPaitcakJaya -V. .

r \ ' í Klimanjaro
5030 m * ^ islands and archipelagos in
I p d Q n e s i a
^ L, Tanganjrka í 5895m I N D I A N the Pacific Ocean. The origin
^Zambezi''>-Ny,- .
of most of the islands is
volcanic or from coral.
Basin
O C E A N JF ^ New

Kalahari a ''Australia „ Caledonia w

Great -Z ^ _
Desert *

/
D Artesian S
Nullarbor^''" S
Plain S

í Mt. K o s c l u s z k o
2 230m

New
Tasmania Zealand

A N T A R C T I C
AFRICA. The Atlas Mountains are found in S.1 :141 000000
o 1000 2 000kíll
O C E A N north west Africa. There are also massifs, such
as the Ahaggar and the Tibesti in the Sahara.
A huge system of faults in east Africa produced
a group of raised blocks of land (Rwenzori
Mountains) while other faults caused dropped
blocks which were then occupied by lakes ACTIVITIES
(Malawi, Tanganyika and Turkana), rivers (the
Nile, the Zambezi...) or seas (the Red Sea). 1. 8^02 Listen to the descriptions of
The faults also caused volcanic áreas to appear, three continents. Which ones are
ANTARCTICA. An enormous
inciuding the Ethiopian Highlands and the being described?
layer of ice sits in this
continent. I t contains the Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro volcanoes.
2. Fá 9 Draw a table with the five
Transantarctic Mountains, The largest African island is Madagascar. The continents and list the imporiiant
with altitudes greater than archipelago of the Canaríes is cióse to the
rivers and mountain ranges in each.
4000 m. coasts of the western Sahara.

The physical distribution of human activity 9

Europe: r e l i e f , rivers and coasts ^
The relief and rivers of Europe E.l : 17800000
250
E u r o p e has t w o m a i n t y p e s o f relief: m o u n t a i n s a n d p l a i n s .
Rivers are short w i t h a l o w f l o w .

Mountains
Atlantic coasts. These
T h e r e are t w o t y p e s o f m o u n t a i n g r o u p s .
include the coasts of the
• Massifs. T h e s e a r e a n c i e n t , h e a v i l y e r o d e d , r o u n d e d Baltic, North and
landforms w i t h a l o w a l t i t u d e (usually b e l o w 2 0 0 0 m ) . T h e y Cantabrian seas. I t
contains the Scandinavian
are s i t u a t e d in n o r t h , w e s t a n d c e n t r a l E u r o p e a n d i n c l u d e
and Jutland penínsulas
the Scandinavian M o u n t a i n s a n d t h e F r e n c h Massif C e n t r a l .
that surround the Baltic
They are separated by w i d e valleys with medium-flow rivers, Sea. These penínsulas,
such as t h e Rhine a n d t h e S e i n e , w h i c h f l o w into t h e A t l a n t i c . together with the British
Isles, form the boundary
• Young mountains. T h e y a r e m o r e r e c e n t a n d less e r o d e d . of the North Sea.
They occupy most of t h e continent a n d créate r u g g e d
landscapes. T h e Pyrenees, the Alps, t h e Carpathians, a n d
t h e Balkans a r e e x a m p l e s .

Rivers run t h r o u g h t h e s e m o u n t a i n s . T h e R h ó n e a n d t h e
Po flow into t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a , a n d t h e D a n u b e f l o w s
into t h e B l a c k S e a .
Great European Plain. I t
a What are t h e differences b e t w e e n massifs a n d
starts from a narrow strip
young mountains?
in the west (in Belgium
and the Netherlands) and
Plains occupies almost all of
European Russia.
T h e G r e a t E u r o p e a n Plain is E u r o p e ' s l a r g e s t l a n d f o r m . It
o c c u p i e s o v e r half o f its s u r f a c e á r e a . It s t a r t s in B e l g i u m a n d There are many small,
the N e t h e r l a n d s a n d e x t e n d s t o t h e U r a l s . T h e m a i n E u r o p e a n monotonous hills and
some large rivers (Rhine,
rivers run t h r o u g h its w i d e v a l l e y s a n d i n c l u d e t h e V o l g a ( t h e
Elbe).
longest river in E u r o p e ) , t h e D o n a n d t h e D n i é p e r .

O t h e r l a n d f o r m s i n c l u d e t h e G r e a t H u n g a r i a n Plain, t h e P o
Plain a n d t h e E b r o a n d G u a d a l q u i v i r river b a s i n s .
Cape Finisterre
b Ri H o w much of E u r o p e d o e s t h e G r e a t E u r o p e a n
Plain occupy?

The coasts of Europe

The coasts of E u r o p e are often r u g g e d (irregular). This teco cOiJtV tOciS-OuTiCi OJr<i.
occurs w h e n w a t e r e r o d e s s o f t rock o r e n t e r s a n c i e n t v a l l e y s , ^tuoJL^ji to n o r t h , uk>ast o-n<^
such as t h e N o r w e g i a n fjords or t h e rias a l t a s in G a l i c i a .
CfiritrrOLÍl j o r o p a - / VocunOj mou^n tcxw^5
O n t h e coasts of N o r w a y , S c o t l a n d , t h e C a n t a b r i a n S e a a n d our^ rr\or>€. recfl-nC o^d^ CaSS
s o m e parts of t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n c o a s t , w h e r e t h e m o u n t a i n s
reach t h e s e a , t h e r e a r e cliffs.

If t h e land is fíat, c o a s t a l l o w l a n d s c a n b e f o r m e d ( t h e
0\- «^r^^rAítrii:.
N e t h e r l a n d s , D e n m a r k a n d G e r m a n y ) . In low-lying c o a s t a l
áreas w i t h c a l m w a t e r , rivers f o r m d e l t a s ( t h e E b r o , t h e laller
Rhóne, the Po a n d t h e D a n u b e ) . he
is
C W h a t are t h e f e a t u r e s of high a n d low-lying
Buüexecro onó- t.
coastal á r e a s ?

10 Dossier
Lyprus.
 Plateaus and ancient mountain
ranges. The Spanish Meseta, the
French Massif Central, the
Scandinavian Mountains and the

1. Describe a place on the map for your

partner to guess.
- It's an anaent mountain range in Western
Europe.
- The Scandinavian Mountains.
- No, try again.
2. R C$ Imagine you are travelling by train from
Spain to Russia. Write a postcard telling your
C.Matapan' ¿: Isiands"
Rhodes family how the landscape changes during your
3 n S e a \;^Crete
journey.

The physical distribution of human activity 11

Spain's r e l i e f ^
Relief on the Iberian Peninsula
T h e I b e r i a n P e n i n s u l a , l o c a t e d in t h e s o u t h w e s t
The Macizo Galaico is
of E u r o p e , is b o r d e r e d b y t h e C a n t a b r i a n a n d
an ancient and highly
Mediterranean seas, the Atlantic O c e a n and the eroded mountain range
Pyrenees. T h e Strait of Gibraltar s e p a r a t e s E u r o p e with rounded shapes. It
and Africa. occupies much of Galicia.

It has a medium-altitude e l e v a t i o n w i t h n u m e r o u s
mountain r a n g e s . M u c h of t h e t e r r i t o r y is f o r m e d by
the fíat, high p l a t e a u s of t h e M e s e t a . ATLANTIC

It has a v a r i e t y of c o a s t i i n e s f r o m l o n g , s t r a i g h t OCEAN
b e a c h e s t o á r e a s w i t h h i g h cliffs a n d r u g g e d c o a s t s , The Meseta forms a vast ancient and flattened
such as G a l i c i a . massif that occupies the centre of the Iberian
Peninsula. I t has altitudes of between 600 and
T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t l a n d f o r m s o n the I b e r i a n
800 metres.
Peninsula i n c l u d e :
The Sistema Central divides the Meseta into two
• the M e s e t a . T h i s o c c u p i e s m o s t of i n l a n d S p a i n parts: the Submeseta Norte and the Submeseta
a n d f o r m s a high p l a t f o r m . Its a v e r a g e a l t i t u d e is Sur. The Montes de Toledo mountain range crosses
between 650-700 metres above sea level. part of the Submeseta Sur.
The Meseta is surrounded by mountains that make
• t h e inland m o u n t a i n r a n g e s o f t h e M e s e t a . T h e s e
it diffícult to build transport networks. The
include t h e S i s t e m a C e n t r a l a n d M o n t e s d e T o l e d o .
Montes de León are found to the northwest, the
• the mountains that surround the M e s e t a . T h e s e Cordillera Cantábrica to the north, the Sistema
include t h e M o n t e s d e L e ó n , C o r d i l l e r a Ibérico to the east, and the Sierra Morena to
the south.
Cantábrica, Sistema Ibérico and Sierra Morena.
The Meseta descends gently towards Portugal,
• the mountain r a n g e s t h a t a r e a w a y f r o m t h e M e s e t a ,
where it is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.
inciuding t h e Macizo G a l a i c o , P y r e n e e s , C o r d i l l e r a s
Béticas a n d C o r d i l l e r a s C o s t e r a s C a t a l a n a s .
The Guadalquivir river basin is a large valley
• t h e E b r o a n d G u a d a l q u i v i r river b a s i n s , w h i c h between the Sierra Morena and the Cordilleras
are t w o l a r g e , f e r t i l e p l a i n s b e t w e e n t h e o u t e r Béticas. In the past, the basin was filled by
m o u n t a i n s of t h e M e s e t a a n d t h e l a n d f o r m s t h a t floodwater from the Guadalquivir River and its
surround it. tributaries and by marine sediments. This
sedimentary land is now very fertile.
a Eá W h a t seas, oceans a n d mountains b o r d e r the
Iberian Peninsula?
The Canary Islands are volcanic in origin and
were formed by eruptions at the bottom of the
Relief of the Spanish islands Atlantic Ocean. Gulf
The eastern islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) )f Cádiz
S p a i n has t w o m a i n g r o u p s of i s l a n d s .
are the flattest and the rest have high altitudes.
• T h e Balearle a r c h i p e l a g o is l o c a t e d in t h e The highest peak in Spain, Teide (3 715 m), is on
M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a . It consists of t h r e e m a i n islands the island of Tenerife.
( M a l l o r c a , M e n o r c a a n d Ibiza), t w o s m a l l e r o n e s
( F o r m e n t e r a a n d C a b r e r a ) a n d s e v e r a l islets. .

• T h e C a n a r y a r c h i p e l a g o is l o c a t e d in t h e A t l a n t i c
O c e a n , off t h e c o a s t of A f r i c a . It c o n s i s t s of s e v e n Ib
main i s l a n d s ( L a n z a r o t e , F u e r t e v e n t u r a , G r a n
C a n a r i a , T e n e r i f e , La G o m e r a , E l H i e r r o a n d La
Palma) a n d s e v e r a l islets (the largest. G r a c i o s a a n d
TVuL SbroJL^t e'^ G<-t>rcxi-X<vr sepci/cvtes^
A l e g r a n z a , a r e l o c a t e d n o r t h of L a n z a r o t e ) .

b Eá W h a t are t h e ñ a m e s of t h e main Spanish islands?

. n ¡rteventura

12 Dojsier
 The Pyrenees sepárate the Iberian The Cordilleras Costeras Catalanas f
Peninsula from Europe. Some peaks consist of two mountain ranges
are more than 3000 metres high. that run parallel to the coast. -
s.1 :4600000
B a y 50 100 km

remedo Gulf
of Lion
Aneto Pica d'Estats iiC'
Aizkorrl
O ^ 3fjT4-mx 3142 m
1 544 m i Aitxuri
Sompórtí'*>-fífA •' '
Mountain Páss ( Posets
.ijoníf 3 369,m. ,
o Perdido i ^ ^(iSÍ/L
The Ebro river basin is
an ancient sea filled by
floodwater from rivers
and marine sediments.
These sedimentary lands
here are fertile if there
is enough water, which
happens on the banks
of the Ebro.

Menorca

Mallorca

The relief of the Balearic Islands is

related to the Cordilleras Béticas and
the Cordilleras Costeras Catalanas. The
landforms on Mallorca and Ibiza are
fragments of the Cordilleras Béticas, and
the rocks have a similar composition.
The same is true in Menorca with the
Cordilleras Costeras Catalanas.

ACTIVITIES
SIERRA NEVAO4 1. Rn Trace the outline of the map of Spain into your
notebook. Then, cióse this book and try to remember
the position of the following features:

The Cordilleras Béticas consist of two mountain ranges. a) the Sistema Ibérico
There are three sectors: the Cordillera Peribética, b) the Sistema Central
parallel to the coast, the Cordillera Subbética, in the c) the Cordilleras Béticas
UTA
interior and, between them, the Depresión Intrabética.
d) the Ebro river basin
e) the Meseta
, MELILLA f ) Macizo Galaico

When you f i n i s h , open your books and see how

lighest mountain áreas J lowlands accurate you were.
ligh altitude ranges basins and plains A F R I C A 2. K ® Look at the map and find the five highest
nedium altitude plateaus
ind ranges
main peaks
© l.CL. mountains in Spain.

The physical distribution of human activity 13

Spain's rivers and coasts ^
Coasts TYPES OF COAST

m^m high coast

T h e coastline is g e n e r a l l y s t r a i g h t o r g e n t l y c u r v e d . Ría de
Hi. low coast
T h e r e are not m a n y á r e a s w i t h i r r e g u l a r c o a s t i i n e s . T h e C a b o O r t e s•"5.
aU^
Peninsula's d e e p e s t inlets ( t h e G a l i c i a n rias) d o n o t WATERSHEDS

p e n é t r a t e t h e land v e r y m u c h . ]3 Cantabrian watershed

High a n d rocky c o a s t s t e n d t o d o m í n a t e t h e c o a s t l i n e . Atlantic watershed

Cape^.
T h e longest s a n d y s t r e t c h e s a r e o n t h e g u l f s o f C á d i z , Mediterranean watershed
Flnisterre^^ Belesar
Valencia a n d A l i c a n t e .

T h e r e are b e a c h e s , c o v e s a n d r o c k y p a r t s o n t h e B a l e a r i c
coasts. In t h e C a n a r y I s l a n d s , t h e r e a r e cliffs a n d b e a c h e s .

a Et W h a t are t h e characteristics of Spain's c o a s t s ?

The Galician coast extends from the Ribadeo
ria to the mouth of the Miño (the border
Rivers of the Peninsula with Portugal). The shape of the coast is
T h e rivers o f t h e P e n i n s u l a a r e g r o u p e d i n t o t h r e e very irregular, with many inlets inciuding:
hydrographic watersheds, d e p e n d i n g on t h e sea they - the rias altas (e.g. Viveiro, Foz,
flow into. Ortigueira), which are short and narrow.
- the rias bajas (e.g. Arosa, Pontevedra,
• Cantabrian w a t e r s h e d rivers. T h e s e a r e short with s t r o n g
Vigo), which are deeper and wider.
currents. T h e m o u n t a i n s w h e r e t h e y o r i g í n a t e a r e v e r y
cióse to t h e C a n t a b r i a n S e a . T h e y a r e fast-flowing b e c a u s e
of heavy rainfall. Major rivers include t h e Bidasoa, Nervión, A T L A N T I C
Deva, Sella, Nalón, Marcea a n d Navia.

• Atlantic w a t e r s h e d rivers. T h e s e a r e l o n g r i v e r s . T h e i r
O C E A N
source is f a r f r o m t h e i r m o u t h ( A t l a n t i c ) a n d t h e y r e c e i v e
water from numerous tributaries. T h e y usually have a The Andalusian Atlantic coast
high v o l u m e b u t s u f f e r s i g n i f i c a n t d r o u g h t s in s u m m e r . forms a large are between the
Portuguese border and the Rock
Major rivers i n c l u d e t h e Miño, D u e r o , Tajo ( t h e l o n g e s t of Gibraltar. The Guadiana, Odiel,
river on t h e P e n i n s u l a ) , G u a d i a n a a n d G u a d a l q u i v i r . Tinto, Guadalquivir, Guadalete and
T h e r e is also t h e T i n t o a n d O d i e l . Barbate rivers ñow into the Gulf of
Cádiz. Much of this low-lying coast
• M e d i t e r r a n e a n w a t e r s h e d rivers. E v e r y river e x c e p t t h e was formed when rivers deposited
E b r o is s h o r t a n d h a s a l o w a n d i r r e g u l a r v o l u m e . In t h e sediments next to the sea.
spring a n d a u t u m n t h e y o f t e n h a v e high w a t e r levéis d u e
to torrential rain a n d s o m e t i m e s f l o o d . In t h e s u m m e r
The mouths of the rivers créate
they suffer f r o m d r o u g h t s a n d c a n e v e n d r y u p .

Main rivers i n c l u d e t h e E b r o a n d J ú c a r . T h e Ter,

oour u o L c L ^
Llobregat, Mijares, Turia, S e g u r a , A l m a n z o r a a n d
G u a d a l h o r c e rivers a r e smaller.

b What are t h e t h r e e h y d r o g r a p h i c w a t e r s h e d s ? W h a t kind

of rivers d o t h e y contain?

Watercourses in the Balearle and Canary Islands

T h e r e a r e n o t r u e rivers o n t h e i s l a n d s b u t torrents
(Balearic Islands) a n d barrancos ( C a n a r y Islands) f o r m w h e n
OOniij^te/ rcxAaxvA co cdL e/ s kcjdl r C V O T Í -.,|-ote
there is h e a v y rain. T h e s e h a v e c r e a t e d d e e p a n d n a r r o w
cuts in t h e land b e c a u s e o f t h e e r o s i ó n o f t h e w a t e r .

C W h a t are t h e w a t e r c o u r s e s on t h e Balearic a n d C a n a r y
islands called?

14 Dojsier
 On the Cantabrian coast, there are cliffs and the The Catalán coast offers great contrasts with
coastline is quite straight. There are not many deltas, small coastal plains and coastal cliffs.
beaches or coastal plains. Cantabrian rias tend to They include the Delta del Ebro, the largest on
be short:. The longest is the one at Bilbao (10 km). the Iberian Peninsula, and the Llobregat and
Punta de Estaca Tordera deltas. To the north, the Cordillera
de Bares Litoral meets the sea, forming the cliffs and
Ría de Ribadeo Bay of B i s c a y small coves of the Costa Brava.
^Cabo de Peñas o

Gulf of Lion

ANDORRA
Cap de Creus

Reservoir J^^"^-^
J of Roses

' ^ u n t a de la Tordera

The coasts of the Balearic

Islands are generally high (the
mountains reach the sea) and
indented, with capes, islets
and rocky reefs. Where the
coastline is on a plain, it is
usually low and sandy.
Mar Menor
Cabo de Palos
Gulf The Gulf of Valencia forms a wide are that ends
of Mazarrón at the Delta del Ebro. Here, coastal lagoons and
salt marshes are present until Peñiscola. The
most important is the lagoon of Valencia.
Cabo de Gata
Gulf
of Almería

• ,(iÍ«rait ACnVITIES
Pta* V of Gibraltar
de Tarifa 1. Wá Talk to a part;ner. Describe the coastline of
the Iberian Peninsula. What types of coasts are
predominant? What are the main coastal features?
Use these words to help you: straight, curved,
inlets, high, rocky, coasts, low, cliffs, beaches,
The Betic coast stretches from Gibraltar to A F R I C A Galicia, Cádiz, Valencia, Alicante, Islands.
Cabo de la Nao (Alicante). Although it is
2. Find the main rivers and their tributaries on the
predominantly rugged due to the landforms
s.1 5 203000 map of Spain. Write 2 examples of rivers in each
of the Cordilleras Béticas, the rocky coasts 75

altérnate with low coasts (Gulf of Alicante, of the three watersheds.

Segura river basin). There are several coastal
lagoons in this área: Mar Menor, Torrevieja
and Alicante.
The physical distribution of human activity 15
The Earth's climate zones ^
T h e climate has a major influence o n t h e l a n d s c a p e . T h e r e
are different l a n d s c a p e s d e p e n d i n g on t h e c l i m a t e .

Landscapes in températe climates

L a n d s c a p e s in t e m p é r a t e c l i m a t e s r a n g e f r o m h o t t o
coId regions in b o t h h e m i s p h e r e s . T h e y h a v e m o d é r a t e
t e m p e r a t u r e s a n d precipitation, a n d four s e a s o n s w i t h
very different w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s .

L a n d s c a p e s h e r e differ d e p e n d i n g o n t h e t y p e o f c l i m a t e .
T h e r e are t h r e e main t y p e s o f l a n d s c a p e : o c e a n i c o r A t l a n t i c ,
Village in continental Europe (Germany).
Mediterranean and continental.

a Eí W h a t are t h e characteristics of a t e m p é r a t e c l i m a t e ? 1. Talk with a partner about how the amount of

precipitation affects this landscape.

Landscapes ín extreme climates

L a n d s c a p e s in e x t r e m e c l i m a t e s a r e f o u n d in p l a c e s w i t h
very high levéis o f heat, c o i d , humidity or d r y n e s s . H u m a n s
have t o a d a p t their activities t o t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s .

In places w i t h h o t c l i m a t e s a n d in s o m e t e m p é r a t e á r e a s ,
there are rainforest, s a v a n n a h a n d d e s e r t l a n d s c a p e s . In c o I d
climates, t h e r e are p o l a r a n d h i g h m o u n t a i n l a n d s c a p e s .

b R What types of landscape can be found in e x t r e m e climates?

Rainforest
Rainforest is f o u n d in t h e e q u a t o r i a l z o n e , w i t h c o n s t a n t
t e m p e r a t u r e s ( a r o u n d 2 5 ° C ) a n d h i g h rainfall. T h e v e g e t a t i o n
African rainforest (Uganda).
is lush a n d t h e r e is a high level o f h u m i d i t y . It is h o m e t o a
varied f a u n a of i n s e c t s , r e p t i l e s a n d b i r d s .

Rivers h a v e a high flow, a n d a r e s o m e t i m e s n a v i g a b l e (the

A m a z o n ) . O t h e r s have r a p i d s t h a t m a k e n a v i g a t i o n difficult
(the C o n g o ) . '

T h e indigenous p o p u l a t i o n are hunter g a t h e r e r s . N o w a d a y s ,

t h e f o r e s t is u s e d t o o b t a i n w o o d , m i n e r a l s or f a r m i a n d .
Cutting d o w n t o o many t r e e s c a u s e s environmental p r o b l e m s .

C W h y do p e o p l e cut d o w n trees in rainforests?

Savannah curvos prec>p>-to*^C5f>. OJ<^ A iflcxsorvS

T h e s a v a n n a h is l o c a t e d in t r o p i c a l á r e a s . It h a s h i g h
t e m p e r a t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r a n d a b u n d a n t rains in
summer. T h e d r y s e a s o n is l o n g e r t h e f u r t h e r it is f r o m t h e
l 3 ) ¿ f ( pí-CxcSLS u J - t K ^VJ^>>^ W O j h ^«sS^S
Equator. • y i

T h e v e g e t a t i o n c o n s i s t s o f tall g r a s s e s w i t h a f e w t r e e s . cU-o^r\aSS.
T h e r e are gallery f o r e s t s a l o n g t h e rivers. T h e a b u n d a n t g r a s s
supports h e r b i v o r e s ( e l e p h a n t s , g i r a f f e s a n d rhinos).

T h e p e o p l e in s a v a n n a h l a n d s c a p e v i l l a g e s o f t e n w o r k in Joj-or-JLound,
agriculture a n d livestock f a r m i n g . T h e y g r o w a n d sell t r o p i c a l

U Doisier
producís ( c o f f e e , c o c o a , s u g a r c a ñ e ) . L a r g e c o m p a n i e s h a v e
plantations t o g r o w p r o d u c t s for e x p o r t ( t e a , c o c o a ) .

d What kind of c r o p s are g r o w n in a s a v a n n a h l a n d s c a p e .

Desert
As w e move away from the Equator, the v e g e t a t i o n
b e c o m e s s c a r c e a n d s c r u b l a n d t u r n s into d e s e r t .

T h e d r y n e s s o f t h e a i r m e a n s it is h o t d u r i n g t h e d a y a n d
coId at night. T h e s e c h a n g e s in t e m p e r a t u r e c a u s e e r o s i ó n of
landforms. R o c k s d i s i n t e g r a t e a n d f o r m d e s e r t s of s t o n e s a n d Desert landscape (United States).
sand. T h e s a n d c a n b e t r a n s p o r t e d by t h e w i n d , f o r m i n g d u n e s .
3. Talk with a partner about how the
P e o p l e g a t h e r at t h e o a s e s , w h e r e t h e r e is w a t e r a n d g r o u p s
climate affects a desert landscape.
of n o m a d i c s h e p h e r d s w i t h t h e i r f l o c k s . M a n y d e s e r t s a r e
t r a n s f o r m e d w h e n oil f i e l d s a r e built.

e Why do rocks e r o d e in t h e d e s e r t ?

Polar and hi¡h mountain landscapes

T h e s e l a n d s c a p e s a r e in t h e p o l a r r e g i o n s of t h e A r c t i c a n d
A n t á r c t i c a a n d in t h e h i g h e s t m o u n t a i n r a n g e s . T h e y h a v e
v e r y l o w t e m p e r a t u r e s all y e a r a n d littie p r e c i p i t a t i o n ( s n o w ) ,
preventing t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t r e e v e g e t a t i o n . S h r u b s a n d
grassiands grow instead. Fiat áreas of land that are c o v e r e d
in ice for m u c h of t h e y e a r a r e c a l l e d t u n d r a . M o s s e s a n d
lichens g r o w h e r e .

The polar regions are s p a r s e l y p o p u l a t e d . T h e y are Arctic fishing village.

inhabited by p e o p l e w h o live f r o m h u n t i n g a n d f i s h i n g , s u c h as
the Inuits, or w h o g e n e r a l l y look a f t e r h e r d s o f r e i n d e e r , s u c h 4. Talk with a partner and describe the
astheSami. landscape in the photo above. What is the
climate like?
In t h e high m o u n t a i n s , t h e p o p u l a t i o n is l o w a n d is
c o n c e n t r a t e d in t h e v a l l e y s . T h e y h a v e t r a d i t i o n a l l y t a k e n
C O ^ y » - , C O C O C 5 . , SOC>^C3-<f CCvJTvit .
w o o d f r o m t h e f o r e s t s , a n d look a f t e r h e r d s of a n i m á i s .
N o w a d a y s , t o u r i s m is g a i n i n g i m p o r t a n c e a n d h a s l e d t o
substantial c h a n g e s in l a n d s c a p e s .

f W h a t kind of v e g e t a t i o n can y o u f i n d in coId c l i m a t e s ?

ACTIVITIES

5. 9 Are the sentences true or false? Correct the false ones. 6. K (DON
a) The climate has a major influence on the landscape. pari;ner. G'
re leva nt ir
b) Températe climates have modérate temperatures and
precipitation, and two seasons. - Why rair

c) Landscapes in extreme climates are found in places with - What pli

very high leveLs of heat, cold, humidity or dryness. - What hu

d) The tundra describes a mountainous área of land in cold - Why rair ...^ — j .
climates with many trees. - What we can do to help save the rainforests.

The physical distribution of human activity 17

products ( c o f f e e , c o c o a , s u g a r c a ñ e ) . L a r g e c o m p a n i e s h a v e
plantations t o g r o w p r o d u c t s f o r e x p o r t ( t e a , c o c o a ) .

d What kind of crops are g r o w n in a savannah l a n d s c a p e .

Desert
As w e m o v e a w a y f r o m t h e E q u a t o r , t h e v e g e t a t i o n
becomes s c a r c e a n d s c r u b l a n d t u r n s into d e s e r t .

The d r y n e s s of t h e air m e a n s it ¡s h o t d u r i n g t h e d a y a n d
cold at night. T h e s e c h a n g e s in t e m p e r a t u r e c a u s e e r o s i ó n o f
landforms. R o c k s d i s i n t e g r a t e a n d f o r m d e s e r t s o f s t o n e s a n d Desert landscape (United States).
sand. T h e s a n d c a n b e t r a n s p o r t e d by t h e w i n d , f o r m i n g d u n e s .
3. Talk with a partner about how the
People g a t h e r a t t h e o a s e s , w h e r e t h e r e is w a t e r a n d g r o u p s
climate affects a desert landscape.
of nomadic s h e p h e r d s w i t h t h e i r f l o c k s . M a n y d e s e r t s a r e
transformed w h e n oil f i e l d s a r e built.

e Why do rocks e r o d e in t h e d e s e r t ?

Polar and hi¡h mountain landscapes

These l a n d s c a p e s a r e in t h e p o l a r r e g i o n s o f t h e A r c t i c a n d
Antárctica a n d in t h e h i g h e s t m o u n t a i n r a n g e s . T h e y h a v e
very low t e m p e r a t u r e s all y e a r a n d littie p r e c i p i t a t i o n ( s n o w ) ,
preventing t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t r e e v e g e t a t i o n . S h r u b s a n d
grassiands g r o w i n s t e a d . F i a t á r e a s o f l a n d t h a t a r e c o v e r e d
in ice for m u c h of t h e y e a r a r e c a l l e d t u n d r a . M o s s e s a n d
lichens g r o w h e r e .

The polar r e g i o n s a r e s p a r s e l y p o p u l a t e d . T h e y a r e Arctic fishing village.

inhabited by p e o p l e w h o live f r o m h u n t i n g a n d f i s h i n g , s u c h a s
the Inuits, or w h o g e n e r a l l y l o o k a f t e r h e r d s o f r e i n d e e r , s u c h 4. Talk with a partner and describe the
astheSami. landscape in the photo above. What is the
climate like?
In the high m o u n t a i n s , t h e p o p u l a t i o n is l o w a n d is
concentrated in t h e valleys. T h e y h a v e t r a d i t i o n a l l y t a k e n
wood f r o m t h e f o r e s t s , a n d look a f t e r h e r d s o f a n i m á i s . _ N E W VOCABULARY
Nowadays, t o u r i s m is g a i n i n g i m p o r t a n c e a n d has l e d t o lush: abundant, luxuriant • .
substantial c h a n g e s in l a n d s c a p e s . gather: meet; collect together
flock: a group of animáis, such as goats or sheep
f What kind of v e g e t a t i o n can y o u f i n d in c o l d c l i m a t e s ? herd: a group of animáis, such as cows or elephants

ACnVITIES

5. 9 Are the sentences true or false? Correct the false ones. 6. R ( D © Make a poster about tropical rainforests with a
a) The climate has a major influence on the landscape. partner. Go t o : www.tiching.com/729744 to find out the
relevant information. Include the following information:
b) Températe climates have modérate temperatures and
precipitation, and two seasons. - Why rainforests are importiant.

c) Landscapes in extreme climates are found in places with - What plants and animáis live there.

very high levéis of heat, cold, humidity or dryness. - What human activity exists in rainforests.

d) The tundra describes a mountainous área of land in cold - Why rainforests are disappearing.
climates with many trees. - What we can do to help save the rainforests.

The physical distribution of human activity 17

Europe's landscapes A
Températe landscapei af Europe 140 I
T h e t h r e e t y p e s of t e m p é r a t e l a n d s c a p e s h a v e b e e n f o r m e d
by t h e influence o f t h r e e t y p e s o f E u r o p e a n c l i m a t e s .

Oceanic or Atlantic landscape

T h i s is c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f w e s t e r n E u r o p e a n d i n c l u d e s t h e
north a n d north w e s t o f t h e I b e r i a n P e n i n s u l a .

It has m i l d t e m p e r a t u r e s in w i n t e r a n d s u m m e r d u e t o t h e
m o d e r a t i n g a c t i o n o f t h e s e a . It a l s o h a s a b u n d a n t r a i n f a l l
t h r o u g h o u t t h e year, c a u s e d b y w i n d s f r o m t h e A t l a n t i c . T h e
miid a n d d a m p c l i m a t e is p e r f e c t f o r d e c i d u o u s f o r e s t s ( o a k , Oceanic or Atlantic climate (Scotland).
beech and chestnut) and for grassy fields for cattie. Fields are
also u s e d t o g r o w c o r n , a n i m a l f o o d , p o t a t o e s a n d a p p l e s . MEDITERRANEAN ^

Farming áreas are sparsely populated but other áreas have

b e e n greatly a f f e c t e d b y h u m a n a c t i v i t y , s u c h a s l a r g e c i t i e s ,
ports a n d industrial z o n e s .

a How d o e s t h e s e a affect t h e w e a t h e r in t h e s e l a n d s c a p e s ?

Mediterranean landscape
T h i s is t y p i c a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n c o a s t s a n d i s l a n d s in t h e
M e d i t e r r a n e a n , s u c h a s S p a i n , Italy a n d G r e e c e . T h e s u m m e r s
are h o t a n d dry, d u e t o t h e m a s s o f s u b t r o p i c a l air. W i n t e r s
are n o t e x c e s s i v e l y c o l d d u e t o t h e i n f l u e n c e o f t h e
M e d i t e r r a n e a n . T h e r e is a b u n d a n t rain in s p r i n g a n d a u t u m n . Mediterranean landscape (Sicily, Italy).

Typical v e g e t a t i o n i n c l u d e s e v e r g r e e n f o r e s t , like h o l m
oak, w h i c h g i v e s w a y t o p i n e f o r e s t , g a r r i g u e a n d s t e p p e
g r a s s i a n d . Traditional crops are w h e a t , g r a p e s and o l i v e s .

These áreas are generally highly p o p u l a t e d a n d attract a

lot of t o u r i s m . T h e g r o w t h o f c i t i e s , h o t e i s , l e i s u r e f a c i l i t i e s
and roads d o m í n a t e t h e á r e a . • .

b W h a t v e g e t a t i o n a n d crops are typical in M e d i t e r r a n e a n

landscapes?

Continental landscape
T h e c o n t i n e n t a l l a n d s c a p e is l o c a t e d in t h e interior a n d
has h i g h l y c o n t r a s t i n g t e m p e r a t u r e s . T h e s u m m e r s a r e h o t Continental landscape (Hungary).
a n d t h e w i n t e r s a r e c o l d . Rain m a i n l y falls in t h e s u m m e r . T h i s
climate b e c o m e s m o r e e x t r e m e t h e f u r t h e r i n l a n d y o u a r e . 1. ! ^ Use the photos and climate graphs to explain
the characteristics of the three main températe
T a i g a , s p r u c e a n d b i r c h f o r e s t s g r o w in t h e l a n d s t o t h e
landscapes in Europe.
n o r t h , a n d s t e p p e g r a s s i a n d is f o u n d in d r i e r l a n d s in t h e
south. D e c i d u o u s forest grows on mountain slopes.

T h e p o p u l a t i o n is m a i n l y c o n c e n t r a t e d in villages a n d small
NEW VOCABULARY
mild: gentle; opposite of severe
t o w n s , but n o w a d a y s h u m a n activities (cities, t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k s
damp: wet
a n d industry) h a v e c h a n g e d t h e traditional l a n d s c a p e s . thaw: a period of weather when ice and snow melts
C W h e r e in E u r o p e can w e find continental l a n d s c a p e s ? hiking: waiking in the mountains

18 Dossier
EUROPEAN CLIAAATES

Cold landscapes in Europe^

ACTIVITIES
Polar landscapes occupy a narrow strip of the north of
Icetand, Norway, Finland and Russia. The climate is very 2. R# © Find polar regions and high mountain regions on the
harsh. After the thaw, there is a short summer when map of Europe. Find out what countries they are i n . Then,
the tundra landscape is covered with mosses, shrubs write two lists of similarities and differences between these
and grasses. Only a few groups of people, inciuding the landscapes in your notebooks. Think about the climate,
Sami, live in this landscape. vegetation and the lives of the inhabitants.
High mountain landscapes are found in the main
3. Eí S^o3 Listen to the five descriptions of the different
European mountain ranges, such as the Alps, the
Caucasus and the Pyrenees. I t is very cold with landscapes you can find in Europe and complete the table below.
abundant snow in winter. Vegetation is distributed
Number Landscape Characteristics
according to altitude layers and includes natural
grassy fields (meadows) and deciduous forests. No 1 ...
vegetation grows on peaks with permanent snow cover.
2
The few people who live in these zones tend to work in
livestock farming or in tourism which, in recent years,
3 ... ...
has become a very important sector due to the 4
popularity of winter sports, climbing and hiking.
5 ... ...

4. Think of some famous places in Europe and then talk

@ Find out more.
with a pariiner about the landscape they are located i n .
Learn more about climate zones around the world at: Have you visitad any of these places?
www.tiching.com/729781

The physical distribution of human activity 19

Spain's landscapes ( I ) ^
Characteristics of the Iberian Peninsula's
climate
To define a c l i m a t e , w e m u s t t a k e c e r t a i n f a c t o r s into a c c o u n t .
T h e s e include latitude, d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e s e a a n d a l t i t u d e .

• Latitude. G i v e n t h e size o f t h e Iberian P e n i n s u l a , latitude

influences t e m p e r a t u r e differences t o a large e x t e n t . T h e r e is
a notable difference b e t w e e n t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s o f C a n t a b r i a
a n d A n d a l u s i a . Precipitation also varíes. It rains m u c h m o r e
on t h e C a n t a b r i a n c o a s t t h a n in t h e s o u t h of S p a i n .

• Distance from t h e s e a . T h e s e a causes t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s

of t h e c o a s t a l á r e a s t o b e l o w e r t h a n t h e interior. H o w e v e r ,
this e f f e c t d o e s n o t a p p l y t o i n l a n d á r e a s t h a t a r e i s o l a t e d
by m o u n t a i n r a n g e s . T h e s e a a l s o i n c r e a s e s p r e c i p i t a t i o n
levéis, w h i c h d e c r e a s e a s y o u m o v e a w a y f r o m t h e c o a s t .

• Altitude. This has a big effect on climate b e c a u s e

t e m p e r a t u r e s d e c r e a s e a s a l t i t u d e i n c r e a s e s (1 ° C f o r
e v e r y 1 0 0 m ) . P r e c i p i t a t i o n is usually a b u n d a n t in h i g h
áreas b e c a u s e a s b o d i e s o f moist air rise u p o v e r m o u n t a i n s ,
they cool a n d b e c o m e unstable, causing precipitation.

a H o w d o latitude, distance f r o m t h e s e a a n d altitude

affect t e m p e r a t u r e s a n d rainfall?

The landscapes of Spain 1. f Match each photo with one of the

following climate factors: latitude, distance from
In S p a i n , t h e v a r i e t y o f c l i m a t e s g e n e r a t e s five t y p e s o f the sea and altitude. Then, talk with a pari:ner
landscapes. Four of t h e m are on t h e Iberian Peninsula a n d , about how these factors affect the climate.
with t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e polar c l i m a t e , c o r r e s p o n d t o
landscapes f o u n d in E u r o p e ( o c e a n i c o r A t l a n t i c , M e d i t e r r a n e a n ,
continental a n d high m o u n t a i n ) . T h e fifth t y p e is in t h e C a n a r y
Islands, w h i c h h a v e s u b - t r o p i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . SPANISH LANDSCAPES
Bay of Biscay ;

b Et'- H o w many different t y p e s of landscapes can y o u

find in Spain.

(a) Find out more..

To learn more about the different climates in Spain, go to:
www.tiching.com/729785

ACTIVITIES

2. Complete the sentences in your notebook.

a) The inland áreas of the Iberian Peninsula show a notable
continental effect because . . . _ N E W VOCABULARY-
b) Areas of high altitude are affected by bodies of moist rarely: not often; occasionally
pasture: grassy fields for animáis to feed on
air. I t ravns when . . .
scattered: dispersad; separated
c) I t is colder in high altitudes than in low altitudes
hamiet: very small village without a church
because . . .
spoil: make worse

20 Dossier
The landscapes of Atlantic Spain
T h e s e are t h e lands n e x t t o t h e C a n t a b r i a n S e a a n d t h e
Atlantic O c e a n in t h e n o r t h a n d n o r t h w e s t of t h e I b e r i a n
Peninsula.

Climate and ve¡etation

The m a r i t i m e i n f l u e n c e m e a n s t h a t t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e c o o l
in s u m m e r (rarely e x c e e d i n g 2 0 ° C ) a n d m i l d in w i n t e r ( a r o u n d
10°C). T h e r e is v e r y f r e q u e n t a n d a b u n d a n t rainfall all year.

D e c i d u o u s f o r e s t s of o a k , c h e s t n u t , b e e c h a n d a s h g r o w
here. In h u m i d á r e a s , or w h e r e f o r e s t s h a v e b e e n c u t d o w n , Oceanic landscape (Entrambasaguas, Cantabria).
pastures g r o w a n d p r o v i d e f o o d f o r c a t t i e .

Human populations ^ MEDrrERRANEAN i „ , 'i

T(°C) ' P(mm) l
The m a i n c i t i e s , t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k s a n d c o m m e r c i a l p o r t s
are found on t h e c o a s t . In t h e i n l a n d r u r a l á r e a s , t h e s c a t t e r e d
population is f o u n d in f a r m h o u s e s , v i l l a g e s or h a m i e t s .

C W h e r e do most p e o p l e live in t h e l a n d s c a p e s of A t l a n t i c
Spain? W h y ?

The landscapes of Mediterranean Spain

The l a n d s c a p e s of t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n i n c l u d e l a n d o n t h e
Mediterranean S e a or c i ó s e t o it ( t h e e a s t a n d s o u t h of t h e
Iberian P e n i n s u l a a n d t h e B a l e a r i c I s l a n d s ) .
Mediterranean landscape (Málaga).
Climate and ve¡etation
The M e d i t e r r a n e a n c l i m a t e is c h a r a c t e r i s e d by h o t s u m m e r s
ACTIVITIES
(average t e m p e r a t u r e s of 2 5 ° C ) a n d m i l d w i n t e r s ( a r o u n d
10°C). M á x i m u m p r e c i p i t a t i o n is r e c o r d e d in t h e a u t u m n , a n d 3. Wá Look at the oceanic climate graph and
can c a u s e f l o o d i n g . describe the temperatures in winter and
summer. Why is there Littie difference
The native v e g e t a t i o n is h o l m o a k s a n d c o r k o a k s . In á r e a s
between them?
without f o r e s t s , s c r u b l a n d or g a r r i g u e is c o m m o n w i t h p l a n t s
such as r o s e m a r y , t h y m e or b r o o m . In v e r y dry á r e a s , p l a n t s 4. ® What are temperatures like in the
associated w i t h s t e p p e or dry A f r i c a n l a n d s c a p e s g r o w . T h e s e Mediterranean landscape? Which months
include prickiy pear, a g a v e a n d p a l m t r e e s . of the year have less rain? Which months
have the most?
Human populations 5. R In pairs, choose one day of the year.
This t y p e of l a n d s c a p e is d e n s e l y p o p u l a t e d . M o s t Then, write a typical TV weather forecast for
inhabitants live in c i t i e s a n d t o w n s , w h i c h h a v e d e v e l o p e d that day t h a t includes weather predictions
thanks t o a m o d e r n t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k . In t h e t r a d i t i o n a l rural for all of Spain. Include information about
landscape, t h e p o p u l a t i o n is s c a t t e r e d a n d lives in á r e a s t h a t temperature and precipitation

use irrigation. 6. © I n small groups, choose an autonomous

región on the Atlantic or Mediterranean
O n e of t h e m a i n e c o n o m i c a c t i v i t i e s is t o u r i s m a n d t h e
coast of Spain. Use the Internet to research
massive c o n s t r u c t i o n of s e c o n d h o m e s w i t h i n a d e q u a t e
the landscape, climate, flora, fauna and
transport links is s p o i l i n g t h e n a t u r a l l a n d s c a p e .
human activity in this área. Present your
d What t y p e of v e g e t a t i o n can y o u find in a M e d i t e r r a n e a n findings to the class.
landsacpe?

The physical distribution of human activity

Spain's landscapes ( I I ) ^
MEDrrERRANEAN f ^
¡ f^<"m^)
The landscapes of inland Spain T(°C) CONTINENTAL
-140 t
j

--120 ;
T h e inland l a n d s c a p e s a r e f o u n d o n t h e M e s e t a , in
100
E x t r e m a d u r a , t h e E b r o river b a s i n a n d i n l a n d A n d a l u s i a .

Climate and ve¡etation

T h e c l i m a t e is c o n t i n e n t a l M e d i t e r r a n e a n , w i t h d r y a n d
h o t s u m m e r s a n d c o l d w i n t e r s . R a i n is s c a r c e a n d t h e relief
isolates t h e interior f r o m t h e i n f l u e n c e o f m a r i t i m e w i n d s .

T h e v e g e t a t i o n has t o b e a b l e t o w i t h s t a n d h a r s h w i n t e r s .
H o l m o a k s a r e a b u n d a n t in E x t r e m a d u r a a n d S a l a m a n c a ,
w h e r e t h e y c r é a t e f e e d i n g g r o u n d s f o r s h e e p , bulls a n d p i g s .
Landscape of the Interior (Zamora).
P i n e t r e e s g r o w in S o r i a , S e g o v i a , T e r u e l a n d C u e n c a . A
p o o r s t e p p e l a n d s c a p e e x t e n d s a c r o s s m o s t of t h e S p a n i s h
Meseta and the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys. ICC, HIGH MOUNTAIN ,r;^

a W h a t quality d o e s d o e s t h e natural v e g e t a t i o n in inland

áreas have t o h a v e ?

Human populations
A p a r t f r o m t h e C o m m u n i t y o f M a d r i d , t h e i n l a n d á r e a is
s p a r s e l y p o p u l a t e d . T h e r e are t o w n s with g o o d transport
networks, w h e r e industry a n d services have d e v e l o p e d .

T h e rural p o p u l a t i o n is c o n c e n t r a t e d in s m a l l a n d m e d i u m -
s i z e d v i l l a g e s . In A n d a l u s i a , p e o p l e s o m e t i m e s live a n d w o r k
on l a r g e f a r m e s t a t e s . Rural á r e a s h a v e b e c o m e d e p o p u l a t e d
o v e r t h e last f e w d e c a d e s a n d t h e r e is n o w a n a g e i n g
population. T o u r i s m has revitalised s o m e of t h e s e áreas recently. Valle de la Fuenfría, Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid).

b W h a t has c h a n g e d in rural á r e a s ?

ACTIVITIES
HIsh mountain landscapes 1- WÉ Talk with a partner about the
T h e s e a r e d o m i n a t e d by t h e h i g h e s t m o u n t a i n s o f t h e differences in temperature and rainfall in
Pyrenees, the Cordillera Cantábrica, the Sistema Central, the the two áreas above and how the two
Sistema Ibérico and the Cordilleras Béticas. climates affect the landscapes.

2. WÉ © Go t o : www.tiching.com/729828 and
Climate and ve¡etation
find out the annual rainfall for some towns
T h i s c l i m a t e is d o m i n a t e d b y l o w t e m p e r a t u r e s , l o n g in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula.
and cold winters and short, cool summers. A b u n d a n t Then, do the same for some coastal towns?
p r e c i p i t a t i o n normally occurs b e t w e e n altitudes of 8 0 0 What differences can you see?
a n d 1 5 0 0 m e t r e s . A t h i g h e r a l t i t u d e s , it falls as s n o w . 3. 1^ > Q In pairs, try and think of some
reasons why inland rural áreas of Spain are
M o u n t a i n v e g e t a t i o n is a r r a n g e d in l e v é i s b e c a u s e
becoming depopulated? Then, think of some
t e m p e r a t u r e s a n d rainfall v a r y a c c o r d i n g t o a l t i t u d e .
ways to reverse this situation. Compare your
T h e r e a r e c u l t i v a t e d c r o p s or M e d i t e r r a n e a n f o r e s t s at ideas with the rest of the class.
t h e f o o t of t h e m o u n t a i n s . N e x t u p is d e c i d u o u s f o r e s t a n d
a b o v e this t h e r e a r e s o m e t i m e s c o n i f e r f o r e s t s . S h r u b l a n d
and m o u n t a i n m e a d o w s a p p e a r after 1 6 0 0 metres. T h e ^NEW VOCABULARY-
highest peaks have no v e g e t a t i o n . logging: the business of cutting down trees to produce
wood
C W h y is mountain v e g e t a t i o n a r r a n g e d in different levéis?

22 Dossier
Human populations
T h e high m o u n t a i n á r e a s a r e s p a r s e l y p o p u l a t e d d u e t o
their r u g g e d l a n d f o r m s a n d h a r s h c l i m a t e . T h e r e a r e f e w
inhabitants a n d t h e y live in f a r m h o u s e s o r in s m a l l v i l l a g e s .

The traditional e c o n o m y is b a s e d o n livestock f a r m i n g a n d

logging. C u r r e n t l y , m a n y á r e a s h a v e b e c o m e s i t e s o f w i n t e r
sports a n d rural t o u r i s m .

d Do many p e o p l e live in high mountain á r e a s ?

What d o p e o p l e t h e r e d o ?

The landscape of the Canary Islands

The l a n d s c a p e o f t h e C a n a r y Islands is m a d e u p o f v o l c a n i c Hiking in the Pyrenees (Lleida).

landforms i n c i u d i n g calderas, malpaís a n d volcanic cones.

Volcanic landforms
Climate and vefetation
Caldera: A large, more or less circular depression,
Located near t h e Tropic of Cáncer, t h e C a n a r y Islands have
surrounded by mountains.
an arid s u b t r o p i c a l c l i m a t e w i t h high t e m p e r a t u r e s
throughout t h e y e a r t h a t r a n g e f r o m 1 7 ° C t o 2 5 ° C . Malpaís: A blackish stony surface, which is formed
by recent lava.
There is l o w a n d v e r y irregular rainfall ( 1 0 0 - 2 0 0 litres a
Volcanic cone: The top of a volcano that surrounds
year per m^). T h e w e s t e r n i s l a n d s a r e w e t t e r b e c a u s e o f t h e
the cráter.
Atlantic w i n d s w h i l e t h e d r i e r e a s t e r n i s l a n d s a r e a f f e c t e d b y
dry, hot w i n d s f r o m t h e S a h a r a . T h e l o w l e v é i s o f rainfall a n d
porous v o l c a n i c soils e x p l a i n w h y t h e r e a r e no rivers.

T h e r e is a w i d e v a r i e t y o f p l a n t s p e c i e s . S o m e a r e e n d e m i c
and are only f o u n d in t h i s p a r t o f t h e w o r l d , s u c h a s t h e
Canary p a l m , C a n a r y p i n e a n d d r a g ó n t r e e .

e Why are t h e r e no rivers on t h e C a n a r y Islands?

Human populations
T h e c o a s t is d e n s e l y p o p u l a t e d , w i t h s m a l l v i l l a g e s , t o w n s
and cities l i n k e d b y g o o d t r a n s p o r t n e t w o r k s . P e o p l e in rural
áreas o f t e n live in villages o f w h i t e w a s h e d h o u s e s .

Tourism h a s h e l p e d m a n y cities a n d v i l l a g e s in t h e C a n a r y
Islands t o g r o w .

f W h e r e d o most of t h e inhabitants of t h e C a n a r y Islands live? Volcanic landscape in El Golfo (Yaiza, Lanzarote).

ACTIVITIES
4. How do the temperatures and rainfall of the Canary Islands d) Many people in rural parts of the islands live in . . . houses.
differ to mainland Spain? e) The eastern islands are drier because of the effect of
5. S^o4 Complete the sentences. Then, listen and check. the hot winds from the . . . .
a) The Canary Islands are located near the Tropic of . . . . 6. © I n small groups, go t o : www.tiching.com/729845 and
b) The coast of the Canary Islands is . . . populated. choose an island. Find out as much as you can about the
c) The western islands are wetter because of the . . . winds. geography of your island and prepare a factsheet.

The physical distribution of human activity 23