Spain and Portugal occupy the Iberian Peninsula which is cut off from the rest of the Europe by the Pyrenees. Over the centuries, Iberia has been invaded and settled by many different peoples. The most of the inland in Spain is taken up by Meseta, a dry almost treeless plateau surrounded by steep mountain ranges. The only lowlands apart from narrow stripes along the Mediterranean coast are the valleys of the Ebro, Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir rivers.
Landscape
Portugal coast is lined by wide plains. Inland, the river Tagus divides the country in two. To the north, the land is hilly and wooded; to the south it is low-lying and drier. The river Ebro carries vital irrigation water to Spain’s northeastern plains before flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The westward flowing rivers- Duero, Tagus, and Guadalquivir- flow across the Meseta on their courses to the Atlantic Ocean. The Southern end of Mesta is marked by Sierra Morena mountain range. Mulhacen is the snow capped Sierra Nevada range in southern Spain is 3,481 m high. It is Iberia’s tallest mountain.
Climate
The Northern Spain is wetter and cooler than the South. On the central plateau, summers are very hot and dry, and winter often-freezing. The North of Portugal is cooled by winds blowing off Atlantic Ocean. The south is warmer with dry mild winter.
Industry
Madrid Barcelona and the northern parts are Spain’s chief industrial centres. Here, Iron ore from Spanish mines is used to make steel, and factories produce cars, machinery and chemicals. Portugal exports textiles clothing and footwear, along with fish such as sardines and tuna caught off the Atlantic coast. In both countries tourism is very important to the economy.
Population
In the first half of the 20th century most Spaniards lived in villages or small towns, scattered around the countries. Today tourism and industry have drawn most of the population to the cities and coastal areas. Most Portuguese still live in rural areas along the coast or in the river valley, but the cities are growing fast.
Farming and Land Use
Cereals especially wheat and Barley are Iberia’s chief crops. In the dry south of Spain, the land is irrigated to grow citrus fruits especially orange and vegetable. In both countries olive trees and vineyard occupy large area of land. Olive oil and wine are important export. Cork oak trees from Iberia forest supply 80 per cent of the world cork.
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