Editing Spain (section)

== Territory ==

Most of Spain's territory (about 85%) is occupied by the Meseta, a vast plateau of Hercynian origin with an average altitude of about 600 meters. This ancient plateau is divided into two distinct sections—the Northern Meseta and the Southern Meseta—by the Sistema Central. The highest mountains of the Central System are the [[Sierra de Guadarrama]], the [[Sierra de Gredos]] (2,592 m), and the Toledo Mountains.

The Meseta is bordered to the north by the [[Cantabrian Mountains]], culminating in the [[Picos de Europa]] (2,648 m), to the east by the mountains of the [[Iberian System]], to the south by the [[Sierra Morena]], and, beyond the Guadalquivir River plain, by the [[Baetic System]], whose highest mountains are those of the Sierra Nevada, which includes the summit of [[Mulhacén]] (3,477 m), the highest peak of the Iberian Peninsula. To the west, the Meseta slopes down toward the Atlantic coast, largely Portuguese, while to the east, the Pyrenees mountain range, stretching for approximately 435 km, marks the entire border with France and Andorra, culminating at the Pico de Aneto (3,404 m). The highest peak in Spain is Pico de Teide (3,715 m) on the island of Tenerife.

Between the hills bordering the Meseta and the sea lie narrow coastal plains; the only extensive plain in the country, of alluvial origin, is that formed by the Guadalquivir River in the southwestern part of the country. In many places, the Spanish coast is interrupted by hills that slope down to the sea, forming rocky promontories. On the northwest coast, in the Bay of Biscay and in the Galician territory bordering the Cantabrian Sea, the coastline is steep and characterized by deep inlets (rías). The Mediterranean coast, approximately 1,660 km long, features stretches that are sometimes low, sometimes steep and jagged on the Costa Brava; the Costa del Sol has regular coastlines without inlets.

=== Hydrography ===

The predominantly mountainous Iberian peninsula feeds a complex hydrographic network characterized by rivers of modest flow, given the country's rather arid climate, but deeply cut into the surface of the plateau. Four rivers flow into the Atlantic: the Douro (whose basin is the largest in the country), the Tagus, the Guadiana, and the Guadalquivir. The Ebro River, the only navigable river, crosses the northeastern regions and flows into the Mediterranean through a pronounced delta.

=== Climate ===

Spain has notable climatic differences, due to several factors: average altitude, the layout of the mountains, and the shape of the Iberian Peninsula, all of which influence the oceanic influence, which is particularly strong in the northwestern part of the country. The Atlantic area is characterized by a humid climate (1,000 to 2,500 mm of annual rainfall), due to westerly winds that bring the moisture accumulated on the ocean surface to the coasts.

The oceanic influence ensures temperate seasons, with average winter temperatures between 5 and 10°C and summer temperatures between 18 and 20°C. A Mediterranean climate characterizes the eastern part of the country, with mild winters and hot, dry summers; Severe aridity is found in the central-southern region, Andalusia, which includes the Guadalquivir basin, the confluence of continental and African winds. The southern Mediterranean coast has a subtropical climate: Malaga, in the far south, has an average winter temperature of 13.9°C.

The entire Meseta has a continental climate with very low rainfall (200-500 mm annually) and strong temperature variations; temperatures can range from 40°C in summer in the capital area to -25°C in winter in the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys. Summers in the Meseta are so arid that they cause rivers to temporarily dry up.

=== Flora and fauna ===

Only a small portion of Spain's surface is forested; forests grow primarily on the mountain slopes exposed to the humid regions, particularly in the northwest. The humidity of the west coast favors the growth of broadleaf trees (oak and beech) and, at higher altitudes, especially in the Pyrenees, pine and fir trees. Mediterranean scrub, with cork oaks, mastic trees, holm oaks, and other evergreen species, blankets the slopes of the mountains overlooking the eastern and southern coasts, where veritable irrigated oases ('huertas') are found, as well as various woody plants that thrive in dry environments, such as olive trees, one of the country's main crops, grapevines, almond trees, fig trees, and carob trees.

The interior of the country is steppe or semi-desert, with poplar oases and riparian vegetation. Shrubs and grasses are the natural formations of the Meseta. Esparto grass, used to produce paper and various types of fiber, grows abundantly here.

Animal species present in the country include the [[wolf]], [[lynx]], [[wildcat]], [[fox]], [[wild goat]], [[deer]], and [[hare]]; the lakes and mountain streams are home to many fish species, including [[tench]], [[trout]], and [[barbel]]. Numerous birds also live in Spain, including the [[sparrow hawk]], [[eagle]], [[crane]], [[flamingo]], and [[bustard]].

=== Environmental issues and protection ===

There are numerous environmental threats and issues related to [[Environmental conservation|environmental conservation]]. Deforestation, soil erosion, and river pollution, including due to increased use of nitrogen fertilizers, as well as illegal cultivation of protected lands, desertification in poorly managed agricultural areas, and soil salinization in irrigated areas, are some of the problems facing the country. Tourism, a major source of income for the nation, also has serious environmental impacts. Protected areas are threatened by poorly planned urban development, and inefficient wastewater and water treatment plants cause serious pollution, especially during the summer months on the Mediterranean coast.

In 1998, a serious spill of toxic substances from a gold mine reservoir occurred in the south of the country. Despite attempts to divert the spill from Doñana National Park (a World Heritage Site and an important protected wetland) to the Guadalquivir River and then into the Atlantic Ocean, the environmental damage was extensive. It is estimated that the polluted waters from the spill threatened the survival of millions of birds and wildlife and caused severe economic losses to local agriculture. Another serious pollution incident, this time marine, occurred with the sinking of the oil tanker "Prestige" off the coast of Galicia in November 2002: 300 km of coastline were flooded by the oil slick, causing serious environmental and economic damage.

Spain is a party to the Ramsar Convention on the Protection of Wetlands and the World Heritage Convention. Biosphere reserves have also been established under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MBA) programme. Spain has ratified the Antarctic Environmental Protocol, the Antarctic Treaty, and the 1983 Tropical Timber Treaty, as well as numerous international environmental agreements concerning air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, endangered species, environmental modification, toxic and harmful waste, marine waste dumping, marine life, the ban on nuclear testing, protection of the ozone layer, pollution from ships, and whale conservation.

The country has established numerous protected areas for wild birds under the relevant European Directive and several marine sites protected under the Mediterranean Action Plan. Protected areas, including nine national parks and several smaller sites with special conservation regimes, account for {{Percentage of protected areas}} of the country. Among the main national parks are Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Doñana National Park, and Aigües Tortes National Park.