ANALYSIS OF MOUNTAIN AREAS IN THE EU AND APPLICANT COUNTRIES

SPAIN  

developed by Mcrit in the framework of the study led by Nordregio any    
suggestions or  comments please contact info@mcrit.com    

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

• identifying or updating the criteria for defining mountain areas in order to identify mountain areas and to set up a geographical zoning

• collecting statistical information, carrying out investigation work, geographical referencing and setting up a database compatible with the geographical data in the Eurostat-GISCO reference base;

• analysing the situation (economic, social, environmental aspects, etc.) in the mountain regions of the EU and the candidate countries and the impact of Community and national policies on these areas.

To know more about the study...

THE SPANISH CASE

The greater part of the Spanish territory is covered by mountain ranges: 38% of the national territory is mountainous; 88% of forests are in mountain areas; 16% of agricultural land is found in mountain areas; 35.7% of municipalities are in mountain areas; approximately 6.3 million inhabitants, or 16% of Spain's total population live in these areas; finally, average population density is 32.7 inhabitants per km2. There are great disparities between the different mountain regions in Spain. The main mountain ranges are: the Balearic Mountains, Basque Hills, Betic System, Canaries Mountains, Catalan Range, Central System, Cantabrian Range, Galician Massif, Iberic System, Leon Hills, Pyreness, Sierra Morena and Toledo Hills.

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Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in the EU. As such, it has a critical role to play in terms of defining prospective policies of rural development that integrate both the conservation requirements of this particular natural environment as well as the sustained welfare of its inhabitants. Although the main concern for many Spanish mountain areas is the tremendous pressure resulting from tourism and other commercial activity, which threaten to jeopardise the natural heritage of these areas, there are other mountain areas characterised rather by very low levels of development. Among the different reasons for underdevelopment are poor access and communication, depopulation, lack of investment, poor socioeconomic prospects and natural adversities such as drought or erosion.

In recent years the need for reform in mountain policy has surfaced in public debate as a result of growing interest in nature conservation and hydraulic reserves. Despite great disparities between different mountain areas, rural development policy in this context has revolved mainly around three considerations. First, the need to preserve the rich natural heritage of many of these vulnerable mountain spaces through the establishment of Nature Reserves or other protected areas. Second, the need to tackle the adverse environmental impact of tourism in mountain areas and take appropriate action through strategic planning. Finally, the need to secure the welfare of the inhabitants of underdeveloped mountain areas, traditionally guardians of their surrounding environment, particularly in the face of current trends of rural exodus.  

Based on "Una mirada a las montañas" by Ramón Tejedor Gonzalo Albasini, President and Secretary of the Regional Commission of Aragón for the International Mountain Year.