Why 70% of Spain is Empty
RealLifeLore・13 minutes read
Spain has a significant population concentrated in major cities but also vast sparsely populated rural areas due to mountainous terrain and historical events. The country's rural regions have experienced depopulation due to low fertility rates, lack of support policies, and limited infrastructure investment, leading to ongoing challenges for these areas.
Insights
- Spain's "donut void" region has a population density of only 18 people per square kilometer, significantly lower than other parts of Western Europe, leading to underdevelopment attributed to geographical factors like the Iberian System mountain range.
- Historical events like the Spanish Civil War, subsequent economic policies, industrialization, and economic reforms in the 1960s have led to population shifts away from rural areas in Spain, resulting in ongoing depopulation challenges exacerbated by low fertility rates, lack of family support policies, and limited infrastructure investment.
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Recent questions
What is the population of Spain?
Approximately 47 million
What is the size of Spain's economy?
Over 1.2 trillion US dollars
Where is the Serranía Celtibérica region located?
In Spain
What is the average population density in the "donut void" of Spain?
18 people per square kilometer
What contributed to the decline in population in Spain's rural areas?
Historical events and economic policies
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Summary
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Spain: Diverse Economy, Sparse Population, Mountainous Terrain
- Spain has a population of over 47 million and an economy exceeding 1.2 trillion US dollars, ranking as the world's 14th largest economy.
- Despite being a medium-sized country, Spain boasts the second-highest length of high-speed rail lines globally, surpassing even the United States.
- Spain's population is concentrated around major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, with a significant portion of the country's land remaining sparsely populated.
- The "empty" interior of Spain, known as the "donut void," has a population density of only 18 people per square kilometer, significantly lower than other parts of Western Europe.
- The Serranía Celtibérica region in Spain is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the European Union, with an average population density of eight people per square kilometer.
- The region's underdevelopment is attributed to the Iberian System mountain range, limiting habitable areas and dispersing population centers.
- Spain's mountainous terrain, including the Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central, and Baetic mountain ranges, contributes to its high average elevation within the EU.
- Spain's rural areas experienced a decline in population due to historical events like the Spanish Civil War and subsequent economic policies, leading to significant emigration.
- Industrialization and economic reforms in the 1960s attracted people to coastal and urban areas, resulting in a population shift away from rural regions.
- Spain's low fertility rate, lack of family support policies, and limited infrastructure investment in rural areas have contributed to the ongoing depopulation and challenges faced by these regions.
