Geography of Spain

Spain’s Geography varies from mountainous slopes and plateaus to lowland river basins to vast coastline.

Spanish Highlands

Spain is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland in terms of average elevation. The mountains have protected Spain in the past from enemy invasion and have also served to divide the country into very distinct regions. The most prominent mountain chain is the Cordillera Central encompassing the highland plateau, or the Meseta. Spain’s highest mountains are found in the north, along the French border. The Pyrenees Mountains stretch 400 kilometers along the French border from the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay.

Spanish Lowlands

Spain’s geography also features lower-lying areas. The lowlands of Spain are separated into five main areas: Catalunya, Ebro Basin, Galicia, Costal Valencia and Murcia, and the Guadalquivir Basin. These lowlands vary from fertile farmland to green rolling hills to desert plains. The major rivers are the Ebro, Duero, Tajo (Tagus), Guandiana and Guadalquivir.

Spanish Coast

Spain is surrounded by water except for its borders with France to the northeast and Portugal to the west. The Mediterranean Sea covers the east and southeast sides of Spain. The Mediterranean Coast is usually warm and mild. The Atlantic Ocean (including the Bay of Biscay) covers the southwest and northwest of Spain. The Atlantic Coast has a much wilder coastline and climate.

There are 19 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera.