SWS-Asturius&Cantabria/Climate-Topography-Soils Flashcards
Where is Asturius located?
- Galicia on the west
- Castilla y León to the south
- Cantabria to the east
- Cantabrian Sea and southern part of Bay of Biscay to the north
What is the capital of Asturius?
Oviedo
Where is Cantabria located?
- Asturius to the west
- País Vasco to the east
- Castilla y León to south
What is the capital of Cantabria?
Santander (port town)
What is the climate in Cantabria?
- maritime; cool and damp due to Atlantic
- one of cloudiest parts of Spain
- coastal areas get more sun than rest of region
What is the climate in Asturius?
- maritime; cool and damp due to Atlantic
- summers cool with some sun
Which region gets more rainfall?
- Cantabria; 1,200mm
- Asturius; 1,000mm
Do Asturius and Cantabria get snowfall?
- snow rare near coast
- falls frequently inland, especially Cordillera Cantábrica
What effect do the vineyards near Cordillera Cantábrica experience?
- foehn effect
- vineyards in Green Spain on downwind site are affected by foehn winds
- foehn effect extends growing season
What is the foehn effect?
- when air forced upwards in mountains, it expands and cools as result of decreased pressure
- clouds form due to condensation; results in rain and/or snow in mountain’s upwind area
- change from vapor to liquid results in heating
- leads to warming and drying conditions on downwind (lee) side of mountain
Which mountain range dominates Asturius and Cantabria?
- Cordillera Cantábrica forms border with Castilla y León to south
Which mountain range forms part of the Cordillera Cantábrica?
- Pico de Europa (Peaks of Europe)
Where are the vineyards located in Asturius?
- mountainous areas in southwest part
Where are the vineyards located in Cantabria?
- grow along the coast
- reach inland into foothills of Cordillera Cantábrica
- on steep slopes at elevations of 500m
Which soils dominate in Asturius?
- limestone mountain range give way to slate soils
What is the benefit of slate soils in Asturius?
- provide drainage; important due to high rainfall
Which soils dominate in Cantabria?
- limestone in mountainous areas
- valley floors have more shale and sandstone
What soil feature hinders viticulture in Cantabria?
- high fertility
- soils more suited for apple trees; region famous for cider
What is the name of this mountain range within the Cordillera Cantábrica?
- Pico de Europa
