Natural Resources
Spain's many resources include hydropower, iron ore, lignite, coal, zinc, copper, lead, uranium, pyrites, tungsten, mercury, gypsum, magnesite, fluorspar, sepiolite, potash, kaolin, and arable land.
The abundance of these resources certainly help Spain's economy. Many of these resources can be harvested and exported to other countries. Along with a GDP expansion, trade offs come from these resources. With Spain only having these resources in abundance, it has to import many other ones from other countries, lowering Spain's GDP if the government spends too much on imports.
The abundance of these resources certainly help Spain's economy. Many of these resources can be harvested and exported to other countries. Along with a GDP expansion, trade offs come from these resources. With Spain only having these resources in abundance, it has to import many other ones from other countries, lowering Spain's GDP if the government spends too much on imports.
Environmental Issues
Even with many of these rare, valuable natural resources, Spain still experiences many common environmental issues, mostly regarding water. In 2012, Spain had a very serious water shortage. Some news articles were even saying that "water shortages are turning Spain into the new Africa!" It had gotten to the point where there were even black market exchanges of water. This shortage created areas of desertification in Southern Spain.
Environmental issues relate to government spending and foreign aid. A country usually is not prepared for these kind of natural disasters. A country usually does have a decent amount of money set aside for these kind of environmental emergencies. In Spain's case, this water shortage was much more drastic than a country would be prepared for. Also, Spain received a large amount of foreign aid from countries to help fix this issue.
Environmental issues relate to government spending and foreign aid. A country usually is not prepared for these kind of natural disasters. A country usually does have a decent amount of money set aside for these kind of environmental emergencies. In Spain's case, this water shortage was much more drastic than a country would be prepared for. Also, Spain received a large amount of foreign aid from countries to help fix this issue.