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Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Differences In Spanish Weather, Weather In Spain Differs Radically

By Carlos Barca


According to popular perception there is one type of Spanish weather weather in Spain apparently is sun, sun and more sun. This is the image which helped build Europe's first package holiday industry. Perception is not always reality, though.

Hotel rooms are booked on the back of the image of blue skies and golden sands. Locations like the Costa del Sol, Benidorm and Majorca have created economies on this idea. The high season in these places boasts amazing skies and hot days. This is what many people consider ideal for a relaxing holiday.

Yet, the Iberian peninsula's climate varies enormously. The country covers quite a lot of ground. It extends from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, with all the conditions associated with these stretches of water. In addition, the central plains called Castille, are particularly continental.

The capital city, Madrid, lies in central Castille. It is extremely hot in summer. Yet, as if someone flicked a switch, the climate changes and cool winds seep through the city. Locals say that the local conditions are nine months of winter and three months of hell.

Temperatures throughout the southernmost regions - Andalusia, Extramadura and Murcia - are very high in summer. Cordoba, the Moorish capital in Andalusia, has the reputation for being the hottest town in the country. Temperatures regularly reach over 40 degrees Celsius in July and August. In winter it is feasible to have lunch on an outdoor terrace.

Galicia is situated on the northwest coast. Its climate is Atlantic and thus has lots of wind and rain. As with other areas on the northern coast, some parts of the region look exactly like Ireland. Further east, the Basque country offers cool summers and cold winters. As people from the north of Europe head for the heat, many Spanish people come here, or neighboring Navarra, for summer.

The Catalans have built tourism on beach holidays on the Costa Brava and city trips to Barcelona. Their sunny climate is a huge attraction. Yet, an hour's drive inland puts are some beautiful villages in the Pyrenees. Average summer temperatures here are around 17 degrees, just over half that of Catalonia's coastal areas. Fresh mountain air soothes the face as if it were bathed in spring water.

A hot sunny climate can indeed describe Spanish weather weather in Spain though has many alternatives, which may be overlooked. In fact this is one of the many regional differences Spain has to offer. Others include a variety of different languages and hugely varied cuisine.




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