The Bardenas Reales (sometimes referred as Bárdenas Reales ) is a semi-desert natural region , or badlands , of some 42,000 hectares (420 km; 104,000 acres) in southeast Navarre ( Spain ). The soils are made up of clay , chalk , and sandstone and have been eroded by water and wind creating surprising shapes, canyons, plateaus, tabular structures, and isolated hills, called cabezos. Bardenas Reales lacks urban areas, vegetation is scarce and the many streams that cross the territory have a markedly seasonal flow, staying dry most of the year.
89-741: The Bardenas is in the southeast of Navarre, bordering Aragon . It is located in the middle of the depression of the Ebro valley at the foot of the mountains of the Yugo and the Zaragoza region of Cinco Villas . It is 45 km (28 mi) from north to south and 24 km (15 mi) east-west and at an altitude ranging between 280 and 659 m (919 and 2,162 ft). Its area is 41,845 hectares (418.45 km; 103,400 acres). There are only sixteen municipalities, of which thirteen are in Navarre and three in
178-548: A federation , even though in many respects the country can be compared to countries which are undeniably federal. The unique resulting system is referred to as "Autonomous state", or more precisely "State of Autonomies". With the implementation of the Autonomous Communities, Spain went from being one of the most centralized countries in the OECD to being one of the most decentralized; in particular, it has been
267-563: A "Statute of Autonomy" during the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1936). Otherwise, the constitution required the approval of three-fourths of the municipalities involved whose population would be at least the majority of the electoral census of each province, and required the ratification through a referendum with the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the electoral census of each province (that is, of all registered citizens, not only of those who would vote). While
356-461: A co-official language in Catalonia, making it the only autonomous community whose name has three official variants (Spanish: Cataluña , Catalan: Catalunya , Occitan: Catalonha ). PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) PP (Since July 2024) RA: Regionally Appointed DE: Directly Elected DE: Directly Elected Spain
445-704: A federal system in all but name, or a "federation without federalism". The official names of the autonomous communities can be in Spanish only (which applies to the majority of them), in the co-official language in the community only (as in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands), or in both Spanish and the co-official language (as in the Basque Country, Navarre and Galicia). Since 2006, Occitan —in its Aranese dialect —is also
534-593: A first Aiguabarreig between the towns of La Granja d'Escarp, Massalcoreig and Torrente de Cinca, a few kilometers downstream they converge with the waters of the Ebro, already in the municipality of Mequinenza , forming one of the largest river confluences of the entire Iberian Peninsula. Aragon, occupying the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula has served as a bridge between the Mediterranean Sea ,
623-718: A paradise for biodiversity. Territorially, the Aiguabarreig is at the center of the Middle Depression of the Ebro. It borders to the west with the Monegros, to the east with the Tossals de Montmeneu and Almatret and to the south with the tail of the Ribarroja reservoir. This space is named with Catalan word of origin that designates the place where two or more water streams meet and form one. The Segre and Cinca form
712-409: A provisional period of 5 years, after which they could assume further powers, upon negotiation with the central government. However, the constitution did not explicitly establish an institutional framework for these communities. They could have established a parliamentary system like the "historical nationalities", or they could have not assumed any legislative powers and simply established mechanisms for
801-614: A rich geopolitical and cultural history from its pre-Roman , Celtic and Roman days, four centuries of Islamic rule as Marca Superior of Al-Andalus or kingdom (or taifa ) of Saraqusta , as lands that once belonged to the Frankish Marca Hispanica , counties that later formed the Kingdom of Aragon , and eventually the Crown of Aragon . The area of Aragon is 47 720 km of which 15 636 km belong to
890-598: A uniform decentralization of entities with the same powers and an asymmetrical structure that would distinguish the nationalities. Peripheral nationalist parties wanted a multinational state with a federal or confederal model, whereas the governing Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) and the People's Alliance (AP) wanted minimum decentralization; the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
979-703: A variety of local customs, laws, languages and currencies until the mid 19th century. From the 18th century onwards, the Bourbon kings and the government tried to establish a more centralized regime. Leading figures of the Spanish Enlightenment advocated for the building of a Spanish nation beyond the internal territorial boundaries. This culminated in 1833, when Spain was divided into 49 (now 50) provinces , which served mostly as transmission belts for policies developed in Madrid. Spanish history since
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#17327719863531068-742: Is a broad perpendicular corridor. Its best represented section is the Canal de Berdún , which limits on the south with the reliefs of San Juan de la Peña ( 1 552 m ) and Oroel Rock ( 1 769 m ), modeled on conglomerates of the Campodarbe Formation. The pre-Pyrenean outer ranges are in the Huescan foothills and constitute the southernmost unit of the Pyrenees; formed by predominantly calcareous materials, reach heights between 1 500 and 2 000 meters. The Sierra de Guara , one of
1157-555: Is a diverse country made up of several different regions with varying economic and social structures, as well as different languages and historical, political and cultural traditions. While the entire Spanish territory was united under one crown in 1479, this was not a process of national homogenization or amalgamation. The constituent territories—be they crowns, kingdoms, principalities or dominions—retained much of their former institutional existence, including limited legislative, judicial or fiscal autonomy. These territories also exhibited
1246-528: Is an autonomous community in Spain , coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon . In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to south): Huesca , Zaragoza , and Teruel . Its capital is Zaragoza . The current Statute of Autonomy declares Aragon a historic nationality of Spain. Covering an area of 47 720 km ( 18 420 sq mi),
1335-686: Is presence of Phoenician , Greek and Etruscan products. In the 6th century BCE there are six groups with different social organization: Vascones , Suessetani , Sedetani , Iacetani , Ilergetes and Citerior Celtiberians . They are Iberized groups with a tendency towards stability, fixing their habitat in durable populations, with dwellings that evolve towards more enduring and stable models. There are many examples in Aragon, among them Cabezo de Monleón in Caspe , Puntal of Fraga , Roquizal del Rullo or Loma de los Brunos. The type of social organization
1424-593: Is situated in the southeastern part of the territory on the border of the Autonomous Community of Aragon . Formed by plateaus of different altitudes and cut by rivers flowing at the bottom of the cliffs, this part of the Bardenas is covered with vegetation. There is a central plateau that lies 100 m (330 ft) above the surrounding area where corn is grown. It is formed by Tertiary and Quaternary soils that were raised by pressure associated with
1513-505: Is the central area and more desert. Its relief is characterized by extensive plains and deep gorges through which rivers flow. This Bardena owes its name to the presence of white salt that extends over the surface due to the abundance of gypsum in the soil. The White Bardena divides into two, the White Lower and Upper White. The first is the most depressed and the second extends from Pisquerra and Eguaras to Carcastillo. Black Bardena
1602-491: Is vested in the nation as a whole, represented in the central institutions of government, the nation has, to varying degrees, devolved power to the communities. This unique framework of territorial administration has been labeled by the Constitutional Court as the "State of Autonomous Communities", to avoid implying either a unitary or federal model. Some scholars have referred to the resulting system as
1691-733: The Biosphere Reserve of Ordesa-Viñamala and is cataloged as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . In addition there are 4 other natural parks: the Moncayo Natural Park with an extension of 11 144 ha , the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park with 47 453 ha and 33 286 ha of peripheral area of protection, the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park with 33 440 .6 ha and 5 920 .2 ha of peripheral area of protection, and
1780-533: The Bronze Age by Pyrenees until reaching the Lower Aragon area, supposed an important ethnic contribution that prepared the way to the invasions of Iron Age. The Mediterranean contributions represented a commercial activity that will constitute a powerful stimulus for the iron metallurgy, promoting the modernization of the tools and the indigenous armament, replacing the old bronze with the iron. There
1869-634: The Generalitat , Catalonia's mediaeval institution of government, was restored. The constitution of 1931 envisaged a territorial division for all Spain in "autonomous regions", which was never fully attained—only Catalonia , the Basque Country and Galicia had approved " Statutes of Autonomy "—the process being thwarted by the Spanish Civil War that broke out in 1936, and the victory of the rebel Nationalist forces under Francisco Franco . During General Franco's dictatorial regime , centralism
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#17327719863531958-1077: The Suessetani , to those who took the capital, Corbio. In the 1st century BCE Aragon was the scene of the civil war to seize the power of Rome where the governor Quintus Sertorius made Osca ( Huesca ) the capital of all the territories controlled by them. Already in the 1st century BCE, the today Aragonese territory became part of the province Tarraconensis and there was the definitive romanization of it creating roads and consolidating ancient Celtiberian and Iberian cities such as Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza), Turiaso ( Tarazona ), Osca ( Huesca ) or Bilbilis (Calatayud). Autonomous communities of Spain Spanish : comunidad autónoma Aragonese : comunidat autonoma Asturian : comunidá autónoma Basque : autonomia erkidegoa Catalan : comunitat autònoma Galician : comunidade autónoma Occitan : comunautat autonòma The autonomous communities ( Spanish : comunidad autónoma ) are
2047-684: The Valles Occidentales Natural Park with 27 073 ha and 7 335 ha of peripheral area of protection. There are also three nature reserves, five natural monuments and three protected landscapes. At the confluence of the Segre and Ebro rivers, the Aiguabarreig Ebro-Segre-Cinca is a space with great natural wealth and a great variety of ecosystems that range from Mediterranean steppes to impenetrable riverside forests, making this space
2136-447: The province of Huesca , 17 275 km to the province of Zaragoza and 14 810 km to the province of Teruel . The total represents a 9.43% of the surface of Spain, being thus the fourth autonomous community in size behind Castile and León, Andalusia, and Castile-La Mancha. It is located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula , at a latitude between 39º and 43º'N in the temperate zone . Its boundaries and borders are in
2225-461: The "nationalities". After a massive rally in support of autonomy, a referendum was organized for Andalusia to attain autonomy through the strict requirements of article 151, or the "fast route"—with UCD calling for abstention, and the main party in opposition in Parliament, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) calling for a vote in favour. These requirements were not met, as in one of
2314-479: The "norm", was established in article 143. This route could be taken—via the first transitory disposition—by the "pre-autonomic regimes" that had been constituted in 1978, while the constitution was still being drafted, if approved by two-thirds of all municipalities involved whose population would sum up to at least the majority of the electoral census of each province or insular territory. These communities would assume limited powers ( Spanish : competencias ) during
2403-562: The "pre-autonomic regime" of Castile and León—were granted autonomy as single provinces with historical identity, a move supported by the majority of their populations. The "autonomic pacts" give both Cantabria and La Rioja the option of being incorporated into Castile and León in the future, and required that the Statutes of Autonomy of all three communities include such a provision. León, a historical kingdom and historical region of Spain, once joined to Old Castile to form Castile and León,
2492-716: The Acheulean industry that found its best weapons in the hand axes of flint or the cleavers of quartzite . In the Upper Palaeolithic appeared two new cultures: Solutrean and Magdalenian. The Epipaleolithic was centered in Lower Aragon , occupying the epoch between the 7th and the 5th millennium. In the first half of the 5th millennium BCE , Neolithic remains are found in the Huescan Outer Ranges and in Lower Aragon. The Eneolithic
2581-467: The Canary Islands in that, although they took the "slow route", through the subsequent approval of specific organic laws, they were to assume full autonomy in less than 5 years, since they had started a process towards the "fast route" prior to the approval of the "autonomic pacts". On the other hand, Cantabria and La Rioja, although originally part of Old Castile —and both originally included in
2670-633: The Cave del Moro of Olvena , the Masada del Ratón in Fraga , Palermo and the Cabezo de Monleón in Caspe . From the metallurgical point of view there seems to be a boom given the increase in foundry molds that are located in the populations. The Iron Age is the most important, since throughout the centuries it is the true substratum of the Aragonese historical population. The arrival of Central Europeans during
2759-508: The Constitution not setting a mandatory legislative chamber framework, all autonomous communities have chosen unicameralism . All such governments have legislative and executive branches of government but not judicial. The Spanish model is generally considered by foreign political scientists and scholars as "a federal system with certain peculiarities". However it is also described as a decentralised unitary country. While sovereignty
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2848-917: The Ebro River, the Tagus River (which originates in the Sierra de Albarracín range), and the Júcar , which has as its main river in this community the Turia . In Aragon, protected natural spaces are managed through the Red Natural de Aragón , an entity created in 2004 to protect all elements with ecological , landscape and cultural value and at the same time coordinate and establish common standards that contribute to their conservation and sustainable use. In this entity are integrated national parks , natural parks , nature reserves , biosphere reserves and other protected natural areas that have been declared by
2937-399: The Parliament approved an amendment to the law that regulated referendums, and used a prerogative of article 144c of the constitution, both actions which combined would allow Andalusia to take the fast route. They also agreed that no other region would take the "fast route", but that all regions would establish a parliamentary system with all institutions of government. This opened a phase that
3026-632: The above criteria, in that the Spanish Parliament could: The constitution also established two "routes" to accede to autonomy. The "fast route" or "fast track", also called the "exception", was established in article 151, and was implicitly reserved for the three "historical nationalities" — Catalonia , the Basque Country and Galicia , regions with strong regional identities —in that the very strict requirements to opt for this route were waived for those territories that had approved
3115-498: The administration of the powers they were granted. The constitution also explicitly established that the institutional framework for these communities would be a parliamentary system , with a Legislative Assembly elected by universal suffrage , a cabinet or "council of government", a president of such a council, elected by the Assembly, and a High Court of Justice. They were also granted a maximum level of devolved powers. While
3204-464: The approval of the Spanish Parliament, which would exercise its prerogatives to grant autonomy to other entities besides provinces. However one aspect of this asymmetry in powers between regions is a cause of friction, namely that the Basque-speaking areas ( Basque Country and Navarra ) can raise their own taxes and negotiate a transfer to Madrid to pay for common services and hence, unlike
3293-805: The area were rebelling, except for the Ilergetes who negotiated peace with Cato. There were different uprisings of the Iberian peoples against the Romans, in 194 BCE sees a general uprising with elimination of half of the Roman army, in 188 BCE Manlius Acidinus Fulvianus , praetor of the Citerior, must confront in Calagurris ( Calahorra ) with the Celtiberians , in the 184 BCE Terentius Varro did it with
3382-463: The autonomous communities were created, Article 145 prohibits the "federation of autonomous communities". This was understood as any agreement between communities that would produce an alteration to the political and territorial equilibrium that would cause a confrontation between different blocks of communities, an action incompatible with the principle of solidarity and the unity of the nation. The so-called "additional" and "transitory" dispositions of
3471-683: The autonomous community, the Ramsar Convention or the Natura 2000 . Within the protected areas is the only national park of Aragon: the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park , the second national park created in Spain , in 1918, it is found in the Pyrenees in the comarca of Sobrarbe , occupies an area of 15 608 ha , a part of the 19 679 ha of the peripheral area of protection. It also enjoys other figures of protection like
3560-481: The central areas. In mountain areas winters are long and rigorous, average temperatures can be up to 10 °C lower than in the valley. The two most important winds of Aragon are the cierzo and the bochorno or levant . The first is a cold and dry wind that crosses the Ebro Valley from northwest to southeast and that can become quite strong. The second is a warm wind, more irregular and smooth, coming from
3649-446: The cities of Ceuta and Melilla were constituted as "autonomous cities" without legislative powers, but with an autonomous assembly not subordinated to any other province or community. The creation of the autonomous communities was a diverse process, that started with the constitution, was normalized with the autonomic pacts and was completed with the Statutes of Autonomy. It is, however, an ongoing process; further devolution—or even
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3738-728: The community has as the central axis the Ebro valley (with heights between 150 and 300 meters approx.) which transits between two foothill areas, the Pyrenean and the Iberian, preambles of two mountain formations, the Pyrenees to the north and the Sistema Ibérico mountain range to the south; the Community has the highest peaks of both mountain ranges, the Aneto and the Moncayo respectively. The Aragonese Pyrenees are located in
3827-674: The community in two. Of the tributaries of the left bank of the river, the ones originating in the Pyrenees, the Aragón River stands out. Its headwaters are in Huesca, but it ends at the community of Navarre, the Gállego and the Cinca , which joins the Segre just before emptying into the Ebro at the height of Mequinenza . On the right bank, the Jalón , Huerva and Guadalope stand out. In
3916-412: The constitution allowed for some exceptions to the above-mentioned framework. In terms of territorial organization, the fifth transitory disposition established that the cities of Ceuta and Melilla , Spanish exclaves located on the northern coast of Africa, could be constituted as "autonomous communities" if the absolute majority of the members of their city councils would agree on such a motion, and with
4005-460: The constitution did not establish how many autonomous communities were to be created, on 31 July 1981, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo , then the prime minister of Spain and Felipe González , leader of the opposition in Parliament, signed the " First Autonomic Pacts " ( Primeros pactos autonómicos in Spanish), in which they agreed to the creation of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, with
4094-539: The constitution was still being drafted, and self-government seemed likely to be granted only to the "historical nationalities", there was a popular outcry in Andalusia , demanding self-government as well, which led to the creation of a quicker process for that region, which eventually self-identified as a "historical nationality" as well. In the end, the right to self-government was extended to any other region that wanted it. The "slow route" or "slow track", also called
4183-719: The country where the incomes and outcomes of the decentralized bodies (the Autonomous Communities) has grown the most, leading this rank in Europe by 2015 and being fifth among OECD countries in tax devolution (after Canada, Switzerland, the United States and Austria). By means of the State of Autonomies implemented after the Spanish Constitution of 1978, Spain has been quoted to be "remarkable for
4272-412: The creation of the Pyrenees and the mountains of Central Spain that caused the collapse of the Ebro basin forming an inland sea enclosed by the Catalan Coastal Range . Sediments laid down were then eroded from the Eocene onwards. These formed gravel and sandstone that stayed at the top, fine sand, clay, and limestone occupy the lower slopes. Clay remained in the centre and limestone and gypsum formed at
4361-422: The demands of the peripheral nationalists. The Prime Minister of Spain , Adolfo Suárez , met with Josep Tarradellas , president of the Generalitat of Catalonia in exile. They agreed to restore the Generalitat and transfer limited powers while the constitution was still being written. Shortly after, the government allowed the creation of "assemblies of members of parliament" made up of deputies and senators of
4450-415: The difference between "nation" and "nationality"; and it does not specify which are the "nationalities" and which are the "regions", or the territories they comprise. Rather than imposing, it enables a process towards a decentralized structure based on the exercise that these "nationalities and regions" would make of the right to self-government that they were granted. As such, the outcome of this exercise
4539-425: The different territories of Spain, so that they could constitute "pre-autonomic regimes" for their regions as well. The Fathers of the Constitution had to strike a balance between the opposing views of Spain—on the one hand, the centralist view inherited from monarchist and nationalist elements of Spanish society, and on the other hand federalism and a pluralistic view of Spain as a "nation of nations"; between
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#17327719863534628-404: The edges. The gravel, sandstones, and clay were all associated with alluvial deposits. Mixtures of sandstone and clay formed two mountain ranges between the centre and perimeter. The sediments may have been four metres (13 ft) thick. Ten million years ago, the basin opened to the Mediterranean Sea and drained, leaving the Ebro, which began water erosion along the southern perimeter, which left
4717-419: The eight provinces, Almería , votes in favour — although the plurality — did not amount to half of the electoral census as required. Yet, in general, the results of the referendum had been clear and unequivocal. After several months of discussion, the then prime minister of Spain, Adolfo Suárez and the leader of the opposition , Felipe González , reached an agreement to resolve the Andalusian issue, whereby
4806-405: The entire community. From the High mountain Alpine climate of the central Pyrenees to the north, with perpetual ice (glaciers), to the Humid subtropical climate (which is very common in Huesca 's lower altitude areas) to the steppe or semi-desert zones , such as the Monegros Desert , passing through the intense continental climate of the Teruel-Daroca area and the Mediterranean climate in
4895-507: The first-level administrative divisions of Spain , created in accordance with the Spanish Constitution of 1978 , with the aim of guaranteeing limited autonomy to the nationalities and regions that make up Spain. There are 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities ( Ceuta and Melilla ) that are collectively known as " autonomies ". The two autonomous cities have the right to become autonomous communities. The autonomous communities exercise their right to self-government within
4984-439: The highest peaks like: the Aneto ( 3 404 m ), Maladeta ( 3 309 m ) and the Perdiguero ( 3 221 m ). The inner Pre-Pyrenees, composed of more modern rocks (limestones) also has large mountains such as Monte Perdido ( 3 355 m ), Collarada ( 2 886 m ) and Tendeñera ( 2 853 m ). The main Pyrenean valleys are formed by the rivers that are born there, which are: The intrapirenaic depression
5073-406: The indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards; it recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government of the nationalities and regions of which it is composed and the solidarity among them all. The constitution was rather ambiguous on how this was to take place. It does not define, detail, or impose the structure of the state; it does not tell
5162-464: The interior. In the territorial distribution that Rome made of Hispania , the current Aragon was included in the Hispania Citerior . In the year 197 BCE, Sempronius Tuditanus is the praetor of the Citerior and had to face a general uprising in their territories that ended with the Roman defeat and the own death of Tuditanus. In view of these facts the Senate sent the consul Marcus Porcius Cato with an army of 60 000 men. The indigenous peoples of
5251-414: The late 19th century has been shaped by a dialectical struggle between Spanish nationalism and peripheral nationalisms, mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and to a lesser degree in Galicia . In a response to Catalan demands, limited autonomy was granted to the Commonwealth of Catalonia in 1914, only to be abolished in 1925. It was granted again in 1932 during the Second Spanish Republic , when
5340-458: The limits set forth in the constitution and organic laws known as Statutes of Autonomy , which broadly define the powers that they assume. Each statute sets out the devolved powers ( Spanish : competencia ) for each community; typically those communities with stronger local nationalism have more powers, and this type of devolution has been called asymmetrical which is on the whole seen as advantageous, able to respond to diversity. Despite
5429-425: The most important mountain ranges of the Spanish Pre-Pyrenees , stands out; its summit, the Guara Peak , reaches 2 077 metres. The Mallos de Riglos , near the town of Ayerbe , stand out for their beauty. The Aragonese central depression includes a wide lowland area, which is also the central part of the Depression of the Ebro . North of the river there is the Sierra de Alcubierre ranges ( 811 m ) one of
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#17327719863535518-432: The north of the province of Huesca and are arranged longitudinally in three large units: High Pyrenees, Internal Depressions and Outer Ranges. The Aragonese High Pyrenees contains the maximum heights of all the Pyrenees mountainous chain. The High Pyrenees is formed in turn by the axial Pyrenees and the Inland Ranges. In the axial Pyrenees are the oldest materials: granites , quartzites , slates and limestones and
5607-453: The north with France (the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie ), in the west with the autonomous communities of Castile-La Mancha (provinces of Guadalajara and Cuenca ), Castile and León ( province of Soria ), La Rioja and Navarre , and in the east with the autonomous communities of Catalonia (provinces of Lérida and Tarragona ) and the Valencian Community (provinces of Castellón and Valencia ). The orography of
5696-417: The other regions, do not contribute to fiscal equalisation across Spain. These two regions or communities are known as "chartered" territories, In all other communities, all taxes are levied and collected by or for the central government and then redistributed among all. The Statutes of Autonomy of the Basque Country and Catalonia were sanctioned by the Spanish Parliament on 18 December 1979. The position of
5785-419: The party in government, the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD), was that only the three "historical nationalities" would assume full powers, while the rest would accede to autonomy via article 143, assuming fewer powers and perhaps not even establishing institutions of government. This was firmly opposed by the representatives of Andalusia , who demanded for their region the maximum level of powers granted to
5874-463: The peninsular center and the coasts of the Cantabrian Sea . The human presence in the lands that today form the autonomous community date back several millennia, but present-day Aragon, like many of the current historical nationalities, was formed during the Middle Ages . The oldest testimonies of human life in the lands that today make up Aragon go back to the time of the glaciations, in the Pleistocene , some 600 000 years ago. This population left
5963-464: The population of Aragon was 1 326 261 , with slightly over half living in the capital city, Zaragoza . In 2020, the economy of Aragon generated a GDP of €34 687 million, which represents 3.1% of Spain's national GDP, and is currently 6th in per capita production behind Madrid, Basque Country , Navarre , Catalonia and La Rioja. In addition to its three provinces, Aragon is subdivided into 33 comarcas or counties. All comarcas of Aragon have
6052-471: The pre-existing 50 provinces of Spain , a territorial division of the liberal centralizing regime of the 19th century created for purely administrative purposes (it also recognized the municipalities that integrated the provinces). These provinces would serve as the building blocks and constituent parts of the autonomous communities. The constitution stipulated that the following could be constituted as autonomous communities: It also allowed for exceptions to
6141-452: The province of Zaragoza. The Navarrese are Valtierra , Arguedas , Carcastillo , Santacara , Mélida , Rada , Caparroso , Villafranca , Cadreita , Tudela , Cabanillas , Fustiñana and Buñuel , while the Zaragozan are: Tauste , Ejea de los Caballeros and Sádaba . Las Bardenas is divided into several distinct areas which mainly include two, Black Bardena and White Bardena, but there are other smaller areas of great singularity. It
6230-454: The provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel . It is a set of hills without a clear structural unit, which can be divided into two zones: Sistema Ibérico del Jalón and Sistema Ibérico turolense. In the first, the Moncayo stands out with 2 314 m , formed by Paleozoic quartzites and slates , partly covered by Mesozoic limestones . The second is formed by elevated terrain (from 1 000 to 2 000 m in general), but flattened and massive. To
6319-409: The recognition of a pluralistic vision of Spanish nationhood. When Franco died in 1975, Spain entered into a phase of transition towards democracy . The most difficult task of the newly democratically elected Cortes Generales (the Spanish Parliament) in 1977 acting as a Constituent Assembly was to transition from a unitary centralized state into a decentralized state in a way that would satisfy
6408-432: The region's terrain ranges diversely from permanent glaciers to verdant valleys, rich pasture lands and orchards, through to the arid steppes of the central lowlands. Aragon is home to many rivers—most notably, the river Ebro , Spain's largest river in volume, which runs west–east across the entire region through the province of Zaragoza. It is also home to the highest mountains of the Pyrenees . As of January 2021 ,
6497-604: The remaining land relatively flat. The folding effect of erosion is caused by alternate soft and hard materials. If the layers are horizons, then the Cabezas became isolated. 42°11′27″N 1°28′12″W / 42.19083°N 1.47000°W / 42.19083; -1.47000 Aragon Aragon ( / ˈ ær ə ɡ ən / ARR -ə-gən , US also /- ɡ ɒ n , - ɡ oʊ n / -gon, -gohn ; Spanish and Aragonese : Aragón [aɾaˈɣon] ; Catalan : Aragó [əɾəˈɣo] )
6586-430: The return of transferred powers—is always a possibility. This has been evidenced in the 2000s, at the beginning with a wave of approval of new Statutes of Autonomy for many communities, and more recently with many considering the recentralization of some powers in the wake of the economic and financial crisis of 2008. Nonetheless, Spain is now a decentralized country with a structure unlike any other, similar but not equal to
6675-812: The same institutions of government, but different competences. By 1983, all 17 autonomous communities were constituted: Andalusia , Aragon , Asturias , the Balearic Islands , the Basque Country , the Canary Islands , Cantabria , Castile and León , Castile–La Mancha , Catalonia , the Community of Madrid , Extremadura , Galicia , La Rioja , Navarra , the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community . The two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla were constituted in 1995. Once
6764-547: The south-east. The vegetation follows the oscillations of relief and climate. There is a great variety, both in natural vegetation and in crops. In the high areas there are forests (pines, firs, beech trees, oaks), bush and meadows, and in the central Ebro Valley , evergreen oak and juniper are the most common trees. Most Aragonese rivers are tributaries of the Ebro River, which is the largest river in Spain and divides
6853-400: The southern areas bordering Castilla La Mancha and the Valencian Community . The main characteristics of the Aragonese climate are: Temperatures are very dependent on the altitude. In the Ebro Valley the winters are relatively moderate, although the frosts are very common and the thermal sensation can decrease a lot with the cierzo . Temperatures in summer can exceed 40 °C in
6942-705: The southwest of the depression the summits of the Sierra de Albarracín range are reached above 1 800 m , southeast the 2 000 m are reached in the Sierra de Javalambre range and finally the Sierra de Gúdar range ( 2 024 m ) transitions to the Maestrazgo area in the Valencian Community . There are two main types of climate in Aragón, the Semi-arid climate and the Oceanic climate . Its irregular orography creates several microclimates throughout
7031-524: The stream bed of the Ebro river, near the border with Catalonia, the Mequinenza Reservoir , of 1 530 hm and a length of about 110 km; it is popularly known as the "Sea of Aragon". The small Pyrenean mountain lakes called ibones merit special mention. These lakes are very scenic, originating during the last glaciation , and are usually found above 2 000 m . The Autonomous Community lies within three hydrographic regions,
7120-408: The territorial arrangements, while enshrining in the constitution the right to autonomy or self-government of the "nationalities and regions", through a process of asymmetric devolution of power to the "autonomous communities" that were to be created. The starting point in the territorial organization of Spain was the second article of the constitution, which reads: The Constitution is based on
7209-473: The then prime minister of Spain Felipe González from PSOE and the leader of the opposition, José María Aznar from the newly created People's Party (PP) successor of the People's Alliance party . Through these agreements new powers were transferred, with the reforms to many Statutes of Autonomy of the "slow-route" communities with the aim of equalizing them to the "fast route" communities. In 1995,
7298-469: The typical limestone plateaus of the valley. The Ebro Valley is a tectonic pit filled with sedimentary materials, accumulated in the Tertiary age in horizontal series. In the center, fine materials such as clays , plasters and limestones were deposited. To the south of the Ebro there are the limestone plateaus of Borja and of Zaragoza . The Aragonese section of the Sistema Ibérico straddles
7387-469: Was based on the family group, consisting of four generations. Self-sufficient societies in which the greater part of the population was dedicated to agricultural and livestock activities. In the Iberian scope the power was monarchical, exercised by a king; there was a democratic assembly with participation of the male population. There were visible social differentiations and established legal-political statutes. The Romans arrived and progressed easily into
7476-723: Was characterized in the province of Huesca presenting two important megalithic nuclei: the Pre-Pyrenees of the Outer Ranges and the High Pyrenean valleys. The Late Bronze Age begins in Aragon around 1100 BCE with the arrival of the Urnfield culture . They are Indo-European people, with an alleged origin in Central Europe, who incinerate their dead by placing the ashes in a funeral urn. There are examples in
7565-439: Was denied secession to be constituted as an autonomous community on its own right. During the second half of the 1980s, the central government seemed reluctant to transfer all powers to the "slow route" communities. After the five years set up by the constitution, all "slow route" communities demanded the maximum transfer guaranteed by the constitution. This led to what has been called the "second autonomic pacts" of 1992, between
7654-453: Was dubbed as café para todos , "coffee for all". This agreement was eventually put into writing in July 1981 in what has been called the "first autonomic pacts". These "autonomic pacts" filled in the gap left by the open character of the constitution. Among other things: In the end, 17 autonomous communities were created: Special provisions were made for the Valencian Community and
7743-469: Was not predictable and its construction was deliberately open-ended; the constitution only created a process for an eventual devolution , but it was voluntary in nature: the "nationalities and regions" themselves had the option of choosing to attain self-government or not. In order to exercise this right, the constitution established an open process whereby the "nationalities and regions" could be constituted as "autonomous communities". First, it recognized
7832-414: Was sympathetic to a federal system. In the end, the constitution, published and ratified in 1978, found a balance in recognizing the existence of "nationalities and regions" in Spain, within the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". In order to manage the tensions present in the Spanish transition to democracy, the drafters of the current Spanish constitution avoided giving labels such as 'federal' to
7921-410: Was vigorously enforced as a way of preserving the "unity of the Spanish nation". Peripheral nationalism, along with communism and atheism, were regarded by his regime as the main threats. His attempts to fight separatism with heavy-handed but sporadic repression, and his often severe suppression of language and regional identities backfired: the demands for democracy became intertwined with demands for
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