Background information France Spain

Official Names French Republic  Currency: Basic

units—euro. 100 cents =1 euro. The franc was taken out of circulation in 2002

 Kingdom of Spain Currency: Basic

units—euro. 100 cents = 1 euro. The peseta was taken out of circulation in 2002

Size France

Area: 551,670 sq. km. (220,668 sq. mi.); largest west European country, about four-fifths the size of Texas

Capital City: Paris (pop. 9.0 million)

Spain Area: 504,750 sq.

km. (194,884 sq. mi.), including the Balearic and Canary Islands; about the size of Arizona and Utah combined. Capital City: Madrid (pop. 5.0 million)

Location & Borders

The European Union Members

Euro Currency Members Current members include Spain,

France, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland

Major Cities Paris, Marseille,

Lyon, LilleMadrid, Barcelona,

Valencia, Seville

Geography France Terrain

Countryside is flat Rolling hills in the NW Plateau in the center East—The Alps and

Rhine River Pyrenees Mts and Med.

Sea to the South

Spain Terrain A plateau called the Meseta is the largest land region of Spain

Hills and mountains rise throughout the plateau.

After Switzerland, Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe

The Pyrenees Mountains in the NW

Climate Warm summers &

cool winters, except Mediterranean coast, (warmer seasons).

Summer high about 75 degrees F in the north; 82 degrees F Mediterranean coast.

Winter 43 degrees F, N, and 54 degrees F in the Mediterranean coast.

Varies greatly between regions. Climate: Temperate: clear hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast

Population:2002 estimate— 58m Density: 279 per sq.

mi. Distribution: 82 percent urban, 18 percent rural.

Major Religion: Roman Catholic, Jewish, Islam

Annual growth rate: 0.5%.

2002 estimate— 40m. Density: 203 per sq.

mi. Distribution: 64 percent urban, 36 percent rural.

Major religion: About 95 percent Roman Catholic

Annual growth rate: 0.3%.

Population Stats. cont France

Years of Compulsory:10

Literacy Level 99%

Work Force (25m) Service 66% Industry &

commerce 28% Agriculture 6%

Spain Years of Compulsory

to Age 16 Literacy Level 96% Work Force (16.2 m)

Service 61% Industry 17.6 % Agriculture 8% Construction 9.8%

History France

Began with Romans in 120 BC

Followed by Medieval Religious orders; growth of stunning chapels, abbeys, and cathedrals, etc

Renaissance introduced architecture, Art

Spain Began with Romans

in the 3rd century BC Romans gave the

name Hispania “land of coast rabbits”

Often invaded due to its central position

Muslims, Arabs, etc.

Government FRANCE Form: Parliamentary

democracy Head of state:

President. Head of

Government: Prime minister.

SPAIN Form:

Parliamentary monarchy

Head of state: King.

Head of government: Prime minister.

Government cont… Legislature: Parliament: Two houses:

The National Assembly (577 members)

The Senate (319 members).

The National Assembly is more powerful than the Senate

Executive: Prime minister and president each have some executive powers

Legislature: Parliament: Two

houses The Chamber of

Deputies (350 members)

The Senate (208 members).

The Chamber of Deputies is more powerful than the Senate

Executive: Prime minister; Cabinet selected by the prime minister

Lleida Lleida is in the middle of Dry and

Irrigated areas-- 3 major Channels Irrigation dates from 12c Area under irrigation is 270, 000 ha Irrigation methods include Drip,

aerosol, and pivots Most of the water comes form the

Pyrenees Mountains

Crop Production Receives 300mm rainfall/yr Dry area crops include:

Olives, almonds, Barley Irrigated:

Corn, Alfafa, Wheat, Fruits (apples, pears,peaches, apricots)

Water belongs to the State and is closely monitored

Crop and mineral Locations

Companies Scheduled for Visit

Borges Actel Raimat Transalfals

Borges Co-op part of the Grupo Borges Dedicated to producing Olive Oil and

Seed oils (Sunflower, Corn, Rape Seed) Also produced Pomace—oil from olive

seeds 1st exporter of Olive oil from Spain Provides Bulk Oil to ConAgra, Unilever,

Heines Sold as STAR brand in US

Actel Was Established in 1975 One of over 140 Coops in Spain Two main activities

Fruit Production Provide supplies for members: seed

gas,fertilizer (other inputs)

Actel Cont… Receives fruit from 32 Coops

within Lleida 20% of fruit exported within the EU 80% consumed within Spain Top company in Spain in the

Packaging/distribution of Pears, Peaches and Apples

RAIMAT

Largest single company owned Vineyards and wine producer in Spain

Owns over 2500 ha of vineyards Produces Cava (champagne) and wine Mostly irrigated (drip) Most mechanized farm in Spain

(21man hours/ha.yr) Also owns vineyards in Napa Valley

Transalfals Alfafa Dehydrating plant (coop) Process included drying and crushing Operates 24hrs/day 5 years old Most alfafa sold within Spain Busier in mornings when trucks bring

in alfafa from the field

Battle Company more than 200 years old. Most important seed Company in

Spain Grows, breeds, imports seed for

commercial purposes Also exports seed to Arab Countries Also handles other countries’ seed in

Spain e.g. seed from Denmark

Guissona 1st Ag Co-op in Spain Has 54,000 members Markets Nationally and in Catalan Complete Processing plant for Beef,

Sheep, Poultry, Turkey, Rabbits,Quail 80% of product distributed through

Guissona shops; 30% other ½ million hams cured annually