Spain

Introduction

Spain covers most (85%) of the Iberian Peninsula and has a coastline 4,750 long. Much of the country is high plateau, the average altitude being about 700 m, and the coast is generally steep and rocky, with cliffs and bluffs, and very few low-lying areas (Marques and Julia 1985). There is a contrast between the Atlantic (Bay of Biscay and southwest Spain) coast and that bordering the Med­iterranean, related to prevailing wave energy regimes and tide ranges. The Bay of Biscay and southwest coasts have strong wave energy, including ocean swell of distant origin, frequent storms, substantial mean spring tide ranges (San Sebastian 3.8, Santander 3.7, La Coruna 3.3, and Cadiz 2.7 m) generating strong tidal currents, and rivers with a large and constant discharge. The Mediterranean is characterised by low to moderate wave energy, small tide ranges (diminishing east from Gibraltar 0.9 m to typically less than 0.2 m), weak tidal currents, and rivers with low, intermittent...