Transcript Background information - Department of Economics

Background information
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France
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Spain
Official Names
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French Republic
Currency: Basic
units—euro. 100
cents =1 euro.
The franc was
taken out of
circulation in
2002
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Kingdom of Spain
Currency: Basic
units—euro. 100
cents = 1 euro.
The peseta was
taken out of
circulation in
2002
Size
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France
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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)
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Spain
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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
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Current members include Spain,
France, Belgium, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Austria, Portugal,
Finland
Major Cities
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Paris, Marseille,
Lyon, Lille
Madrid, Barcelona,
Valencia, Seville
Geography
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France Terrain
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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
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Spain Terrain
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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
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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.
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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
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France
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Years of
Compulsory:10
Literacy Level 99%
Work Force (25m)
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Service 66%
Industry & commerce
28%
Agriculture 6%
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Spain
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Years of Compulsory
to Age 16
Literacy Level 96%
Work Force (16.2 m)
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Service 61%
Industry 17.6 %
Agriculture 8%
Construction 9.8%
History
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France
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Began with Romans
in 120 BC
Followed by Medieval
Religious orders;
growth of stunning
chapels, abbeys,
and cathedrals, etc
Renaissance
introduced
architecture, Art
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Spain
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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…
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Legislature:
Parliament: Two
houses:
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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
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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
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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
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Receives 300mm rainfall/yr
Dry area crops include:
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Irrigated:
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Olives, almonds, Barley
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
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Borges
Actel
Raimat
Transalfals
Borges
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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
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Was Established in 1975
One of over 140 Coops in Spain
Two main activities
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Fruit Production
Provide supplies for members: seed
gas,fertilizer (other inputs)
Actel Cont…
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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