Why 70% of Spain is Empty
video description
Before immigrating to Spain 18 years later, back in 2001 I went to visit friends who lived in Caceres, Extremadura Spain (4 hours from Madrid. Outside the Caseres station was a massive poster basically saying -High speed train between Caceres and Madrid planned-.
I was told by my friends who had lived in Caceres most of their lives, that this poster had been there for many years and not a single rail had yet been laid. If I am correct, 22 years later that poster advertisement is yet to become reality, because the existing connection between Caceres and Madrid still takes 3. 5 hours (30 mins less than the car. so hardly high speed rail.
This is also the case for the Costa Del Sol. It being one of the most busiest and property densed purchased coastlines in Spain. And yet, the coastline train from Malaga airport ends at Fuengirola, so all the other towns beyond that has no rail link! (which did not affect me, has I lived in Benalmadena and had a car to get beyond that point. But good for the local spanish economy, locals/tourist.
So beyond Fuengirola end of the line there is all the existing businesses and development with even more property being constructed daily, with no plans to extend the line beyond Fuengirola. which seems bad government infrastructure planning. I was told by spanish locals that the government does not have enough money to extend the line and build new town stations etc. But when you take that this is one of the most populated property rich coastlines of spain it just seems bad planning/choice. When in normal circumstances when new communities are built (or in this case continue to be built rapidly) other countries include new transport infrastructure also.
Before immigrating to Spain 18 years later, back in 2001 I went to visit friends who lived in Caceres, Extremadura Spain (4 hours from Madrid. Outside the Caseres station was a massive poster basically saying -High speed train between Caceres and Madrid planned-.
I was told by my friends who had lived in Caceres most of their lives, that this poster had been there for many years and not a single rail had yet been laid. It took a further 20 years for that poster advertisement to become reality.
This is also the case for the Costa Del Sol. It being one of the most busiest coastlines and property purchased coastlines in Spain. And yet, the coastline train from Malaga airport ends at Fuengirola, that being the end of the line! (which did not affect me has I lived in Benalmadena and had a car to get beyond that point. Not good for the economy or locals/tourist.
So beyond that with all the other destination filled with property and businesses etc (and the spanish government continuing to invest in more and more property development, up until I left the spain, there was no plans to extend the line beyond Fuengirola. which seemed ridiculous bad government infrastructure future proof planning. Spain is a beautiful country, and needs to be accessible to be truly seen.
Date: 2023-12-14
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Comments and reviews: 28
reallifelore
Those reactionaries who hope to return to the -good old times- to solve the population / immigration crisis should watch this report! The consequences of several aspects of fascist policies - from an uncontrolled free market approach to rural stagnation caused by rejection of modernisation, leading to mass emigration are at the root of Spain's population problem. Instructive to see that the explosion of private car ownership correlated with falling birth rates, similar to many other countries. But Spain is lucky insofar that there is a large pool of potential Spanish speaking immigrants in Latin America. Maybe Spain should develop a -regional immigration scheme- similar to the Australian one, where immigrants receive visa only when they agree to settle in a defined region. But that has to be combined with investment in these regions, otherwise the immigrants or their children will move to the cities at a later point.
Also climate aspects have to be taken into account - climate change will make many regions in the south unfit for agriculture in the near future. Maybe there will be internal migration to the northern provinces, with their -cold winters- mentioned in the report a boon in the future?
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Those reactionaries who hope to return to the -good old times- to solve the population / immigration crisis should watch this report! The consequences of several aspects of fascist policies - from an uncontrolled free market approach to rural stagnation caused by rejection of modernisation, leading to mass emigration are at the root of Spain's population problem. Instructive to see that the explosion of private car ownership correlated with falling birth rates, similar to many other countries. But Spain is lucky insofar that there is a large pool of potential Spanish speaking immigrants in Latin America. Maybe Spain should develop a -regional immigration scheme- similar to the Australian one, where immigrants receive visa only when they agree to settle in a defined region. But that has to be combined with investment in these regions, otherwise the immigrants or their children will move to the cities at a later point.
Also climate aspects have to be taken into account - climate change will make many regions in the south unfit for agriculture in the near future. Maybe there will be internal migration to the northern provinces, with their -cold winters- mentioned in the report a boon in the future?
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-dinislopes9432
It's sad but the Portuguese situation is quite the same. Lisbon and Porto (their metropolitan areas) have basically 50%+ of our population and the rest is mostly throughout the coast. Our inner part is just like this Spanish 'void'. And even same reasons: climate, topography and, of course, very poor laws back since our dictatureship and the lack of any support nowadays. It saddens me that both us and Spain suffer the same issue.
Don't get me wrong though, those regions (here and there) are stunning. But, unless the governments do something, they'll be devoid of people and won't show any decent entrepeneur side. :/
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It's sad but the Portuguese situation is quite the same. Lisbon and Porto (their metropolitan areas) have basically 50%+ of our population and the rest is mostly throughout the coast. Our inner part is just like this Spanish 'void'. And even same reasons: climate, topography and, of course, very poor laws back since our dictatureship and the lack of any support nowadays. It saddens me that both us and Spain suffer the same issue.
Don't get me wrong though, those regions (here and there) are stunning. But, unless the governments do something, they'll be devoid of people and won't show any decent entrepeneur side. :/
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-divindave6117
I found myself in that yellow area north east of Madrid, in 1987 for work. It was certainly behind the times, that's for sure. At the time, you could not even get a telephone line installed in the house unless someone in town died, then there was a lottery to see who would get that phone line. There just weren't enough telephone switching facilities. Anyways, long story short, after a few months I ended up loving it. So much so, that after my 6 month work gig was over, I ended up staying there for 11 years. The people there, the countryside and everything about it was just beautiful.
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I found myself in that yellow area north east of Madrid, in 1987 for work. It was certainly behind the times, that's for sure. At the time, you could not even get a telephone line installed in the house unless someone in town died, then there was a lottery to see who would get that phone line. There just weren't enough telephone switching facilities. Anyways, long story short, after a few months I ended up loving it. So much so, that after my 6 month work gig was over, I ended up staying there for 11 years. The people there, the countryside and everything about it was just beautiful.
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-pdruiz2005
Fun Fact: If not for King Philip II of Spain, and his decision in the 1560s to finally put down permanent roots for the royal court in Madrid, the hole in the -population donut- would not have formed. Madrid would've remained a small town, or even a tiny village, stuck in the isolated middle, high up on that dry plateau that defines central Spain. That 6 to 7 million people would've settled elsewhere, likely in the south in Andalusia or in Catalonia, where Barcelona is located.
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Fun Fact: If not for King Philip II of Spain, and his decision in the 1560s to finally put down permanent roots for the royal court in Madrid, the hole in the -population donut- would not have formed. Madrid would've remained a small town, or even a tiny village, stuck in the isolated middle, high up on that dry plateau that defines central Spain. That 6 to 7 million people would've settled elsewhere, likely in the south in Andalusia or in Catalonia, where Barcelona is located.
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-PossibleBat
It is Spanish tradition to complain about our own country, even hate it, but when you see it from a perspective other than your own, specially from a global point. Damn am I lucky to have been born here, damn am I lucky to be Spanish. The potential we hold, not only economically but also culturally is massive. We really are living in the best nation in the world, sure we have issues but yeah, quality of life and life/work balance here is amazing. You actually LIVE here.
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It is Spanish tradition to complain about our own country, even hate it, but when you see it from a perspective other than your own, specially from a global point. Damn am I lucky to have been born here, damn am I lucky to be Spanish. The potential we hold, not only economically but also culturally is massive. We really are living in the best nation in the world, sure we have issues but yeah, quality of life and life/work balance here is amazing. You actually LIVE here.
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-Yupppi
Listening to this with the absolutely gorgeous scenery makes you think why wouldn't they give more focus to those areas. Although bringing all the best infrastructure and modern luxury like services to distant lowly populated areas is expensive, it might ease some issues of extremely highly populated areas. But would that beautiful scenery also suffer from bringing tech and industry. It might. So what's the best?
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Listening to this with the absolutely gorgeous scenery makes you think why wouldn't they give more focus to those areas. Although bringing all the best infrastructure and modern luxury like services to distant lowly populated areas is expensive, it might ease some issues of extremely highly populated areas. But would that beautiful scenery also suffer from bringing tech and industry. It might. So what's the best?
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-RandallSlick
Those regions will never be attractive to live in again. Between increased summer temperatures, wildfires, drought and poor water management, they're screwed. Very sad. Having said that, and as with any place with mountainous terrain, there may be future microclimates that prove appealing, given the ability to conserve water.
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Those regions will never be attractive to live in again. Between increased summer temperatures, wildfires, drought and poor water management, they're screwed. Very sad. Having said that, and as with any place with mountainous terrain, there may be future microclimates that prove appealing, given the ability to conserve water.
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-r_tmp
I agree, also, wouldn't the current individual -resent- that hypothetical future partner or themselves for not following what they actually want to do? I think we get very caught up in how we -should- be instead of how we want to be and choosing our own values (of course doing no harm to others and acting with consent)
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I agree, also, wouldn't the current individual -resent- that hypothetical future partner or themselves for not following what they actually want to do? I think we get very caught up in how we -should- be instead of how we want to be and choosing our own values (of course doing no harm to others and acting with consent)
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-alistair7539
A more interesting perspective in my opinion would be why the Spanish economy is so small given the centuries it's had to develop.
Australia has had only two centuries to develope a Western economy yet it's double the size of Spain's by population.
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A more interesting perspective in my opinion would be why the Spanish economy is so small given the centuries it's had to develop.
Australia has had only two centuries to develope a Western economy yet it's double the size of Spain's by population.
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-hakimarkam-tn1yx
all Europe is going to to disappear in few years coming, why because they dont make babies they prefer adopting pet instead that why Pope of vatican said it last time. and most of people are gay now and some they scared to married you know why?
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all Europe is going to to disappear in few years coming, why because they dont make babies they prefer adopting pet instead that why Pope of vatican said it last time. and most of people are gay now and some they scared to married you know why?
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-neruba2173
Communists: Oh no Franco is in power Im leaving my countryside home!
Franco: Im going to make huge economic reforms starting with the main hubs.
Communists: Franco died im comming back home! Lets settle in this rich new main hub!
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Communists: Oh no Franco is in power Im leaving my countryside home!
Franco: Im going to make huge economic reforms starting with the main hubs.
Communists: Franco died im comming back home! Lets settle in this rich new main hub!
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reallifelore
Climate also plays a part, if you drive through some of those areas is like traveling through a desert. Large dry fields with some sparse trees in extreme heat. I wouldn-t be surprised if in some decades we start seeing sand and dunes.
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Climate also plays a part, if you drive through some of those areas is like traveling through a desert. Large dry fields with some sparse trees in extreme heat. I wouldn-t be surprised if in some decades we start seeing sand and dunes.
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-chacs7427
Please pronounce your T-s. It sounds sloppy when you say Mounins and Laddins instead of MounTains and LaTins. Also: emptier not -more empty- sounds better when using the comparative.
Otherwise, good maps, well-presented.
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Please pronounce your T-s. It sounds sloppy when you say Mounins and Laddins instead of MounTains and LaTins. Also: emptier not -more empty- sounds better when using the comparative.
Otherwise, good maps, well-presented.
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reallifelore
What is the connection between the empty Spain and Franco? You combined different topics ramdonly.
Can you explain why North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, . are empty states? Did they have anothe Franco?
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What is the connection between the empty Spain and Franco? You combined different topics ramdonly.
Can you explain why North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, . are empty states? Did they have anothe Franco?
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-justinsgarage1125
I flew into Madrid twice and each time took a bus to Grenada near the Albaicin. Definitely a long bus ride but it was a beautiful one. Olive trees as far as the eye can see and snow capped mountains.
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I flew into Madrid twice and each time took a bus to Grenada near the Albaicin. Definitely a long bus ride but it was a beautiful one. Olive trees as far as the eye can see and snow capped mountains.
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reallifelore
(Such a pity Americans are constantly trying to inflect spoken text with tons of passion, interest and enthusiasm at EVERY line. It is far to exhausting to watch the whole item: maybe later. Pity)
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(Such a pity Americans are constantly trying to inflect spoken text with tons of passion, interest and enthusiasm at EVERY line. It is far to exhausting to watch the whole item: maybe later. Pity)
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-nflegal49
Spain is rich because they exploited the Americas for 350 to 400 years. 1898 was when Cuba gained independence from the Spanish kingdom. Started in the Caribbean & ended in the Caribbean.
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Spain is rich because they exploited the Americas for 350 to 400 years. 1898 was when Cuba gained independence from the Spanish kingdom. Started in the Caribbean & ended in the Caribbean.
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-cayenneta
my great grandparents fled from catalonia after franco won bc they were enemies of the state, my family still has the pictures of the parties they threw when franco died lol
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my great grandparents fled from catalonia after franco won bc they were enemies of the state, my family still has the pictures of the parties they threw when franco died lol
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-andersonluna7551
It's easy to solve this problem, Spain just need to bring half of Latam population to live and work in their country, after that it won't be underpopulated anymore.
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It's easy to solve this problem, Spain just need to bring half of Latam population to live and work in their country, after that it won't be underpopulated anymore.
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-yatarookayama8329
0: 08 -on of the wealthiest- Majority of Spanish people living in poverty line under -Woke Socialist- Dictatorship for more than a decade be like --
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0: 08 -on of the wealthiest- Majority of Spanish people living in poverty line under -Woke Socialist- Dictatorship for more than a decade be like --
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-__Andrew_
DOWNVOTED due the dumb choice to inflict incessant cheap background music on your listeners.
G I V E. O U R. E A R S. A.
B R E A K. please!
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DOWNVOTED due the dumb choice to inflict incessant cheap background music on your listeners.
G I V E. O U R. E A R S. A.
B R E A K. please!
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-SlimTortoise
People are easy to control if they live in cities and on top of each other, Hence why governments have very little interest in the countryside.
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People are easy to control if they live in cities and on top of each other, Hence why governments have very little interest in the countryside.
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reallifelore
In 2023 Spain's GDP is almost 1. 6 Trillion US Dollars. In 2028 it will reach as 2 Trillion Dollars if it's economic recovery will continue.
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In 2023 Spain's GDP is almost 1. 6 Trillion US Dollars. In 2028 it will reach as 2 Trillion Dollars if it's economic recovery will continue.
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reallifelore
Love spain its so cheap cost of living is cheap and culture is still there
Buying a house in Guadalajara or acala de henares
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Love spain its so cheap cost of living is cheap and culture is still there
Buying a house in Guadalajara or acala de henares
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-kozas0
I traveled to a village in the south by car and it was like hundreds of kilometers of desert (with trees but no other form of life)
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I traveled to a village in the south by car and it was like hundreds of kilometers of desert (with trees but no other form of life)
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-rafaelsc3071
For anyone to see how serious the situation of Teruel is, there is a political party called -Teruel Existe-
Teruel exists
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For anyone to see how serious the situation of Teruel is, there is a political party called -Teruel Existe-
Teruel exists
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-ESPendatos
You draw the Celtiberic mountain system above Alicante-Murcia conurbation (3, 5 inhabitants and 3rd in the country) -
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You draw the Celtiberic mountain system above Alicante-Murcia conurbation (3, 5 inhabitants and 3rd in the country) -
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-janlehen2279
I mean, when talking about high speed rail in the US. Multiplying by zero (in the US) is always zero -
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I mean, when talking about high speed rail in the US. Multiplying by zero (in the US) is always zero -
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