January 23rd, 2012 Category: Vegetation Index

Spain, Portugal and Morocco - January 4th, 2012

This FAPAR image shows the vegetation index of parts of Portugal (above left), Spain (above right) and Morocco (below), across the Strait of Gibraltar. The index ranges from good (green false-coloring) to low (yellow false-coloring).

Photosynthetic activity is higher to the west, in Portugal, and becomes progressively lower as one moves eastward towards Spain’s Meseta Central. It becomes higher once again in extreme southern Spain just north of the Strait of Gibraltar. The index in the small area of Morocco that is visible also appears higher to the west and lower to the east.

Tags: Meseta Central Morocco Portugal Spain Strait of Gibraltar | Comments |

December 20th, 2011 Category: Sediments

Spain and Portugal - December 18th, 2011

This image stretches across Portugal (left) to Spain (center and right). Sediments can be observed along the west coast of Portugal and the shores of the Gulf of Cádiz, the arm of the Atlantic Ocean between Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente) in Portugal and Cape Trafalgar (Cabo Trafalgar) at the western end of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Two major rivers, the Guadalquivir and the Guadiana, as well as smaller rivers, like the Odiel, the Tinto, and the Guadalete, reach the ocean here. The Strait of Gibraltar can be seen at the lower right, with part of Morocco partially visible by the clouds at the bottom edge.

Tags: Cape St. Vincent Cape Trafalgar Guadalquivir River Guadiana River Gulf of Cádiz Morocco Portugal Spain Strait of Gibraltar | Comments |

November 13th, 2011 Category: Mountains

Spain, Morocco, Algeria - November 8th, 2011

This image stretches from Spain (upper left), across the Strait of Gibraltar, to Morocco (lower left) and Algeria (right). The strait, which separates Europe and Africa by 14.3 km (8.9 mi) at its narrowest point, is partially obscured by clouds.

The Atlas Mountains can be seen stretching across Northern Africa, parallel to the coast. The range extends about 2,500 km (1,600 mi) through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert.

Tags: Algeria Atlas Mountains Mediterranean Sea Morocco Spain Strait of Gibraltar | Comments |

November 2nd, 2011 Category: Mountains

Spain and Portugal - October 30th, 2011

This image stretches across the Iberian Peninsula, from Portugal (left) to Spain (right). The peninsula is separated from Morocco by the Strait of Gibraltar, visible through a light layer of clouds near the bottom edge.

The interior of the peninsula is home to the Meseta Central, a vast plateau in the heart of Spain, that has elevations that range from 610 to 760 m. Rimmed by mountains, the Meseta Central slopes gently to the west and to the series of rivers that form some of the border with Portugal.

Tags: Iberian Peninsula Meseta Central Morocco Portugal Spain Strait of Gibraltar | Comments |