The primary sector in Europe and Spain - agriculture

The primary sector includes jobs which obtain resources from nature. The main activities from this sector are agriculture, livestock farming and fishing.

In Europe, 5 out of every 100 people work in this sector. Similarly, in Spain, 4 out of every 100 people work in the primary sector.

Agriculture

In Europe, agriculture is the most important activity in the 

primary sector.

There are two large agricultural areas: 

• the Great European Plain and Russia (cereals, potatoes and beets), and the Mediterranean region.
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• The Mediterranean region (dry cereals like wheat, grapes and olives, and irrigated crops, such as fruit and vegetables).

Spain produces dry and irrigated crops typical of the Mediterranean region. Cereals, grapes and olives are the most common crops, especially in Castile-La Mancha, Castile and León, and Andalusia.

Irrigated crops make up about 20% of the agricultural land. Fruit, rice and vegetables are the most common crops, especially in the Community of Valencia, in Murcia and in Andalusia.

Livestock farming:

• Intensive livestock farming - common in northern and central Europe. Cattle, sheep and pig farming.
• Extensive livestock farming - common in the Mediterranean regions. Cattle and sheep farming.