THE LOVELY POSTCARD OLIVE GROVE LANDSCAPE
Just like so many other foods people adore nowadays and even though the olive tradition in Spain existed much before the Romans reached its lands, they were the ones who made it so growing olives and transforming them would extend throughout the territory.
It was very likely also because of them that the olive tree is an identity mark of the unique Spanish landscape today. Just to get a better understanding, let’s talk about a few figures: more than 350 million olives are currently grown in Spain, the same ones that lead to approximately half of the olive oil produced anywhere in the world. What’s more: 46% of the production is exported, which makes Spain the main producer and exporter of olive oil in the entire planet.
That’s why it’s quite common when travelling the roads of regions like Andalusia, Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha to see that one-of-a-kind picture through the window composed of an indescribable sea of olive trees. It’s a living landscape that also changes at the hands of man: we’re talking about the immensity and magnitude of the most important forest ever created by human beings: as if nothing! In other words, we’re talking about what has become a key part of Spaniards’ very culture and way of life.
And understanding why Spain is such an ideal place for its cultivation is rather simple. To begin with, the geography is quite influential as it’s full of gentle mountainsides and the perfect hills for planting. Secondly, there’s the climate: with mild winters and warm, long summers, olive trees have found in its lands the perfect place to show off in a big way. To be certain of this, all you have to do is sample any of the many varieties: the great Spanish treasure is amazing and the 30 Protected Designations of Origin recognized throughout Spain are proof of such.
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