(1888PressRelease)
June 25, 2007 - When looking to invest in property overseas, the weather is a common consideration. Given the British obsession with the subject and the obvious desire of many to escape the cold, dark and wet days of winter, this will surprise nobody. The image of sun-kissed beaches, dry days spent sitting in the sun with a cool drink and the health benefits for those with rheumatic or respiratory conditions are all reasons which tempt large numbers abroad to live or holiday in sunny climes.
When it comes to Spain, these factors certainly apply. So much so, in fact, that Spanish property portal Kyero.com has set up a database of information to advise people on the details of the climate in any part of Spain, Easier reports.
This database uses no less than 4,000 weather stations and data from the National Institute of Meteorology. While the phrase "the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain" is a well known rhyme, the site sets out to show the facts in greater detail. Among these, it notes that the area just west of Seville has three rainless months every summer, whereas those near Santiago de Compostella in October should pack their umbrella as over 100 mm of rain lash down (This city, incidentally, is on the north west coast rather than the plain). It also notes that inland areas are hottest in the summer while the coolest parts are in the Girona region near the French border.
All this, of course, describes the climate now and how its details may appeal to different people. However, those looking at longer-term investment may wish to consider the potential effects of climate change on the Iberian Peninsula.
Iberia Nature notes that Spain already includes Europe's only semi-desert, Cabo de Gata in Almeira. However, the same website notes that some serious problems may arise if global warming continues.
Among the effects which may have an impact is the warming of the Pyrenees, as evidenced by an 85 per cent loss of glaciers on the Spanish side since 1894, 30 per cent of which has occurred since 1991. This change could eventually prove fatal to the ski industry.
In addition to this, the European Environment Agency has said Spain and Portugal are the EU countries most likely to be affected by further global warming, with storms, floods, drought and major rises in temperature all likely to be features of the future if the problem is not tackled.
Of course, as government policies and consumer choice shifts increasingly towards eco-friendly concerns, the hope remains that all this will not happen, or at least not as severely as the pessimists predict. Increasingly eco-friendly energy policies and lifestyles could stymie, or at least limit the problem. However, to whatever extent future changes in climate and weather take place, the wisest investors may be mindful of the implications. If, for instance, the obvious solution is to hotter temperatures is to head further north, the well-prepared will do so. In any instance, the availability of such detailed data as that offered by Kyero will enable the buy-to-let and other markets to make adjustments accordingly, as well, perhaps, as installing a few more energy-saving lightbulbs.
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