A meseta is a geographical term for a high plateau or tableland. The most prominent example in Europe is the Meseta Central of Spain. This vast, elevated region forms the geographic core of the Iberian Peninsula, covering a significant portion of its interior. It dominates the country’s topography and profoundly influences its climate and history.
Defining the Iberian Meseta
The Meseta Central constitutes approximately 40 percent of Spain’s land area. Geologically, it is an ancient landform, originating from the erosion of the Hercynian block from the Paleozoic Era. This stable, crystalline shield mass is bordered by younger, higher mountain chains, including the Cantabrian Mountains to the north and the Iberian System to the east. The average elevation of this immense plateau ranges between 610 and 760 meters (2,000 to 2,500 feet) above sea level. The plateau tilts gently toward the west, dictating the flow of Spain’s major rivers—such as the Duero, Tagus, and Guadiana—toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Regional Topography and Climate
The Meseta Central is internally divided by the Sistema Central, a rugged mountain range that runs east to west, featuring peaks that reach nearly 2,600 meters. This division separates the plateau into two distinct sub-regions: the slightly higher Northern Meseta (Meseta Norte) and the lower Southern Meseta (Meseta Sur). The Northern Meseta corresponds to the region of Castile and León. The Southern Meseta is further segmented by the Montes de Toledo range.
The plateau experiences a pronounced continental climate with significant temperature variations between seasons and day and night. Summers are hot and intensely dry, while winters are cold with frequent frost and temperatures near freezing. Mountain ranges encircling the Meseta create a rain shadow effect, limiting moist air penetration from the Atlantic. This results in annual precipitation typically falling below 600 millimeters, sustaining an arid landscape of dry grasslands and scrublands.
Historical and Economic Importance
The unique geography of the Meseta deeply influenced the historical settlement and development of Spain. Its central location made it the heartland of the former Kingdom of Castile, and it is the site of the nation’s capital, Madrid. The arid climate and high elevation historically constrained population density but fostered a distinctive cultural and political identity.
The plateau’s expansive, open terrain has long been utilized for extensive dryland farming, especially the cultivation of cereal crops like wheat and barley. Livestock grazing, particularly of sheep, has been a central economic activity for centuries, historically managed by the Mesta association. Today, the Meseta remains a significant producer of agricultural goods, including olives and grapes, particularly in Castile-La Mancha. Limited water resources continue to shape modern agricultural practices across this tableland.