PREHISTORY

Prehistory is the long period before the invention of writing. It can be divided into the Stone Age and the Metal Ages.

The Stone Age began two and a half million years ago. Stone tools were used.

- In the early Stone Age, called the Palaeolithic period, people moved from place to place. They lived by hunting, fishing and gathering wild plants.

- Later, in the Neolithic period,people lived permanently in one place. They were farmers, had crops, learned to cultivate plants and had domestic animals.

The Metal Ages began about seven thousand years ago. Metal tools were used. The wheel and the plough were invented. The first cities were built.

THE FIRST CRAFTSMEN

In the Palaeolithic period, craftsmen made tools and weapons by hitting one stone against another.

In the Neolithic period, craftsmen made polished stone tools and weapons. They also made pots and cloth.

In the Metal Ages, craftsmen made metal tools, weapons and jewellery.

THE FIRST ARTISTS

Cave paintings, for example in the Altamira Cave in Cantabria, are magnificent works of art.

They were painted on cave walls and ceilings.

Early artists often painted animals like bison and deer.

ACTIVITY " PREHISTORY AND ANTIQUITY"

Reorganise the letters of each word that is spelt incorrectly.

1. In the Palaelolithic period craftsmen made OLOTS _________ by hitting one stone against another.

2. In the Neolithic period craftsmen made polished stone NOPEWAS _____________.

3. They also made SPOT ________.

4. They also made THOCL ____________.

5. In the Metal Ages craftsmen made metal RELELJEWY_________________.

CLIMATE

Climate is not the same as weather.

Weather can change in just a few minutes.

Climate is a region´s characteristic temperature, wind and precipitation over a very long time.

THE EARTH´S CLIMATE

The distance of an area from the equator determines how much heat it gets from the Sun.

- Tropical zone: It is very hot all year round near the equator.

- Temperature zone: There are warm summers and cool winters. In some regions, it is rainy all year round. In other regions, it is dry and sunny in the summer.

- Polar zone: It is very cold all year round at the North and South Poles.

CLIMATE IN SPAIN

There are different types of climate in Spain.

- The Atlantic climate: This is the mild climate on the Cantabrian coast and in Galicia. Rainfall is abundant all year round.

- The Mediterranean climate: This is the climate near the Mediterranean. Summers are hot, and winters are mild. Rainfall is light.

- The subtropical climate: This is the climate in the Canary Islands. It is hot all year round. Rainfall is limited to a few months of the year.

- The continental climate: This is the climate of central Spain. Summers are hot and winters are cold. Rainfall is irregular.

VEGETATION AND FAUNA

Plant and animal life depend on the climate. Each climate has its own flora and fauna.

Flora is all the plant life or vegetation in an area.

Fauna is all the animal life in an area.

In rainy areas, such as tropical rainforest, there is abundant vegetation and fauna.

In very dry areas, such as deserts, there is little vegetation or fauna.

NATURAL PRESERVES

Flora and fauna are affected by many things. The growth of cities, pollution and the exploitation of our natural resources all affect animal and plant habitats. Many animal and plant species disappear, or are in danger of extinction.


Goverments and regional authorities create special areas where the environment is protected.


In Europe, four important National Parks are Teide in Spain, Snowdonia in the United Kingdom, Vanoise in France and Harz in Germany.

ACTIVITY " VEGETATION AND FAUNA"

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT WORD

rainy  / plant  /  climate /  dry  / fauna  / animal

1. Plant and animal life depend on the ________________.

2. Each climate has its own flora and _________________.

3. Flora is all the ____________ life or vegetation in an area.

4. Fauna is all the ____________ life in an area

5. In ___________ areas, there is abundant vegetation and fauna.

6. In very ____________ areas, there is little vegetation or fauna.