Observing Regularities in Location Patterns

Abstract

The location of economic activity in Spain is analysed, employing a methodology previously applied to Canada. We ask whether the regularities posited for Canada also hold for Spain, despite the differences in geography. Using census data for the years 1991 and 2001, Spain's 8,086 municipalities are classified according to population size and distance thresholds analogous to those applied to Canada.The location patterns of industries are plotted in relation to these classes. The results reveal, on the whole, spatial distributions consistent with posited regularities and previous findings. Location patterns are fairly stable over time, reconfirming the continued weight of distance and of agglomeration economies. The results also show a crowding-out process in Spain, similar to that observed for other nations, fuelling the growth of manufacturing activity in locations in close proximity to metropolitan areas.