Spanish Domestication of the Olive Tree:

The harsh and varied climate of the Iberian peninsula obliged the people to pick the sturdiest olive varieties that could adapt to the climatic conditions, soil etc. of the Iberian Peninsula. Over thousands of years, these trees have become known for their hardiness with the ability to withstand almost any climatic or topographic condition.

The olive tree adapted well and today in Spain, there are more than 250 varieties of olive trees that are cultivated for commercial and private use. Moreover, the olive became and continues to be an integral part of the Spanish/Mediterranean Diet.