Second Homes in Spain - an analysis of change at the provincial level, 1981-2001

This article examines the growth and changing pattern of second homes in Spain’s 50 provinces over the period 1981-2001. The changing socio-economic context for this period is outlined and, against this background, the geographical distribution of second homes in 2001 is described and analysed in relation to variables identified in previous studies as representing explanatory processes. A similar analysis is carried out for the pattern of change in second homes over the 1981-2001 period. It is concluded that a variety of factors is responsible for the present geographical distribution of second homes, with some areas demonstrating a ‘layering’ of patterns produced by different processes from several phases of development while others feature patterns derived from a more limited set of processes.