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The region of Molina de Aragon, in Spain, is as barren as it is beautiful.

Since the 1950s and continuing through to today, the process of de-industrialisation and de-population has left behind a vast region of Central Eastern Spain that is infamous for its staggeringly low number of inhabitants.

In fact, there are so few people who live in these particular municipalities that the area now competes with Siberia and the Arctic provinces of Lapland as the least populated zone in Europe.  

Spanish photographer, David Ramos, captured images of the de-industrialisation and de-population occurring in Central Eastern Spain

Despite the barren landscape, agriculture and ranching remain the main economic sources all around the vast region.

The square footage of the underpopulated Central region is as large as Austria, and just two hours drive from Madrid.

Quickly becoming known as Europe's largest desert - at least in terms of population - the area is made up of the provinces of Soria, Guadalajara, Teruel and Cuenca. 

And the population that remains is aging.

Currently, 41 percent of the whole population is over 65 years of age, while a shocking eight per cent is under the age of 15.  

Three crosses are seen outside the village of Luzon near Molina de Aragon, Spain, which is the least populated zone in Europe

Here, a mastiff sits among sheep as they graze near the village of Codes, which is also near Molina de Aragon, Spain

An abandoned house is spotted in the village of Iruecha, where agriculture and ranching are the main economic sectors in the region

Felix Martinez, aged 75, poses for a portrait as he lops apple trees near the village of Rillo de Gallo, near Molina de Aragon, in Spain

Mari Angeles Moreno and her son Juan Romero wait for the school bus outside the village of Selas so that Juan can travel 68 km to class

Juan Romero, for example, is the only boy in the village of Selas, a municipality located in the province of Guadalajara.

The school is Selas was shut down in 1974 and moved to Molina de Aragon, which is the largest village in the region, with a population of 3,706.

Every weekday, Juan has to travel 68 km to get to school. 

According to official figures, the area has 1.63 inhabitants for every square kilometre, compared to the 1.8 of Laponia and 3 inhabitants for every square kilometre in Siberia.

However, Javier Munoz, the former mayor of Selas, points out that these figures could be even lower than suggested because the official census does not represent the actual population of the villages.  

The vast, barren landscape is hauntingly beautiful outside the village of Luzon in Central Eastern Spain

A mare looks on in the village of Selas, Spain, which, as of 2012, had a population of just 63 inhabitants

A woman wearing a mask poses for a portrait as she takes part in a carnival in the village of Luzon in Spain

A frozen pond, surrounded by rows of trees and coarse, tall grass is pictured outside the village of Iruecha

Margarita, aged 64, poses at her store in the village of Anquela del Ducado, having decided to shut it down after more than 70 years open

Here, a worker cleans the forest near the village of Cobeta, where the municipality is home to just 108 inhabitants

Women play cards at the old schools of the village of Anquela del Ducado, where 41% of the population is over the age of 65

The series of photographs were captured by Barcelona-based artist, David Ramos.

Ramos is well versed in capturing diverse populations, having worked on projects in Israel, Japan, Lebanon and Kosovo, among others.

He's also been awarded with top international prizes for his work, such as the World Press Photo and Feature of the Year by Getty Images.