Report about the country of Spain. Spain - basic information. Media in Spain

Traveling Latin America - Spain

The name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits” or “coast of hyraxes”.

The capital of Spain is Madrid.

The area of Spain is 504,782 km?.

The population of Spain is 46,162 thousand people.

Location of Spain. Spain is a southern European country. Occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and Canary Islands V Atlantic Ocean. The Pyrenees Mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest European countries, except for Portugal, located on the western part of the peninsula. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land it borders with Portugal in the west, with France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees Mountains) and the tiny state of Andorra in the northeast, with Gibraltar in the south.

Administrative divisions of Spain. Consists of 17 autonomous regions: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Valencia, Galicia, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Castile-Lamancha, Castile and Leon, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Rioja, Extremadura, which unite 50 provinces, as well as 2 cities (Ceuta and Melilla), located on the northern coast of Africa and which are independent administrative units.

Spain's form of government is Constitutional Monarchy.

The head of state of Spain is the King.

The highest legislative body of Spain is the Cortes General (parliament), consisting of two chambers, elected for 4 years.

The highest executive body of Spain is the Government.

Major cities in Spain are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Malaga.

The official language of Spain is Spanish; the use of Catalan, Galician, Basque, Aranese and some other languages of national minorities is legalized.

Religion of Spain. 99% are Catholics.

Ethnic composition of Spain. 72.8% are Spaniards, 16.4% are Catalans, 8.2% are Galicians, 2.3% are Basques.

The currency of Spain is Euro = 100 cents.

Climate of Spain. Most of Spain has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. However, it varies significantly from the northwest to the southeast of the country and depending on the altitude. In addition to a large number of mountain ranges and plateaus, making up 90% of total area territory, climate big influence has its proximity to Africa. Average annual temperature throughout the country it fluctuates around + 20°C. In Southern Spain, the average daily temperature is + 26 °C for almost 200 days a year. The most precipitation falls in the north and northwest of the country, while the central and southeastern regions are drier. That is why Spain is conventionally divided into “dry” (annual precipitation up to 500 mm) and “wet” (up to 900 mm per year). Spain is the highest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. The most powerful mountain system is the Pyrenees, main peak of which is Aneto Peak (3404 m).

Flora of Spain. Not counting the flora of the Canary Islands, Spain is home to about 8,000 plant species, many of which are found only in this area. Of the once vast forests, only a small part remains in the north of the country. In “humid” Spain, beech, elm, oak, chestnut, ash, linden, and poplar grow. Higher in the mountains, the forests turn into water meadows. The richest vegetation is on the North Atlantic slopes of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Galician Massif - which is why these areas are called “green” Spain. On the plain of the Ebro River at the foot of the mountains, evergreen shrubs and grasses grow, and semi-desert vegetation with a predominance of wormwood and salt marshes is also found. In “dry” Spain, Mediterranean vegetation predominates, evergreen shrubs and subshrubs - maquis, garigues and tomillars. In the far south there are thickets of the low-growing Hamerops palm - the only wild palm in Europe.

Fauna of Spain. Animal world Spain is also very rich and diverse. In the north, the fauna is Central European - many deer, roe deer, and wild boars. In the mountainous regions, red deer and the Pyrenean ibex are preserved. Sport hunting of deer is permitted. Sometimes you can see a brown bear in the Cantabrian and Leon mountains. Among the predators there are a small number of wolves, foxes, and at the mouth of the Guadalquivir - Spanish lynxes. Macaques live near Gibraltar - the only representative of this species of monkey in Europe. Spain rightfully occupies a leading place in Europe in the number of bird species found here. Among them are hawks, eagles, griffins, and falcons. There are a lot of colonies of waterfowl - geese, ducks, herons, flamingos, white storks.
Spain is also home to a large number of species of reptiles - lizards, snakes, chameleons, and in the semi-deserts in the south of the country - tarantulas and scorpions.

In the estuaries and coastal waters of the Atlantic there is a lot of fish - mainly sardines, in smaller quantities - herring, cod, anchovies and various types of shellfish. The Mediterranean Sea is home to tuna, salmon, anchovy, crayfish and lobsters.

Rivers and lakes of Spain. Largest rivers Spain - Tajo, Duero, Ebro, Segura, Guadalquivir, Guadiana. The lakes are small and located mainly in the mountains.

Tags: free travel, travel to Latin America, Spain

Traveling Latin America - Spain

The name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits” or “coast of hyraxes”.

The capital of Spain is Madrid.

The area of Spain is 504,782 km?.

The population of Spain is 46,162 thousand people.

Location of Spain. Spain is a southern European country. Occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pyrenees Mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest of European countries, except Portugal, located on the western part of the peninsula. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land it borders with Portugal in the west, with France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees Mountains) and the tiny state of Andorra in the northeast, with Gibraltar in the south.

Spain's form of government is Constitutional Monarchy.

The head of state of Spain is the King.

The highest legislative body of Spain is the Cortes General (parliament), consisting of two chambers, elected for 4 years.

The highest executive body of Spain is the Government.

Major cities in Spain are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Malaga.

The official language of Spain is Spanish; the use of Catalan, Galician, Basque, Aranese and some other languages of national minorities is legalized.

Religion of Spain. 99% are Catholics.

Ethnic composition of Spain. 72.8% are Spaniards, 16.4% are Catalans, 8.2% are Galicians, 2.3% are Basques.

The currency of Spain is Euro = 100 cents.

Climate of Spain. Most of Spain has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. However, it varies significantly from the northwest to the southeast of the country and depending on the altitude. In addition to the large number of mountain ranges and plateaus, which make up 90% of the total area of the territory, the climate is greatly influenced by its proximity to Africa. The average annual temperature throughout the country fluctuates around + 20°C. In Southern Spain, the average daily temperature is + 26 °C for almost 200 days a year. The most precipitation falls in the north and northwest of the country, while the central and southeastern regions are drier. That is why Spain is conventionally divided into “dry” (annual precipitation up to 500 mm) and “wet” (up to 900 mm per year). Spain is the highest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. The most powerful mountain system is the Pyrenees, the main peak of which is the Aneto peak (3404 m).

Fauna of Spain. The fauna of Spain is also very rich and diverse. In the north, the fauna is Central European - many deer, roe deer, and wild boars. In the mountainous regions, red deer and the Pyrenean ibex are preserved. Sport hunting of deer is permitted. Sometimes you can see a brown bear in the Cantabrian and Leon mountains. Among the predators there are a small number of wolves, foxes, and at the mouth of the Guadalquivir - Spanish lynxes. Macaques live near Gibraltar - the only representative of this species of monkey in Europe. Spain rightfully occupies a leading place in Europe in the number of bird species found here. Among them are hawks, eagles, griffins, and falcons. There are a lot of colonies of waterfowl - geese, ducks, herons, flamingos, white storks.
Spain is also home to a large number of species of reptiles - lizards, snakes, chameleons, and in the semi-deserts in the south of the country - tarantulas and scorpions.

Rivers and lakes of Spain. The largest rivers in Spain are the Tagus, Duero, Ebro, Segura, Guadalquivir, and Guadiana. The lakes are small and located mainly in the mountains.

Tags: free travel, travel around Latin America, Spain

Spain(Spanish España), officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish and Galician Reino de España, cat. Regne dEspanya, Basque Espainiako Erresuma, Ox. Reialme dEspanha, Astur. Reinu dEspaña) is a state in southwestern Europe. Occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. The name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits”.

Borders with:
Portugal in the west of the Iberian Peninsula;
British possession of Gibraltar in the south of the Iberian Peninsula;
Morocco in northern Africa (autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla);
France and Andorra in the north.

Spain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, and by the Mediterranean Sea in the east and south.
The national holiday in Spain is October 12. It's Spanish Nation Day.

Physiographic characteristics

Relief

The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located 300 km from the sea. The dominant role in the relief is played by systems of mountain ranges and high-mountain plateaus.

Plateaus and mountains make up about 90% of its territory. Almost half of the country's surface is occupied by a vast high plateau, the largest in Europe - the Meseta, with an average height of 660 m. The Meseta is distinguished by an alternation of plateaus, folded-block ridges and mountain basins. The Cordillera Central divides the Meseta into two parts: northern and southern.

In the north, Meseta is bordered by the powerful Cantabrian Mountains, which stretch along the coast of the Bay of Biscay for 600 km, isolating the interior from the influence of the sea. In their central part there is the Picos de Europa massif (from Spanish - Peaks of Europe) with heights of up to 2648 m. These alpine-type mountains are composed mainly of deposits of the Carboniferous period - limestones, quartzites, sandstones. The Cantabrian Mountains are an orographic and tectonic continuation of the most powerful mountain system in Spain - the Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees are several parallel ridges stretching from west to east for 450 km. This is one of the most difficult to reach mountainous countries Europe. Although their average height is not very high (just over 2500 m), they do not have conveniently located passes. All passes are at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Therefore, railways going from Spain to other countries bypass the Pyrenees from the west and east. The widest and highest part of the mountains is the central one. Here is their main peak - Aneto Peak, reaching 3404 m.

From the northeast, the Meseta is adjacent to the Iberian Mountains system, the maximum height (Mont Cayo peak) is 2313 m.

Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian mountains stretch the low Catalan Mountains, southern slopes whose ledges break off to the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan Mountains (average heights 900-1200 m, peak - Mount Caro, 1447 m) follow for 400 km almost parallel to the coast Mediterranean Sea and actually separate the Aragonese plateau from it. The areas of coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia north of Cape Palos to the French border are highly fertile.

The entire southeast of the Iberian Peninsula is occupied by the Cordillera Betica, which is a system of massifs and ridges. Its crystalline axis is the Sierra Nevada mountains. In height they are second only to the Alps in Europe. Their peak, Mount Mulacen, reaching 3478 m, is highest point peninsular Spain. However, the highest Mountain peak Spain is located on the island. Tenerife (Canary Islands) is the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 m.

Most of Spain's territory is located at an altitude of about 700 m. It is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland.

The only large lowland is the Andalusian lowland in the south of the country. In the northeast of Spain in the river valley. The Ebro is the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main rivers of Spain (and the only navigable one in the lower reaches) flows through the Andalusian lowland - the Guadalquivir. The remaining rivers, including the largest: Tagus and Duero, the lower reaches of which are located in neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are distinguished by sharp seasonal fluctuations in level and rapids.

Large areas of the country suffer from water shortages. Related to this is the problem of erosion - millions of tons of topsoil are blown away every year.

The capital of Spain, Madrid, is located in the geographical center of the country and is the “highest” capital of Europe.

There are more than two thousand beaches on the coast of Spain: Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa del Assar, Costa de Almeria, Costa Blanca, Mar Menor, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Rias -Bajas, Rias Altas, Costa Cantabric, Canary and Balearic Islands.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-280. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures drop below zero (in central and northern regions countries). In summer, temperatures rise to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to the southern coast). On the northern coast the temperature is not so high - about 25 degrees Celsius.

Spain is characterized by very deep internal climatic differences, and it can only conditionally be entirely attributed to the Mediterranean climatic region. These differences are manifested both in temperature and in annual amounts and precipitation patterns. In the far north-west the climate is mild and humid with little variation in temperature throughout the year and big amount precipitation. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather with drizzling rains, almost without frost and snow prevails. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in northwestern France. Summer is hot and humid, the average temperature is rarely above +17 degrees. Annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm.

Minerals

The subsoil of Spain is rich in minerals. Of more than 100 types of minerals, only 16 are seriously developed. Among them, iron ore, quartz, pyrites, copper, gold, tin, mercury, silver, tungsten, uranium, and coal can be especially highlighted.

Economy

Today's Spain is a highly developed country. In terms of total industrial production in 1995, the country ranked 10th in the world and 5th in Western Europe. GNP per capita $14,000 (1999). Major advances have been achieved in recent decades. After World War II, Spain was isolated. The United States did not provide the country with economic assistance (according to the Marshall Plan) and Spain began to develop a closed, self-sufficient economy. This entailed a high degree of government intervention in the market and an increase in the share of state ownership.

In the early 1960s, a stabilization plan was adopted, later known as the "Spanish miracle". In 1960-1974. economic performance grew at an average annual rate of 6.6%, which was higher than any other country in the world (except Japan). The discovery of Spain as a world resort center played a major role.

In 1959-1974. more than 3 million Spaniards left the country in search of work, sending the money they earned home. The energy crisis of 1973 hit Spain, due to its dependence on other countries, very hard, unemployment rose to 21% in 1975. But in the 1980s. Economic growth began again in Spain. Although growth figures were lower than those of the 1960s, they were still the highest in Western Europe. But now the growth in production was accompanied by inflation and high unemployment (up to 22% of the working population).

In the 1990s. the country has become one of the leaders of the EU (although it is still a recipient, that is, it receives subsidies to support Agriculture and some areas from pan-European funds).

Companies from the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland occupy strong positions in the country's economy. They own more than 50% of mechanical engineering and metallurgy enterprises. About 40% of the share capital falls on the share of the 8 largest Spanish financial, industrial and banking groups (Marchey, Fierro, Urquijo, Garrigues, Ruiz-Mateos, etc.).

In 2004, Spanish exports amounted to over 135 billion euros, imports - about 190 billion euros. The main partners in foreign trade are the EU countries, the USA, and Latin America.

Major ports: Bilbao, Barcelona; oil - Algeciras, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tarragona, coal - Gijon. Spain is one of largest centers international tourism(62 million hours in 1997, 95% of tourists are from EU countries; main tourist centers- Madrid and Barcelona), as well as resorts - Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol. In 2004, 53.6 million people visited Spain foreign tourists(2nd place in the world). Industry revenues in 2004 were about 35 billion euros. More than 65% of tourists are from EU countries. 1.3 million people are employed in this area.

A distinctive industry is the harvesting and export of cork bark.

The Spanish banking system is one of the most stable in Europe. Among its distinctive features are the following: a high degree of concentration of banking capital along with a small number of credit institutions (395), a significant level of foreign exchange reserves (13.9 billion euros), an extensive network of branches of private banks and state savings banks. The dominant role is played by national banks with 100% Spanish capital. The leader in the value of market assets is the financial group Banco Santander Central Hispano, which was formed in 1999 as a result of the merger of two large banks.

GDP - 798.67 billion € (2004). Its growth was 2.6%.

Mining industry

The oldest industry is mining. Spain, rich in minerals, is one of the world leaders in the production of mercury (about 1.5 thousand tons per year; the main center is Almaden) and pyrites (about 3 million tons per year, mainly in the Huelva region); in Europe it is distinguished by the mining of polymetallic and uranium ores and silver. Iron (1.4 million tons in 1996; provinces of Vizcaya, Santander, Lugo, Oviedo, Granada, Murcia), lead-zinc, tungsten copper, titanium ores, quartz, gold, potassium salts, etc. are mined. Oil and gas are imported. Annual oil production is about 30 million tons, and covers less than 10% of needs. Spain ranks 9th in the world and 1st among EU countries in the extraction of metal-containing raw materials. In terms of energy resources, it ranks 40th in the world.

Mechanical engineering

Among the branches of mechanical engineering, shipbuilding stands out (old centers are located in the north of the country: Bilbao, Gijon, Santander; new ones are in the northwest: El Ferrol, Vigo, in the east: Cartagena, Valencia, Barcelona, and in the south: Seville, Cadiz) automotive industry (production of automobiles, including Seat of the Volkswagen concern 2.2 million in 1996; centers: Barcelona, Madrid, Valladolid, Vitoria, Pamlona, Vigo) and the electrical industry. The production of equipment for the chemical, light, food and building materials industries has also been developed.

Light industry

Of the light industries, the textile and leather and footwear industries are of greatest importance (Spain accounts for 4% of world footwear exports). In the food industry, winemaking stands out (Spain is second only to France and Italy in the production of grape wines in Europe), vegetable oil production (1.7 million tons in 1996; Spain is the world leader in the production of olive oil, about 0.5 million tons per year) , fruits and vegetables and canned fish. Spain is one of the top ten global manufacturers of cars, ships, forging equipment and gas compressors, machine tools, petroleum products and chemical products. More than 1/2 of industrial production is concentrated in the northeast (Catalonia), the north of the country (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) and Greater Madrid.

Agriculture

The leading branch of agriculture is crop production (provides over 1/2 of the cost of production). They grow wheat (about 20% of the sown area), barley, corn (in the central and southern regions of the country), rice (on the irrigated lands of the Mediterranean coast; its yield in Spain is one of the highest in the world), potatoes and sugar beets, legumes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables (vegetables occupy 60% of the sown area), olives - (the leading place for growing olives in the world) - (Andalusia, Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura), citrus fruits and tobacco. Viticulture - on the Mediterranean coast and in the regions of Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura. In the very south of the country they grow almonds (the leading export destination in Western Europe), dates and sugar cane (in Europe they grow only in Spain), figs, pomegranates, and cotton.

Fishing

Spain is one of the top ten countries in the world in catching fish and seafood (1.1 million tons in 1996) and processing it, and is a major exporter of fresh fish and canned fish.

Population

Dynamics of population changes:
1900 - 18.6 million people;
1932 - 24.1 million people;
1959 - 29.9 million people;
1977 - 36.3 million people;
1996 - 39.6 million people;
2004 - 40.28 million people;
2006 - 45.13 million people;
2008 - 46.06 million people;
2009 - 46.66 million people.

Urban population - 76%. Population density - 79.7 people/km².

The official language is Castilian; in the autonomous regions, other languages are official along with Castilian (Spanish) (Catalan-Valencian-Balearic in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, Basque in the Basque Country and Navarre, Galician in Galicia, Aranese in Catalonia).

95% of believers are Catholics. Despite this, 67% of the Spanish population supported the idea official registration same-sex marriage. Since July 2005, a law legalizing same-sex marriage and giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children came into force in the country.

Over 2.7 million Spaniards live outside the country, including in the Nordic and South America 1.7 million, in Western Europe over 1 million (mainly in France and Germany).

Housing provision

Housing supply: on average in 2000, each Spaniard had 27.5 m² of total housing area. (For comparison: in Russia, each Russian has an average of 21.6 m² (2006), in Ukraine - 22 m², in Belarus - 23 m², in Bulgaria and Hungary - 30 m², in Ireland - 33 m², in Portugal - 29 m² (2000), in France - 40 m² (2008), in Germany - 39 m² (2000), in Denmark - 52 m² (2000), in Luxembourg - 44 m² (2000) , in Sweden - 43 m2 (2000), Belgium - 34.5 m2 each (2000), in the USA - 65 m2, in Norway - 73 m2). The share of homeowners is 87% of the population, according to this indicator Spain ranks first in the European Union [source not specified 51 days].

Story

Modern humans settled in the Iberian Peninsula ca. 35 thousand years ago. Molecular genetic evidence suggests that the Franco-Cantabrian region, where the highest population density was observed during the Paleolithic era, was the source of the genes of the majority of the modern population of Europe, at least in the female line (mitochondrial haplogroup H). It is in this region that numerous monuments of Paleolithic art were found - rock paintings (Altamira Cave, etc.) and figurines. Several types of crops replaced each other. It is possible that modern Basques are descendants of some of the first settlers in Europe after the end of the Ice Age. 1200 BC e. the coast began to be developed by the Phoenicians. The colony they founded, Gades, is now the city of Cadiz. The Phoenicians and Greeks left evidence of local tribes, collectively called Iberians, who had a fairly high culture, but were divided into many small tribes and did not have a single organization. In the 5th-3rd centuries. BC e. the Celts came here and mixed with the Iberians to form the Celtiberian people. After the Punic Wars (3rd-2nd centuries BC), the Romans began the conquest of Iberia, which ended during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

From the 2nd century. n. e. Christianity began to spread here. From the 2nd half. 5th century n. e. The Visigoths (Visigoths) invaded here and founded a kingdom here. In 711-718 almost the entire territory of Spain was conquered by the Arabs, who included the country in their Caliphate. Soon the Caliphate broke up into a number of states. Cordoba retained the rule of the Umayyad dynasty, which reached its peak in the 10th century. The Christian kingdoms (Castile, Aragon, Leon) waged a continuous struggle to recapture territory from the Moors (Reconquista). In 1492, the united kingdom of Aragon and Castile took last stronghold Moors - Granada. During the same period, Spain sent its ships to New World, conquers huge colonies. In Europe, during the reign of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (1516-1556), Spain was the center of the Holy Roman Empire and the largest state, the support of the Catholic Church in the fight against the outbreak of the Reformation. The defeat of the Spanish fleet (the Invincible Armada) in 1588, the loss of the war with England in 1607, and the loss of the Dutch provinces in 1609 marked the end of influence in Europe. The influx of gold from overseas colonies did not contribute to the development of local agricultural and handicraft production. During the reign of Philip III, the era of Spain's decline began, which was facilitated by the Inquisition, which suppressed all free thought. In the beginning. 18th century The struggle of European dynasties for the Spanish throne led to the War of the Spanish Succession; the Habsburgs were replaced by the Bourbons. In the 19th century There were 5 unfinished revolutions: in 1808-1814, 1820-1823, 1834-1843, 1854-1856 and 1868-1874. The struggle was not so much between monarchists and liberals, but between supporters of modernization and traditionalists. After all the revolutions, a constitutional monarchy was established.

In 1812-1826. Most of the Spanish colonies in Latin America achieved independence by the beginning. 20th century the remainder largely went to the United States and Germany.

XX century

In 1923, with the monarch alive, the military dictatorship of General M. Primo de Rivera was established. The king already during this period did not have any power in the country. In January 1930, after losing support in the army, having failed to improve the situation after the acute economic crisis of the previous year, its dictator left the country. On April 14, 1931, the last of the Bourbons, Alphonse XIII, abdicated his throne - the parties supporting him suffered a crushing defeat in the elections. The government was formed by supporters of a change of system. Soon N. Zamora became the first prime minister of the Republic of Spain. Thus began the Republican period.

The radical policy of the new government towards landowners, the church, the army, and extreme liberalism towards the separatist-minded regions of the north and east met with warm support from one part of the population and a burning feeling of hatred from another. Local uprisings replaced each other. Despite all the radical measures, the government has not achieved any success in the economy in two years. At the elections in November 1933, conservatives returned to the government and reforms were stopped. Now their opponents - liberals and anarchists - began to carry out pogroms and riots throughout the country. At the next elections in January 1936, again, as in 1931, the radicals won - the “Popular Front” with the participation of the Communist Party. The new composition of the Cortes (the representative body of Spain) resumed the implementation of radical policies, hoping to use extreme measures to begin to solve the deepest problems in the country's economy.

In July of the same year, conservative generals led by J. Sanjurjo launched a well-prepared rebellion. However, in the very first days of the uprising after the death of the old leader in a plane crash, the previously indecisive F. Franco had to become the new head of the conspiracy. The nationalists turned to fascist Germany and Italy for help, the communists received help from the USSR and many left-wing parties in Europe and the world. The Spanish Civil War began. Republicans in their zone expropriated land, enterprises, banks, and organized persecution of priests and monks. In the “nationalist” territory, all traditional institutions were restored, power was concentrated in the hands of Franco. The front of armed confrontation stretched across the entire country. Over three years of slow, victorious advance in battle, all the provinces supporting the Republicans were conquered. From the first to the last weeks of the war, the unrelenting capital, Madrid, was under siege. These years, Spain is the main diplomatic problem of all developed countries of the world.

In 1939, after the victory of the military, the dictatorship was extended to the entire country, political parties were banned, except for the fascist “phalanx” that supported Franco. Spain remained neutral during World War II, although it did send the Blue Division to the Eastern Front. In 1947, Spain was again declared a kingdom (the throne remained unoccupied during the regency of “Caudillo” Franco).

In November 1975, after the death of Franco, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed king, the dismantling of the fascist regime and democratic reforms began. In December 1978, a new constitution came into force. In 1985, Spain joined the EU. The Basque Country and Catalonia received significant autonomy under the 1978 constitution, but they also have separatist movements. The Basque terrorist organization ETA is particularly intransigent.

National holiday - October 12 (Spanish Nation Day, the date of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus).

Political structure

Spain is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. Currently - Juan Carlos I. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament - the General Cortes (Congress of Deputies and Senate). It consists of the Senate (259 seats - some deputies are elected by direct universal suffrage, others are appointed by provincial legislatures; all senators are elected for a 4-year term) and the Congress of Deputies (350 seats - elected by party lists for a 4-year term). The executive branch is headed by the prime minister, the leader of the party that received the majority of votes in parliamentary elections.

In total, more than 500 political parties and public organizations are officially registered in Spain.

Parties

Spanish People's Party,
PSOE,
Communist Party,
Regionalists.

Large regional parties include the Catalan bloc Convergence and Union), the Catalan party “Esquerra República”, the BNP, and the Canary Coalition.

Events

On March 9, 2008, parliamentary elections were held in Spain. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) won the elections. According to the election results, the PSOE received 168 seats in parliament, while its main rival, the conservative People's Party, received 154 seats. The remaining seats (there are 350 seats in parliament) were divided among eight more parties, mostly regional. The Communists and Greens from the United Left Coalition reduced their presence in parliament from five to three deputies. Thus, said the leader of the PSOE, Prime Minister of Spain Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero: the PSOE won, increasing the number of its deputies compared to the parliament of the previous convocation

75% of voters took part in the elections, in which candidates from 92 parties stood.

Administrative division

50 provinces included in 17 autonomous regions. Also within Spain there are 2 so-called autonomous cities(ciudades autónomas) in Africa - Ceuta and Melilla.

Culture

Spain is rightfully considered a museum under open air. The expanses of this country carefully preserve cultural and historical monuments which have worldwide fame.

The most famous museum in Spain, the Prado Museum, is located in Madrid. Its extensive exhibition cannot be seen in one day. The museum was founded by Isabella of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VII. The Prado has its own branch, located in Cason del Buen Retiro and storing unique collections of Spanish painting and sculpture of the 19th century, as well as works by English and French painters. The museum itself features large exhibitions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art. The Prado owes its name to the Prado de San Jeronimo, where it is located, laid out during the Enlightenment. Currently, the Prado Museum's holdings include 6,000 paintings, more than 400 sculptures, as well as numerous jewelry, including royal and religious collections. Over the course of several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings.

Dome on sails made in the design of a honeycomb vault in the form of a honeycomb (hexagons), Islamic architecture of Spain

It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed under Carlos I, known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad character and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes its priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by his gloomy worldview; it is not surprising that the ruler was a fan of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre, pessimistic fantasy. Philip initially purchased Bosch's paintings for Escorial, the ancestral castle of the Spanish kings. It was only in the 19th century that the paintings were moved to the Prado Museum. Now here you can see such masterpieces of the Dutch master as “The Garden of Delights” and “The Hay Wain”. Currently, in the museum you can enjoy not only paintings and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to “revive” famous paintings. The first such staging was dedicated to the paintings of Velazquez and was a huge success with the public.

There are many more unique museums and galleries in Spain: the Picasso Museum and National Museum Arts of Catalonia, located in Barcelona, the National Museum of Sculpture in Valladolid, the El Greco Museum in Toledo, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca.

Sport

Football has ruled the sport in Spain since the beginning of the 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorsports and, more recently, Formula 1 are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all these disciplines. Today Spain is a leading world sports power; the development of sports in the country was particularly stimulated by the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 2008, Spain won the European Football Championship.

Armed forces

On November 2, 2004, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced the new Spanish National Defense Doctrine 1/2004.

The previous military doctrine was adopted in December 2000 by the government of José Maria Aznar. In particular, it attached great importance to the readiness of the Spanish armed forces to resolve possible internal social or territorial conflicts (the army, according to the Spanish constitution, protects the country not only from external but also from internal enemies). The army's actions outside Spain were determined by its membership in NATO and transatlantic solidarity with the United States.

The new doctrine 1/2004 declares terrorism to be the main enemy of Spain (both external and internal). It is noted that from now on, Spanish troops will be able to take part in international peacekeeping actions directly approved by the UN or, as was the case in Kosovo, enjoying the obvious support of the world community. In addition, participation in hostilities will require permission from the Spanish Parliament.

In the new military doctrine, the role of the General Defense Staff JEMAD, headed by General Felix Sanz, has been increased. At the end of October 2004, he made a statement about the need to “balance” the unequal relationship between Spain and the United States that had developed since 1953, when Spain and the United States signed a military defense cooperation agreement, under which the United States received the right to use several large military bases in Spain .

In 2001, Spain abolished conscription and switched to a completely professional army.

There are no laws in Spain prohibiting openly gay and lesbian people from serving in armed forces. On March 4, 2009, Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacón (the first woman to hold this post) issued a decree repealing a previous law that prohibited transgender people from serving in the armed forces.

Spanish foreign policy

At the beginning of 2004, in connection with the coming to power of the new socialist government, a sharp turn in Spanish foreign policy from supporting the US course to solidarity with the leaders of the European Union, in particular on the Iraqi issue: after winning the elections on March 14, 2004, the new socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq. Spain is the largest EU country that has not recognized Kosovo's independence due to similar problems of its own with the Basques.

One of the most important areas foreign policy Spain is Latin America. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Spain provides assistance to the countries of this region in the formation of civil society, democratic foundations, open and free trade, and in solving socio-economic problems. To achieve these goals, the Iberoamerican Community of Nations was created. Summits are held annually at which the most important issues are resolved.

Another important destination is the Mediterranean. Solving problems in this region and maintaining friendly relations and contacts with Mediterranean countries play an important role for Spain, because it is a matter of its own security, in addition, these countries are neighboring countries and are also important trading partners. An important project in the field of Spanish-Mediterranean dialogue is the “Barcelona Process” - a program designed to strengthen state institutions in the countries of the Mediterranean region, economic development, progress in the social field, and solutions to pressing issues and problems of the region.

Russia

Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established on July 28, 1933. In March 1939, after General Franco came to power in Spain, they were discontinued. Diplomatic relations were restored only in 1977. On December 27, 1991, Russia was recognized by Spain as the successor to the USSR.

During the Spanish Civil War, Spanish children were transported to the USSR. The orphaned children of Spanish anti-fascist fighters were brought up, in particular, in the Interdom in Ivanovo. Spain had no actual wars with Russia. When the Russian Emperor Paul, due to the differences between the two countries in relation to France and Malta, declared war on Spain, the Spanish government refused to recognize the state of war, telling the Russian authorities that due to the enormous distance, the armies of the two countries would still not be able to meet on land, and the fleets are at sea, and therefore war is impossible.

On April 12, 1994, the “Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain." Currently, bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain have an extensive legal framework: the basis for interaction in various areas is formed by more than 50 treaties, agreements, protocols and other documents.

Transport in Spain.

Length highways- 328,000 km. Car park - more than 19 million cars. 90% of passenger and 79% of cargo transportation is carried out by road. Length railways- 14589 km. About 6.5% of all cargo is transported ground transport and 6% of passengers.

IN maritime transport about 300 vessels with a total displacement of 1 million 511 thousand tons are involved. Vessels flying Spanish flags transport from 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 sea ports control almost 93% of all transportation.

Air transport takes the leading place. Of the 42 airports, 34 operate regular transportation. Through international Airport 56 million passengers pass through Madrid every year. The airport in Barcelona serves about 20 million passengers annually.

Education in Spain.

Spain has a system of compulsory free secondary education from 6 to 16 years of age. About 70% of students attend public schools, state universities - 96,5 %.

The largest universities in the country: Autonomous University of Madrid, Complutense (in Madrid), Barcelona Central and Autonomous, Santiago de Compostea, Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Facilities mass media in Spain.

Spain has a well-developed media network. 137 newspapers and about 1000 magazines are published. The most read daily newspapers: Pais, Mundo, Vanguardia, ABC, Periodico, Marka.

The leading radio stations are SER, COPE, Radio Nacional de España (RNE).

The largest TV channels: TVE (covers the entire country), private studios “Telesinko” and “Antena 3”. Autonomous communities have their own regional television, broadcasting also in national languages.

Siesta in Spain

At the end of December 2005, the Spanish government issued a law according to which the lunch break only in official institutions is now limited to one hour (from 12 to 13 hours), while the institutions themselves will close at 18 pm. Earlier lunch break (so-called siesta) in government institutions Spain lasted from two to four in the afternoon, with the working day ending at eight in the evening. By breaking the tradition of the midday siesta, Spanish authorities hope to increase productivity.

Crime in Spain

IN last years The share of immigrants among Spanish offenders gradually increased. This is due to increased immigration to Spain (including illegal) from African countries, as well as from Latin America. Among the latter, two gangs from Dominican Republic: Dominicans Don’t Play (“Dominicans don’t joke”) and Trinitarios (“Trinitarians” - named after the underground organization “La Trinitaria”, which fought for the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1838).

Spain is the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Spain, climate, geography, population and culture.

Spain

Spain is a country in Southwestern Europe. This is one of largest countries European Union, located on the Iberian Peninsula and occupying more than 2/3 of its territory. Spain borders Portugal to the west, France and Andorra to the north, Gibraltar and Morocco to the south. The state consists of 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities and is a constitutional monarchy.

Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The country is famous for its beaches and sea, cuisine and nightlife, special atmosphere and friendliness local residents. It is interesting that by the number of objects World Heritage UNESCO Spain is second only to Italy and China. In addition, it is a country with great geographical and cultural diversity. Here you can find almost everything: from lush meadows and snowy mountains to swamps and deserts.

Useful information about Spain

Population - 46.7 million people.
Area - 505,370 square kilometers.
The official language is Spanish (in some autonomous communities the local dialect is also considered the official language).
Currency - euro.
Visa - Schengen.
Time is Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
Spain is one of the 30 most developed countries in the world.
In Spain, some shops and establishments may be closed during the daytime (siesta). Some restaurants and cafes do not serve dinner before 8-9 pm.
Tips are included in the bill. If you liked the food or service, you can set aside 5-10% of the bill.

Geography and nature

Spain occupies 80% of the Iberian Peninsula. It also includes the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and a very tiny part of the North African coast. The Iberian Peninsula is located in the extreme southwest of Europe.

The relief of Spain is extremely diverse. The main role in it is played by mountains and plateaus. The country is one of the most mountainous in Europe. The largest mountain systems: Pyrenees, Cordillera Betica, Iberian, Catalan and Cantabrian mountains. The largest plain is the Andalusian Lowland, located in the south. In the northeast is the Aragonese Plain. The highest peak in continental Spain is Mount Mulacén (3478 and up). The most high peak The country is located on the island of Tenerife - this is the Teide volcano (3718 m).

Tagus River

Largest rivers: Guadalquivir, Tagus, Duero, Ebro. Spain is known for its long distance coastline. There are several thousand beaches along the coast. The largest resorts: Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Canary and Balearic Islands.

Thanks to geographical features very diverse animal life and vegetable world Spain. The north of the country is similar to Central Europe, and the south resembles North Africa. In the northwest there are broad-leaved forests, in the south there are deserts and semi-deserts, and the coast is characterized by Mediterranean flora.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest, even hottest countries in Europe. Although, thanks to the topography, several climatic zones can be found here. The predominant climate is Mediterranean, which is maritime on the coast and arid in the central part. In most regions of the country, summers are dry and hot, winters are quite warm and humid. IN central regions Frosts are not uncommon in cold weather.

Best time to visit

Best time for visiting Spain - April-May and September-October. July and August are very hot in most areas. During the cold season it can be quite rainy.

Story

In the third millennium BC, the Tartessian civilization existed on the territory of the modern Iberian Peninsula. But already in the second millennium BC. Iberian tribes came here, who later mixed with the Celts. In ancient times the Pyrenees were called Iberia. The Iberians quickly settled throughout Castile and built fortified settlements. Around the same millennium, Phoenician and Greek colonies were founded on the coast.

Interestingly, according to the most widespread theory, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim”, which translates as “shore of the darmans”. The Romans used this word to refer to the territory of the entire peninsula.

In the 3rd century, almost the entire territory of the Iberian Peninsula was subjugated by Carthage. In 206, Carthage lost control of the Pyrenees. From this period, for almost two centuries, the Romans tried to subjugate these lands. The last free tribes were conquered by Rome in 19 BC under Emperor Augustus. Spain was one of the most prosperous and important Roman provinces. The Romans built expensive fortresses here. By the end of the 1st century, more than 300 cities had been founded here, and trade and crafts flourished.

In the 4th-5th century, Germanic tribes penetrated into the territory of Spain, who were soon completely supplanted by the Visigoths. Even earlier, the first Christians appeared here. The Visigoths founded their kingdom here, with their capital in Barcelona and later in Toledo. In the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Justinian tried to return Spain to imperial rule.

In 711, Arabs and Berbers from North Africa, who were later called Moors, came to the territory of the Iberian Peninsula. It is interesting that they were called to help by the Visigoths themselves (or rather, one of their factions). In just a few years, the Moors conquered almost the entire Pyrenees and formed the Umayyad Caliphate. It should be noted that the Arabs were quite merciful, preserving the property of the people, the language and religion of the conquered territories.

Around the same time, the Reconquista movement arose, the goal of which was to liberate the Iberian Peninsula from Muslims. In 718, the Moors were stopped in the mountains of Asturias. By 914, the Kingdom of Asturias included the territories of Galicia and Northern Portugal. After the end of the Umayyad dynasty in 1031, the caliphate collapsed. At the end of the 11th century, Christians captured Toledo and some other cities. In the 12th century, the Spanish Empire was proclaimed, which arose after the unification of Castile and Aragon and existed until 1157. Later, despite the division, the kingdoms fought together against the Moors. By the 13th century, only the emirate of Granada remained on the Iberian Peninsula.

Despite the power of the Kingdom of Castile, the country was tormented by unrest and unrest. Dominance belonged to the orders of knights and powerful nobles. In Aragon, on the contrary, there were many concessions to the estates. In 1469, a dynastic marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile contributed to the unification of the two kingdoms. In 1478, the Inquisition was established, which served as the impetus for the persecution of Muslims and Jews. In 1492, Granada was conquered and the Reconquista ended.

In 1519, the Habsburg dynasty comes to power. In the 16th century, Spain became one of the strongest powers in Europe. An absolute monarchy was established as a form of government. The Spanish kingdom captured Portugal and numerous colonies in the South and Central America. Already by the mid-16th century, constant wars and high taxes led to economic decline. During this period, the capital of the kingdom was moved from Toledo to Madrid.

At the beginning of the 18th century, with the death of Charles II, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out. As a result, the Bourbon dynasty reigned, and Spain became “pro-French.” In 1808, a popular uprising broke out, which led to the abdication of the king. Subsequently, the French were expelled from the country and the Bourbon restoration took place. In the 19th century, Spain was tormented by unrest and unrest. The state lost all American colonies. In 1931, the monarchy was overthrown and a civil war began, which Franco won. Francisco Franco established a dictatorship that lasted until 1975. This year Juan Carlos I of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty was crowned.

Spain consists of 17 autonomous regions, two so-called autonomous cities and 50 provinces.

Autonomous communities:

Andalusia
Aragon
Asturias
Balearic Islands
Basque Country
Valencia
Galicia
Canary Islands
Cantabria
Castile - La Mancha
Castile and Leon
Catalonia
Murcia
Navarre
Rioja
Extremadura

Population

The indigenous population of the country are Spaniards (Castilians), Catalans, Basques, Galicians, etc. The official language is Spanish. In autonomies, the language of the ethnic group or dialect is often spoken. Almost 80% of the population professes Christianity, of which 75% are Catholics. Interestingly, the average life expectancy in Spain is one of the highest in the world. She is 83 years old. The Spaniards themselves are quite friendly, open and emotional. They are noisy and temperamental people. They are often unpunctual, a little lazy and irresponsible.

Tips for communicating with Spaniards:

Spaniards are very patriotic towards their country or autonomy. You should not raise such topics: “is Catalonia Spain”, etc.
The vast majority of the population is Catholic, so words and actions that may offend the feelings of believers should be avoided.
Avoid talking about the colonial past and the Franco regime.
During lunch or dinner, Spaniards do not start eating until all the guests are seated. They also don't leave until everyone has finished eating.
Close people or Good friends hug or kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet. Otherwise, they are limited to a handshake.

Transport

Information about types of transport in Spain.

Largest airports:

Barcelona
Palma de Mallorca
Malaga – Costa del Sol
Gran Canaria
Alicante/Elche

Spain has an extensive network of high-speed trains that connect major cities. Rail service also includes trains long distance and network commuter trains. There are regular bus services between many cities. Largest cities connected by expressways. Highways here have tolls.

Speed limits:

120 km/h on motorways and motorways,
100 km/h on normal roads,
90 km/h on other roads,
50 km/h when driving in populated areas.

The blood alcohol level should not exceed 0.5 g/l. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.

Spain is the second country in Europe in terms of the number of visits cruise ships. Main ports of Spain:

Barcelona
Palma de Mallorca
Las Palmas
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Malaga
Bilbao

Cities of Spain

In Spain there are hundreds of ancient and interesting city. But the most popular are the following:

- a bustling and vibrant capital that will amaze you with its modernist architecture, wide streets and squares, museums and vibrant nightlife.
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Famous sights, masterpieces of modernist architecture and art nouveau by Gaudí are concentrated here.
Bilbao is a large industrial city.
Cadiz - considered the oldest city Western Europe.
Granada is a stunning city in the south, surrounded by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
Cordoba is an ancient city with a rich Moorish heritage.
Toledo - ancient capital with sights from different periods.
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
Valencia is one of largest cities countries. The place where paella was invented.
Alicante is the resort capital of the east coast and the Costa Blanca region.

In the south of Spain in Andalusia you can find many evidences of antiquity. Cadiz is located here, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe, with remains of a Roman settlement. Nearby is Ronda - beautiful city, located on steep cliffs. The cities of Cordoba and Granada maintain a rich Moorish heritage. Seville, the cultural center of Andalusia and all of Southern Spain, has a dazzling collection of landmarks and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

Crossing north across the La Mancha plains into central Spain, it is worth visiting picturesque Toledo. This ancient Spanish capital and beautiful ancient city is located on a hill. Close to the Portuguese border, Merida has an impressive Roman heritage. If you are interested in relaxation and beaches, then you should go to Alicante, Malaga, the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Popular tourist destinations:

Costa Blanca - 200 km of coastline, beaches and charming seaside towns.
Costa Brava is a coast with many seaside resorts.
Costa del Sol - sunny Beach in the south of Spain.
Ibiza is one of the Balearic islands, famous for its clubs and discos.
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands.
Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula with ski slopes.
Tenerife has lush nature, volcanoes and excellent beaches.

Attractions

Historically, Spain has been an important crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, North Africa and Europe. Thus, a fantastic collection of unique attractions can be found here. The country amazes with the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, historical and cultural monuments.

The most famous sights of Spain

Old town of Toledo.
Historical center of Salamanca.
Burgos Cathedral in the city of the same name.
Moorish heritage of Granada and Cordoba.
Architectural masterpieces of Gaudi in Barcelona.
Gothic cathedral in Seville and Mudejar style architecture.
Rock paintings in the Altamira cave
The historical centers of the cities of Cuenca, Merida, Caceres, Zaragoza, Avila and Segovia.
Romanesque churches of Lleida.
Ancient Roman walls in the town of Lugo.

Famous festivals:

Feria de Abril is the best fair in the Pyrenees. If you love folklore, flamenco and wine, then you will definitely enjoy this event. Takes place in April-May.
Fallas is a festival in Valencia.
Dia de Sant Jordi is a Catalan holiday.

Accommodation

Spain is an extremely popular tourist destination, so you need to look for accommodation in advance. When traveling here during high season, accommodation will cost more. Many cities, even small ones, are focused on tourism. Therefore, it is not a problem to find accommodation for any groups of tourists and financial capabilities.

Kitchen

The Spaniards love to eat, drink wine and are very proud of their cuisine. Spanish cuisine can be described as quite light with lots of vegetables and a huge variety of meat and fish. Interestingly, traditional cuisine does not use many spices but relies entirely on the use of high quality ingredients and their taste. The Spaniards' meals are a little different from ours. Their breakfast is light. Lunch is served at 13.00-15.00. After lunch there is a siesta. Dinner is late.

Traditional food and products: paella, jamon, tapas, Chorizo (spicy sausage), Bocadillo de Calamares (fried squid), Boquerones en vinagre (garlic anchovies), Churros (Spanish donuts), Empanadas Gallegas (meat pies), Fabada asturiana (stew), various versions of gazpacho (soups), Tortilla de patatas (egg omelette with fried potatoes). The main alcoholic drink is wine, which is of very good quality here. The most popular non-alcoholic drink is coffee.

Brief information about the country

Date of foundation

Official language

Spanish

Form of government

Parliamentary monarchy

Territory

504,782 km² (51st in the world)

Population

47,370,542 people (26th in the world)

Timezone

CET (UTC+1, summer UTC+2)

Largest cities

Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville

$1.536 trillion (13th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

Colorful, cheerful, sunny country, located in southwest Europe. It occupies approximately 85% of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. In Spain there are many cities, the history of which goes back more than one millennium, works of architectural art and cleanest beaches, what attracts travelers from different parts of the world here to this fertile land. The heights of the Pyrenees, Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains will not leave lovers indifferent active rest: ski resorts with equipped trails and magnificent scenery, hundreds and thousands of vacationers are welcomed every year. The country of flamenco and bullfighting, as it is also called, is visited annually by an average of 30 million tourists. The Canary and Balearic Islands can be called a real paradise for a beach holiday.

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