All about Spain. Countries of the world - Spain - general information about the country Information about the country Spain briefly

Spain is located in southwest Europe. The coasts of this country are washed in the north and west by the waters of the Atlantic, and in the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the mainland, the territory of Spain includes the Balearic and Canary Islands - popular places recreation.

Tours to Spain

When choosing tours to Spain, travelers choose large cities - Barcelona, ​​Granada, Seville, Cordoba. Beach lovers choose the resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol and the island of Tenerife.

In winter, you can ski and snowboard in Spain at the resorts of Sierra Nevada and Pradollano.

Visa to Spain

To visit Spain you need. The tourist's passport must remain valid for at least another 3 months from the end of the trip to Spain. The passport must have 2 blank pages.

Round-trip flights to Spain

Prices for tickets per person departing from Berlin are shown.

March

Climate and weather in Spain

The swimming season on the Mediterranean coast of Spain lasts from June to October. In the Canary Islands you can swim all year round.

July and August are the best months to visit the Basque Country, Galicia, Barcelona, ​​and Malaga. And for walking around Madrid and Toledo, you should choose late spring or early autumn.

	During the day	At night	Sea	Season
January	+13	+4	+13	Beach
February	+14	+5	+13	Beach
March	+15	+6	+15	Beach
April	+17	+8	+17	Beach
May	+20	+12	+18	Beach
June	+24	+15	+22	Beach
July	+27	+18	+24	Beach
August	+28	+19	+26	Beach
September	+25	+16	+25	Beach
October	+21	+12	+22	Beach
November	+17	+8	+20	Beach
December	+14	+5	+16	Beach

Resorts in Spain

While in Barcelona, ​​it is impossible not to look at the most famous long-term construction in the world, the brainchild of the great Gaudi, the fantastic Sagrada Familia - Sagrada Familia. Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi turned Barcelona into the garden of his fantasies. Many people call his style modernism, but all the creations of the genius of Gaudi are so original, fabulous and unique that only one definition suggests itself - “Gaudi style”.

The Sagrada Familia became the architect's main project - he devoted 43 years of his life to creating the drawings and supervising the construction of the grandiose temple. According to Gaudi's plan, the temple was to have three facades: the Nativity, the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection. Each facade should be crowned with 4 towers of enormous height - 120 meters each. These 12 towers symbolize the number of apostles. The central tower - 170 meters high - was to be erected to the glory of Jesus. The Sagrada Familia is open to tourists and visitors every day. You can examine the interior decoration of the temple, stained glass windows and stucco moldings, mosaics and frescoes. The average excursion time is 4 hours.

The huge fountain is located on the Montjuic hill in Barcelona. Water cascades occupy 3 thousand square meters, and the main bowl of the fountain in the form of an ellipse is 65 meters long and 59 meters wide. Fountain - decoration architectural ensemble Plaza de España and National Palace Catalonia. 3620 water jets soar to a height of 54 meters. The play of light and color is provided by 120 spotlights, the spectrum of which includes more than 50 colors. Montjuic dances to classical music.

The amazing Park Guell is another brainchild of Antoni Gaudi. Mosaics, mysterious paths, fabulous “gingerbread” houses - all this is Park Güell, a fantastic garden city in Barcelona. On the roof of the columned hall there is a serpentine bench stretching along the perimeter. It is brightly decorated with mosaics and very comfortable - according to the memoirs, Gaudí asked the builder to sit in soft clay to obtain a cast that followed the contours of the human body.

In Seville, wander through the labyrinth of the Old Town and visit Plaza de España. Among the columns are panels of tiles, each of which depicts one of the Spanish provinces.

In Valencia you need to eat your fill of paella - it was invented here. It is also worth looking at the legendary Holy Grail and the fantastic City of Sciences and Arts at the bottom of a drained river. Knightly Toledo beckons with its castles and olive groves. And in the restaurants of San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, you need to make an appointment six months in advance - the best establishments with Michelin stars are collected here.

In La Coruña, admire the lighthouse, which was built during the Roman Empire. It rises 55 meters above the ground and is still operating successfully.

What is Spain without mills? You can look at the “monster” with which Don Quixote fought on the Hill of Peace.

The Costa del Sol is beaches, beaches and more beaches, as many as 240 kilometers of uninterrupted beaches with luxurious sand. In Malaga, see the world through the eyes of Pablo Picasso, who was born here.

Costa Dorada, "Golden Coast" is the most beautiful Spanish beach resort. Luxurious hotels, clear water and 200 kilometers of golden sand. Families with children like to come here, as in Mallorca: the entrance to the water is gentle, there are no strong waves.

Costa Brava is famous for its wildlife- rocks and pine trees, warm sea and fresh breeze intertwine here into a truly Spanish symphony of relaxation.

The legendary island of Tenerife attracts tourists from all over the world with its amazing beaches with dark volcanic sand.

Useful to know about Spain

Tours to Spain

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

SPAIN - GENERAL INFORMATION

Territory- 504,750 sq. km. In terms of territory, Spain is the second country in Western Europe after France.

Population- 39.2 million people. National composition: Spaniards, Catalans, Galicians, Basques.

Languages:Spanish ( official language- 74% of the population), Catalan (autonomous community of Catalonia - 17%), Galician (autonomous community of Galicia - 7%), Basque (Basque Country - 2%).

Religion- 99% Catholics.

Capital- Madrid.

Largest cities - Madrid (3 million), Barcelona (1.7 million), Seville (714 thousand).

Administrative division - 17 autonomous communities. Under Spanish control there are also 2 territorial enclaves on the coast of Morocco (Ceuta and Melilla) and three groups of islands off the coast of Morocco.

Form of government- a constitutional monarchy.

Head of State - King Juan Carlos.

Currency- Euro.

Banks serve clients on weekdays from 08.15 to 14.00, on Saturday until 13.00, Sunday is a day off. You can also exchange currency at exchange offices, hotels and travel agencies.

Visa regime - Schengen visa.

Time– Moscow minus two hours.

Geography of Spain

Spain is located in southwestern Europe and occupies about 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Also, Spain owns the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The cities of Ceuta and Melilla (in Morocco) and the islands of Vélez de la Gomera, Alucenas and Chafaranas are under Spanish control. Territory: 504,750 sq. km. Of these: land - 499,400 sq. km., water - 5,350 sq. km. Spain borders France - 623 km, Portugal - 1,214 km, Andorra - 65 km, the English colony of Gibraltar - 1.2 km, Morocco: (Ceuta) - 6.3 km, (Melilla) - 9.6 km. Total length of the border: on the ground - 1,919.1 km, coastline- 4,964 km. The central part of Spain is the Meseta plateau with the Center mountain range. Cordillera. In the north and northeast - the Pyrenees, Cantabrian, Iberian and Catalan mountains, in the south - the Andalusian mountains (Mulacen, 3478 m, - highest point continental Spain) and the Sierra Morena mountains. Large rivers- Tajo, Duero, Ebro, Guadalquivir, Guadiana. The country is washed in the southeast by the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is located at the crossroads of important maritime and airways, connecting Europe with the African and American continents. Spain also has a strategic location along the Strait of Gibraltar.

Population of Spain

Spain is considered a single nation formed on the basis of various historical areas and ethnic groups, the main ones being Catalans (15.6%), Andalusians (15.6%), Castilians (11.1%), Valencians (9.7%), Galicians (7.4%) and Basques ( 5.6%).

Most of the population of Spain (99%) are Catholics. The Catholic Church enjoys great influence in the country.

The total population of the country is 39.6 million people; population density - 78.5 people per 1 sq. km; annual population growth - 0.2%; illiteracy rate - 4.6%; life expectancy - 78 years.

Four languages ​​are spoken in Spain: Spanish, Basque, Catalan and Galician. The official and most common language in the country is Spanish.

Climate of Spain

Spain has a Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures in January range from 4-5 °C on the Meseta plateau to 12 °C in the south; in July, respectively, from 23 to 29 °C. Precipitation 300-500 mm, in the mountains of St. 1000 mm per year (mainly in winter).

The Canary archipelago is also Spain, and you can swim on the island of Tenerife all year round. Wherein average temperature air temperature is +22-24°C, and even in August there is no sweltering heat.

Spanish cuisine

Spanish national cuisine is considered one of the best in the world in terms of quality and variety of products. Its peculiarity is the combination of numerous regional cuisines, each of which was influenced by climatic conditions and the way of life of the people of the area. National cuisine can be divided into Catalan, Valencian, Basque, etc. Madrid stands apart. Madrid-style fried meats, cod and rennet (stewed innards, cut into pieces) are equally beloved here, as are the traditional cocido madrileño (pea soups with croutons). But especially popular is Madrid's "calos" - spiced tripe with blood sausage and pepper sauce. You should definitely try at least the classic dishes. The famous Spanish omelette “tortilla”, spicy smoked sausage “chorizo”, serrano ham, sheep cheese “manchego”, delicacy specially smoked ham “jamon”. And, of course, cold gazpacho soup.

Work time

Institutions: 9.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.00 (Monday - Friday).

Shops: 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00 (Monday-Saturday). Large chain department stores: El Corte Ingles 10:00 - 21:00 (Monday-Saturday, without a break). Supermarkets: "Continente, Pryca, Alcampo, Mercadonna 9:00 (10:00) - 20.00 (21.00) Monday - Saturday, without a break. In tourist centers during the holidays, some stores are open on Sunday.

Museums: from 9.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00 (usually). Some museums are closed on Sunday and Monday.

Telephone
There are telephone booths anywhere in Spain from which you can call anywhere in the world. Telephone sets accept coins of 5, 10, 25, 100 and 500 pesetas. It is more convenient to call Russia from any telephone booth installed on the street or in a bar or restaurant - it is much cheaper than calling from a hotel.

Required telephone numbers:

national police – 091

local police – 092

Red Cross - 22-22-22

urgent health care – 061

fire service – 080

exact time service - 093

Help Desk - 098

Tips
Tipping in Spain is an ancient tradition, practiced in bars and restaurants, taxis, cinemas, and hotels. Please note that a service charge may be included in your bill. Typically tip 5-10% in restaurants and taxis.

Useful tips for Spain

When going to Spain you should not count on English language. Learn Spanish words, or at least write them down on paper. A well-chosen list of 30 words will make your life immeasurably easier.
If you do not live in Moscow, a tour with a departure from your city will cost one and a half times more than a tour with a departure from Moscow. It might make sense to fly from Moscow.

If you are faced with a choice of when to go to the coast - in June or in September, keep in mind that the sea in June is noticeably cooler.

Buy and take with you a pocket-sized (so you can carry it with you) Spanish-Russian/Russian-Spanish dictionary. As practice shows, standard phrase books turn out to be practically useless; the ideal option is to know a couple of dozen basic phrases plus a dictionary in case you need to urgently translate a word.

Charter flights tend to be very late. Don't be surprised or worried, just be mentally prepared for the confusion at the airport and the fact that you will have to spend a couple of extra hours there.
The sand on the beaches varies depending on the beach - from coarse and sharp, as, for example, in Lloret de Mar, to very fine.

Popular for its affordable prices, Lloret de Mar is not well suited for family vacation, because it is flooded with young people from all over Europe. If that suits you, Lloret is the place to be, but if you prefer something quieter and cozy places, it's better to choose something else.

The Costa Brava is characterized by a “sheer bottom”, when after taking four or five steps into the sea you plunge headlong. This is not particularly important for adults, but with small children who love to play in shallow water, it is still better to go to another coast.

The talk about the insidious Spanish sun is completely true. Don't neglect protective creams.

To avoid getting your towels dirty with sand on the beach, it is best not to spend money on sunbeds every day, but to buy a couple of mats (it will cost about a little over a euro apiece). You can buy them right there, in nearby shops. It wouldn't hurt to buy a folding sun umbrella either. It's more expensive, about 10 euros, but it's worth it.

If you are traveling on your own, keep in mind that during the season you can rent an inexpensive 1*-2* hotel within major cities can be extremely difficult. This is more likely in nearby suburbs.
You can significantly save on city fees public transport, if you buy passes for 10 trips.
Water parks typically open in late May/early June and close by October.
In Tenerife, you can look into the crater of the Teide volcano only with a special, separately obtained permit, which travel agencies forget to warn about.

The exchange commission (if there is one) of a currency, in addition to interest, always has a certain mandatory minimum - for example, 2 euros, so it is more profitable to change a large amount once than several small ones.
If you need to buy beach accessories (swimsuits, towels, slippers), remember that prices for them in Spain are 3 to 7 times lower than in Moscow. For example, swimsuits - 15-20 euros. Luxury beach towels - 5-10 euros. But photographic film in Spain is more expensive - from 4 euros.

Hot tea and coffee are usually offered in hotels only for breakfast. If you are used to drinking tea in the evenings, a small camp boiler will come in handy.

EmbassySpain in Moscow

Moscow, st. Bolshaya Nikolskaya, 50/8. Tel.: +7 (495)2022161, 2022180 / Fax +7 2919171

Gazpacho, Prado Museum or Sagrada Familia. But even experienced travelers may not know the interesting facts about Spain that are given in the article.

Country and people

• According to one version, the name of the country (España) goes back to the word Hispania, which in Phoenician meant “land of rabbits.”
• Throughout history the territory Spain inhabited by different ethnic groups, including Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs.
• Euskera, spoken in the Basque Country, is one of the oldest languages ​​in the world.
• The Spanish Empire was one of the strongest in the world.
• Spain ceded Gibraltar to Great Britain in 1713.
• Interesting fact about Spain and its history: the country remained neutral in two world wars.

• Spanish is the third most popular language in the world, with approximately 400 million speakers.
• Football is considered the national sport. Spain won its first World Cup victory in 2010.
• The match between the football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona is the main sporting event and can almost completely paralyze the country.
• An interesting fact about the people of Spain is that the country ranks first in the world in organ donation.
• Same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since July 3, 2005.
• There are about 8 thousand kilometers of beaches in Spain.

• One of the interesting facts about the country is that the objects world heritage 44 sites in Spain are recognized by UNESCO.
• The country drinks approximately 11.2 liters of alcohol per year, which is almost twice the average. Spain is the third country in the world (and first in Europe) for drinking gin and the first in Europe for cocaine consumption. However, this is one of European countries with lower suicide rates. However, it is not at all necessary that these interesting facts about Spain have a connection with each other.
• Javier Bardem became the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar for his role in No Country for Old Men.
• Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex (brands Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Zara Home), is the richest person in Spain and the second richest in the world (as of 2016) after Bill Gates. Ortega earns about 2.5 million euros per day.

Cities and provinces

• An interesting fact about the country can be considered the belief that Madrid is the geographical center of the country, and the Puerta del Sol in the capital is the exact center of Madrid or even the entire Iberian Peninsula. However, in fact, this opinion is refuted by new data.
• In 1978, the center of Madrid was thought to be the rear façade of the Prado Museum. Nowadays the intersection of Goya and Serrano streets is considered to be such.

• Regarding the center of the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Puerta del Sol area was considered such in the 18th century; currently it has “moved” to the town of Cerro de los Ángeles, about 10 kilometers south of Madrid. It now houses the 14th-century chapel Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and the Sagrado Corazón monument, built in 1919.
• What can be stated with certainty is that in Puerta del Sol there is a slab of Kilometro Cero, or Km. 0 ("zero kilometer"), the point from which all roads were to be measured. It appeared in the 18th century during the reign of Philip V, after six main roads were built crossing the entire peninsula.
• Another interesting fact about Spain: the Madrid metro is considered the second longest in Europe and the sixth in the world. It is 141 miles long and counting.

• The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest in the country.
• Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain, with about 15 million tourists coming here every year.
• Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Spain and in Europe; it was inhabited by the Phoenicians.
• La Boquería (Mercado de Sant Josep), located in Barcelona, ​​is considered the largest market in Catalonia.
• The most visited attraction in the capital of Catalonia is the Temple of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia), construction has been going on for more than 200 years and is still not finished.

Gastronomy

• Spain is the second country in the world in terms of the number of bars per person. The only country that beats it in this indicator is Cyprus.
• Many bars offer customers free snacks with their drink - tapas, usually olives, nuts and dried fruits or anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil (boquerones en vinagre).
• Spaniards usually have lunch at 2-3 pm and dinner between 9 and 10 pm.
• An interesting fact about the country from the field of gastronomy: tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco and cocoa were imported to Europe through Spain.
• After France and Italy, the kingdom is the third largest wine producer in the world and the first country in the world in terms of vineyard area.
• Although Spain is more famous in the world for red wine than white, most wineries produce white wine.

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 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 hinterland 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 Spain - 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.

The Iberian Mountains system adjoins the Meseta from the northeast, 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 Mulacén, reaching 3478 m, is the highest point in peninsular Spain. However, the highest Mountain peak Spain is located on. 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 the central and northern regions of the country). In summer, temperatures rise to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to south 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; the main tourist centers are 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 is 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 there was 27.5 m² per Spaniard total area housing. (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 was completed 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 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 transferred 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, there was 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 civil war In Spain, Spanish children were exported 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. The length of railways is 14,589 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 over 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 sea ​​ports control almost 93% of all transportation.

Air transport occupies 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).

Kingdom Spain(Espana - in Spanish and Spain - in English) is a country located in southwestern Europe and occupies most of the Iberian - also known as the Iberian - Peninsula. In addition, Spain owns a number of overseas territories: the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean; The Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa.

• In the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain borders with Portugal, in the south with the British territory of Gibraltar, in the north the country shares a common border with France and microscopic Andorra, and in the north of Africa also with Morocco
• In the west and north, the Spanish coasts are washed respectively by the open Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay (also known as the Cantabrian Sea) of the latter, and in the east and south by the Mediterranean Sea
• (relatively) Detailed

Basic information about Spain

As in Europe in general, there are not many populated metropolises here - only two cities in Spain have surpassed the million-person mark. These are Madrid and Barcelona. In terms of the number of inhabitants, even some cannot compete with the capital of Spain, Madrid (3.3 million inhabitants in the city itself and 6 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area).

The second place is occupied by the capital of the most economically developed region of the country (Catalonia), Barcelona, ​​which counts among its inhabitants over 1.6 million people. In third place is Valencia, the capital of the community of the same name - over 800 thousand inhabitants, in fourth place is the beautiful Andalusian capital, Seville (700 thousand people).

Aragonese Zaragoza closes the top five most populated cities in the country, almost equaling Seville in terms of the number of inhabitants (over 700 thousand). In 6th place is the dynamically developing capital of the Costa del Sol, Malaga (570 thousand inhabitants).

Spain has been and remains an extremely popular country among tourists: in terms of the number of foreigners received per year, it is second only to neighboring France. There are dozens of iconic landmarks in Spain.

Sights of Spain

We will only mention those that are well known. The Escorial Palace-Monastery near Madrid, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, ​​marked by the genius of Antonio Gaudi, is perhaps the most unusual temple in the world, the fortress of the Moorish kings in Granada, the Alhambra, the Montserrat Monastery in the rocks of Catalonia, the Seville Cathedral - the second largest Catholic Church ( more only in Rome) of Europe, are known even to those who have never been to this country.

Those who are planning to visit Spain will be able to discover a lot of no less interesting places. Almost any city in the country, from the megacities of Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia or Seville to provincial centers like Bilbao, Valladolid, Burgos, Zaragoza, Toledo, has exclusively ancient history and its own attractions.

• The resorts of Spain are also naturally popular - in themselves the main and most beloved attractions of this country by tourists. Their number is so great that many allow themselves to no longer distinguish the city, simply saying: I’m going to the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Verde or some other, smaller “costa”.

Small towns or now vast places, entire municipalities, the only reason for the growth of which was the influx of foreign holidaymakers - such, for example, as Benidorm, Marbella, Alicante or entire resort islands, Ibiza or Tenerife, are known far beyond the borders of the country and even beyond the continent.

Administratively, Spain is divided into 17 autonomous regions (Autonomous Community) and 2 autonomous cities. Regions: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Valencia, Galicia, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile-La Mancha, Castile and Leon, Catalonia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Rioja, Basque Country and Extremadura. Cities (on the African continent): Ceuta and Melilla.

According to its political structure, Spain is a constitutional monarchy. The king is considered the supreme head of state. The executive power in the country is represented by a cabinet of ministers headed by the prime minister, the leader of the party that won the parliamentary elections.

• The main legislative branch of the country: a bicameral parliament or Cortes Generales, consisting of the Senate (upper house) and the Congress of Deputies (lower house), re-elected every four years.

Spain is entirely integrated into the European economic and defense system: the country is a member of the European Union, the eurozone (the area where the euro is used as the main currency) and NATO. It is also a member of the international organizations UN and WTO.

Perhaps thanks to this, Spain has a developed economy: the fifth largest in terms of turnover in the European Union and the fourth in the eurozone. Estimated Gross domestic product(GDP) in 2011 should be about 1 trillion 400 billion euros. That is, per capita of every Spaniard, goods and services worth 30 thousand European “rubles” are produced per year.

• By the way, judging by the research of the German newspaper Die Welt, if not for the global financial crisis that hit Spain with a hammer, then by 2011 the country would have overtaken Germany in terms of average per capita income

The leading sectors of the economy are considered to be: mechanical engineering and the textile industry (few have heard of the SEAT automobile and the clothing Zara), tourism (provides about 5% of GDP), banking (Santander Bank is the largest in the eurozone), as well as winemaking and olive oil production . In the last two sectors of human activity, the Pyrenean country occupies a leading position in Europe.

 

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