Spain - About, Facts, History, Government, Geography, Culture, Climate, People, Land, Nature, Business & Economy ~ All Around

Spanish Name: The Spanish name for Spain is España.
Language: The Spanish language is spoken in many areas of the world due to the early influence of the Spanish Empire.
Location: Spain is located in Europe.
Development: It is a developed country with a high quality of life.
Capital & Largest City: The largest city and capital of Spain is Madrid.
Second Largest City: The second largest city is Barcelona, which is located in Catalonia.
Population: The population of Spain in 2012 was around 47 million.
Currency: The currency used in Spain is the Euro.
Driving Rule: In Spain they drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Modern Humans: It is believed that modern humans first arrived in Spain around 32000 years ago.
Highest Mountain: Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain (3718 m, 12198 ft) and an active volcano.
Dividing Mountain: The Pyrenees is a mountain range that divides Spain and France.
Islands: Spain includes a number of islands including Mallorca, Tenerife, Ibiza and Gran Canaria. Many can be found in the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa.
Tourism: The Spanish tourism industry is one of the largest in the world, bringing in billions of Euros into the Spanish economy.
Production: Spain produces a large amount of renewable energy, including wind power and solar power.
Food Variety: Spain has a variety of foods and unique dishes such as paella (a type of rice dish) and tapas (a range of small snacks or appetizers).
Popular Sport: Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Spain.

Widely known for Flamenco music and dance, bull-fights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine, Spain has to offer much more than that.

It is - and has been for thousands of years - one of the cultural centres of Europe. It has beautiful cities and towns, offering really old monuments as well as futuristic architecture.

Its various regions are all different one to each other, geographically, climatically and even in personality. It is a fascinating country to know and to know more about it.

"Spain is different!", Spaniards use to say. They don't specify compared to what: to the rest of Europe, to the rest of the world, or even to itself ? We don't know it either, but we do our best to supply you with loads of information so you can find the answer to this question and to many more by yourself.

History

The oldest historical findings made in Spain date of about 30000 to 50000 b.C. Among the most important remains of this period are the Cave of Altamira (Santander), Cova Negra (Játiva) and Piñar (Granada).

20th Century

The economical crisis of the early 1920s led the country to the brink of civil war, and General Primo de Ribera established a military dictature until 1930. Elections in 1931 saw a triumph for the political left, and Alphonse XIII. left the country. Increasing conflicts between the Republican government and the Nationalist opposition led to the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The Nationalists, led by General Franco, received extensive support from Nazi-Germany and fascist Italy and succeeded against the Republican block which was officially supported only by Russia, although many intellectuals (as Ernest Hemingway) and politically committed from other countries fought in the International Brigades. The nationalists succeeded.

Although Franco kept Spain neutral during World War II, his military dictature led to political and economical isolation. During the 1950s and 60s every effort was taken to improve international relations, and the country's economy recovered. In 1969 Franco proclaimed Juan Carlos de Borbon, the grandson of Alphonse XIII., his successor with the title of king.

Franco died in 1975, and a constitutional monarchy was established. President Adolfo Suarez introduced important political reforms. When he surprisingly dismissed in 1981, a group of militars tried to take the power with a coup, but failed. In 1982 the socialist party won the elections and Felipe Gonzalez became president of the government. Spain became member of the NATO in 1985 and entered the European Community in 1986. In 1992 it appeared impressively at the world stage: Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games, Seville the world exposition EXPO'92, and Madrid was declared European Cultural Capital.

Geography

Spain is located at the Iberian Península, of which it occupies approximately 80% (the remaining 20% are occupied by Portugal), in the southwest of Europe. In the north Spain borders on France and Andorra, with the Pyrenees as a natural frontier.

Additionally the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea, Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean close to the Moroccian coast, and Ceuta and Melilla, located in northern Africa, are Spanish territory.

Spain is the 3rd country of Europe in extension and the 5th in population.
There are five big mountain ranges crossing the country, and about 50% of it are located at an elevated plain.

Landscapes are extremely varied, some almost desert-like, others green and fertile, and of course there are the long coasts, in the east along Mediterranean Sea from Pyrenees to Gibraltar, and in the west (the major part of the Iberian peninsula's western coast is occupied by Portugal) along the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea.

Fiestas and Traditions

Best known among Spain's folkloristic traditions are certainly Flamenco and bullfights. You will find bullfights indeed throughout the country, the most popular event perhaps being the "Running of Bulls" during the Sanfermines in Pamplona. But bullfights are part and parcel of any Fiesta.

Flamenco, on the other hand, is the musical tradition in the country's south, in particular in Andalusia. That is where you have to move to see and listen first rate dancing and guitar playing. In April takes place Feria de Abril, in Seville, an entire week of singing and dancing and trying that great Sherry wine, those delicious tasty snacks called "Tapas" and more Sherry wine ... and if you like this sort of things you REALLY should not miss that event.

If you can arrange it (and find a hotel room) better arrive to Seville already two weeks before Feria, and see this city's other outstanding event: Semana Santa, Easter week, with its world-famous processions.

Another most popular event of religious origin is El Rocio, a traditional pilgimship to the village El Rocio Foto in the province of Huelva, in May. This pilgrimship anyhow is not too solemn and serious, Flamenco and wine being indispensable components. Follow the thousands who each year travel there and have yourself a ball.

Another outstanding Fiesta are "Las Fallas de San José" in Valencia, in March, when all the city becomes the scenery of an enormous party with lots of good mood and excellent fireworks. Next to Valencia there is the little town Buñol which hosts each year on the last Wednesday of August La Tomatina, the world's largest tomato fight. It is unclear why the town's inhabitants started over 50 years ago the tradition of throwing mature tomatoes at each other, but today the event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

A wild week can also be spent in San Sebastian during February, when La Tamburrada takes place.
Madrid has its Fiesta, "San Isidro", in May. If you like bullfights, don't miss it.
Carnival is popular in all the country, the best is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but if you are at the peninsula, Cadiz and Sitges are the places to go.