Spain

Land of Pasion, History and Natural Beauty

Spain is a lively country of Mediterranean origin and boasts of history, culture, and spectacular views. Whether one is interested in the busy streets of Madrid or quiet beaches of the Costa Brava, Spain is a place that will cater to all tastes and preferences. Exploring ancient castles, trying mouthwatering tapas or playing in the sun on a sandy beach, Spain is worth an experience you will never have forgotten. Spain is one of the countries that is fascinating to tourists because of its thriving people, pictoresque landscapes, and international art.

To obtain all information about Spain,look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Spain

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Geographical Location

Spain is a country in southern Europe, the largest area of which is dominated by the Iberian Peninsula. It borders on France and Andorra to the north-east, Portugal to the west and the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar to the south. On the east, a Mediterranean Sea borders Spain, and the Atlantic Ocean is located to the northwest, which means that the country has an incredibly beautiful and varied coast.

Spain is the 4th largest nation in Europe as it spreads over 505,992 square kilometers. It is a diverse place with a range of landscapes, such as mountainous areas, places of broad plains, forests, and coastal cliffs, which provide different experiences to its visitors.

Topography and Geography

The geography of Spain is characterised by the presence of mountains south of the country namely, the Pyrenees in the northeast constituting natural frontier with France. To the south, there are skiing resort mountains (Sierra Nevada) with hiking available during the summer. Meseta Central is a plateau which covers much of central Spain, it is rugged in features and its rich landscape is an expansive one too.

Besides mountainous regions, Spain has innumerable rivers which include Ebro, Guadalquivir and the Tajo rivers that have crucial aspects of Spanish agriculture as well as history. Spain has also some very nice beaches, the Mediterranean and Atlantic in Spain and the most popular are Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and Balearic Island among others (Ibiza and Mallorca).

Climate

The climate of Spain is very diverse and extends to temperate and Mediterranean in some sections of Spain and semi arid in other inland areas. The Spanish coast, especially those in the Mediterranean regions are warm winters and hot dry summers. The inland of the country is more of a continental climate with the winters being colder and the summers warmer particularly to the cities such as Madrid.

Both Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are subtropically climatized, thus are the places where one can visit the beach all the year round.

Ancient History, Early Civilizations

The history of Spain can be traced back to prehistoric times and there are indications of the presence of the early human habitation in caves such as the Altamira in Cantabria whose cave paintings are well known to be Paleolithic. The Iberian Peninsula was populated by ancient Celtic, Phoenician and Greek people and turned into one of the principal points of Roman settlement at the end of 2nd century BC. Hispannia province was introduced by the Roman Empire that later formed the basis of the modern Spain.

The Middle Ages and the Reconquista

Spain was invaded by Visigoths, Moors and Franks after the French destruction of the Roman Empire. The Moors in the 8 th century overtook much of the Iberian peninsula and left their impression upon both Spanish architecture and artwork and in general the culture. Industrialized is a good example of Islamic influence in Spain in the form of Alhambra at Granada.

The Reconquista was a centuries-long crusade of the Christian kingdoms against the Moors to regain power over Spanish lands which culminated with the fall of Granada in 1492, by which Muslims finally gave up power in Spain. This coincided with the first expedition of Christopher Columbus which set the stage of Spanish Golden Age where Spain embarked on expansions both in terms of exploration and empire.

Spain, The Empire and Decline

Spain emerged as one of the most successful countries on the planet and established its massive empire in the Americas and Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. But the fall of the Spanish Empire the 18 th century and the consequences of Napoleonic Wars weakened Spain. The 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War resulted in a dictatorship government under Franco that governed till death in 1975.

Modern Spain

After the death of Franco, Spain converted to constitutional monarchy that was governed by the king Juan Carlos I who worked significantly in the restoration of the democracy. Spain has joined the European Union in 1986 and in the 21st century, it has turned into one of the most active tourist destinations and cultural synergy of the world.

Ethnic and Religious diversity

Spain is ethnically Spanish, though its territories harbor diverse peoples, the Catalans in Catalonia, the Basques in the Basque Country, and the Galicians in Galicia. Other languages that are used besides the Spanish are: Catalan, Basque and Galician in their respective regions.

The most religious according to religion is Roman Catholicism; most of the traditions followed in Spain, and most of their festivals and public holidays are dependent to the church, particularly in the Andalusia and Castile parts of the country.

Literature and Language

Spanish (Spanish: Castilian), which is the official national language of Spain, is a multilingual nation whose regional languages are also co-official, such as Catalan, Basque and Galician. The literature of Spain is a long history of works by many writers, including Miguel de Cervantes (the author of Don Quixote) and Federico Garcia Lorca, who appealed to the world literature.

Notable artists produced under Spanish art, notably, the Golden Age, were Diego Velazquez, Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso whose arts are still impacting the art scene around the world.

Dance and Music

Spain is popular with its flamenco music and dance which came in the Andalusia. Spain and flamenco The thrilling tempo and pounding dances of that originated and are primary in Spanish culture. Another folklore is the sardanas, a typical dance of the Catalans, and the zarzuela, a kind of Spanish operetta.

Celebrations and Cultural customs

Spain has such colorful festivals as the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona or the La Tomatina Festival in Bucl and Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions in Seville. Among the national festivals that are observed by other people through out country are the fallas festival in Valencia and the Carnival celebrations in Cadiz.

Economic Development

The Spanish economy is one of the biggest economies in Europe, and the sectors that are major in this economy include; tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and services. Spain produces numerous olive oil, wine, fruits, and vegetables, being one of the leading manufacturers of food and beverage products worldwide.

Tourism

Tourism plays a very important role in the economy of Spain. Millions of tourists flock to cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Valencia; to picturesque coastal regions such as the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Mallorca); to attractive scenery and beaches investing many millions of Euros in their properties.

Trade and Industry

Other major players in the spanish industries are seen in automobile manufacturing, fashion industries, construction, and technologies. This nation is one of the world leaders in the sphere of renewable energy, especially in the domain of solar and wind energy.

Spain- Places to Visit

These are the six attractions that you must visit in Spain:

1. The Barcelona Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is the unfinished masterpiece of Antoni Gaud which is one of the most recognized landmarks of the whole of Spain.

2. Alhambra, Granada

The heavenly palace and a fortress complex with a fantastic Islamic architecture, UNESCO World Heritage site, is a great source of pride.

3. Park GUell Barcelona

Park GUell is another popular building by Gaudi; it is a large park decorated with colorful mosaics and with surrealistic buildings.

4. Royal Palace Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official palace of the royal family of Spain and the splendid rooms and gardens are accessible to the visitors.

5. Madrid Plaza Mayor

This is a historic square which is a very popular attraction of Madrid with its cafes, restaurants and shops.

6. The Running of Bulls, Pamplona

Pamplona San Fermin Festival is one of the renowned events in Spain which attracts tourists worldwide.

Healthcare System

The quality of universal healthcare in Spain is one of the best in the European region, having medical services available to both locals and tourists. The government funds the public health service and there are alternative ways of healthcare through privately-run services.

Education System

All the residents of Spain are eligible to receive free primary and secondary education and the universities in Spain, including University of Barcelona and Autonomous University of Madrid, have numerous options in sports, science, technology, and the arts.

Transport Network

There is a well-developed transport system in Spain which includes high-speed trains (AVE), buses, and metropolitan transport in such cities as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. The country can be reached by airline following the Spanish airports (among them Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat).

Urban Development

The cities of Spain are a mixture of historical design and the urban style. The combination of the aged locations and the latest infrastructure can be found in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville.

Best time to Visit:

The most suitable time of year to visit Spain is its autumn (September to November) or spring (March to May) as at this moment the weather is mild and no so many people visit attractions.

Special Events and Festivals

Wonderful events in Spain are Semana Santa (Holy Week), La Tomatina, and Fallas festivals which introduce the cultural heritage of the country.

Conclusion: 

The diversity of offerings in Spain includes the possibility to enjoy an experience right out of a culture book, in Madrid and Seville, to simply rave to the beauty of the Costa Brava and Ibiza. Either you are having tapas, sitting on a beach in the Mediterranean area, or touring the Palace of Alhambra, Spain promises to give you an experience you would never forget.

Question commonly asked

When is the right time to visit Spain?

Spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) is the best time to visit because the weather is ideal, and the climax is smaller.

Which are the best places of attraction in Spain?

The best landmarks are Sagrada Familia, Alhambra, Park G, Royal Palace, and Plaza Mayor.

Which are the languages spoken in Spain?

Spanish (Castilian) is the official language, and Catalan, Basque, Galician are the official languages in Catalonia and Basque, Galicia correspondingly.

Is Spain tourist safe?

Yes, Spain is relatively safe tourist destination i.e. its crime rate remains low with special regard to the tourist friendly regions.

Which cultural festivals must I consider attending in Spain?

Major cultural festivals in Spain are the Semana Santa, La Tomatina and Fallas.