Spain is a strong country or not. Interesting facts about spain

brief information about country

Foundation date

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 southwestern 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 with a history of more than one millennium, works of architectural art and pristine beaches, which attract travelers from all over the world to this fertile land. The heights of the Pyrenees, Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains do not leave lovers indifferent active rest: ski resorts with equipped trails and magnificent landscapes, every year they receive hundreds and thousands of tourists. The country of flamenco and bullfighting, as it is also called, is visited annually by an average of 30 million tourists. Canary and Balearic Islands can be called a real paradise for a beach holiday.

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Spain is a country of bright summer sun, music, extravagant culture and unique cuisine. Many talented artists, musicians, actors and writers were born in this country. Thousands of books, hundreds of films and popular songs are dedicated to Spain. In the world tourism sector, Spain occupies one of the leading places.

But what is it that attracts millions of visitors to this country? In addition to architecture and centuries-old history, there are many other interesting things here. ordinary tourists and those who end up in this country with completely different goals.

We offer to get acquainted with the brightest and most interesting facts about Spain, which not everyone knows, and which it is desirable to know before traveling to this unique country.

The mentality of the Spaniards

  • The national motto of Spain says that life is made for pleasure, not for suffering;
  • The Spaniards rarely think about tomorrow, they give the impression of frivolous and a little infantile people;
  • Expression "blue blood" was invented by the Spaniards. By this, the local medieval aristocrats emphasized their pale skin with translucent veins, and the fact that they did not have Moors or Africans in their family, like commoner Spaniards;
  • And the famous "hot spanish blood"- no exaggeration. The slightest street quarrel here often develops into a major brawl with bloodshed. In addition, almost 60% of all murders in Spain are motivated by jealousy;
  • Spaniards are distinguished by strong friendliness, as well as high emotionality- when talking, it is customary for them to grab the interlocutor by the hands, react violently to his phrases, raise their voice;
  • Spaniards are very sensitive to food, consider it one of the main pleasures in life;
  • Spaniards Very talkative, they can approach to a stranger on the street and start a conversation;
  • In Spain, they do not suffer from complexes, as a rule, they do not hide emotions;
  • Gesticulation is an indispensable element of the conversation, there are many gestures that play an important role in the conversation;
  • When talking with Spaniards of respectable age, any synonyms for the word "old man" should be avoided (in Spanish - " anciano» ). Locals believe that even with gray hair on his head, the Spaniard remains young;
  • Due to loud, harsh intonations and excessive openness, Spaniards may seem rude, however, this is not so;
  • Local population does not consider it necessary saying “thank you” and “please” too often, this is not accepted in restaurants and shops, as well as among close people;
  • The Spaniards are convinced that breakfast at home- the fate of the poor, so from 10:00 all cafes in the cities are crowded with locals;
  • The Spaniards have very peculiar methods parenting. It’s quite normal to leave a capricious child in the middle of the street and go about your business. According to official figures, not a single child has been harmed in this way yet.
  • There are more women studying in universities in Spain than men;
  • To date, 500 thousand gypsies live in Spain;
  • Approximately 40% of the population aged 17 to 24 smoke constantly;
  • Over 95% of Spaniards are Orthodox Catholics. More than half of them regularly attend churches and go to confession and communion weekly;
  • In Spain, it is customary to keep the maiden name after marriage.
  • The very word "Spain" in translation from the ancient dialect means "coast of rabbits." According to legend, the ancient Romans saw these animals first when they landed on the Spanish coast;
  • Approximately 80% of the country's territory is occupied by mountains, and Spain itself is located at an altitude of 660 meters, which makes it the highest in Europe;
  • More birds live in Spain than in any other country in Europe;
  • In the 19th century, the government of the Spanish capital, Madrid, destroyed historical Center cities. Because of this, all urban architecture dates back to the 19th-20th century.
  • There are several rather unusual museums in Madrid: the Museum of Romance, the Museum of America, the Museum of Ham;

Ham Museum

  • On the roads of Spain you can find billboards depicting the silhouette of a bull. Previously, they were intended to advertise whiskey, but then the company went bankrupt, and the government bought the billboards. So these shields have become a national symbol;
  • Spanish is one of the most popular languages ​​in the world. It is official in 21 countries, 100 million people learn Spanish as a second language, and 25% of US residents speak Spanish;
  • The capital of Spain, Madrid, is located in the very center of the country. And on central square the city is located zero kilometer;
  • The oldest restaurant founded in 1725 is located in Spain - Casa Botin;
  • The tradition is still preserved in Spain siesta- afternoon nap. But even with this in mind, a working day in Spain can start at 11:00. In a number of provinces, it is simply impossible to find a store open in the morning;
  • The Spanish Inquisition, which operated from 1478 to 1834, was considered the most brutal in Europe. During its existence, 350 thousand people passed through it, 10% were executed. In those days it was just a huge sacrifice;
  • Legalized in Spain since 2005 same-sex marriage. Despite this, the majority of the population continues to have a negative attitude towards sexual minorities, and in remote provinces - with open hostility;
  • Football the national sport in Spain. The football clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid are known all over the world, having very prestigious awards. The Spanish national team was the first to defend its European Football Championship title, and they are the only ones who have won as many as three international football tournaments in a row;
  • Not less popular bullfighting and bull running, which are traditional sports in Spain;
  • But, despite the cult significance of bullfighting, in last years it is increasingly criticized by local animal rights activists. The Spanish "greens", having political weight, have achieved ban on bullfighting in Catalonia and Barcelona, ​​as well as in the Canary Islands;

  • Spain is the third largest wine producing country in the world, surpassed only by France and Italy.

Holiday traditions in Spain

  • Most of the Spanish bars and cafes, when ordering one drink, gives free tapas- national snack. She does not have a strict recipe: it can be cold cuts, french fries or assorted vegetables;
  • In Spain, with impunity, you can sunbathing without clothes, but for moral reasons, all tourists are strongly advised to retire to nudist beaches;
  • To feel the true spirit of Spain, many tourists settle in paradors- old mansions, "converted" into hotels. They are located in the sleeping areas of cities, but the price for renting one room can reach the cost of a room in a five-star hotel;
  • Check into a hotel without booking in Spain not accepted. Foreigners can easily be left to spend the night on the street, therefore, with free tours, it is better to call the hotel and warn of a possible arrival at least a day in advance;
  • Spaniards speak English with great reluctance, so every tourist must have Spanish phrasebook Or better yet, learn a few phrases.

Spanish inventions

  • In the 16th century, it was invented here five-string guitar- someone guessed to add another string to the lute. Since then, all five-string guitars have been called Spanish;
  • Patented in Spain in 1956 mop;
  • It was the Spaniards who "invented" for Europeans tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, cocoa and avocados, which are here brought from America;
  • In 1938, Spain invented table soccer;
  • In 1958, Spain invented Chupa Chups, and the logo for it was drawn by the legendary Catalan - Salvador Dali.

Spain is, as you can see, very interesting country. If, after reading all these facts, you want to go there, then rather leave an application for the selection of a tour to the travel agencies of your city, or call our consultants at the toll-free number 8-800-100-30-24.

Spain is a country of flamenco and bullfighting. Ancient history, culture and favorable climatic conditions have made it very popular with tourists.

Spain is almost the most southern country Europe, occupies 5/6 of the Iberian Peninsula. In ancient times, this land belonged to the Romans, then to the Vandals, Alans, Sueves, Visigoths, Basques, Byzantines. In the 13th century, the Arabs took over the territory, and a struggle began that lasted for many years. And only in 1492 the Spanish crown captured the last Muslim stronghold - Granada. The process of unification of the country began in the 15th century with the marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. In the 19th century, Spain experienced 5 revolutions, and in the 20th century - the dictatorship of Franco, but met the new century already as a parliamentary monarchy.

Climate and weather

Climate in different areas Spain is very different. In the Central part it is cold and dry in winter, and in summer there is a scorching sun. In June-August, Madrid turns into a hot frying pan, but city gardens begin to bloom in March, rains are very rare in autumn, and sunny days often occur even in cool winters.

Capital
Madrid

Population

46,162,024 people

Population density

91.45 people/km2

Spanish

Religion

Catholicism

Form of government

a constitutional monarchy

Timezone

UTC +1, summer +2

International dialing code

Internet domain zone

Electricity

On the north coast, the cold currents of the Bay of Biscay bring moderate temperatures and heavy rains. It is better to carry an umbrella with you, otherwise you are guaranteed an unscheduled shower.

The weather in Barcelona is typical of the Mediterranean coast. The average annual temperature is about +20 ºС. It begins to warm up already in April, the water warms up by June. In winter, due to high humidity, it can be quite cool.

When is the best time to go? From April to early November, pleasant and warm weather prevails throughout almost the entire territory of Spain. The ideal months to visit are May, June and September (plus April and October in the south). In July and August temperatures can exceed +45 ºС. Snowfall in the mountains begins in October, and the highest peaks are covered with snow all year round.

Nature

About 90% of Spain is mountainous. The highest are in the Pyrenees system, known for one of the highest cliffs in Europe - Governors, height of about 1200 m, and the waterfall of the same name with a height of 800 m.

The central part is occupied by the Meset plateau, the average height is 660 m. It includes more than 70 mountain ranges. Here is the highest point of the peninsula - Mt. Mulasen(3478 m). And the highest mountain in the country Teide volcano- located on the island of Tenerife, which is part of the Canary Islands. Its height is 3718 m.

Canary Islands - one of the most unusual and attractive natural areas of Spain. One thing that 4 out of 10 National parks are here speaks for itself. The volcanic origin of the islands determined the most diverse landscapes - tuff fields, black gorges, calderas of old volcanoes and cones of young ones.

In the south of Spain is the only large lowland - Andalusian. In the north-east of the country in the valley of the Ebro River - the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands are located along the Mediterranean Sea.

Main rivers of Spain:

  • Duero Tajo;
  • Guadalquivir;
  • Guadiana;
  • Ebro.

The landscape of Mediterranean Spain is created by coastal valleys and steep cliffs.

There are over 2,000 beaches on the coast of Spain :

  • Costa Dorada;
  • Costa Brava;
  • Costa de Almeria;
  • Costa Blanca;
  • Rias Altas Mar Menor;
  • Costa del Sol;
  • Costa del Assar;
  • Rias Bahas;
  • Costa Cantabrica;
  • Costa de la Luz;
  • Canary and Balearic Islands.

Attractions

Thousands of tourists come to Spain to see with their own eyes the richest historical heritage. And this country conquers everyone, because it really has something to show.

Madrid- one of the most beautiful capitals in the world - ready to boast:

  • Royal Palace of the 17th century;
  • the Plaza Mayor and its 136 baroque buildings;
  • the chapel of St. Anthony of Florida with murals by Francisco Goya;
  • the Prado Museum .

Incredibly artistic city Barcelona with the bustling Las Ramblas, the unimaginable creations of the brilliant Gaudí and gothic quarter is a magnet for tourists.

From the arches of the ancient Roman aqueduct to Segovia is breathtaking. It literally breathes history.

The pearl of Islamic architecture, Alhambra's palace Granada captivates with its beauty.

And the great gothic cathedrals V Burgos, Palma de Mallorca And Toledo make you think about eternity.

Nutrition

Spanish cuisine is very diverse. Each region of the country has its own culinary traditions: from boiled octopus, stewed merlan fish from Galicia in a pot, to roasted suckling pig in Segovia and baked cod with garlic from the Basque cuisine.

Be sure to try:

tapas- typical snacks served with beer or wine. Olives in various combinations: with tuna, lemon, almonds; shrimp, cheese and even pies stuffed with seafood, meat, mushrooms.

Jamon- one of the best and famous meat delicacies. Dry-cured ham hanging from the ceiling can be seen in almost any bar. There is a whole culture of its use.

Paella- a rice dish with the addition of meat, vegetables, seafood. There are many recipes for its preparation, the ingredients can be very diverse, but three always remain the same - rice, saffron and a large paella pan.

Gazpacho- a heavily chilled soup made from mashed tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil and spices.

And for dessert - do not forget about the confectionery made from honey and nuts - turron, a traditional decoration of the Christmas table, although now it can be tasted all year round.

You can get acquainted with Spanish winemaking thanks to specially designed routes, of which there are more than 10. And not only tasting awaits you there - finding the perfect combination of food and wine, visiting a wine cellar, getting to know the production process ... In Spain, all conditions are created to fully least enjoy this drink in a country that is one of the three largest wine producers in the world.

The most famous varieties are sherry And sangria.

Accommodation

Booking a room in the low and middle season is not necessary at all - you can easily find one that you like on the spot. But in high season it will be very difficult to find a free room.

Accommodation prices vary greatly depending on the region. In Madrid, Barcelona and other popular tourist places for a double room you will pay at least 60 € . And, for example, in Murcia, where there are not so many tourists, a room with excellent conditions can be found for 45 € .

A bed in a multi-bed hostel room will cost about 20 € .

You can also live in an apartment or a villa, rent an entire house or a room. Here 45 € for a double room - the lowest price for this type of accommodation. Typically, the cost is up to 80 € and higher.

Entertainment and recreation

At any time of the year, Spain hosts many sporting and cultural events.

Check out the Spaniards' love of dressing up and raucous fun at the many fiestas - each town has events with its own unique traditions.

Carnival is considered one of the main holidays on the coast of Catalonia. You are waiting for colorful parades with the wonders of reincarnation in Sitges, Tarragona and other cities.

The most popular sport in Spain is undoubtedly football. One can not even hope to buy a ticket on the day of the match, especially if Barcelona is playing Real Madrid. The Spanish national football team is the reigning world champion and that says a lot.

Other popular sports in Spain include: basketball, motorcycling, cycling, tennis, Formula 1, golf.

This country has something to offer outdoor enthusiasts:

  • windsurfing near the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar;
  • rafting in Catalonia;
  • diving in Andalusia;
  • riding on skiing V national park Sierra Nevada.

Theme parks and water parks will delight not only children but also adults.

Purchases

In the shops of Spanish cities you can find goods for every taste and budget.

Shop for clothes and shoes in Madrid and Barcelona. Local brands will please you: Loewe, Custo, Zara and others. Be sure to visit one of the outlets - shopping centers that specialize in selling branded items from the previous season at significant discounts. For example, La Rocca Village, located 30 kilometers north of Barcelona, ​​or Las Roza Village- 40 kilometers from Madrid.

The shoe size system matches ours, but the clothes don't. Understanding is not that hard. To the number that you see on the label, add 6 and get the usual size designation for us. For example, 38 (S) corresponds to 44.

Almost all stores accept credit cards. Opening hours from 10:00 to 21:00, with a break for a siesta. Sunday is a day off.

Going to the market is a great opportunity to feel like a local resident. Here you can buy a variety of fruits, vegetables and other products, as well as clothes, shoes, jewelry. Opening hours from 9:00 to 14:00.

Transport

The country's main airport Barajas in Madrid Also major airports located in Barcelona, ​​Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia. National air carrier Iberia Airlines.

The main transport center of Spain is Madrid. The main railway lines and highways converge in the capital.

The railways are run by RENFE, the state-owned railway company. There are several types of trains depending on the level of comfort and speed. You can buy tickets at the ticket offices of railway stations and stations, as well as at travel agencies.

Along the Mediterranean coast are the main highways: from the French border to Alicante and from the coast of Cantabria to Catalonia. Spanish roads are of high quality and developed infrastructure. Speed ​​limit in locality- 50 km / h. On the national highway, you can accelerate to 100 km / h, and on fast lane- 120 km / h.

Bus stations are located in almost all major cities and resort centers in Spain. You can easily get to the right place.

Ferry service is also developed in Spain. The main carrier, Acciona Transmediterranea, flies to the Canaries, Balearic Islands and North Africa.

If you want to get around the city by public transport, then keep in mind that bus stops are marked with yellow-green signs with the inscription bus. You must enter the bus through the front door. Tell the driver the place you need to get to and the number of people, and you will receive a check with the indicated fare in your hands (a ticket for one trip costs about 0,70 € ). There are metros in Madrid and Barcelona.

Connection

The easiest way to call home from Spain is to use the phone booths on the street. They accept coins and phone cards, which you can buy from the post office or from kiosks with the Tabacos sign.

The international dialing code for calls from Spain is 00. To call, dial international code, wait for a beep, then dial the country code, area code, and desired phone number.

For calls from mobile phone buy a Vodafone, Orange, Movistar or Yoigo prepaid card. They can be purchased at supermarkets or at The Phone House chain of stores.

Use Wi-Fi hotspots to access the Internet. You can find a free connection at airports, train stations, large hotels, supermarkets, libraries and cafes.

The Wi-Fi network is highly developed in Spain. Only in Barcelona there are 418 free access points.

Safety

In Spain, you shouldn't walk down the street in beach view. In Barcelona, ​​this pleasure will cost you 120-300 € .

Remember: red light - no way. If you forgot this rule, cook 200 € . Crossing in the wrong place will cost 80 € .

Smoking is prohibited in workplaces, in bars and restaurants with an area not exceeding 100 m2, in some hotels and on beaches.

It is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages in transport and public places.

As in most European countries, Spain has right-hand traffic. Passengers and drivers of vehicles equipped with seat belts must be fastened.

Spanish traffic rules prohibit driving vehicle drunk. The maximum allowable blood alcohol level is 0.5 ppm.

If the amount of the fine does not exceed 350 € , the traffic police has the right to take it on the spot.

Theft, especially of valuables, can overshadow any vacation. Unfortunately, in Spain this is quite common. Be especially careful on the central streets of tourist cities.

Business climate

One of the largest exhibition centers in Europe Feria de Madrid is the main platform for organizers of conferences and exhibitions in Spain. The area of ​​the center is 200,000 m 2 , where there are 12 pavilions, a business center, a press club, two congress centers and parking lots for 14,000 cars. It is a meeting place for professionals from various fields.

ArcoMadrid and Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week are the center's most famous and prestigious events.

The largest exhibition centers in Spain in other cities:

  • Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona);
  • Feria Valencia (Valencia);
  • Bilbao Exhibition Center (Bilbao).

In Spain, taxation is carried out at three levels: state, regional, local.

On state level: taxes on income of individuals and legal entities, corporate tax and value added tax.

On regional level: tax on transfer of property, tax on economic transactions and tax on legal documented acts.

On local level taxes are levied on individuals on real estate, motor vehicles, tax on economic activity, construction and engineering works, and tax on urban land value appreciation.

VAT rates in Spain are 4%, 8% and 18%.

Real estate

Who doesn't dream of an apartment by the sea? Spain is very attractive in terms of such a purchase.

Buying real estate can be both an individual and a legal entity. All you need is a valid passport, a foreigner's number (N.I.E.) and, of course, financial resources.

For N.I.E. will need:

  • open visa;
  • certificate of origin of money;
  • certificate from the bank on the status of the account;
  • a contract on giving a deposit for a specific house and copies of documents for it.

The property must be registered with the Registro de Propiedad - Property Registry. Here you can find all the necessary information about the acquired property. When buying, a contract of sale is drawn up, in which all conditions are stipulated. After signing it, as a rule, the buyer pays about 10% of the cost. The remaining amount is paid at the time of signing the bill of sale (Escritura Publica), which is signed by the seller and the buyer in the presence of a notary.

Average property price in Spain — 245 000 € .

If you have not yet decided to buy, then housing can be rented. Most of the rented apartments are furnished. Finding an empty apartment is quite difficult. As well as renting housing for a long time, especially in resort towns. Short-term rentals are easier, but prices can go up a lot during holidays and the holiday season. A mandatory document when renting a home is a short-term or temporary contract. As a rule, rent is charged in advance.

Be aware that many shops and restaurants close during the siesta. In the period from 14:00 to 17:00 in Spain, a traditional afternoon rest.

Tips are usually included in the bill. If not, it is customary to leave 5-10% of the total cost of the order.

You can find toilets in bars and restaurants, airports, train stations, museums, shopping malls. Landmark - signs with inscriptions Servicios or Lavabo. Women's toilet - senoras or damas, male - senores or caballeros.

Many locals communicate in English, but it will not be superfluous to learn a few phrases in Spanish. It should be noted that in Spain the official language for the whole country is Castilian Spanish, but other languages ​​are also used. In Catalonia, for example, they speak Catalan, while in Galicia they speak Galician.

"Ola" is a universal greeting "gracias"- Thank you, "por favor"- Please.

Visa Information

Spain has long been a member of the Schengen Agreement, so the sequence of actions for obtaining a tourist visa has been worked out literally to automatism.

Maximum stay in Spain standard visa is 90 days. However, in some cases, the consulate has the right to issue single or double entry visas valid for 3 months.

Submission of applications for a visa in Moscow is carried out in:

  • Embassy of Spain (B. Nikitskaya st., 50/8)
  • Consular section (per. Khlebny, d. 28)
  • Spanish Consulate General (Stremyanny lane, 31/1)
  • Visa center (Dubininskaya st., 35).

You can also contact the Consulate General of Spain (Furshtatskaya st., 9) and the Visa Application Center (Shpalernaya st., 54), which are located in St. Petersburg.

Flamenco music and dancing, bullfights, lots of sun and fantastic beaches… In fact, Spain has much more to offer tourists. Spain has been a cultural center Europe. In this country, a large number of monuments from the times of the Celts, Goths, Romans and Moors have been preserved. The Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Mesquite Cathedral in Cordoba and Royal Palace in Madrid will be no less interesting to tourists than the beaches of the Costa del Sol or, for example, the Costa Dorada.

Geography of Spain

Spain is located on the famous Iberian Peninsula, in the south of Europe. In the west, Spain borders on Portugal, in the south - on Gibraltar (owned by Great Britain), in the north - on France and Andorra. In North Africa, Spain shares a border with Morocco (their common border– 13 km). In the south and east, Spain is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the west and northwest by the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain includes the small Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the "Isles of Dogs" (as the Canary Islands were once called) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, as well as two autonomous cities- Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.

The total area of ​​Spain is 505,992 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 1,917 km.

Mainland Spain is a mountainous country dominated by plateaus and mountain ranges. The main mountain systems in Spain are the Pyrenees, the Cordilleras, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Catalan Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The highest peak in Spain dormant volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife (3718 m).

Capital of Spain

The capital of Spain is Madrid, which is now home to more than 3.3 million people. Madrid was founded by the Moors in the middle of the 10th century.

Official language

Spain is a multilingual country. All over Spain official language is Spanish (aka Castilian) language.

Other official languages:

  • Basque language - common in the Basque Country and in Navarre;
  • Catalan - common in Catalonia, as well as in Valencia and the Balearic Mountains;
  • Galician - in Galicia.

Religion

About 96% of the population of Spain are Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. However, only 14% of Spaniards go to church every week (or more often).

In addition, about 1.2 million Protestants and more than 1 million Muslims now live in Spain (a lot of people from Morocco and Algeria).

State structure

Spain is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the King.

The source of legislative power is the Cortes Generales, consisting of the Congress of Deputies (350 people are elected to it) and the Senate (258 people).

The main political parties in Spain are the right-wing People's Party, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and the Communist Party of Spain.

Spain consists of 17 communities (regions) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).

Climate and weather

In general, the climate of Spain can be divided into three main climatic zones:

  • Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by hot summers and rather cold winters (central and north-central Spain);
  • semi-arid climate (southeastern Spain, especially in Murcia and the Ebro Valley);
  • maritime climate (in northern Spain, especially in Asturias, the Basque Country, Cantabria, and partly in Galicia).

The Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada have an alpine climate, while the Canary Islands have a subtropical climate.

In Spain, in January, the average air temperature is 0C, and in July - +33C.

Seas and oceans

The Mediterranean Sea in the south and east washes the shores of Spain, and in the west and north-west of the country is Atlantic Ocean. In the north of Spain is the great Bay of Biscay.

Average sea temperature in Spain in May:

  • Costa Dorado - +17С
  • Costa Brava - +17C
  • Costa Calida - +17С
  • Almeria - +18C
  • Costa del Sol - +17С
  • Costa Blanca - +17С

Average sea temperature in Spain in August:

  • Costa Dorado - +25С
  • Costa Brava - +25С
  • Costa Calida - +25C
  • Almeria - +24С
  • Costa del Sol - +23С
  • Costa Blanca - +25C

Rivers and lakes

Despite the fact that Spain is a mountainous country, a large number of rivers flow through its territory. Most big rivers in Spain, Tajo (1,007 km), Ebro (910 km), Duero (895 km), Guadiana (657 km) and Guadalquivir (578 km).

According to scientists, there are several hundred lakes in Spain, and more than 440 of them are mountain lakes. The largest lake in Spain is Sanabria, whose area is more than 11 thousand square meters. km.

History of Spain

The ancient Greeks called the indigenous inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (the territory modern Spain) Iberians. Iberian tribes, according to archaeological finds, came to the Iberian Peninsula from the eastern Mediterranean during the Neolithic.

Around 1200 B.C. Celts appeared in the Pyrenees, who began to mix with the Iberian tribes. Then the Phoenicians founded several of their cities in the Pyrenees - Gadir (Cadiz), Malaka (Malaga) and Abdera (Adra). Then the ancient Greeks built their colonies in southern Spain along the Mediterranean coast.

During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, Roman legionnaires invaded Spain and conquered most of it. Then Spain fell completely under the rule of Ancient Rome.

In 409 AD The Goths invaded the Iberian Peninsula and established their kingdom there. However, in 711 AD. The kingdom of the Visigoths fell under the blows of the Moors from Africa. In the end, the Moors managed to conquer almost all of Spain. In the 10th century, Andalusia established its own Muslim Caliphate.

However, Christians are trying to return the Spanish lands occupied by the Moors. This period in Spanish history is known as the Reconquista.

The very same kingdom of Spain was formed in 1469 (the wedding of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon took place this year), but only in 1492 the last Arab emir fled from the territory of Spain (this happened after the fall of Granada).

After Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, Spain received tons of silver and gold from there, thus becoming one of the most influential and powerful countries of that time.

In 1808, the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain, but the Spaniards put up stubborn resistance to them. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, King Ferdinand IV was restored to the Spanish throne.

Due to the economic crisis and political instability in the 19th century, Spain lost almost all of its colonies. In 1895, after the war with the United States, Cuba, the last colony of Spain, was lost.

From 1936 to 1939 in Spain continued Civil War, the winner of which came out the nationalists, led by Franco. During the Second World War, which began in 1939, Spain remained neutral, although it sympathized with Germany.

Franco died in 1975 and a constitutional monarchy was established in Spain.

Spain joined NATO in 1985 and joined the European Union in 1992.

Culture of Spain

on spanish culture big influence rendered by the ancient Greeks as well as the ancient Romans. Until now, a large number of ancient Roman monuments have been preserved in Spain. After the Moors conquered Spain in the early 700s, the Arabs began to exert a decisive influence on Spanish culture. In general, the entire Middle Ages in Spain is a confrontation between Arab and Christian cultures.

It so happened that the Spaniards most notably showed themselves in literature and in painting, although, of course, in Spain there were talented architects, philosophers, doctors and philosophers.

The most famous Spanish writers and poets are Lope de Vega (life - 1562-1635), Francisco Quevedo y Villegas (1580-1645), Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (life - 1547-1616), Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658 ), Benito Galdos (1843-1920), and Camilo José Sela (life - 1916-2002).

The most famous Spanish painters are El Greco (life - 1541-1614), Francisco de Herrera (life - 1576-1656), Jusepe de Ribera (life - 1591-1652), Diego Velazquez (life - 1599-1660) , Alonso Cano (life - 1601-1667), Francisco Goya (life - 1746-1828), and Salvador Dali (life - 1904-1989).

For many of us, Spain is flamenco and bullfighting, which has a long tradition.

The dance and song "flamenco" appeared in the Middle Ages in Andalusia. The emergence of this dance and musical style is associated with the gypsies, but since the end of the 18th century, flamenco has become a traditional Spanish dance.

Now every two years in the Spanish Seville, an international flamenco festival called Bienal de Flamenco is held. This festival gathers thousands of participants and visitors.

Another famous Spanish tradition is bullfighting, bullfighting, which was started by the Iberian tribes who lived in the Pyrenees around 3000 centuries BC. BC. At first, the killing of a bull was of a ritual nature, but over time, it became a real art. Since the middle of the 18th century, bullfighting has already existed in many Spanish cities.

Now in some Spanish cities there are bull races - "encierro". During these races, the bulls try to catch up with the people running through the streets. Sometimes the bulls succeed. The most famous encierros are in Pamplona.

Kitchen

Spanish cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of dishes. This is understandable, because in every region of Spain they carefully preserve not only their cultural, but also culinary traditions. In general, the cuisine of Spain can be attributed to the Mediterranean cuisine. Two characteristic elements of Spanish cuisine are olive oil and garlic.

In Mediterranean Spain (from Catalonia to Andalusia), seafood is often used for cooking. Cold soups (eg gazpacho) and rice dishes (eg paella) are traditional here.

Inland Spain is characterized by thick hot soups and stews. Ham and various cheeses are popular here.

For the northern coast of Spain (Atlantic Ocean), including the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia, dishes with meat, fish and vegetables are typical.

  • Cochinillo Asado (roast pig);
  • Gambas Ajiillo (fried shrimp with garlic and chili);
  • Paella (rice dish);
  • Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician octopus);
  • Jamon Iberico & Chorizo ​​(Iberian ham and spicy sausages);
  • Pescado Frito (this is any fried fish);
  • Patatas Bravas (these are fried potatoes cooked in a spicy sauce);
  • Tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelet);
  • Queso Manchego (Spanish sheep cheese);
  • Gazpacho (This is a traditional cold tomato soup).

Sunny Spain is unimaginable without wine. The traditions of winemaking on the Iberian Peninsula were laid down by the ancient Greeks, who founded their colonies there. Spain now produces a wide variety of wines.

In our opinion, the Top 5 best red wines in Spain include:

  • Wine Lopez de Heredia
  • Bernya (Alicante)
  • Vinyes josep - Sola Classic (Priorat)
  • Tempranillo - Baron fernand (Valdepeñas)
  • Divus - Bodegas Bleda (Jumilla)

Top 5 best white wines in Spain:

  1. Xarlel-lo - Clar de Castanyer (Penedés)
  2. Amalia - Rubicon (Lanzarote)
  3. Wine Mas Plantadera Blanco Roble - Celler Sabate (Priorat)
  4. Malvasia semidulce - Bermejo (Lanzarote)
  5. el copero (Utiel-Requena)

Sights of Spain

Perhaps Spain does not take the 1st place in terms of the number of attractions, but it is undeniable that tourists have something to see in this ancient country. The top ten attractions in Spain, in our opinion, include the following:


Cities and resorts in Spain

The largest Spanish cities are Madrid, Barcelona (1.7 million people), Valencia (850 thousand people), Seville (720 thousand people), Zaragoza (more than 610 thousand people), and Malaga (about 550 thousand people).

General coastline Spain is about 5 thousand kilometers. This means that in Spain there are a large number of beautiful beaches with clean water. Despite the fact that for some reason most tourists choose the Costa Blanca and the sunny Costa del Sol, Spain has beautiful beaches and other resorts.

Top 10 Spanish beaches, in our opinion:

  • La Concha Beach - San Sebastian
  • Playa de Las Catedrales - Galicia
  • Playa del Silencio - Asturias
  • Ses Illetes - located on the island of Formentera, Balearic Islands
  • Beaches of Sitges - near Barcelona
  • Nerja - Costa del Sol, Andalusia
  • La Barrosa - This beach is located in Chiclana de la Frontera
  • Tarifa - Andalusia
  • Gandia - Costa Blanca
  • Playa de los Peligros - Santander

When talking about beach resorts Spain, immediately remember the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands, and the island of Ibiza. But Spain still has the Costa Brava, Tenerife, Mallorca, Costa Dorada, the Balearic Islands, the Costa Blanca, the Costa del Maresme, and the Costa de la Luz.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Returning from Spain, tourists may simply not pick up their suitcases, as there may be so many souvenirs in them. Therefore, we advise tourists who have visited Spain to stop at the following best Spanish souvenirs:

  • Olive oil, which is the best in the world (the opinion of Italians and Greeks on this matter does not count);
  • "Bota" - a bag for storing wine made of leather (such a bag costs about 30 euros);
  • Saffron and other spices;
  • Funny T-shirts from Kukuxumusu;
  • Spanish ham;
  • Flamenco CDs;
  • Spanish wine;
  • Souvenirs of the Spanish national football team;
  • Melee weapons from Toledo.

Office Hours

Banks work:
Mon-Fri: 08:30-14.00
Some banks are also open on Saturdays.

Store opening hours:
Mon-Fri: from 09:00 to 13.30 (or 14:00) and from 16:30 (or from 17:00) to 20:00.
Every Saturday, Spanish shops are open until noon.
Large supermarkets are open all day.

Visa

And Galis. Reino de España, cat. Regne d "Espanya, Basque Espainiako Erresuma, ox. Reialme d" Espanha) is a state in southwestern Europe with its capital in the city of Madrid. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. According to one version, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician expression "i-spanim" - "coast of rabbits". It occupies 4/5 of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary and Balearic Islands with a total area of ​​504,782 km² (together with small sovereign territories on the African coast, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla), being the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France. The average height of the surface of Spain is 650 meters above sea level. The country is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.

Physical and geographical characteristics

Relief

The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located at a distance of 300 kilometers from the sea. The relief is dominated by systems of mountain ranges and high plateaus.

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

The Pyrenees are several parallel ranges stretching from west to east for 450 kilometers. This is one of the most inaccessible mountainous countries Europe. Although on average they are not very high (a little over 2500 meters), they have only a few conveniently located passes. All passes are at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Therefore, only four railways go from Spain to France: two of them bypass the Pyrenees along the coast from the northwest and southeast, and two more railways cross the Pyrenees in the Aerbe-Oloron- Saintes Marie and Ripoll - Prades, through a system of tunnels. The widest and highest part of the mountains is the central one. Here is their main peak - Aneto Peak, reaching 3405 meters.

From the northeast, the system of the Iberian mountains adjoins the Meseta, maximum height(peak Mon Cayo) - 2313 meters.

Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian mountains stretch the low Catalan Mountains, the southern slopes of which break off in ledges to the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan Mountains (average heights are 900-1200 meters, the peak is Mount Caro, 1447 meters) follow for 400 kilometers almost parallel to the Mediterranean coast 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 border with France are highly fertile.

The entire southeast of the Iberian Peninsula is occupied by the Cordillera Betica, which is a system of massifs and ridges. The mountains of the Sierra Nevada serve as its crystalline axis. In height, they are second only to the Alps in Europe. Their summit, Mount Mulasen, at 3,478 meters, is the highest point in peninsular Spain. However, the highest mountain peak in Spain is located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) - this is the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 meters.

Most of the territory of Spain is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level. It is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland.

The only large lowland - Andalusian - is located in the south of the country. In the northeast of Spain in the valley of the river. The Ebro stretches 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 - Guadalquivir. The rest of the rivers, including the largest ones: Tajo and Duero, the lower reaches of which are located on the territory of neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are distinguished by sharp seasonal level fluctuations and rapids.

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

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature drops below zero, usually only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, the temperature rises 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 attributed entirely to the Mediterranean climatic region. These differences are manifested both in temperature and in annual amounts and precipitation patterns.

On extreme northwest the climate is mild and humid with slight temperature fluctuations 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 prevails with drizzling rain, almost without frost and snow. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in northwestern France. Summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures rarely below 16 degrees Celsius. Annual rainfall exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm.

Completely different conditions internal parts countries - on the plateau of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. In these areas, the influence of the plateau-mountain-hollow relief, considerable height, and local continental air is felt. They are characterized by relatively low precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations by season. In Old Castile and the Plain of Aragon there are rather cold winters, with frosts and strong, harsh winds; summers are hot and rather dry, although the maximum precipitation falls on this season of the year. In Nueva Castile, the climate is slightly milder, with warmer winters but also low rainfall. Agriculture in all these areas needs artificial irrigation.

The soil

In the north-west of Spain, brown forest soil is developed on the coastal plains and windward slopes of the mountains. The interior of the country - Old and New Castile, the Iberian mountains and the Aragonese plateau - are characterized by brown soil; in the driest treeless areas, there is a thin calcareous gray-brown soil with areas of solonchaks in relief depressions. Serozems are developed in the arid landscapes of Murcia. They are non-gypsum-bearing and not saline; when irrigated, they give high yields of fruit and other crops. The heavy clay barros soil stands out on the flat ancient alluvial plains, especially favorable for the cultivation of rice.

Flora and fauna

Diversity climatic conditions- from humid in the north to arid in the south - causes the heterogeneity of the flora and vegetation of Spain. In the north, similarities with Central Europe appear, and in the south - with Africa. Traces of forest vegetation in Murcia, La Mancha and Granada indicate that in the past a significant part of the territory of Spain was afforested, but now forests and light forests occupy only 30% of the country's area, with only 5% falling on full closed forest stands.

Evergreen oak forests grow in the northwest of the country. There are more deciduous oak species in the mountain forests, along with beech, ash, birch and chestnut, which is typical of Central Europe. In the hinterland of Spain, in places, small tracts of dry evergreen forests are preserved, dominated by oak, interspersed with pine forests and shrubs. In the most arid areas of New Castile, the Aragonese plateau and Murcia, there are fragments of semi-deserts (usually on salt marshes).

In areas of southern Spain where there is more rainfall, especially along the coast, typical Mediterranean shrub-grass communities such as garrigue and tomillara are present. Garriga is characterized by the participation of local species of gorse and cornflowers, for tomillara - the presence of aromatic labiales (shrub species of thyme, rosemary, etc.), as well as rockrose. A special variety of garriga is made up of scattered thickets of dwarf fan palm, very characteristic of Andalusia, as well as communities dominated by tall alpha grass, or esparto, a hardy xerophyte that gives strong fiber.

In the fauna of Spain, Central European and African connections are obvious. Among European species, two varieties of the brown bear deserve mention (a large Asturian and a smaller, black suit found in the Pyrenees), a lynx, a wolf, a fox, a forest cat. There are deer, hares, squirrels and moles. The imperial eagle is found in Spain and North Africa, and the blue magpie found in the Iberian Peninsula is also found in East Asia. On both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, there are genets, Egyptian mongooses and one species of chameleon.

Minerals

Minerals of Spain: The bowels of Spain abound in minerals. Especially significant are the reserves of metal ores, the deposits of which are associated with outcrops of the folded base of the Meseta or with volcanic rocks of mountain structures. Along the northwestern outskirts of the Meseta, within the Gallic massif, in the Caledonian and Proterozoic granite intrusions, there are tin, tungsten, and uranium ores. A strip of lead-zinc-silver deposits stretches along the southern outskirts of Meseta. There is also a large deposit of mercury, which has global importance- Almaden. Iron ores are found in the north and south of Spain. They are confined to the structures of the Mesozoic and Alpine magmatic cycles. These are the well-known deposits of the Bilbao region on the northern slope of the Biscay Mountains and in Almeria on the southern slope of the Cordillera Beta. In the north, in the Carboniferous deposits that fill the foothill depression of the Asturian Mountains, there is the largest coal basin in the country. In addition, there are small deposits of coal on the southern slopes of the mountains and in some other areas. The Cenozoic deposits of intermountain and intramountain depressions contain strata of salts and brown coal. Significant reserves of potash salts are located within the Ebro plain.

It is worth noting, however, that most of the mineral deposits in the country are very modest in size and rather heavily depleted, like many deposits in other European regions, which makes Spain dependent on mineral imports, mainly from North Africa.

Economy

Airports in Spain are subordinate to the public organization Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena)), which in turn is subordinate to the Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento de España). Under the Catalan Autonomy Act of 2006, three Catalan airports were placed under the control of the Generalitat de Catalunya, which manages them jointly with public organization Aerocat. Madrid Airport (Barajas) with 50.8 million passengers in 2008 is one of the busiest airports in the world. Barcelona Airport (El Prat) served 30 million passengers in 2008. Less busy airports are in Gran Canaria, Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca, Alicante and Bilbao.

Spanish airlines are: Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Air Pullmantur, Binter Canarias, Iberia LAE, Iberworld, Islas Airways, Spanair, Vueling Airlines.

Spain aims to have one million electric vehicles by 2014 as part of the government's plan to save energy and improve the environment.

Light industry

food industry

In the food industry, winemaking stands out (in terms of the production of grape wines, Spain in Europe is second only to France and Italy), the production of vegetable oil (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 among the top ten world manufacturers of cars, ships, forging and pressing equipment and gas compressors, machine tools, petroleum products and chemical products. Half of industrial production is concentrated in the northeast (Catalonia), the north of the country (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) and in Greater Madrid.

Agriculture

Leading Industry Agriculture- crop production (gives St. 1/2 of the cost of production). They grow wheat (about 20% of the cultivated 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 cultivated area), olives - (the leading place in the cultivation of 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, almonds are grown (the leading export place in Western Europe), dates and sugarcane (in Europe they grow only in Spain), figs, pomegranates, cotton.

fishing

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

The main part of the fishery is carried out off the coast of the Basque Country and Galicia. The most caught are sardines, hake, mackerel, anchovies and cod. Every year, 20-25% of the total catch is processed into canned food.

Banking sector

Banks in Spain need to recapitalize 59.3 billion euros, according to the results of stress tests posted on the website of the Spanish central bank. The financial crisis in Spain led to an explosion of separatism. The economic crisis in Spain is gradually turning into a political one. On the one hand, regions with their extremely weak banks need help from the government. On the other hand, some territories, in particular Catalonia, believe that without the guiding and guiding hand of Madrid, they would feel much better.

The crisis was not limited to the financial sector. Property prices fell, which in turn increased unemployment. Spanish construction company Martinsa-Fadesa has filed for bankruptcy after failing to refinance a €5.1 billion debt. In the second quarter property prices in Spain fell by 20%. In the Castile-La Mancha region, approximately 69% of all buildings built in the past three years are still unsold. Deutsche Bank expects a 35% fall in property prices in Spain by 2011. Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero has blamed the European Central Bank for aggravating the situation by raising interest rates.

Population

Population dynamics:

  • city ​​- 6.5 million people;
  • city ​​- 4.5 million people;
  • city ​​- 6 million people;
  • city ​​- 11.3 million people;
  • city ​​- 6.2 million people;
  • city ​​- 11.55 million people;
  • city ​​- 18.6 million people;
  • city ​​- 24.1 million people;
  • city ​​- 29.9 million people;
  • city ​​- 36.3 million people;
  • city ​​- 45.97 million people

The population of Spain is 46.16 million people (October 2011).

According to genetic studies of the University of Leeds, conducted in 2008, 20% of the modern population of Spain has Jewish roots, and 11% have Arabic and Berber roots.

Story

On the southwestern coast of Iberia, a culture arose in the Bronze Age, from which, at the end of the 2nd millennium, the Tartess civilization was formed, which traded metal with the Phoenicians. After the depletion of the mines, Tartessus falls into decay.

Along the east coast of Spain in the III millennium BC. e. Iberian tribes appeared; some hypotheses link their ancestral home to North Africa. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian. In the middle of the II millennium BC. e. Iberians began to settle in fortified villages on the territory of modern Castile. The Iberians were mainly engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and hunting, they knew how to make tools from copper and bronze. The Iberians used the Paleo-Spanish script created earlier by the Tartessians. The Iberian language was not related to Tartessian.

There is Roman evidence that Ligures previously lived in Spain, but nothing is known of their existence in the historical period.

In the late Bronze Age, the culture of the fields of funerary urns (the remnant of which in the historical period were probably the Lusitanians) penetrated into Iberia, and at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. most of Iberia is colonized by Celtic tribes. Part of the Celts, who lived next to the Iberians, fell under their influence and created the Celtiberian culture; the Celts, who lived in the western part, maintained a relatively conservative way of life, were unliterate. The Celts of Iberia became famous as warriors. It was they who invented the double-edged sword, which later became the standard weapon of the Roman army and used against their own inventors.

20th century

XXI Century

In March 2004 in Madrid, on the outskirts of railway station Atocha rocked 13 explosions, as a result of which 191 people were killed and 2050 people were injured. This attack was organized by an underground Islamist organization that followed the ideology of Al-Qaeda. The explosions took place three days before the parliamentary elections and were the terrorists' response to the participation of the Spanish military in the military operation in Iraq. Most Spaniards blamed the attacks on the government of Prime Minister José María Aznar, who sent Spanish troops to support the US and Britain. The Aznar government made this decision unilaterally, without coordinating it with the Parliament (Cortes) and despite the massive protests of civil society, which spoke at thousands of demonstrations against the participation of the Spanish army in the war. In addition, mass surveys of the population, conducted by a state agency, indicated that about 80% of the country's population was against Spain's entry into the war. Aznar's People's Party lost the March 14, 2004 elections.

In early 2004, the new socialist government of José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made a sharp turn in Spanish foreign policy: from support for the US course to solidarity with most of the EU countries. After winning the elections on March 14, 2004, the socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, thus fulfilling an important item in the electoral program of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In the subsequent parliamentary elections held in 2008, the PSOE won again. New parliamentary elections in Spain took place on November 20, 2011.

In 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain. Thus, Spain became the third state in the world, after Holland and Belgium, to recognize the legal equality of marriage unions, regardless of the sex of the spouses. Currently, same-sex marriage is recognized in many countries, as well as in some US states.

One of the problems of modern Spain is the problem of immigration. Mostly, residents of the Maghreb countries come to Spain and Latin America. At the beginning of the new century, there were an estimated 2.5 million Latin Americans in the EU countries, 800,000 of whom were in Spain. However, after the terrorist attacks of 2004, the attitude of the Spaniards towards immigrants has changed significantly.

Political structure

Administrative division

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

  • Andalusia (Spanish) Andalucia)
  • Aragon (Spanish) Aragon)
  • Asturias (Spanish) Principado de Asturias)
  • Balearic Islands (Spanish) Islas Baleares, cat. Illes Balears)
  • Basque Country (Spanish) Pais Vasco, bask. Euskadi)
  • Valencia (Spanish) Comunidad Valenciana)
  • Galicia (Spanish) Galicia, gallis. Galiza)
  • Canary Islands (Spanish) Islas Canarias)
  • Cantabria (Spanish) Cantabria)
  • Castile - La Mancha (Spanish) Castilla-La Mancha)
  • Castile and Leon (Spanish) Castilla y Leon)
  • Catalonia (Spanish) Cataluna, cat. Catalunya)
  • Madrid (as an autonomous region) (Spanish) Madrid)
  • Murcia (Spanish) Region of Murcia)
  • Navarre (Spanish) Navarra, bask. Nafarroa)
  • Rioja (Spanish) La Rioja)
  • Extremadura (Spanish) Extremadura)

Cities

The largest cities in Spain are:

culture

Spain is rightfully considered a museum under open sky. The vastness of this country cherishes the cultural and historical monuments who are world renowned.

The most famous museum in Spain - the Prado Museum - is located in Madrid. Its vast exposition cannot be viewed 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, which houses unique collections of Spanish paintings and sculptures of the 19th century, as well as works by English and French painters. The museum itself presents large expositions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art. The Prado owes its name to the Prado de San Jeronimo alley, where it is located, laid back in the Enlightenment. Currently, the funds of the Prado Museum are 6,000 paintings, over 400 sculptures, as well as numerous treasures, including royal and religious collections. During several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings.

It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed under Charles I, known as the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad temper and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by a gloomy outlook, it is not surprising that the ruler was a fan of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre pessimistic fantasy. Initially, Philip bought Bosch's paintings for El Escorial, the hereditary castle of the Spanish kings. And only in the XIX century 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 "Hay Cart". Currently, in the museum you can enjoy not only paintings and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to "revive" the famous canvases. The first such staging was dedicated to the paintings of Velasquez and enjoyed great success with the public.

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

Spanish cuisine

Sport

Football has been the main sport in Spain since the beginning of the 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling and, more recently, Formula One are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all these disciplines. Today, Spain is the world's leading sports power, the development of sports in the country in particular was spurred by the summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 2008, Spain won the European Football Championship, and in 2010 - the victory in the World Football Championship. In 2012, Spain won the European Football Championship over Italy with a score of 4:0.
In general, in the 2000s, the Spanish national teams won the world and European championships in almost all team sports: football, basketball, water polo, field hockey, roller hockey, handball, volleyball and the Davis Cup in tennis.

It is also worth noting that the Real Madrid football club is officially recognized as the best club in the world of the 20th century.

Armed forces

The new doctrine 1/2004 declares terrorism as 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 operations 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 JEMAD Defense General Staff, which is headed by General Felix Sans, 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, which developed after 1953, when Spain and the United States signed a military agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to which the United States received the right to use several large military bases in Spain.

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

There are no laws in Spain banning openly gays and lesbians from serving in the armed forces. On March 4, 2009, Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacón (the first woman to hold this position) issued a decree repealing a pre-existing law that prohibited transgender people from serving in the armed forces.

Spanish foreign policy

The preamble to the Spanish Constitution proclaims the willingness to "cooperate in strengthening peaceful relations and cooperation with all countries of the world." Currently, Spain's foreign policy is mainly based on three directions: Europe (especially the EU), the Ibero-American direction, the countries of the Mediterranean Sea.

To date, Spain has diplomatic relations with all UN countries. Recently, Spain has relations with Bhutan (since October 2010), South Sudan (since independence from Sudan in July 2011) and the state of Karibati (since September 2011).

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 contractual and legal basis: the basis for interaction in various fields is formed by more than 50 treaties, agreements, protocols and other documents.

Morocco

In the foreign policy of Spain, Morocco occupies one of the key places, for which the Moroccan kingdom is the most important African partner, if only because of its territorial proximity. The main areas of Spanish policy in Morocco are: issues related to the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the unresolved problem with Western Sahara, problems of illegal migration, issues of stopping drug smuggling, etc.

Relations between Spain and the Maghreb countries began to develop most actively after the Socialist Party came to power in Spain in 1982.

Under the government of the People's Party, headed by Prime Minister H.M. Aznar, who were in power from 1996 to 2004, relations could not be called good and were rather characterized by instability, in particular, the conflict over the island of Perejil (Leila) occupies a bright place in 2002.

The socialists, who came back to power in April 2004, led by José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, were determined to improve relations with their neighbors, and especially with Morocco. Since the meeting between Mohamed VI and Juan Carlos in 2005, relations between the two monarchs have improved markedly. The conflict in Western Sahara, which arose a long time ago, has always had an adverse effect on relations between the two countries. After the aborted quadripartite conference, Morocco in 1975 authorized the "Green March" on Western Sahara with the aim of "cleansing" Western Sahara from Spain. The result was an agreement between Spain, Mauritania and Morocco on the transfer of temporary control over the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.

An important component of relations between the two countries are close economic ties. In 1995, the Moroccan government decides to put everything on foreign investors, the most important of which are Spain and France.

Peace missions

The armed forces of Spain, consisting of 3,000 people, took part in 5 peacekeeping missions of the EU, NATO, and the UN. These missions are: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; KFOR in Kosovo; FINUL to Lebanon and UN mission to Darfur (Chad).

Various questions

Transport in Spain

length highways- 328,000 km. Car park- more than 19 million cars. Roads carry out 90% of passenger and 79% of cargo transportation. length railways- 14589 km. About 6.5% of all land transport cargo and 6% of passengers are transported.

IN maritime transport about 300 ships with a total displacement of 1.511 million tons are involved. Ships under the Spanish flag transport from 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 seaports control almost 93% of all traffic.

The leading position is air Transport. Of the 42 airports, 34 operate regular transportation. Madrid International Airport handles 56 million passengers every year. The airport in Barcelona serves about 30 million passengers annually.

Education in Spain

Spain has a system of compulsory free secondary education from 6 to 16 years. About 70% study in public schools, 96.5% - in public universities.

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

Media in Spain

Spain has a well developed network of funds mass media. 137 newspapers and about 1000 magazines are published. The most read daily newspapers are Pais, Mundo, Vanguardia, ABC, Periodiko, Marka. Magazines for women "Patrones", Labores del HOGAR, Moda.

The leading radio stations are SER, COPE, Radio Nacional de España (RNE). The international department of Spanish national radio, known as Radio Exterior de España, broadcasts in Spanish and six foreign languages. The Russian Spanish Foreign Broadcasting Service has been operating (with a short break) since the time of Franco, but is less known than similar broadcasters in Russian from the USA, Germany, and France.

The largest TV channels: TVE (covers the entire territory of the country), private studios "Telesinko" and "Antena 3", as well as round-the-clock news Canal 24 Horas, broadcasting around the world. The Autonomous Communities have their own regional television, which also broadcasts in national languages.

Siesta in Spain

Crime in Spain

In recent years, the proportion of immigrants among Spanish offenders has 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" - so named after the underground organization "La Trinitaria", which fought for the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1838).

Real estate market in Spain

The average cost per square meter in Spain for the 1st trimester of 2011 is 1777.6 euros (1793.8 euros - new construction; 1764.8 euros - second-hand). Most high prices(in €/m²) : San Sebastian - 3762.3; San Cugat del Valles - 3282.6; Getcho - 3224.3; Barcelona - 3103.5; Pozuelo de Alarcon - 2964.0; Madrid - 2921.0.

The main real estate in Spain is villas, apartments and apartments. On this moment buying property in Spain has become more profitable, since on August 20, 2011 the Spanish government temporarily changed the tax - VAT on the purchase of new housing from 8% to 4%.

Telecommunications in Spain

In astronomy

The asteroid (804) Spain, discovered on 20 March 1915 by Spanish astronomer José Comas Sola at the Fabra Observatory in Barcelona, ​​is named after Spain. It was the first asteroid discovered from Spanish territory.

see also

Portal "Spain"
Spain in Wiktionary
in Wikisource
Spain at Wikimedia Commons
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