Miscellaneous

Spain

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Madrid is the capital of Spain.

Madrid is the capital of Spain.

Photograph by Victor Pelaez Torres, Dreamstime

• OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain
• FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy
• CAPITAL: Madrid
• POPULATION: 49,331,076
• OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Castilian Spanish, Basque, Catalan, and Galician
• MONEY: Euro
• AREA: 195,363 square miles (505,988 square kilometers)
• MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada
• MAJOR RIVERS: Guadalquivir, Ebro, Duero, Miño, Tajo, and Guadiana

Map created by National Geographic Maps

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GEOGRAPHY

Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain’s Balearic Islands. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.

The interior of Spain is a high, dry plateau surrounded and crisscrossed by mountain ranges. Rivers run to the coasts, creating good farmland. Still, the interior of the country gets very hot in summer and very cold and dry in the winter. Droughts are common.

Plants and trees grow so well on the northwestern coast, in Galicia and along the Bay of Biscay, that the area is called Green Spain. Rain, trapped by the mountains farther inland, is frequent. Beech and oak trees flourish here. Numerous coves and inlets break up the coastline.

The southern and eastern coasts of Spain, from the fertile Andalusian plain up to the Pyrenees, are often swept by warm winds called sirocco winds. These winds originate in northern Africa and keep temperatures along the Mediterranean coast milder than the interior.

La Pedrera in Barcelona was designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

Photograph by Tasstock, Dreamstime

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PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many Spaniards share a common ethnic background: a mixture of the early inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, the Celts, and later conquerors from Europe and Africa. The origins of the Basque people in the north of Spain remain unknown. Recent immigrants from North Africa and Latin America have added to the mix.

Spaniards are known for their love of life and for eating and drinking with family and friends. Traditional appetizers like tapas or pintxos, the Basque country equivalent, are popular. Regional dances and music are almost as important as soccer and religious festivals.

NATURE

A link between Europe and Africa, Spain is an important resting spot for migratory birds. Spain is also home to such mammals as the wolf, lynx, wildcat, fox, wild boar, deer, hare, and wild goat. Streams and lakes shelter trout, barbel, and tench fish. But many species of wildlife face threats from habitat loss and pollution.

Due to centuries of tree cutting, large forests are now found only in the north Pyrenees and the Asturias-Galicia area. Planting new trees is difficult where sheep and goats graze. Erosion and river pollution are also problems. Spain has created many national parks and refuges, but they only cover about 7 percent of the country.

One protected area is Doñana National Park, a region of marshes, streams, and sand dunes where the Guadalquivir River flows into the Atlantic. The park’s diversity of life is unique in Europe and includes the European badger, Egyptian mongoose, and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

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Left: Spanish flag

Right: Euro

Photographs by Scanrail, Dreamstime

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

In Spain, which is a parliamentary monarchy, the king and the elected president share the power. Although there is a national parliament, Spain is one of the most decentralized democracies in Europe. Each of its 17 regions manages its own schools, hospitals, and other public services.

With vibrant, historic cities and sunny beaches, Spain attracts more tourists than any other European country except France. Services to the tourism industry drive Spain’s economy, the eighth largest in the world. In 1986 Spain joined the European Community and further modernized its economy. Important industries include mining, shipbuilding, and textiles.

HISTORY

Settlers have migrated to Spain from Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean since the dawn of history. The Phoenicians, who came in the 8th century B. C., called the peninsula “Span,” or hidden land. By the first century B.C. the Romans had conquered Spain.

Spain became mostly Christian under the Romans, who were followed by the Vandals and the Visigoths, Germanic peoples from Europe. The Visigoth rulers fought among themselves, and in A.D. 711 Muslims from Africa invaded Spain.

Islamic culture spread across Spain as Muslim rulers introduced new crops and irrigation systems, and trading increased. Mathematics, medicine, and philosophy became more advanced, peaking in the tenth century—the golden age of Islamic rule in Spain.

In 1492 Christian kingdoms in northern Spain conquered the Muslims and spread the Catholic religion. Enriched by silver from the Americas, Spain grew more powerful. It later lost land and power in the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815.

More than 500,000 people died in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. The victorious Gen. Francisco Franco ruled as a brutal dictator until his death in 1975. Soon after, Spain began to transform itself into a modern, industrial, and democratic European nation.

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Spain | History, Map, Flag, Population, Currency, Climate, & Facts

flag of Spain

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Head Of Government:

Prime Minister: Pedro Sánchez

Capital:

Madrid

Population:

(2022 est. ) 47,323,000

Currency Exchange Rate:

1 USD equals 1.001 euro

Head Of State:

King: Felipe VI

See all facts & stats →

Summary

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Spain, country located in extreme southwestern Europe. It occupies about 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with its smaller neighbour Portugal.

Spain is a storied country of stone castles, snowcapped mountains, vast monuments, and sophisticated cities, all of which have made it a favoured travel destination. The country is geographically and culturally diverse. Its heartland is the Meseta, a broad central plateau half a mile above sea level. Much of the region is traditionally given over to cattle ranching and grain production; it was in this rural setting that Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote tilted at the tall windmills that still dot the landscape in several places. In the country’s northeast are the broad valley of the Ebro River, the mountainous region of Catalonia, and the hilly coastal plain of Valencia. To the northwest is the Cantabrian Mountains, a rugged range in which heavily forested, rain-swept valleys are interspersed with tall peaks. To the south is the citrus-orchard-rich and irrigated lands of the valley of the Guadalquivir River, celebrated in the renowned lyrics of Spanish poets Federico García Lorca and Antonio Machado; over this valley rises the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The southern portion of the country is desert, an extension of the Sahara made familiar to Americans through the “spaghetti western” films of the 1960s and early ’70s. Lined with palm trees, rosemary bushes, and other tropical vegetation, the southeastern Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands enjoy a gentle climate, drawing millions of visitors and retirees, especially from northern Europe.

Spain’s countryside is quaint, speckled with castles, aqueducts, and ancient ruins, but its cities are resoundingly modern. The Andalusian capital of Sevilla (Seville) is famed for its musical culture and traditional folkways; the Catalonian capital of Barcelona for its secular architecture and maritime industry; and the national capital of Madrid for its winding streets, its museums and bookstores, and its around-the-clock lifestyle. Madrid is Spain’s largest city and is also its financial and cultural centre, as it has been for hundreds of years.

The many and varied cultures that have gone into the making of Spain—those of the Castilians, Catalonians, Lusitanians, Galicians, Basques, Romans, Arabs, Jews, and Roma (Gypsies), among other peoples—are renowned for their varied cuisines, customs, and prolific contributions to the world’s artistic heritage. The country’s Roman conquerors left their language, roads, and monuments, while many of the Roman Empire’s greatest rulers were Spanish, among them Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. The Moors, who ruled over portions of Spain for nearly 800 years, left a legacy of fine architecture, lyric poetry, and science; the Roma contributed the haunting music called the cante jondo (a form of flamenco), which, wrote García Lorca, “comes from remote races and crosses the graveyard of the years and the fronds of parched winds. It comes from the first sob and the first kiss.” Even the Vandals, Huns, and Visigoths who swept across Spain following the fall of Rome are remembered in words and monuments, which prompted García Lorca to remark, “In Spain, the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world.”

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In 1492, the year the last of the Moorish rulers were expelled from Spain, ships under the command of Christopher Columbus reached America. For 300 years afterward, Spanish explorers and conquerors traveled the world, claiming huge territories for the Spanish crown, a succession of Castilian, Aragonese, Habsburg, and Bourbon rulers. For generations Spain was arguably the richest country in the world, and certainly the most far-flung. With the steady erosion of its continental and overseas empire throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, however, Spain was all but forgotten in world affairs, save for the three years that the ideologically charged Spanish Civil War (1936–39) put the country at the centre of the world’s stage, only to become ever more insular and withdrawn during the four decades of rule by dictator Francisco Franco. Following Franco’s death in 1975, a Bourbon king, Juan Carlos, returned to the throne and established a constitutional monarchy. The country has been ruled since then by a succession of elected governments, some socialist, some conservative, but all devoted to democracy.

Land

Spain is bordered to the west by Portugal; to the northeast it borders France, from which it is separated by the tiny principality of Andorra and by the great wall of the Pyrenees Mountains. Spain’s only other land border is in the far south with Gibraltar, an enclave that belonged to Spain until 1713, when it was ceded to Great Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. Elsewhere the country is bounded by water: by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and southeast, by the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest and southwest, and by the Bay of Biscay (an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean) to the north. The Canary (Canarias) Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern African mainland, and the Balearic (Baleares) Islands, in the Mediterranean, also are parts of Spain, as are Ceuta and Melilla, two small enclaves in North Africa (northern Morocco) that Spain has ruled for centuries.

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Relief

Spain accounts for five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, the roughly quadrilateral southwestern tip of Europe that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Most of Spain comprises a large plateau (the Meseta Central) divided by a mountain range, the Central Sierra (Sistema Central), which trends west-southwest to east-northeast. Several mountains border the plateau: the Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) to the north, the Iberian Cordillera (Sistema Ibérico) to the northeast and east, the Sierra Morena to the south, and the lower mountains of the Portuguese frontier and Spanish Galicia to the northwest. The Pyrenees run across the neck of the peninsula and form Spain’s border with France. There are two major depressions, that of the Ebro River in the northeast and that of the Guadalquivir River in the southwest. In the southeast the Baetic Cordillera (Sistema Penibético) runs broadly parallel to the coast to merge with the mountains of the Iberian Cordillera. Along the Mediterranean seaboard there are coastal plains, some with lagoons (e.g., Albufera, south of Valencia). Offshore in the Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands are an unsubmerged portion of the Baetic Cordillera. The Canary Islands in the Atlantic are of volcanic origin and contain the highest peak on Spanish territory, Teide Peak, which rises to 12,198 feet (3,718 metres) on the island of Tenerife.

Spain has some of the oldest as well as some of the youngest rocks of Europe. The entire western half of Iberia, with the exception of the extreme south, is composed of ancient (Hercynian) rocks; geologists refer to this Hercynian block as the Meseta Central. It constitutes a relatively stable platform around which younger sediments accumulated, especially on the Mediterranean side. In due course these sediments were pushed by major earth movements into mountain ranges. The term meseta is also used by geographers and local toponymy to designate the dominating relief unit of central Iberia. As a result, the Meseta Central defined by relief is subdivided by geology into a crystalline west (granites and gneisses) and a sedimentary east (mainly clays and limestones). The northern Meseta Central, which has an average elevation of 2,300 feet (700 metres), corresponds to the tablelands, or plateau, of Castile and León, although it is in fact a basin surrounded by mountains and drained by the Douro (Duero) River. The southern Meseta Central (the Meseta of Castile–La Mancha) is some 330 feet (100 metres) lower. Its relief is more diverse, however, owing to heavy faulting and warping caused by volcanic activity around the Calatrava Plain and to two complex river systems (the Guadiana and the Tagus) separated by mountains. Its southern plains rise gradually to the Sierra Morena. The southeastern side of this range drops almost vertically by more than 3,300 feet (1,000 metres) to the Guadalquivir depression. Dividing the northern and southern Mesetas are the Central Sierras, one of the outstanding features of the Iberian massif. Their highest points—Peñalara Peak at 7,972 feet (2,430 metres) and Almanzor Peak at 8,497 feet (2,590 metres)—rise well above the plains of the central plateau. In contrast, the granitic Galician mountains, at the northwestern end of the Hercynian block, have an average elevation of only 1,640 feet (500 metres), decreasing toward the deeply indented (ria) coast of the Atlantic seaboard.

Part of Alpine Europe, the Pyrenees form a massive mountain range that stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay, a distance of some 270 miles (430 km). The range comprises a series of parallel zones: the central axis, a line of intermediate depressions, and the pre-Pyrenees. The highest peaks, formed from a core of ancient crystalline rocks, are found in the central Pyrenees—notably Aneto Peak at 11,168 feet (3,404 metres)—but those of the west, including Anie Peak at 8,213 feet (2,503 metres), are not much lower. The mountains fall steeply on the northern side but descend in terraces to the Ebro River trough in the south. The outer zones of the Pyrenees are composed of sedimentary rocks. Relief on the nearly horizontal sedimentary strata of the Ebro depression is mostly plain or plateau, except at the eastern end where the Ebro River penetrates the mountains to reach the Mediterranean Sea.

A series of sierras trending northwest-southeast forms the Iberian Cordillera, which separates the Ebro depression from the Meseta and reaches its highest elevation with Moncayo Peak at 7,588 feet (2,313 metres). In the southeast the Iberian Cordillera links with the Baetic Cordillera, also a result of Alpine earth movements. Although more extensive—more than 500 miles (800 km) long and up to 150 miles (240 km) wide—and with peninsular Spain’s highest summit, Mulhacén Peak, at 11,421 feet (3,481 metres), the Baetic ranges are more fragmented and less of a barrier than the Pyrenees. On their northern and northwestern sides they flank the low-lying and fairly flat Guadalquivir basin, the average elevation of which is only 426 feet (130 metres) on mainly clay strata. Unlike the Ebro basin, the Guadalquivir depression is wide open to the sea on the southwest, and its delta has extensive marshland (Las Marismas).

Drainage

Although some maintain that “aridity rivals civil war as the chief curse of [historic] Spain,” the Iberian Peninsula has a dense network of streams, three of which rank among Europe’s longest: the Tagus at 626 miles (1,007 km), the Ebro at 565 miles (909 km), and the Douro at 556 miles (895 km). The Guadiana and the Guadalquivir are 508 miles (818 km) and 408 miles (657 km) long, respectively. The Tagus, like the Douro and the Guadiana, reaches the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal. In fact, all the major rivers of Spain except the Ebro drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The hydrographic network on the Mediterranean side of the watershed is poorly developed in comparison with the Atlantic systems, partly because it falls into the climatically driest parts of Spain. However, nearly all Iberian rivers have low annual volume, irregular regimes, and deep valleys and even canyons. Flooding is always a potential hazard. The short, swift streams of Galicia and Cantabria, draining to the northwestern and northern coasts, respectively, have only a slight or, at most, modest summer minimum. The predominant fluvial regime in Spain is thus characterized by a long or very long summer period of low water. This is the regime of all the major arteries that drain the Meseta as well as those of the Mediterranean seaboard, such as the Júcar and the Segura: for example, from August to September the Guadiana River usually has less than one-tenth of its average annual flow. Only the Ebro River has a relatively constant and substantial flow—19,081 cubic feet (540 cubic metres) per second at Tortosa—coming from snowmelt as well as rainfall in the high Pyrenees. In comparison, the flow of the Douro is only 5,050 cubic feet (143 cubic metres) per second. The flow of many Iberian streams has been reduced artificially by water extraction for purposes such as irrigation. Subterranean flow is well-developed in limestone districts.

Soils

There are five major soil types in Spain. Two are widely distributed but of limited extent: alluvial soils, found in the major valleys and coastal plains, and poorly developed, or truncated, mountain soils. Brown forest soils are restricted to humid Galicia and Cantabria. Acidic southern brown earths (leading to restricted crop choice) are prevalent on the crystalline rocks of the western Meseta, and gray, brown, or chestnut soils have developed on the calcareous and alkaline strata of the eastern Meseta and of eastern Spain in general. Saline soils are found in the Ebro basin and coastal lowlands. Calcretes (subsoil zonal crusts [toscas], usually of hardened calcium carbonate) are particularly well-developed in the arid regions of the east: La Mancha, Almería, Murcia, Alicante (Alacant), and Valencia, as well as the Ebro and Lleida (Lérida) basins.

Soil erosion resulting from the vegetation degradation suffered by Spain for at least the past 3,000 years has created extensive badlands, reduced soil cover, downstream alluviation, and, more recently, silting of dams and irrigation works. Particularly affected are the high areas of the central plateau and southern and eastern parts of Spain. Although the origins of some of the spectacular badlands of southeastern Spain, such as Guadix, may lie in climatic conditions from earlier in Quaternary time (beginning 2.6 million years ago), one of the major problems of modern Spain is the threat of desertification—i.e., the impoverishment of arid, semiarid, and even some humid ecosystems caused by the joint impact of human activities and drought. Nearly half of Spain is moderately or severely affected, especially in the arid east (Almería, Murcia), as well as in much of subarid Spain (the Ebro basin). The government has adopted policies of afforestation, but some authorities believe that natural vegetation regrowth would yield more speedy and more permanent benefits.

Spain facts: discover the land of flamenco and fiesta!

Spain facts

Sunny beaches, fascinating culture and beautiful cities – find out about one of the world’s coolest countries with our facts about Spain!

 

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Facts about Spain

OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Spain
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary monarchy
CAPITAL: Madrid
POPULATION: 47, 909, 753
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
MONEY: Euro
AREA: 505,988 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada

Spanish flag

Map of Spain

Spain: geography and landscape

Spain occupies most of Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea and Spain”s Balearic Islands. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

The interior of Spain is a high, dry plateau surrounded and crisscrossed by mountain ranges. Rivers run to the coasts, creating rich soils that are good for farming. Still, the interior of the country gets very cold in winter, and very hot and dry in summer.

The north coast of this amazing country is called “Green Spain”. This is because the mild, wet climate of the region allows lush plants and trees, such as beech and oak, to flourish.

The southern and eastern coasts of Spain, from the fertile Andalusian plain up to the Pyrenees, are often swept by warm winds called “sirocco” winds. These winds originate in northern Africa and keep temperatures along the Mediterranean coast warmer than the interior.

Spain’s wildlife and nature

A link between Europe and Africa, Spain is an important resting spot for migratory birds. It is also home to magnificent mammals including wolves, lynxes, wildcats, foxes and deer – and fab fish such as barbel, tench and trout can be found in the country’s streams and lakes.

Sadly, many species of wildlife are under threat from habitat loss and pollution. Due to centuries of tree cutting, large forests are now only found in the north Pyrenees and the Asturias-Galicia area. River pollution is also a problem in parts of Spain, putting Spain’s aquatic species at risk.

To help protect wildlife, Spain has created national parks and refuges. One protected area is Doñana National Park, a region of marshes, streams and sand dunes where the Guadalquivir River flows into the Atlantic. The park”s diversity of life is unique in Europe and includes the European badger, Egyptian mongoose and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

History of Spain

Settlers have migrated to Spain from Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean since the dawn of history. The Phoenicians, who came in the 8th century B.C., called the peninsula “Span,” or “hidden land”. By the first century B.C. the Romans had conquered Spain.

Spain became mostly Christian under the Romans, who were followed by Germanic tribes from Europe called the Vandals and the Visigoths. The Visigoth rulers fought among themselves, and in A.D. 711 Muslims from Africa invaded Spain.

Islamic culture spread across Spain, as Muslim rulers introduced new crops and irrigation systems, and increased trading. Mathematics, medicine and philosophy became more advanced, peaking in the tenth century – the golden age of Islamic rule in Spain.

In 1492 Christian kingdoms in northern Spain conquered the Muslims and spread the Catholic religion. Enriched by silver from the Americas, Spain grew more powerful and influential. It later lost land and power, however, in the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815.

More than 500,000 people died in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. The victorious General Francisco Franco ruled as a brutal dictator until his death in 1975. Soon after, Spain began to transform itself into a modern, industrial and democratic European nation.

Spanish people and culture

Many Spaniards share a common ethnic background – a mixture of the early inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, the Celts, and later conquerors from Europe and Africa. Recent immigrants from North Africa and Latin America have added to the mix of people and culture, too.

Spaniards are known for their love of life and for eating and drinking with family and friends. Traditional appetizers like tapas or pintxos (the Basque Country equivalent) are popular. Regional music and dances, such as fandango and flamenco, are an important part of Spanish culture, as well as religious festivals and, of course, football – the country’s national sport!

Government and economy

Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with the king and the elected president sharing the power. Spain is one of the most “decentralised” democracies in Europe – although there is a national parliament that governs the country, each of Spain’s 17 regions manages its own schools, hospitals and other public services.

With vibrant, historic cities and sunny beaches, Spain attracts more tourists than any other European country, except France. In 1986 Spain joined the European Union and further modernised its economy. In addition to tourism, other important industries include machinery, shipbuilding, food, beverages, and textiles.

Credits

Map of Spain: National Geographic Maps. La Pedrera in Barcelona, Spain: Tasstock, Dreamstime. Cliffs along the Spanish coast: Albertoloyo, Dreamstime. La Tomatina festival, Spain: Iakov Filimonov, Dreamstime.

 

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Learn about the geographical features of Spain. Study the physical features of Spain, such as mountains and rivers and other aspects of Spain’s geography.

Updated: 02/15/2022

Table of Contents

• Spain Geography
• Physical Features of Spain
• Lesson Summary

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Spain Geography

Spain is a country in southwestern Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula (which it shares with Portugal). Although most of its territory (80% of it) is located on that peninsula, it also has insular territories. Off the coast of Catalonia and Valencia in the Mediterranean Sea are the Balearic Islands. The other insular territories are the Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean at a distance of about 932 miles from the coast of Andalusia, in the south of the peninsula. Spain also has two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla, located in the north of the continent of Africa and perfectly connected by ferries with the coast of Andalusia. Spain’s capital is the city of Madrid. Other important cities are Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, and Zaragoza.

Spain’s geography is quite varied and gives rise to very different landscapes, passing from desert areas to the greenest fields. This country is rich in natural diversity, and that is why it is the country with the most UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the world.

In terms of climate, the differences are notable between the interior and peripheral lands. The inner lands have cold winters with an average temperature in January between 32 °F and 37.4 °F and hot summer of 75°F. The peripheral lands have mild winters with an average of 50 °F in January and an annual average temperature of 61 °F to 65 °F.

The rainfall presents sharp contrasts. The north and the northwest, under the direct influence of the Atlantic, are rainy and don’t have a dry period. This region is called Humid Spain, with rainfall that exceeds 24 inches and can even reach 79 inches per year. The rest of the Spanish territory is predominantly dry, with an annual rainfall of fewer than 24 inches. In the southeast is semi-arid Spain, with rainfall of fewer than 12 inches per year and a semi-desert landscape that is sometimes reminiscent of the Sahara.

Physical Map of Spain

With an area of 195,360 square miles, Spain is the third-largest country in Europe. It borders to the north with the Cantabrian Sea, France, and Andorra; the east with the Mediterranean Sea; the south with the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; and the west with the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal.

This map of Spain shows its borders, relief, coastline, and insular territories.

Geography of Spain

The physical geography of Spain is varied. Spain is located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula, along with neighboring Portugal. The other countries and territories that border Spain are France, Andorra, and Gibraltar (the latter of which is claimed by Great Britain). The Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean provide the country with natural borders. The Spanish mainland is around 195,124 square miles, and the interior of the country is drier and warmer than the coastal areas.

Physical Features of Spain

The physical features of Spain make it a diverse country, with various differentiated ecosystems and climates. Geographical features of Spain include plateaus, plains, coasts, rivers, wetlands, islands, and various mountains and hills.

Plateaus and Plains

The relief of Spain is characterized by being quite high, with an average elevation of 2165 ft. Spain is considered quite elevated, compared to other European countries. In peninsular Spain, the relief is articulated around the Meseta Plateau, which occupies most of the center of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an extension of 81,000 square miles and is considered one of the oldest and most complex physical features of Spain. In this area, the city of Madrid is located.

The Andalusian plain is another of the important physical features of this country. This is a very fertile land due to the passage of several rivers, such as the Guadalquivir, so it is ideal for agriculture. Crops such as wheat, cotton, and sunflowers are grown on these plains.

Coasts

The physical features of the coasts in Spain depend on the relief of the land near the sea. Where the mountainous massifs reach the coast, the coast is rough and steep, with few natural harbors and few beaches. In areas where the nearby land is low and flat, the coastline is converted into a continuous beach. The Spanish coasts can be very rugged and abrupt, like those in the Begur cape on the Catalan coast, which at some points can form cliffs with walls up to 328 feet high. The coast is extensive because the region where Spain is located is a peninsula, so it is mostly surrounded by water. Spain’s coastline is about 3084 miles long.

In the diverse Spanish coastline, bays can also be found. A bay is a natural inlet of the sea on the coast, and while similar to a gulf, it is usually smaller and less enclosed. One of the most important bays in Spain is the Bay of Biscay, known for its rough waters and difficult weather. In Spain, there are also straits. A strait is a narrow channel of water that separates two relatively close pieces of land. The Strait of Gibraltar is the most important strait in Spain and separates it from North Africa.

The southern Spanish coastline is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, so it is a very popular tourist destination. It includes cities and important ports like Malaga, Granada, and Barcelona. The northern Spanish coastline meets the Atlantic Ocean and has more rugged terrains. There, cities and ports like Santander, Gijon, and Asturias are found.

Mountains and Hills

Around the Meseta plateau, several mountain ranges and depressions are articulated. Within this plateau is the Central System and the Montes de Toledo. The Central System is 435 miles long, and its highest peak is the Almanzor at 8503 feet. The Montes de Toledo mountain range is 218 miles long, and its mountains are not very high; La Villuerca is its highest point with a height of 5230 feet.

Other mountain ranges border the Meseta Plateau. The Cantabrian mountains are in the north, and its highest peak is the Torre Cercedo at 8687 feet. In the northeast, the Iberian System separates the Ebro valley from the Mediterranean Sea, and in the south, the Sierra Morena separates the plateau from the Guadalquivir valley.

Another important mountain range outside of the Meseta Plateau is the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees are one of the most elevated and large mountain ranges, approximately 720 miles in length. This range creates a natural border between Spain, Andorra, and France. Also, the Catalan Mediterranean System and the Baetic system form the mountainous relief outside the plateau.

In the Canary Islands, which are home to the highest peak in Spain (Mount Teide), the mountains are of the volcanic type. For this reason, in addition to being the highest mountain in Spain at 12195 feet, Teide is also the highest peak of all the emerged lands of the Atlantic Ocean and the third highest volcano on Earth, counting from its base on the ocean floor.

Rivers and Wetlands

The rivers in Spain are not very large and have an irregular flow. This is because the rainfall is scarce, and the river flow depends on it. In addition, they overcome large slopes and are very embedded in the ground due to the rugged relief. Even those rivers considered the main ones have a very modest flow because they only carry rainwater, and the rains are scarce and irregular.

Many of the main rivers in Spain run west and southwest to end in the Atlantic Ocean. The Duero, the Mino, the Tagus, and the Guadiana originate in Spain and flow through Portugal, some of them forming the border with that country. The Guadalquivir is the only navigable river, only for shallow-draft boats, and it is 62 miles long, from Seville to its mouth in the Atlantic. The Ebro flows in the opposite direction, northwest-southeast, and empties in the Ebro Delta in the Mediterranean. In this zone, there are important wetlands and fertile lands used to grow crops and are home to diverse organisms. The longest river in Spain is the Tajo River, with a length of 62 miles. Rivers in Spain have an important hydroelectric use.

Islands

The Spanish insular territory is divided into two main archipelagos: the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. The Balearic Islands are located in the Mediterranean. They are made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Cabrera, and some other smaller islets. These islands are the natural extension of the Betic Systems. This means that part of that mountain range is submerged, and the islands are a part of it that appears on the surface of the sea.

The Canary Islands archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands that make it up, mostly of volcanic origin, are Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. These bout archipelagos are an important touristic destination.

The Balearic Islands are an important tourist destination of insular Spain.

Lesson Summary

Spain is a European country located in the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 195,360 square miles, making it the third-largest country in Europe. It borders to the north with the Cantabrian Sea, France, and Andorra; the east with the Mediterranean Sea; the south with the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; and the west with the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal.

Spain’s geographical features are quite diverse. It has plateaus and plains like the Meseta Plateau, which covers most of the center of the country, and the Andalusian plains. These plateaus are bordered and crossed by mountainous systems like the Montes de Toledo and the Cantabrian. The Pyrennees is another important mountain range that forms a border with France and Andorra. Spain has important rivers like the Ebro, which empties in the Mediterranean Sea forming the Ebro Delta, and the Tajo River (the longest). It also has an extensive coastline both in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Shores, with a variety of cliffs, bays like the Biscay Bay, and straits like the Gibraltar Strait. A part of Spain’s surface is found outside the continental territories in islands like the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands (home of Mount Teide, the highest peak in the country).

Map of Spain

Plateaus and Plains

Plateaus and plains are the dominant geographical features in Spain. Almost half of Spain is covered by the Meseta Plateau , an arid stretch of land that measures approximately 81,000 square miles and is considered to be the oldest of Spain’s geographical features. The Andalusian Plain is another important physical feature and provides rich soil for Spain’s agricultural production. There are additional coastal plains in Spain that create a buffer zone between the sea and the mountains.

Coasts

Spain has a little over 3,000 square miles of coastline, which is dotted with bays, cliffs, and beaches. One of the bays, the Bay of Biscay, is known for its difficult weather and rough waters. The bay is located in northern Spain and is shared with the country of France. To the south of Spain is the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the country from North Africa.

Bay of Biscay Satellite Photo. Spain is to the south, and France is to the north.

Mountains and Hills

The Pyrenees are a large mountain range, approximately 270 miles in length, that create a natural border between Spain and the countries of France and Andorra. They are an old mountain range that began to form sometime during the Devonian Period, 370 million years ago. There are other mountain ranges in Spain, too, including the Sierra Nevada Range, Cordillera Cantábrica, Serrania de Cuenca, Sistema Ibérico, and Montes de Toledo.

Rivers and Wetlands

Spain has approximately 1,800 rivers, but they are not very large. The longest river is the River Tajo which has a length of around 626 miles and also flows into Portugal. Other rivers that are worth mentioning are Júcar, Guadalquivir, Douro, Guadiana. Guadalquivir, and the Ebro. The Ebro Delta, which is where the Ebro River empties into the Mediterranean Sea, is a vital wetland for Spain and the land there is used to cultivate food crops, such as rice and fruits. It is also an important marshland habitat for many types of birds.

Islands

Spain also has island territories, including the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and the Balearics, in the Mediterranean Sea. These islands have their own independent governments but are still part of Spain. Some of the islands in these two island chains are popular tourist destinations. For example, the Canary islands of Tenerife and La Palma, as well as the islands of Majorca and Ibiza in the Balearics, are a huge draw for people on holiday. It is interesting to note that the highest mountain in Spain is in the Canary Islands; Mount Teide, which is located on Tenerife, is a dormant volcano with an elevation of 12,195 feet.

Lesson Summary

Spain has diverse geographical features. It is located (for the most part) on the Iberian Peninsula and separated from France and Andorra by the Pyrenees mountains. Much of the country is covered by the Meseta Plateau, and the Andalusian Plain provides fertile ground for agriculture. The Bay of Biscay is an inlet shared with France, and the Ebro Delta is where the River Ebro empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and is located on the Canary Island of Tenerife. Mainland Spain is naturally separated from the continent of Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar.

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Geography of Spain

The physical geography of Spain is varied. Spain is located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula, along with neighboring Portugal. The other countries and territories that border Spain are France, Andorra, and Gibraltar (the latter of which is claimed by Great Britain). The Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean provide the country with natural borders. The Spanish mainland is around 195,124 square miles, and the interior of the country is drier and warmer than the coastal areas.

Map of Spain

Plateaus and Plains

Plateaus and plains are the dominant geographical features in Spain. Almost half of Spain is covered by the Meseta Plateau , an arid stretch of land that measures approximately 81,000 square miles and is considered to be the oldest of Spain’s geographical features. The Andalusian Plain is another important physical feature and provides rich soil for Spain’s agricultural production. There are additional coastal plains in Spain that create a buffer zone between the sea and the mountains.

Coasts

Spain has a little over 3,000 square miles of coastline, which is dotted with bays, cliffs, and beaches. One of the bays, the Bay of Biscay, is known for its difficult weather and rough waters. The bay is located in northern Spain and is shared with the country of France. To the south of Spain is the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the country from North Africa.

Bay of Biscay Satellite Photo. Spain is to the south, and France is to the north.

Mountains and Hills

The Pyrenees are a large mountain range, approximately 270 miles in length, that create a natural border between Spain and the countries of France and Andorra. They are an old mountain range that began to form sometime during the Devonian Period, 370 million years ago. There are other mountain ranges in Spain, too, including the Sierra Nevada Range, Cordillera Cantábrica, Serrania de Cuenca, Sistema Ibérico, and Montes de Toledo.

Rivers and Wetlands

Spain has approximately 1,800 rivers, but they are not very large. The longest river is the River Tajo which has a length of around 626 miles and also flows into Portugal. Other rivers that are worth mentioning are Júcar, Guadalquivir, Douro, Guadiana. Guadalquivir, and the Ebro. The Ebro Delta, which is where the Ebro River empties into the Mediterranean Sea, is a vital wetland for Spain and the land there is used to cultivate food crops, such as rice and fruits. It is also an important marshland habitat for many types of birds.

Islands

Spain also has island territories, including the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and the Balearics, in the Mediterranean Sea. These islands have their own independent governments but are still part of Spain. Some of the islands in these two island chains are popular tourist destinations. For example, the Canary islands of Tenerife and La Palma, as well as the islands of Majorca and Ibiza in the Balearics, are a huge draw for people on holiday. It is interesting to note that the highest mountain in Spain is in the Canary Islands; Mount Teide, which is located on Tenerife, is a dormant volcano with an elevation of 12,195 feet.

Lesson Summary

Spain has diverse geographical features. It is located (for the most part) on the Iberian Peninsula and separated from France and Andorra by the Pyrenees mountains. Much of the country is covered by the Meseta Plateau, and the Andalusian Plain provides fertile ground for agriculture. The Bay of Biscay is an inlet shared with France, and the Ebro Delta is where the River Ebro empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and is located on the Canary Island of Tenerife. Mainland Spain is naturally separated from the continent of Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar.

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What is the geography and climate of Spain?

The geography of Spain is quite diverse. It has an extensive central Meseta Plateau, bordered by many mountain ranges. The relief is mountainous and has many rivers and plains. It also has a long coastline and many islands out of the continental territory. The climate has two zones. One dry zone with cold winters and hot summers, and the other is more humid with rainfalls, mild winters, and temperate summers.

What is the geography like in Spain?

The geography in Spain is mainly mountainous. It has a higher average altitude than other European countries. It has mountain ranges, plains and plateaus, and rivers that flow through them. Spain also has an extensive coastline that gives the country economic and tourist importance. Also, a part of Spain’s surface is on islands outside the continental territory.

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36 FUN Facts About Spain You Should Know!

Seeking some interesting facts about Spain? Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe. Spain has it all if you want to explore the beaches, walk around historic cities, enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, revel in the cuisine, or experience the vibrant nightlife.

We spent a few weeks in Spain exploring the best the country offers, including jumping in and out of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (we’ll get to that!). Let’s dig into some interesting Spain facts!

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1. Spain is the only European country to have a physical border with an African country

We begin with one of the most fun geography-based facts about Spain; it has a land border, not a sea, with an African country. That country is Morocco. How could this be? Because Spain maintains a small outpost on the African continent called Ceuta.

This city has been of strategic importance since the first millennium BC, and passed through many different hands before it got to Spain in 1668.

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2. Spain was the world’s first global empire

And, for a while, the most powerful country in the world – talk about one of those interesting facts about Spain. Taking it a notch above the Portuguese trading empire, the Spanish pioneered their way across North, Central, and South America and took hold of the Philippines for over 300 years. They got themselves a lot of gold and left a big ol’ cultural legacy – and a whole lot of Spanish-speakers.

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3. Spanish is the world’s second-most spoken native language

With over 570 million Hispanophones, Spanish is second only to Mandarin Chinese. Spain, most Latin American countries, and Equatorial Guinea have Spanish as (one of) their official languages. A total of 21 nations speak Spanish daily.

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4. Spain boasts the world’s third-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spread throughout Spain, from entire historic city centers all the way to bridges, buildings, and pre-historic rock art.

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5. Spain was also influential in Europe

From the late 15th century to the early 19th century, Spain may have controlled a lot of overseas territories, but it had its fingers in a lot of pies. Due to various marriage alliances and inheritance, Spain had sway in parts of Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, and the entire Netherlands – which was actually known as the Spanish Netherlands from 1556 to 1714.

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6. Spain has a load of islands

On any Spain itinerary, you’ll be hitting up some beaches. It’s not just the Iberian Peninsula where you’ll find Spanish territory. There are the famous Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean sea – including the very famous party island of Ibiza, of course – and then way out in the Atlantic Ocean, there are the Canary Islands.

There are also the Plazas de soberanía just off the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.

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7. There is a Spanish royal family

If you thought there wasn’t, then we’d say you needed to know this fun fact about Spain. It’s a constitutional monarchy and the current monarch – as of 2014 – is King Felipe VI. Democracy began to take place after the Glorious Revolution of 1868 deposed then Queen Isabella II.

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8. The first circumnavigation of the world was carried out between 1519 and 1521

And it was a Spanish expedition that did it. Setting sail from Seville in 1519, the expedition was led by Ferdinand Magellan. The point was to find a route to East Asia through the Americas and across the Pacific. Though Magellan was Portuguese, Spanish navigator Juan Sebastian Elcano finished the job in 1522.

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9. Spain had the first empire on which it was said that the sun never set

Though this is attributed to the British Empire, you can’t ignore this fact about Spain: with Southern and South America on the one hand, the Philippines on the other, and actual Spain in the middle, the sun really did never set on the Spanish Empire.

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10. The Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936

With a left-leaning Republican government aligned with anarchists and communists on one side and Conservative, Royalist, Nationalist, Catholic interests on the other side, things were bound to get ugly. A British-led policy of international non-intervention allowed General Franco (supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy) to emerge victorious in 1939, plunging Spain into an authoritarian dictatorship until 1975. Great.

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11. Spain isn’t all “Spanish”

Probably a mind-blowing fact about Spain right now, but what you thought was just plain, regular ol’ Spain, isn’t as simply defined as that. It’s made up of various Autonomous Communities that have a certain level of self-government.

Galicia is Celtic. The Basque Country speaks Basque (which is unlike any European language). Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands are Occitan and Catalan. Super interesting.

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12. The first ‘novel’ is attributed to a Spanish author

There are other claimants, but let’s say that Don Quixote, written in 1605, was the world’s first “modern” novel. Written by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, it tells the story of a man who has read too many tales of knights, romance, and chivalry.

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13. Madrid has the oldest restaurant in the world

Any food facts about Spain make us instantly want to go again and try out everything tasty in existence in the Iberian nation. This one is about El Restaurante Botín – the oldest restaurant in the world, recognized as such by Guinness World Records, no less. Opened in 1725, you have to check this place out when you’re in the Spanish capital.

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14. Spain was under Muslim control for five centuries

What were known as “Moors” from North Africa invaded Spain in 711 AD. They called it Al-Andalus. What followed is a long history of Arabic and Islamic influence on the language, culture, and art of Spain, until the invaders were finally kicked out in 1492. Nowhere is this felt more than in the southern region of Andalusia.

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15. Spanish people live a long time

In Spain, the life expectancy is on average 82 years (that’s 79 for men, 85 for women). That’s up there with the big hitters of life expectancy – Switzerland, Italy, and, of course, Japan.

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16. There are some pretty famous festivals in Spain

You probably know the Running of the Bulls, right? This is held in Pamplona every year. What you probably don’t know is that its part of a longer nine-day festival in honor of Saint Fermin. There are other “bull-runs,” but that one’s the most famous.

Elsewhere, there’s La Tomatina, the world’s biggest food fight. It started in 1945 when some guy started throwing tomatoes at his friends. It was banned in the 1950s but reinstated in 1957 when residents held a funeral for the festival – complete with a tomato in a coffin.

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17. There is a town in Spain where 700 people have the surname “Japón”

A fact about Spain you probably don’t know is that there’s this little town called Coria del Río near Seville, with a lot of inhabitants descended from Hasekura Tsunenaga, a 17th-century samurai who stopped there during a diplomatic journey. “Hasekura de Japón” became simply “Japón.”

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18. In 2006, Spain hosted one half of the world’s first Earth Sandwich

How in the heck? Well, a radio show host wondered if it was possible, so a few people in Spain and a few people in New Zealand placed baguettes on the ground. With the miles and miles of molten magma and scorching core as the filling, the result was an Earth Sandwich, obviously.

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19. New Year means eating grapes 

While for many New Year means a countdown before/after/during getting pretty drunk, in Spain, there’s one delicate tradition that we like – eating grapes. Twelve, to be precise. If you manage to eat one grape on each exact stroke of midnight, it’s said you’ll have good luck for the rest of the year.

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21. There is no tooth fairy in Spain, but rather a tooth mouse called Ratoncito Perez

Yeah, so weird fact about Spain – there’s no tooth fairy. Okay, so that’s not the weirdest part. Instead of a tooth fairy, they’ve got a tooth… mouse. It’s called Ratoncito Pérez, and it originates in the stories of the 19th-century writer, Luis Coloma.

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22. The Spanish national anthem has no words

Most national anthems are there to be sung and half-forgotten as you hum along trying to make it at least look like you know the words. Not so in Spain; you won’t have to go through the trouble of remembering anything but the tune to their national anthem. It used to have words, but it doesn’t anymore. Called ‘Marcha Real,’ it’s also one of the world’s oldest national anthems, written in 1761.

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23. Spain has more bars than any other EU country

You’d think that accolade would go to Ireland with all their pubs, but no, Spain has the highest number of drinking holes in the European Union. You’ll get to have some pretty good bar crawls here.

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24. Around 44% of the world’s olive oil is produced by Spain

That’s more than double the amount that Italy makes. Yes, even though olive oil is very much associated with Italy, Spain makes more. Spain also makes a lot of wine, with a cool million hectares dedicated to wine-producing (ever heard of Rioja?). So, yeah, Spain is also the second-largest producer of wine in the world.

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25. Spain has over 8,000 kilometers of coastline

One of the most romantic things to do in Spain is head for the coast. And all that coastline means a lot of beaches. One of our favorite facts about Spain is that the country actually has over 8,000 beaches, too. That’s like… one beach every kilometer.

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26. Siesta is still very much part of Spanish life

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If you know about siesta, you may think it’s a bit of a stereotype – but it’s not. If you’re wondering what a siesta is, don’t worry, we’re about to tell you. Siesta is an afternoon nap. Twenty minutes, max. It affects the entire country; from 2 to 5 pm, many stores and establishments are closed for siesta time. For real.

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27. The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is still not finished

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Construction began on the city’s famous Antoni Gaudí-designed cathedral in 1882 and has been under construction for more than 130 years. It’s expected to be completed in 2026. It’s probably the world’s most visited construction site, attracting 2.8 million visitors every year.

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28. Catalonia is small but packs a punch

The relatively small Autonomous Region of Catalonia makes up 6. 3% of Spain’s territory, but there’s a lot going for it. The population is 7.5 million (16% of the national total), it’s got the fourth-highest income in Spain, boasts the Catalan language, has the highest nominal gross regional product in the country, and is home to Spain’s most visited city – Barcelona, of course.

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29. In Valencia, you’ll find the biggest market for fresh food in Europe

The 8,000-meter-squared Mercado Central was designed in 1914 and exemplifies the interesting Valencian Art Nouveau architectural style. Inside, there are 900 stands selling everything from cold meats, fish, and cheese to olives, wine, and spices. It’s a great place in Valencia to check out, see a more detailed Valencia itinerary here.

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30. The first-known stapler came from Spain

We bet you were waiting for a fact about Spain as awesome as this one. But yeah, the first stapler. Spain. Well, the Basque Country. It was made in the 18th century as a present for King Louis XV of France. Every single staple was apparently engraved with Louis’ royal emblem. 

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31. Spain also gave the world many other firsts

From the complicated to the mundane and outright addictive, Spain’s inventions include the ancestor of the cigarette (17th century), the astronaut’s spacesuit (1935), and the humble mop and bucket (1956).

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32. Spain has produced some amazing artists 

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The art world wouldn’t be the same without Spanish creativity. There are greats like El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, to start with. Then things start to get modern (and weird) with Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Imagine the world without those abstract faces or melting clocks. You can’t, can you?

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33. New World foods entered Europe through Spain

New World Foods sounds like some organic supermarket, but anyway, it’s true. Peppers, beans, potatoes, and tomatoes. Spain’s adventures (and misadventures) in the New World of the Americas brought back some culinary firsts in terms of fresh produce.

And before anyone else got to sample ‘em, it was Spain’s turn first. Honestly though, what would Spanish and Italian cuisine be without these foodstuffs?

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34. One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink

Yep. You pay for the drink, but the tapas are free. Why? Well, tapas is the plural of tapa, meaning “top” or “cover.” The original tapas were intended to cover drinks between sips, so no flies or whatever got in them. Many bars today exist simply for the joy of tapas. And drink, of course.

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35. Spain gets more tourists than the number of people who live there

Tourism is big news in Spain. It’s a little-known fact about Spain that tourism is quite as big as it is, though. In 2018, the country received 82.5 million tourists, making it the second-most visited nation on the planet. Spain’s population is 46.7 million, so tourists account for almost double the population.

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36. Which is probably down to all those beaches… 

… With 681 Blue Flag beaches, Spain has the most of any country in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s some quality sea and sand right there.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Spain! See below for more facts around the world!

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Plan For Your Trip

• Protect Your Trip: We don’t travel without travel insurance, nor should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. 
• Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
• Travel Backpack: We like the Nomatic Travel Backpack for our travels. Check the price here.
• Our Favorite Travel Shoes: Our answer to this question is always ALLBIRDS! Check them out on their site!
• Get a Travel Credit Card: We travel worldwide for free because we have leveraged our spending into points. See why you should get a travel credit card and how you can do the same with our favorite travel credit cards.

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60 Interesting Facts About Spain (+ fun Spain facts!)

Looking for some interesting facts about Spain? That’s exactly what you’ll find on this page.

Discover no less than 60 fun Spain facts, covering several topics: history, geography, culture, food, and much, much more.

Let’s dive into these facts right away! 🇪🇸

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Facts on Spain to Learn All About It
• The Best Spain Facts
• Fun Facts of Spain
• Spain Facts for Kids
• Spain Culture Facts
• Facts About Spain History
• Weird Facts About Spain
• Geography of Spain Facts
• Economic Facts About Spain
• General Facts of Spain
• Spain Flag
• More Facts!
• The Full List of 60 Spain Facts

Facts on Spain to Learn All About It

Ready to learn all about Spain?

Facts are one of the best ways to learn more about something, and I personally love to read them! I’ve put together for you quite a bit of facts on Spain; I’ve split them in 9 categories:

• The best Spain facts
• Fun facts of Spain
• Spain facts for kids
• Spain culture facts
• facts about Spain history
• Weird facts about Spain
• Geography of Spain facts
• Economic facts about Spain
• General facts of Spain

Let’s dive in straight away with our first category!

 

The Best Spain Facts

The first part will consist of the most general and interesting facts on Spain you will love to know about either you live in Spain or travel there.  

 

1. Spain is the second biggest country in the European Union

Continental Spain is quite populous, with almost 47 million inhabitants. Most of them live in urban residential areas.

In the largest cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville, there are hundreds of thousands of residents, and sometimes several millions. Only counting these, Spain is already ahead in terms of population compared to a lot of other European countries.

 

 

2. More than a third of the world’s olive oil is produced in Spain

A few years ago, in 2016-2017, more than half of the world’s olive oil was produced in Spain. To put that into perspective, just think about the fact that the six next largest producers, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia produced altogether only 70% of Spain’s olive oil.

Now however, around 35 percent of the world’s olive oil comes from Spain, which is still huge.

 

3. Football is extremely popular in Spain

You already know it, Spain is home to some of the world’s most famous and successful football clubs, like Real Madrid FC and FC Barcelona. On top of that, the national team is also incredibly successful, having won the World Cup in 2010.

Because of that, Spaniards are huge fans of football and sometimes go crazy about it, especially during El Clásico.

 

 

4. The vast majority of Spanish people are Catholic

There were lots of different religions and cultures in Spain throughout the centuries. Arguably, the Moors have had the most impact on the country in terms of architecture and agriculture. However, the religion that stuck is Catholicism.

Over 70 percent of the population is Catholic in Spain nowadays, and traditions are an important part of Spanish culture. Don’t miss out on the majestic churches if you ever plan to travel there!

Read more: Learn more about religions in Spain

 

5. Spain almost has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world

When you think of the history and the heritage of Spain, the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona and the Alcázar of Seville immediately come to mind.

Both of them are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. There are in fact 48 of them! Spain only comes second to China and Italy, both having 55 of the world’s most important landmarks.

 

 

6. Spain was one of the first adopters of wind-powered energy

The windmills of Consuegra are very famous for having appeared in the novel “Don Quixote”. That was a very early use of wind by the Spanish people.

Today, they receive a fifth of their energy from wind sources, and thus proved to all other European countries that wind energy is viable.

 

7. Spain occupies almost 95% of the Iberian Peninsula

There are three major peninsulas in southern Europe: the Balkan, the Italian and the Iberian. The latter is the westernmost of them.

It reaches France through the Pyrenees, and Africa through Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar. In this peninsula, Spain occupies almost 95 percent of the area, though Portugal does not seem that small.

 

 

8. Spain is the only country in Europe with cities outside of Europe

There are only two European cities that are physically outside of Europe, and they both belong to Spain. Ceuta and Melilla share soil with the Moroccan border, on the Mediterranean coast.

There is nothing very interesting to see there, but the cities are at the center of controversy for the huge immigration waves passing through them every year.

 

9. Flamenco was created in Spain

Dancing is a very important part of Spanish culture. In most traditional events, mostly festivals, there is always at least a little bit of dancing involved.

The most famous of them all, flamenco, was created in Spain. It is a sensual and passionate dance, and is popular worldwide (even the Apple emoji dancing girl wears a flamenco dress!).

 

10. There is a unique tradition in Spain: La Tomatina

Every country has their own traditions, but Spain has some very intriguing and weird ones. This one is one of the funniest ones, though.

La Tomatina takes place in Buñol every year, in August. More than 20,000 attendees take part in the biggest tomato fight in the world for the whole day. What’s most surprising is that it’s a religious celebration!

 

aaroncorey / CC BY-NC-ND

11. Spain is an pioneer in terms of literature

Some Spanish writers are definitely visionaries. The oldest preserved poem comes from Spain, and it is called “El Cantar del Mío Cid”. It tells the story of the Reconquista, and is very popular.

Another very famous writer is Miguel de Cervantes, author of the epic novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha”.

 

12. Lots of prehistoric drawings are located in Spain

The Iberian Peninsula has definitely played a very important role in the old world’s history. Today, you can still find several prehistoric drawings there.

The most famous of them is the Altamira cave, and is located near Santander, Cantabria. This cave is very impressive and gathers a lot of various ancient and epic drawings.

 

13. Both Spanish and Italian kids get most of their Christmas presents on January 6th

In Spain and in Italy, Christmas is a bit different than in most westernized countries. Most of the gifts are actually given on January 6th instead of Christmas, to celebrate the Epiphany and the Wise Men.

This time of the year is usually very important and intense in both countries, and is synonymous with family reunion and celebration.

 

14. The mop was invented in Spain

Manuel Jalón Corominas was a Spanish air force officer and an inventor. While he lived in the US, he saw how hangars were cleaned and came back to Spain with the idea of the current day mop. He quickly started its manufacture with a new design, adapted to the Spanish market.

Corominas is also known for having improved the disposable syringe.

 

15. Spain is reputed for lots of its festivals

You have already heard of La Tomatina before, but Spain is definitely reputed for lots of its weird and astonishing festivals.

It is said that there is always at least one festival going on somewhere in Spain, at any time. Everything can happen in parties in Spain, from bulls to babies, and from devils to coffins!

 

 

16. The first modern novel comes from Spain

“Don Quixote de la Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes is actually more important than you think.

Not only is this epic novel of worldwide renown, but it is also the first ever modern novel! It depicts the story of a noble and his various adventures.

 

 

17. Nearly half of Spain is covered by vegetation of some sort

Only a small portion of Spain is classified as dense woodland, mostly in the mountains. However, nearly half of the whole country is covered by vegetation.

The most common trees are pines and oaks. Since the 19th century, there is also poplar and eucalyptus, more and more widespread.

 

18. Madrid is literally the center of Spain

Madrid is the capital of Spain, and it is located at the center of the country, you already know that.

However, what you might not know is that it is literally the geographical center of Spain. Every major Spanish highway starts in Madrid, at kilometer 0: the “Puerta del Sol”.

 

 

And that’s it for the most general facts about Spain. There were 18 of them, but there are still a lot to go. First off, the fun facts:

 

Fun Facts of Spain

This first specific part will be about the most fun and unusual facts about Spain. Let’s dive into it:

 

19. It is legal to go nude in Spain. Not recommended, but possible!

I’m not going to lie, it does not happen very often that people walk around without clothes in Spain. However, it is legal to do so!

This is probably due to the weather, extremely hot and dry in the Iberian Peninsula. Being able to go nude is definitely one of the most unique and surprising about Spain.

 

20. Spanish people drop their napkin when they want to show they loved their meal

This might seem paradoxical, but the dirtier a Spanish bar is, the more successful it is. Spaniards drop their napkins to show they enjoyed their meal.

Not only that, but they also drop anything on the floor, like shells or olive pits. This is an easy way for anyone to spot the most successful places: just look at the floor!

 

21. The Spaniards have a high average life expectancy

Spanish people live longer than their neighbors, usually. Their average life expectancy is 84 years. Women live on average for almost 87 years, while men live for more than 81 years.

This is actually one of the highest life expectancies in the whole world, Spain being 7th on the rankings. The first one is Hong Kong.

 

 

22. The Tooth Fairy is different in Spain compared to most countries

While most countries use the character of the Tooth Fairy for children, in Spain it is different. There is no fairy but… there is a rat.

“Ratoncito Perez” is the one taking kids’ teeth, and giving them presents (instead of money for the Tooth Fairy).

 

23. Lots of Spanish people have two surnames

The average person in Spain has two surnames. They keep both the surnames of their fathers and mothers, in order to honor both of them. This construction seems a bit weird to most people.

As an example, Pablo Picasso’s actual name is Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and Salvador Dalí’s is Salvador Dalí i Domènech.

 

24. Chocolate exists in Europe thanks to Spain, just like oranges or potatoes

The colonies established by Spaniards in South America are even more important than you think. They gave Europe some of the most common resources, like oranges and potatoes.

Were it not for Spain, which brought cocoa back to the country, there would not be any chocolate in Europe!

 

So there you have them, the 6 fun facts about Spain. The next part will be about facts for kids about Spain.

 

Spain Facts for Kids

While all of the facts listed above are obviously safe for kids, this section is especially dedicated to satisfy the curiosity of the young ones:

 

25. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the whole world

There are over 500 million people speaking Spanish worldwide. It is the second most spoken language in the world.

Spanish is not spoken only in Spain, obviously, but also in tons of American countries, like Mexico, Cuba, Argentina and Colombia. The language is official in 20 countries.

Read more: Learn more about the Spanish language

 

26. There is still a monarchy in Spain, like in England or in the Netherlands

Nowadays, there are not that many monarchies in the major countries worldwide. Some of them include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain.

In Spain, the title is only honorary, as it is a constitutional monarchy, and the country is ruled the same way as most western countries. The current ruler is King Felipe VI, who came to power in 2014.

 

Palacio Real in Madrid

27. The capital of Spain, Madrid, is one of the largest cities in Europe

There are more than 3 million inhabitants in the capital of Spain, Madrid. It is the second most populous city in the European Union since London and the United Kingdom left.

There are tons of things to do in Madrid, from museums to very active nightlife: tourists love this destination.

 

28. Spain is the least densely populated country in Europe

Spain’s landscapes and nature are simply wonderful. From pristine sand beaches to snowy mountains, you can find what you love the most in the Iberian Peninsula.

There are actually so many wild areas that Spain is the least densely populated country in Europe!

 

29. The highest Spanish mountain is not in continental Spain

Most of Spain’s colonies took their independence throughout the centuries, but some of them are still under Spanish rule.

One of them is the Canary Islands. There, you can find Mount Teide, the highest Spanish mountain (3,718 m / 12,198 feet), and it is an active volcano. Because of its eruptions, the beaches there are black!

 

Mount Teide

30. There are 5 other official languages in Spain, alongside Spanish

While Spanish is obviously the most spoken language, there are 5 other dialects or official languages considered as Spain’s co-languages.

The most famous one is Catalan, with almost 10 million speakers. The other 4 are Valencian, Galician, Basque and Aranese. Don’t worry though, everyone understands Spanish, though some regions insist on speaking their local tongue.

 

That’s all I have for the facts on Spain for kids! There are still lots of facts for you to discover though, and the next ones are about Spanish culture:

 

Spain Culture Facts

Such a historical and old country must have very unique cultural facts. I have cultural facts about Spain to talk to you about:

 

31. The legal marriage age used to be 14 in Spain before 2015, the lowest one in Europe

This might be shocking to you, as it will be for most countries, actually. Before 2015, Spain had the lowest legal marriage age: only 14 years old! Since then, you need to be 16 years old to get married.

The legal age of consensual sex used to be only 13 years old, but since 2015 it has come in line with other European countries, with 16 years old.

 

32. Many of the world’s most famous painters were Spanish

Writers have already been in the spotlight in an earlier fact, but Spain also has some of the most talented painters in history.

The most famous of them are Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Francisco Goya.

 

Salvador Dali’s mask

33. In Spain, people devote a lot of time to rest and recreation: 16 hours per day!

It is an important part of Spanish culture to devote as much time as possible to rest and recreation. A 2013 report showed that on average, 16 hours a day are given by Spaniards to relax!

In North America, people usually work from 10 to 12 hours a day, which probably means they are jealous of Spain’s philosophy.

 

34. Siestas are sacred in Spain, especially in Madrid

Another cultural fun fact about Spain is that they often take a nap, so much in fact that they are almost sacred.

Many businesses and restaurants are closed for a huge part of the afternoon, for everyone to take a nap. Madrid is the most famous of the cities that is very devoted to good naps!

 

35. Religion and culture are closely intertwined in Spain

You have probably already noticed it, but religion is very important in Spain. Most Spaniards are Catholic, and the most important festivals and holidays are usually related to religion.

Also, most architectural masterpieces like the Sagrada Familia or the Catedral de Sevilla are obviously dedicated to religion.

 

Seville Cathedral

36. Spain has strict food ordering schedules

Spanish people usually eat very late, mostly because of the hot weather as well as the sacred naps. Thus, there is a strict window for you to order food, and the most famous dishes like tapas and paella are served at very specific times. Be ready!

Read more: Learn more about Spanish food

 

 I hope you learned more thanks to these facts about Spain culture! Then, there are still a whole lot of historical facts:

 

Facts About Spain History

Again, Spanish has a huge influence in Europe, in terms of religion and history. Up next, I have 6 historical facts to detail:

 

37. Spain was not involved in either World War I or World War II

Both 20th century’s World Wars are infamous for decimating millions of people from major countries.

What might come surprising to you however is that Spain, one of the major Western countries and historically a very warlike state, wasn’t involved in either of them. Their leaders were aligned with the Axis’ ideas, but Spaniards stayed out of the fights.

 

38. The Romans left a very important heritage in Spain

Many cultures like the Moors and the Visigoths have influenced Spain, but the Romans were the one starting it all.

They conquered the land and settled there for a very long time. Their most important contribution is definitely the import of Latin, the source of the Spanish language.

 

39. The Moors have also had an extremely huge influence on the development of Spain

The Moors brought a different kind of important improvement to Spain.

Their most notable contribution is the architecture, most seen in Andalusia, especially in Granada. They also hugely contributed to the development of agriculture in the Iberian Peninsula, and Arabic is still somewhat recognizable among nowadays Spanish words.

 

Alhambra in Granada

40. Christopher Columbus started the long list of Spanish explorations and conquests

Spain is historically one of the most important countries in terms of colonies. They were the first one discovering the Americas, with Christopher Columbus in 1492, and have conquered almost half of it.

Columbus reached the New World with his three famous ships, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

 

41. Spain was ruled by a dictatorship for almost 40 years

Francisco Franco is an infamous dictator from the 20th century. He took control of Spain in 1936 and ruled it for almost 40 years until his death in 1975.

Lots of things like the Catalan language were either restricted or banned during this period, and the country has seen a true revival since 1975, and is slowly but steadily recovering from this harsh period.

 

42. An important Civil War took place in Spain during the 1930s

Franco led the rebels during the 1930s, ultimately taking control of the whole country. Before that, there was the Spanish Civil War. It lasted 3 years, until the beginning of World War II. Many atrocities occurred on both sides, like mass executions for instance.

 

Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975

And that’s it for the historical facts about Spain! Onto the short sections now, the first of them being about weird facts:

 

Weird Facts About Spain

This is the section I love the most. Below, you can find 6 very weird facts about the country of Spain:

 

43. Spanish people are easily recognizable because they tend to speak very loudly

 

44. The Spaniards love to burn stuff, like very big quantities of dried wood

 

45. Almost everyone in the countryside is called either Paco, Pepe or Javi

 

46. There is a festival in Spain where people dress up as devils and jump over recently born babies to cleanse them of original sin

 

 

47. Spanish drivers rarely respect the laws of driving, in fact you have to be very careful there

 

48. Spain is famous for not speaking much more than its own language in general

 

Geography of Spain Facts

Here are 6 quick facts about the geography of Spain:

 

49. There are 4 major mountain ranges in Spain: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos and Sierra Nevada

 

Sierra de Guadarrama

50. Temperatures in the southern and eastern coasts are very mild because of the sirocco winds

 

51. The northwestern coast of Spain is called “Green Spain” because plants and trees grow very well there

 

52. The interior of Spain consists of a high and very dry plateau surrounded by mountain ranges

 

53. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa as well as the Canary Islands

 

54. Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, is reputed to be extremely fertile, and lots of fruits grow there

 

Economic Facts About Spain

Let’s talk a bit about the economy of Spain with those 6 quick facts:

 

55. Spain is Eurozone’s 4th largest economy

 

56. The Spanish government is huge and costs a lot of money

 

 

57. There are more than 13 percent of unemployed people in Spain

 

58. There is less and less unemployment in Spain, there used to be an unemployment rate of more than 26 percent in 2013

 

59. Lots of structural reforms were necessary to improve Spanish economy

 

60. Spain’s GDP is projected to grow by a lot in the upcoming years

 

And that’s it for all the 60 cool facts about Spain and the fun facts, I hope you enjoyed this list! If you want to learn more general information about the country as well as its most famous cities, feel free to keep reading:

 

General Facts of Spain

You’ll find below a few general facts of Spain, to learn more about this European country:

• Name: Spain (English) / España (Spanish)
• Land area: 505,990 km² / 195,360 sq mi
• Population: 47,450,000
• Name of inhabitants: Spanish / Spaniard
• Website: Spain

 

Spain Flag

 

More Facts!

Do you want even more facts about Spain?

Well, I have more facts about Spain, I’m sure you’ll love reading them! 

Check out these facts by city/region:

• Facts about Madrid
• Facts about Catalonia
• Facts about Bilbao 
• Facts about Barcelona
• Facts about Seville
• Facts about Malaga
• Facts about Granada
• Facts about Valencia
• Facts about Castilla la Mancha

Or these Spain facts by topic: 

• Facts about Christmas in Spain
• Facts about la Semana Santa in Spain
• Facts about religion in Spain
• Facts about Spanish food
• Facts about the Spanish language
• Facts about bullfighting in Spain
• Facts about sports in Spain
• Facts about music in Spain
• Facts about schools in Spain

Or click here to see ALL the facts up on the blog! Spoiler alert: there’s A LOT of them.

 

The Full List of 60 Spain Facts

1. Spain is the second biggest country in the European Union
2. More than a third of the world’s olive oil is produced in Spain
3. Football is extremely popular in Spain
4. The vast majority of Spanish people are Catholic
5. Spain almost has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world
6. Spain was one of the first adopters of wind-powered energy
7. Spain occupies almost 95% of the Iberian Peninsula
8. Spain is the only country in Europe with cities outside of Europe
9. Flamenco was created in Spain
10. There is a unique tradition in Spain: La Tomatina
11. Spain is an pioneer in terms of literature
12. Lots of prehistoric drawings are located in Spain
13. Both Spanish and Italian kids get most of their Christmas presents on January 6th
14. The mop was invented in Spain
15. Spain is reputed for lots of its festivals
16. The first modern novel comes from Spain
17. Nearly half of Spain is covered by vegetation of some sort
18. Madrid is literally the center of Spain
19. It is legal to go nude in Spain. Not recommended, but possible!
20. Spanish people drop their napkin when they want to show they loved their meal
21. The Spaniards have a high average life expectancy
22. The Tooth Fairy is different in Spain compared to most countries
23. Lots of Spanish people have two surnames
24. Chocolate exists in Europe thanks to Spain, just like oranges or potatoes
25. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the whole world
26. There is still a monarchy in Spain, like in England or in the Netherlands
27. The capital of Spain, Madrid, is one of the largest cities in Europe
28. Spain is the least densely populated country in Europe
29. The highest Spanish mountain is not in continental Spain
30. There are 5 other official languages in Spain, alongside Spanish
31. The legal marriage age used to be 14 in Spain before 2015, the lowest one in Europe
32. Many of the world’s most famous painters were Spanish
33. In Spain, people devote a lot of time to rest and recreation: 16 hours per day!
34. Siestas are sacred in Spain, especially in Madrid
35. Religion and culture are closely intertwined in Spain
36. Spain has strict food ordering schedules
37. Spain was not involved in either World War I or World War II
38. The Romans left a very important heritage in Spain
39. The Moors have also had an extremely huge influence on the development of Spain
40. Christopher Columbus started the long list of Spanish explorations and conquests
41. Spain was ruled by a dictatorship for almost 40 years
42. An important Civil War took place in Spain during the 1930s
43. Spanish people are easily recognizable because they tend to speak very loudly
44. The Spaniards love to burn stuff, like very big quantities of dried wood
45. Almost everyone in the countryside is called either Paco, Pepe or Javi
46. There is a festival in Spain where people dress up as devils and jump over recently born babies to cleanse them of original sin
47. Spanish drivers rarely respect the laws of driving, in fact you have to be very careful there
48. Spain is famous for not speaking much more than its own language in general
49. There are 4 major mountain ranges in Spain: Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos and Sierra Nevada
50. Temperatures in the southern and eastern coasts are very mild because of the sirocco winds
51. The northwestern coast of Spain is called “Green Spain” because plants and trees grow very well there
52. The interior of Spain consists of a high and very dry plateau surrounded by mountain ranges
53. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa as well as the Canary Islands
54. Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, is reputed to be extremely fertile, and lots of fruits grow there
55. Spain is Eurozone’s 4th largest economy
56. The Spanish government is huge and costs a lot of money
57. There are more than 13 percent of unemployed people in Spain
58. There is less and less unemployment in Spain, there used to be an unemployment rate of more than 26 percent in 2013
59. Lots of structural reforms were necessary to improve Spanish economy
60. Spain’s GDP is projected to grow by a lot in the upcoming years

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Interesting facts about Spain.

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Spain

Flamenco and bullfighting come to the mind of ordinary people when they hear the word “Spain”. Knowledgeable tourists remember tapas, paella, gazpacho, the Prado Museum or Sagrada Familia. But those interesting facts about Spain that are given in the article may not be known even by experienced travelers.

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, Spain has been inhabited by various 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.
• An interesting fact about Spain and its history: in two world wars, the country remained neutral.

• Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, with approximately 400 million speakers.
• Football is considered the national sport. Spain won their first World Cup victory in 2010.
• The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona football clubs 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.
• In Spain, there are about 8 thousand kilometers of beaches.

• One of the interesting facts about the country is that 44 places in Spain are recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
• Approximately 11.2 liters of alcohol are drunk annually in the country, which is almost twice the average. Spain is the third country in the world (and the first in Europe) in drinking gin and the first in Europe in cocaine consumption. However, it is one of the European countries with a lower suicide rate. 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 person in the world (as of 2016) after Bill Gates. Ortega earns about 2.5 million euros a day.

Cities and provinces

• An interesting fact about the country is the belief that Madrid is the geographical center of the country, and 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 back façade of the Prado Museum was thought to be the center of Madrid. Now such is considered to be the intersection of Goya and Serrano streets.

• Concerning the center of the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Puerta del Sol area was considered as such in the 18th century, at the present time it has “moved” to the town of Cerro de los Ángeles, about 10 kilometers south of Madrid. Now there is a 14th-century chapel Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and a monument Sagrado Corazón, built in 1919.
• What can be said with accuracy is that in the 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 that crossed the entire peninsula.
• Another interesting fact about Spain: the metro in Madrid is considered the second longest in Europe and the sixth in the world. Its duration is 141 miles, and this number continues to grow.

• 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 a 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 Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction 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 complimentary tapas with drinks, usually olives, nuts and dried fruit, or anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil (boquerones en vinagre).
• Spaniards usually have lunch at 2-3 pm and dinner between 9and 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 producer of wine 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.

• Spaniards (especially from Cadiz) claim to have invented fried fish. In the 18th century, Great Britain had trade relations with Cadiz, so it is believed that the British borrowed the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bFish and Chips from its inhabitants, however, other sources name Belgium or Portugal instead of Spain.
• The most ancient dishes in Spain are gazpacho, garlic soup (sopa de ajo) and cocido.
• Spain is the main producer of olive oil in the world, approximately 44% of the total world production. The country produces oils twice as much as Italy and four times as much as Greece.
• Most housewives prefer to buy fresh bread every day, most often it is a baguette.

• Spain is also one of the main producers of saffron, an important ingredient in paella.
• Spain is the only country in Europe where bananas are grown.
• The most expensive restaurant is in Ibiza, it’s called Sublimotion, and dinner there could well cost 1,700 euros per person.
• In Spain, the most grandiose tomato battle is held – La Tomatina, which takes place in the town of Bunol (Autonomous Community of Valencia).

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20 interesting facts about Spain

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Friday, April 23, 2021

Spain is one of the oldest cultures in the world with a rich heritage. It is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Miguel Cervantes and Salvador Dali.

1. Despite the fact that Christopher Columbus was an Italian, he went to the West Indies under the auspices of the Spanish monarchy. According to his agreement with the Spanish monarchs, he was given the governorship of all the lands that he found for Spain, a tenth of all income from new lands and the title of “Admiral of the Ocean.” The Spanish monarchs only agreed to his terms because they did not expect him to return.

2. Gambling is legal in Spain and all forms of gambling are allowed. But their favorite type, despite the presence of traditional casinos, online casinos and slot machines, remains the National Lottery: it accounts for 55% of all bets.

3. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Chinese. It is spoken by about 440 million people. Spanish is the official language in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Equatorial Guinea. Castilian Spanish is the official language in Spain. Regional languages ​​also have official status: Catalan, Basque and Galician.

Photo: Shutterstock

4. Spain has had several names at different times. The inhabitants of North Africa, who first swam across the Strait of Gibraltar, called it Iberia – the land of rivers (from Iber – “river”). The Greeks who captured the peninsula called it Hesperia – the land of the setting sun (at that time it was the westernmost point of the European continent). In 300 B.C. The Carthaginians called it Ispania, the land of rabbits. Later, the Romans took it over and Latinized the name into Hispania, which eventually developed into España. Thus, in essence, Spain is the “land of rabbits.”

5. Spain produces half of the world’s olive oil, the lion’s share of which comes from Andalusia. Spain also accounts for about 20% of the world’s olive oil consumption, and Italy is the main buyer of Spanish oil.

6. Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world, after France and Italy. But at the same time, Spain ranks first in the world in terms of vineyard area (more than 1.1 million hectares). White, red and rosé wines are produced here, but the country is famous for its red wines. Most of the wines are dry.

7. Madrid’s Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) is the physical center of the country. It is marked as km 0 of the Spanish radial road network. The name of the square comes from the fact that the streets of Alcala and Carrera de San Jeronimo once separated the “Sun Gate”, built by King Carlos I in the 16th century. Why the gates had such a name, historians do not know for sure. Whether because of the corresponding drawing, or because through them it was possible to observe the sunrise.

photo: Shutterstock.com

8. There is no tooth fairy in Spain. When Spanish children lose a baby tooth, they put it under their pillow, and a little mouse named Ratoncito Pérez exchanges it for a gift or money at night.

9. In Spain there is a New Year’s tradition called “twelve grapes”. When celebrating the New Year, the Spaniards eat one grape with every stroke of the clock (for a total of 12 grapes – hence the name). This custom was probably invented by Spanish winemakers as a way to sell surplus grapes.

10. Spaniards have two surnames: the first is for the father, the second is for the mother. For example, if a man’s name is Juan Martín Lopez (Juan Martin Lopez) and his wife’s name is Elena González García (Elena González Garcia), then their children’s surname will be Martín González (Martin González). Under the new gender equality law, this tradition has changed in favor of the mother’s surname.

11. Being one of the largest and most powerful countries in the world, Spain did not officially participate in either the First or Second World Wars. Despite the official status of a non-belligerent country (which is not recognized by international law), during the Second World War, the leaders of Spain ideologically gravitated towards Germany and Italy. Many Spaniards left for France to fight against fascism.

12. Spain is a constitutional monarchy. Former King Juan Carlos I succeeded to the throne after the death of right-wing dictator General Franco in 1975. For a long time he was one of the most beloved monarchs in Europe, but then he fell out of favor, and in 2014 he abdicated in favor of the son of King Philip VI.

photo: Shutterstock.com

13. Spain was conquered by the Mauritanians in 711-718. Thanks to its Muslim heritage, Spanish culture is more diverse and unique than, for example, the culture of neighboring France.

Photo: Shutterstock

14. Spain has 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: prehistoric rock art, historic cities and buildings, bridges, national parks and landscapes. More only in Italy and China (55 each).

15. 70% of the population of Spain are Catholics, but only 13.6% of the population goes to church on Sundays.

16. Until 2013, the age at which sexual intercourse and marriage was allowed was one of the lowest in the world: 13 for sexual relations and 14 for marriage. Now the Spaniards have to wait until the age of 16 to get both. The age requirement has been increased following the example of other European countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium.

17. The oldest restaurant in the world is located in Madrid. Despite the fact that other restaurants dispute this fact, it is Restaurante Botín, which was opened in 1725, that is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The signature dish is Cochinillos asado (roast suckling pig).

18. Spain is a country of festivals. Hundreds of festivals are held in the country throughout the year. The oldest, the Romería de Nuesra Señora de le Cabeza, has been going on for over 800 years, and the Fiesta de los Patios has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. In Spain, you can run with the bulls on San Fermin, throw tomatoes on La Tomatina and watch huge ninots (statues) burn during Las Fallas.

19. Spaniards love life. On average, they devote 16 out of 24 hours to rest, food, and sleep.

20. Real Madrid football club is recognized by the International Football Federation as the best football club of the 20th century. In 2019, it was also recognized as the most valuable football club, with a combined value of $4.2 billion.

See also:

Express Guide to Spain

Sevilla – a city of rich architecture and incendiary flamenco

5 “less known” Spanish cities

Advantages and disadvantages of living in Spain. Notes from Barcelona

Section Spain on the portal Around the World. Ukraine

25 interesting facts about Spain The country is almost completely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and is a popular resort. Spain also owns the Canary, Balearic and other small islands, as well as some cities in North Africa.

With over 80 million visitors in 2018, this country is the second most visited after France. Spanish is spoken by 437 million people worldwide, although only 47 million people live in Spain.

What else can be said about this country? This collection contains 25 interesting facts about Spain!

1. Today, Spain is made up of 17 autonomous regions, but this has not always been the case. Two medieval rulers managed to unite the disparate territories – Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. Their marriage marked the beginning of modern Spain, and before that the country was separate states with different languages.
2. The language known worldwide as Spanish is considered Castilian in Spain itself. In addition, the Galician, Aranian, Bakian and Catalan languages ​​have a semi-official status here. There are also unofficial and regional languages. In general, on the territory of Spain itself there is a huge linguistic diversity!
3. Spaniards have a completely different daily routine than other Europeans. He usually has lunch from one to three (approximately), and dinner at ten in the evening. They have afternoon breaks, or siestas, which involve rest from 1 pm to 5 pm. While the rest of the Europeans are working, the Spaniards have a quiet hour, as this time is the hottest.
4. Spain has significantly influenced modern art since the 1800s. She gave the world such masters as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Antoni Gaudi. They became the founders of such trends in art as surrealism, expressionism, cubism, modernity.
5. Curiously, the Spanish anthem has no words. More precisely, it has, but the text is not popular, usually only the musical version is used at all events and competitions. This is due to the fact that Spain is divided into autonomies, which have not been able to agree with each other. In 2008, an attempt was made to create a single text for the anthem, but not everyone approved of it. And so it remains the oldest anthem in the world without words!
6. There are 45 sites in Spain that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among them are works by Antonio Gaudi, rock paintings, a palm forest in Elche, the Tower of Hercules and much more.

7. Spaniards have a special attitude towards marriage, the percentage of divorces is only 17. At the same time, only 5% of children are born and raised in families with one parent.
8. In Madrid, you can visit the restaurant Sobrino de Botín, which is the oldest in the world. It made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest restaurant establishment, although to this day other places are trying to challenge this title. It was founded in 1775 and became the birthplace of Madrid cuisine.
9. There are many festivals in Spain, for example, Romeria de Nuestra Senora de le Cabeza has been held for 800 years. Also popular are La Tomatina, where everyone throws tomatoes, the San Fermin bull festival and many other entertainments.
10. The Spanish Christmas Lottery has the largest prize pool in the world. As of 2017, it has a jackpot of €720 million and a total prize payout of €2.3 billion.
11. Spain was the third country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005. In the same year, adoption of children by same-sex couples became available. According to statistics, Spain is a very tolerant country, more than 80% of the inhabitants have nothing against non-traditional orientation.
12. Madrid is the official capital of Spain. In addition, it is the geographical center of the country. In the capital is Puerta del Sol, which is also the center of the state and the Spanish radial road system.

13. Spain is the largest olive oil producer in the world. It produces approximately 44% of the total amount of oil. The largest volume is produced in the Andalusia region.
14. This country has the largest number of bars in Europe. In Spain, there is no problem finding a bar or cafe, day or night.
15. Spain is considered one of the best countries for a beach holiday. If you add up the length of all the beaches, you get as much as 8 thousand kilometers!
16. Spain is one of the few European countries where marijuana is partially legalized. Here you can grow it for personal use, but it is forbidden to smoke in public places. It is worth noting that on personal territory you can smoke marijuana calmly, without fear of a fine.
17. Spain managed to remain neutral in World War II. Despite the fact that the position of the head of state at that time was on the side of Germany, the country did not officially take part in any world war.
18. One of the most popular Spanish New Year traditions has spread all over the world. The Spaniards eat exactly twelve grapes of different varieties under the chiming clock. It is believed that in this case, good luck will accompany the whole year.
19. It is a tradition in Spain to have two surnames. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the country use two surnames – one for the father, the other for the mother.

20. Although Spain is usually called an ordinary country, in reality it is still a kingdom. The current king of Spain is Philip VI, who took the throne recently, in 2014.
21. This country has an excellent life expectancy, ranking third after Japan and Switzerland. The average life expectancy is 83.1 years. At the same time, by 2050 Spain may be among the oldest countries in the world, as its population will consist of people over 60 by 30%.
22. Spain is the leader in Europe in the number of organ and tissue transplants. In this country, every resident is a donor, unless they write a refusal. The level of donation is very high – at the European 19people per million, in Spain there are 35 donors per million people.
23. More than 90% of the inhabitants of this European country consider themselves Catholics. At the same time, only 13% go to church on weekends.
24. With all the positive aspects of Spain, this country has the highest unemployment rate not only in Europe, but in the whole world. There are about 50% of the unemployed here.
25. Spaniards speak very loudly and use sign language. They use many gestures instead of words, although such emotional gestures are very unusual for tourists.

Spain is an amazing country with rich history and unusual traditions. Its history spans more than 20 centuries, and during this period the country experienced various difficulties. But it was the Spaniards who were the first to colonize the American continent and spread their language around the world!

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About Spain. Geography of Spain.

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Spain covers 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Another name for the peninsula is Iberian, this toponym comes from the name of one of the indigenous peoples that formed the basis of the population of Spain. The territory of Spain also includes the Mediterranean Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza), as well as the Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa. In addition, the territory of Spain historically belongs to two exclaves on the coast of North Africa, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

The coast of Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. About 50% of the territory of Spain is occupied by mountains.

Geography of Spain: most detailed

The Kingdom of Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula, covering almost 85% of its territory. The country includes the Canary and Balearic archipelagos, as well as the Pitius Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea. The kingdom governs two enclaves located in Africa (Morocco), Melilla and Ceuta. Below is the basic information regarding the geography of Spain.

Spain ranks second among European countries in terms of area, covering an area of ​​505.9 thousand square kilometers. The kingdom is considered one of the most mountainous countries on the continent. The average height is 600 meters above sea level. According to such a criterion as highlands, in Europe Spain is second only to Switzerland: mountains and plateaus occupy about 90% of the territory of the kingdom. Meseta, the highest plateau on the continent, is located here.

The Pyrenees is the largest mountain system in the country. It is located in the direction from west to east, stretching for 450 km. The Pyrenees are a kind of border that separates the kingdom from the rest of Europe. Much of the country is inaccessible.

Glacial landforms can be observed in the central Pyrenees. The highest peak of this mountain system is Aneto Peak, which is 3404 m high.

The Pyrenees deserve to be mentioned not only as an important object of Spain’s geography – they play an important role in the country’s tourism industry. There are many ski resorts, including very prestigious ones. There are excellent conditions for alpine skiing, skiing and mountaineering.

The Cordillera Betica mountain range is located in the southeast of the kingdom. The highest formation here is the Sierra Nevada ridge, the second highest in Europe. It is on the territory of this ridge that the highest point of the peninsula, Mulasen, is located. The height of this mountain is 3478 m.

The largest plain in Spain is the Andalusian. Another large plain is located in the northeastern part of the country and is called the Aragonese. The lowlands are located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, stretching along the coast in a rather narrow strip.

Several rivers flow through Spain – Guadalquivir, Duero, Ebro, Tajo, Guadiana. There are no large lakes, the main part of natural reservoirs is located in the mountains.

A significant part of the country – about 60% of the territory – is located in an arid climate zone and experiences a constant lack of water. This problem is most acute in the central regions, as well as on the Mediterranean coast. The north of the country has a sufficient amount of water resources, as well as the northwestern regions of the kingdom.

Geography of Spain: minerals

Since a significant part of the kingdom is occupied by mountain systems, Spain has quite large reserves of minerals. Their main deposits are located in the outlying regions of the kingdom, as well as in the bowels of the mountain systems located along the perimeter of Meseta. Large deposits of polymetals and pyrites have been discovered in the Sierra Morena; coal, zinc and iron ore are mined in the Cantabrian mountains. The Andalusian mountains are rich in iron ores and metals. The Galician mountains are known as a source of uranium and tungsten.

The reserves of iron ore in Spain reach 2 billion tons, and the main part of this ore is of high quality and contains about 50% of the metal. Iron ore is mined mainly in the northern part of Spain.

The kingdom ranks first in Europe in terms of the amount of copper pyrites occurring here. Their bulk lies in Andalusia, as well as in the Sierra Morena mountains. The province of Jaén is famous for its lead-zinc ores, Galicia for its tungsten ores, tin and manganese. Mercury is mined in the province of Ciudad Real, and deposits of silver and gold have also been discovered in Spain.

Asturias is the main coal mining region in the kingdom. It is believed that in some regions adjacent to the Pyrenees, oil may occur.

Climatic features

Since the area of ​​Spain is quite large, there is no need to talk about any identical climate throughout the country. Regions with different climatic conditions can be distinguished both from north to south and from east to west.

The climate of the northern parts of Spain is greatly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the weather in the Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia and Cantabria is not as hot as in the central regions of the country. Winter here is relatively cold and humid, the temperature ranges from +10 to +14 degrees, while summer can be called rather warm than hot – the average temperature usually does not exceed +26 degrees. At the same time, frosts are not uncommon in mountainous regions in winter, and in summer the thermometer does not rise above +22 degrees.

The Pyrenees are a barrier to the hot air masses that come from Africa. Often they do not allow these masses to move on, as a result of which the temperature during the day can rise above +30 degrees. The territory, which is located north of the mountain range, is in the zone of a temperate maritime climate, cool and humid. Rains are frequent here in autumn, heavy snowfalls are not uncommon in winter.

The central regions show all signs of a sharply continental climate. Winter here is relatively cold – temperatures can drop several degrees below zero, while in summer the thermometer rarely drops below +30 degrees. Madrid can serve as an excellent illustration of such a climate: in summer the temperature at night here can drop to + 16, and in winter it can rise above +38 degrees. There is very little precipitation in this part of the country, no more than 500 mm per year.

Subtropical Mediterranean climate prevails in the eastern part of the country, on the Mediterranean coast. In summer it is hot and dry here, the average temperature is + 27 degrees, at the same time, the thermometer often rises to +36 and above. Winters are mild and warm, the minimum temperature is usually not lower than +12 degrees. The warm climate and low rainfall, which falls mainly in winter and autumn, make this region an excellent place for the development of beach tourism. The swimming season here begins in May and ends in October.

The climate of the Canaries archipelago resembles a tropical trade wind. The tourist season here lasts almost all year round, because the water temperature never drops below +20 degrees, but usually is two or three degrees above this mark. At the same time, the amount of precipitation is very small – from 200 to 450 mm per year in various parts of the archipelago. The Balearic Islands are located in the subtropical Mediterranean climate zone. The beach season here begins in March, while summer temperatures do not exceed +32 degrees.

Flora and fauna

Speaking about the geography of Spain, one cannot fail to say a few words about its flora and fauna. If you do not take into account the Canary Islands, then about 8000 species grow on the territory of the kingdom, among them there are many endemic ones. Once a significant part of the country was covered with forests. Today they remain only in the north. There are many water meadows in the mountains of Spain. The richest flora can be considered in Galicia and on the North Atlantic side of the Cantabrian mountain range. It is no coincidence that this part of the country is called green Spain. In some areas of the country, which are the most arid, semi-desert vegetation is observed. The only wild palm tree on the continent is found in the southern part of the kingdom, forming low dense thickets.

The richness of the flora determines the large number of species of animals and birds. In the northern part of the country, the fauna is no different from the Central European. There are wild boars, roe deer, foxes, wolves, hares. In the mountains you can see the Pyrenean ibex and red deer. The populations of many animals are quite large, so hunting is allowed. In some mountainous regions of Spain there is a brown bear, a lynx. Macaques live in the Gibraltar area – this is the only place where they live in Europe.

The kingdom ranks first on the continent in terms of the number of bird species living here. These are predators – an eagle, a hawk, a falcon, a griffin, and waterfowl: a flamingo, a heron, ducks, geese. There are also white storks in Spain.

The coastal waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas are inhabited by a large number of fish, including commercial ones. Rich in fish and Spanish rivers and small mountain lakes, many of which are flourishing fishing tourism.

Features of the geography of Spain determined the nature of the labor activity of local residents, and the main sectors of the country’s economy.

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Interesting facts about Spain – Spain in Russian

06/06/2021

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 things here that are of interest to ordinary tourists and those who find themselves in this country with completely different goals.

We offer you 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.

Spaniards’ mentality

• Spain’s national motto says that life is made for pleasure and not for suffering;
• Spaniards rarely think about tomorrow, they give the impression of being frivolous and a little infantile;
• The expression “blue blood” was coined 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” is 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’s 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 are very talkative, they can approach a stranger on the street and start a conversation;
• In Spain they do not suffer from complexes, as a rule they do not hide their emotions;
• Gesticulation is an indispensable element of conversation, there are many gestures that play an important role in the conversation;
• When talking to older Spaniards, avoid any synonyms for the word “old man” (in Spanish – “ anciano” ). Locals believe that even with gray hair on his head, the Spaniard remains young;
• Spaniards may seem rude due to loud, harsh intonations and excessive openness, however, this is not so;
• Local population does not consider it necessary to say “thank you” and “please” too often, this is not accepted in restaurants and shops, as well as among close people;
• Spaniards love to have breakfast in local establishments, so from 10:00 am all cafes in the cities are crowded with locals;
• Spaniards have very peculiar methods of raising children . 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.
• More women than men study at universities in Spain;
• Today, 500,000 gypsies live in Spain;
• Approximately 40% of the population aged 17 to 24 smoke regularly;
• More than 95% of Spaniards are orthodox Catholics . More than half of them regularly attend churches and go to confession and communion weekly;
• It is customary in Spain to keep one’s maiden name after marriage.

Interesting facts about Spain

• 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 covered 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 the historic center of the city. 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 Jamon Museum;

• On the roads of Spain you can see 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;
• Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the very center of the country. And on the central square of the city there is a zero kilometer;
• The oldest restaurant in Spain, founded in 1725, is Casa Botín ;
• The tradition of siesta – afternoon nap is still preserved in Spain. But even taking this into account, the 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 worked 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;
• Football is 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;
• Equally popular are bullfighting and bull running, which are traditional sports in Spain;
• But, despite the cult significance of bullfighting, in recent years it has been increasingly criticized by local animal rights activists. The Spanish “greens”, having political weight, achieved a 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.
• According to the Migration Service in 2020, more than 5 million people live legally in Spain. foreigners. The most popular cities among migrants are: Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Alicante, Valencia and Malaga.

Traditions of holidays in Spain

• Most Spanish bars and cafes give free tapas when ordering one drink – a national snack. She does not have a strict recipe: it can be cold cuts, french fries or assorted vegetables;

• In Spain, you can sunbathe without clothes with impunity , but for moral reasons all tourists are strongly advised to retire to nude beaches;
• To feel the true spirit of Spain, many tourists settle in paradores – 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 are very reluctant to speak English, so every tourist must have a Spanish phrase book with him , or better, learn a few phrases.

Inventions of the Spaniards

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

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50 amazing facts about Spain

Spain has been the most favorite holiday and travel destination for many for decades, and it’s easy to see why: golden beaches, great climate and delicious food . If you want to know some lesser-known facts about Spain, check out some of them:

GEOGRAPHY

Madrid’s metro rail system is 294.03 km long, making it the sixth longest in the world.

44 The number of places in Spain that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO is more than double that of those located in the United States.

1656 The number of escalators in the Madrid subway is more than in any other in the world.

40% Part of the island of Menorca, which is protected by the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Madrid – the name comes from the Arabic Magerit, which means “place of many streams”.
Madrid. This is the geographical center of Spain. The Puerta del Sol in Madrid is located exactly in the center of the country.

35 minutes. The time it takes to travel by ferry from Spain to Africa.

Jarosit. A mineral found in the Rio Tinto region of Spain… it has also been found on Mars.

PEOPLE
UK. Most of the tourists visiting Spain are of this nationality.

3 Spanish surnames in the top ten most common surnames in the world: Gonzalez, Hernandez, Garcia.

94% The percentage of the population of Spain of the Roman Catholic religion.

45.8 million people – the population of Spain.

390,000. Number of Britons living in Spain as of January 2012.

85 years – the average life expectancy of Spanish women, men – 79 years.

3rd. Spaniard Amancio Ortega is the third richest person in the world (and the richest in Europe).

Javier Bardem. First Spanish actor to win an Oscar for his performance in No Country for Old Men .

88% The percentage of Spaniards who believe that homosexuality should be recognized is the highest percentage in Europe.

2010. The year when the Spanish athletes won the football World Cup and the Wimbledon tennis final.

7oz 131b (6.095 kg) The weight of the heaviest newborn born in Spain, from an English mother. (average weight 3.316 kg)

1000 A prize won by Ecuadorian Pedro Soria López in the first siesta championship held in Spain.

1/10 The number of Spaniards who do not neglect daily naps.

HISTORY

1492 – the year in which Spain was formed in its present form.

The 1960s, when the era of modern tourism began in Spain.

The 13th century is the date when the Encierros tradition was established.

January 2002. The month when Spain abandoned its currency, the peseta, in favor of the euro.

40 thousand 800 years ago the world’s oldest rock paintings discovered in Spain are dated.

4-0 Spain beat Italy in the Euro 2012 final with the most goals ever recorded in a European and World Cup final.

Land of the Rabbits. It is believed that the name of the country – Spain comes from Hispania, which means “land of rabbits” in Phoenician.

1133. Year of the first official bullfight (corrida) in Spain, held in honor of King Alfonso VII.

Chupa chups were invented in Spain.

Tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco and cocoa were introduced to Europe from Spain.

LANGUAGE AND MEDIA
FOUR. The number of official languages ​​in Spain on its territory: Castilian, Catalan, Galician, Basque.

La Marca Real. Brand name of the Spanish national anthem. It is the only anthem in the world that has no official lyrics.

17.6 million Number of Facebook users from Spain, December 2012.

Brand. It is the best-selling Spanish newspaper that writes only about football.

“Why don’t you shut up!” is the headline (and ringtone for a million phones) quote from the King of Spain to Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez at the summit.

BONANZA – a gold mine, a source of great profit. Spanish word for prosperity. Initially, the word was used in the field of finance in relation to the happy discovery of a rich mine. The word is now used colloquially to refer to any enterprise that earns unusually high returns on its invested capital.0003

Plus Ultra. The slogan, which is written on the Spanish flag and means “outside” refers to the Spanish territories outside of Europe.

¿LL or J? The Spanish say Mallorca, the British Majorca. Anyway, the pronunciation of this island’s name is the same – Mallorca!

AND MORE .