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Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain (Sp: Reino de España), is an independent nation and a member state of the European Union.  Located in southwestern Europe, it occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, and its territory includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and two autonomous cities in Africa:  Ceuta and Melilla.  Spain is bordered to the west and northwest by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean; to the north and northeast by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, save for a small land boundary with Gibraltar. The border Spain shares with Portugal, measuring 1,214 kilometers in length, is the longest uninterrupted land border within the European Union.

As of the 2011 census, Spain had a population of 46,815,916, although estimates show that number rose to approximately 47,306,000 in early 2012.  Today the approximate population of Spain is 47.1 million—a drop of 206,000 residents and the first population decline Spain has ever experienced. Spanish (Castilian Spanish) is the official language of the country, while Catalan, Basque, and Galician are all recognized as regional languages.  Roman Catholicism, while not deemed an official religion, is practiced by the majority of Spaniards. 

View of the Mediterranean SeaSpain has a total land area of 505,988 square kilometers (195,363 square miles), making it the second-largest country in the European Union, the fifth-largest country in Europe, and the 51-largest country in the world.  Much of the mainland is high plateau, with mountain ranges, including the Pyrenees, located in the north.  Spain’s plateau-like topography makes for hot summers and cold winters—winters that are increasingly cooler and wetter the further north one travels.  Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, with a population of approximately 3,255,950 in the city proper, and 5,843,031 in the greater Madrid Metropolitan Area, which includes several smaller towns and villages surrounding the Spanish capital.  Other Spanish cities include Barcelona (1,620,943), Valencia (797,028), Seville (702,355), Zaragoza (679,624), and Malaga (567,433).

 The area now known as Spain came under Roman rule in 200 BC, and the region was given the name Hispania.  It would remain under Roman control for six centuries, “laying the foundations for the Spanish language and culture.”  Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century AD, Spain was ruled by the Visigoths, a Germanic people who had migrated from Central Europe.  In the year 711, the Moors—Muslims from Northern Africa—invaded and conquered the country.  Their presence in the region lasted more than seven centuries, while the Christian kingdoms to the north gradually increased in power over the generations.  Finally, in 1492, after a centuries-long re-conquest effort known as the Reconquista, Spain emerged as a unified country, following the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.  The country rapidly became a global leader, and the treasure it amassed from its vast overseas empire pushed Spain into the forefront of European countries.

Today Spain is a democracy, with a parliamentary government serving under a constitutional monarchy.   The current leaders of the country are King Juan Carlos I, Head of State, and Mariano Rajoy, President of Government.  A highly developed country, Spain has the 13-largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and ranks 21st on the quality of life index rating, an instrument that measures a country’s living standards.  Like in much of the European Union, the currency in Spain is the Euro.  The combined life expectancy for males and females in the country is 79 years of age, and the country’s literacy rate currently stands at 98 percent.  Spain is a member of the United Nations, NATO, OECD and WTO, among other national and international organizations.

Spain Today

Spain currently has a population of over 40 million habitants. It is the 3rd largest country in land mass and the fifth largest in population in Western Europe. The official language is, of course, Spanish (Castellano), however Catalan, Galician, and Basque are also spoken in parts of the country.

Spanish Government

The government is a parliamentary monarchy, headed by King Juan Carlos (who serves mostly in a ceremonial capacity) and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

There are many political parties in Spain but the 2 largest consist of the moderate right Partido Popular (Popular Party) and the moderate left Partido Socialista Obrero Español (Socialist Party).

Spanish Society

Spain has a very laidback and festive lifestyle. Knowing how to enjoy life like few others, Spaniards in general are very warm and friendly. They love to socialize and spend time out and about. It’s not uncommon to find entire families on the terrace of a bar at 12 midnight on weeknights. There are many national holidays, festivals and traditions. Spaniards will find any excuse to celebrate, throw a party, and take time off work.

For leisure Spaniards love to go bar hopping as Spain offers, what many consider to be, the liveliest nightlife in the entire world.

They usually vacation in the month of July or August to one of the many beaches on the Spanish peninsula.

Football (Soccer) is a national passion in Spain which delivers one of the most competitive football leagues ( La Liga ) and one of the world’s most successful clubs Real Madrid C.F. .

Spanish Economy

Although life in Spain has many advantages it also has some drawbacks. Unemployment is high and customer service can be little short of a nightmare. Wages are low and there are few large businesses other than those that were previously government controlled.

Although Spain has not yet caught up to other wealthier western European countries, it is closing the gap quickly. It has been a democracy for only less than 30 years and still has much progress to make.

Due to its rich history of art, architecture, and abundance of beaches Spain is the third most visited country in the world. Tourism is Spain’s largest money maker followed by exports.

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