Spain Map

Officially recognized as the Kingdom of Spain, it is a nation located in southwestern Europe. It is bordered by Andorra to the northeast, France to the north and northeast, Portugal to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east and southeast.

History

Spain has a long and complex history. Its history can even be traced beyond prehistoric times. Inhabited for thousands of years, the Iberian Peninsula, now Spain, was home to early inhabitants such as the Iberians, Celts, and Basques. Phoenicians and Greeks set up trading colonies on the coast, and Carthaginians also maintained a presence here before the Romans annexed the area in the 3rd century BC.

Under Roman rule, Spain - known as Hispania - became an important province within the Roman Empire. The Romans erected cities, roads, and aqueducts. Many of these remains stand today. In 5 AD, Roman rule ended when Western Rome collapsed and the area was invaded by other nations or peoples including the Visigoths.

The Golden Age of Spain began in the 16th century. The country had become what was then, essentially speaking–a global superpower with an empire spanning across most of the Americas, Asia, and some parts of Europe. Spanish explorers like Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés (the man who conquered Mexico), and Francisco Pizarro played leading roles in this Age of Discovery. Wealth from these colonies sustained Spain’s lead over Europe.

Yet Spain’s power declined in the 17th century due to losses in war, economic difficulties, and internal strife. The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) also weakened the country. In the 19th century, Spain saw political disturbances such as its Peninsular War against Napoleon’s France and many civil wars.

In the twentieth century, Spain suffered much turmoil. As a result of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) General Francisco Franco won the war and established a fascist dictatorship, which lasted until he died in 1975. Since Franco's death, Spain has established a democratic government that has endured into the present day and become a parliamentary monarchy. The 1978 Constitution turned Spain into a monarchy.

King Juan Carlos I of Bourbon became the head of state in 1975: and Spain became a constitutional monarchy. In 1986 Spain joined the European Union which had a big impact on Spain's economic and political shape.

Culture

The country has a rich and varied culture, shaped by its history, geography, and people. Spanish art, literature, and cuisine are also known for having their unique characteristics. The country produced many renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Francisco Goya. The famous writers Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote "Don Quixote", are all products of Spain's cultural heritage.

Music is just as important as culture in Spain. Flamenco, born in the land of Andalusia, is one of the most recognizable styles of music and dance anywhere. It features hot and passionate performances. In addition to classical music, Spain has rich traditional music that also includes folk music. There is a lively modern music scene in Spain, with many popular artists and groups.

Spaniard food terms map with various regional varieties. Some of the best-selling dishes are paella, a rice dish with seafood or meat; tapas, small plates of appetizers that vary from region to region; and gazpacho, a cold tomato soup. Spain is said to be a country of wine, from such regions as Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

Spanish culture includes festivals and parties. Some of the most famous festivities are La Tomatina, where overripe tomatoes in Buñol are pelted on everyone around indiscriminately; the Bull Running or El Foro Encierro in Pamplona; and Semana Santa, a week-long Easter celebration with solemn processions.

Language

The prominent language of Spain is Spanish, also known as Castilian. As a Romance language, Spanish is spoken by an estimated 460 million people globally. It is the first language for more than 400 million of them and has surpassed English as well during recent years in number of total speakers. The formation of Spanish began hundreds or even thousands of years ago when Latin mixed with Arabic, and Germanic tongues and languages indigenous to the Americas.

Geography

Spain is a country rich in natural diversity. With an area of 505,990 square kilometers, it ranks fourth among European nations in size. Spain has many mountain ranges, such as the Pyrenees that form its natural border with France in the north and Sierra Nevada to the south. Its interior is a high plateau known as Meseta Central that stretches over much of central Spain.

It has several major rivers, including the Tagus, which is the longest stream in mainland Iberia, flowing through Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean; the Ebro, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea; and perhaps most famous of all for its picturesque Andalusian settings, with its many tributaries and affluents flowing through one of the regions most outstanding landscapes.

The country is surrounded by two bodies of water, both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlantic coast, known as Costa Verde (Green Coast), is rugged with cliffs where verdant vegetation grows on its slopes until this very day; the Mediterranean coast, or Costa del Sol, enjoys good weather straight through to October at least. Here are found many beaches and has become some kind of popular resort area for all European countries in general.

The country’s diverse geography also takes in the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa in the Mediterranean. Its islands are well-known tourist destinations, noted for their lovely beaches, volcanic landscapes, and peculiar variations of wildlife.

Economy

Having a mixed capitalist economy, Spain was placed 14th in the world in 2005 by its GDP calculated at market exchange rates. In general respect to development, the country's citizens enjoy a high standard of living. Spain also maintains a social security system that is envied by many other countries throughout the world. Tourism, manufacturing, services, agriculture, and telecommunications are the national economy's main fields.

Spain is one of the world's most visited countries by tourists, attracting hundreds of millions of visitors every year who travel to see its great historic cities and beautiful beaches or to take part in lively cultural festivals. Additionally, some large multinational corporations have their headquarters in Spain. These include Inditex (the owner of Zara and other brand names), Telefónica, and Banco Santander. Agriculture remains a major sector of the economy with Spain being among the world's biggest producers of olive oil, wine, and citrus fruit. It also produces a vast array of other crops like cereals, vegetables, and nuts.

Education

Spain's education system is complete, the number of years children must go to school is from 6 to 16. There are several stages in this system: preschool education, primary education, compulsory secondary education, and university education. Early childhood education is for children aged 0 to 6 and is divided into two periods. Primary education lasts six years, from the time they start school to age 12. Secondary education is for the age range 12 to 16 years: basic (ESO), senior high schools, and vocational secondary schools. Higher education is provided by universities and higher education institutions. It also has many local universities, some of which are among the oldest and most famous in the world. For example, the University of Salamanca was founded in 1218. Spanish universities offer a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses, they have high academic standards.

Government and Politics

The country is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. King Felipe VI has been head of state since 2014, taking over from his father Juan Carlos I upon his abdication. The effective head of government is the Prime Minister. He is appointed by the king and must possess the confidence of the Spanish Parliament. In Spain, Parliament is called the Cortes Generales, which is a bicameral legislature. The lower chamber, known as Congreso de los Diputados, has its members elected by proportional representation. In this other house Senado--Members will be chosen in a manner unique to each region, with 208 being chosen by direct vote while 57 come from various autonomous regions that are designated by their respective legislatures.

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, which all have their own government and parliament. These areas have wide-ranging power over things like education, health care services or lack thereof, and transport networks. Spanish Constitution of 1978 guarantees those regions freedom whilst maintaining unity within the Kingdom itself. Spain is among the members of the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and NATO. It plays an active role in international affairs and progresses democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

FAQs

Q1: What is the famous festival celebrated in Spain known as?

The most famous festival celebrated in Spain is the "Running of the Bulls" or the "San Fermin Festival" which is held annually in Pamplona. It is a week-long festival held during July, in which people run in front of a group of bulls let loose in the streets.

Q2: What is the origin of Flamenco dance and music?

Flamenco is a dance and music genre that is believed to have originated in the 18th century, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. It's among the gypsy communities of their region and is characterized by fiery dance moves, soulful singing and guitar music.

Q3: What is the significance of La Tomatina festival in Spain?

La Tomatina is an annual tomato-throwing festival held in the town of Bunol, near Valencia.

Q4: What is the traditional Spanish dish called and what are the ingredients used?

One of the most famous Spanish dishes is paella, a rice dish that originated in the Valencia region.