Country:  Spain

OVERVIEW

Once a contender for the supreme colonial power with an empire spreading far and wide across the globe, today Spain lures visitors from more countries than it had ever conquered and bewitches them with the wealth of stunning resources the kingdom has managed to preserve.  The Spaniard s are very proud of their beautiful country which has in abundant breathtaking landscapes ranging from glistening sandy shorelines to the pristine mountains with sky-challenging height, undoubtedly a perfect backdrop for the nation with a glorious culture and a bank of UNESCO's world heritage.  Whichever region you visit, you'll find yourself surrounded by friendly people who have contagious passion for fun, festivals, sports, delicious food and plain good time. 

STATISTICAL FACT

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain
                        conventional short form: Spain
                        local short form: Espana
Capital: Madrid
Flag description: Three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar
National anthem: Marcha Real
National motto: Plus Ultra (Further Beyond)
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area: 504,782 sq km
Climate: Temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Terrain: Large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north
Population: 40,280,780 (July 2004 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.16% (2004 est.)
Birth rate: 10.11 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate: 9.55 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s)
                    adjective: Spanish
Ethnic groups: Composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Languages: Castilian Spanish 74% (national official language), Catalán 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%
Literacy: 97.9% (2003 est.)
Government type: Parliamentary monarchy
National holiday: National Day, 12 October
Legal system: Civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Juan Carlos I (since 22 November 1975)
                               head of government: President of the government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (since 17 April 2004)
Legislative branch: General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo
GDP-real growth rate: 2.4% (2004 est.)
Currency: Euro (€)
Currency code: EUR
Internet country code: .es
Internet users: 9.789 million (2003)
Time zone: GMT/UTC+1
Calling code: +34
Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

DESTINATIONS

Madrid
Spain's capital is one of those cities that need no introduction.  As a national gateway to the world of Spanish culture, terrific nightlife, and mind-numbing places of interest, who could go to Spain without dropping by this marvelous city?   

Barcelona
This "Great Enchantress" enjoys a privilege as a leading Spanish city and an archrival of Madrid in every aspect; the style, the story, the flavor.  It is certainly hard to imagine where else in Spain with such a remarkable ambience to spend your holiday in.

Bilbao
Home to the showy Guggenheim Museum, this picturesque port is a living testimony to the fascinating Basque culture, history and people which make it becoming more and more attractive as a tourist destination.

Seville
This romantic, sun-washed capital of Andalucía has continued to charm its visitors with the wealth of culture, scrumptious cuisine and astonishing historic sites.  If you are looking for a place to observe authentic flamenco, look no further.      

Málaga
The crisp climate, the azure sea, and the enchanting Moorish heritage here suffice to make many visitors wish this Picasso's birthplace was theirs as well.  It is a pity for anyone visiting Spain not to stop by this celebrated resort by the Mediterranean.

Marbella
This port is gaining more and more popularity for its first-rate golf courses as well as a fabulous beachlife and nightlife.  Of course these plush amenities are not limited only to the jet-set but to everyone who wants to hit the south of Spain. 

Granada
Granada has long been a prestigious Moorish quarter and continues to be for its most outstanding remains of the Alhambra.  The other-worldly beauty that envelopes the city as well as the breathtaking landscape never fails to enamor its viewers. 

Valencia
Not only famous for its oranges, Valencia also boasts a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere, a healthy beachlife and a luxurious local diet.  Needless to say, this destination is bound to become many visitors' favorite.  

Alicante
This charming seaside resort calls out to its visitors with the promise of a wholesome holiday experience.  With its tasteful cuisine, lovely scenery and robust atmosphere, one can easily fall in love with this inviting gem of Spain.  

Toledo 
Only a stone's throw away from Madrid, Toledo makes a tantalizing excursion as a UNESCO World Heritage bejeweled with gratifying sights to satiate one's aesthetic hunger.  Welcome to the most scenic city ever immortalized by El Greco.    

Zaragoza
Awash with exquisite historic buildings while still keeping up with the world's latest trends, Zaragoza exhibits an unparalled lifestyle that is only compatible by the very big cities, and the friendly Zaragozans make it a highly amicable place to visit.