Spain. Spain is a kingdom under the southern sun. Interesting facts about the country, attractions. The main spectacle and business card of the country

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, with rich history and a variety of architectural monuments. The idea of ​​spending a vacation in this country is becoming more and more relevant for most Russians.

Every year, thousands of Russian tourists cross the border of Spain, but it must be borne in mind that if you are going to visit this country for the first time and decide to do the paperwork yourself, you may encounter a number of certain difficulties, which will require a lot of time and effort to solve. At the same time, the registration procedure can be significantly simplified by contacting the nearest travel agency, where they will select the most suitable travel route for you, allowing you to see all the most outstanding sights of the country in a short time.

From this article, you will learn where to go in Moscow to complete all the necessary documents, without which a trip to Spain becomes simply impossible.

Description

Kingdom - Madrid) - a state located in the South-Western part of Europe and includes 50 provinces.

Due to its rather favorable location, it borders on such large countries as Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, France and Andorra (the kingdom north of Spain, striking tourists with its size). Andorra is made up of seven districts and covers an area of ​​only 468 km². The length of its main highway is only 35 km. It is noteworthy that you can get to any by bus within just 30 minutes.

The head of state, the king, who ascended the throne at the end of 1975, is still ruling, therefore, it is his merit that Spain has become one of the most successful and beautiful countries in recent decades. European countries.

Basic data

Every person who decides to go to Spain should definitely visit its capital - Madrid, which is, in fact, the main cultural center of the country.
Other big cities of interest to tourism are Barcelona, ​​Zaragoza and Valencia. They are most often included in the standard tourist route.

The area of ​​the state of the Spanish kingdom is 505.9 thousand km 2. At the same time, on its territory live:

• Castilians;
• Valencians;
• Andalusians;
• Asturians;
• Catalans;
• Galicians;
• Basques.

Despite such a diversity of peoples, the main language in the country is Spanish, and only in some provinces less common dialects are used.

Geographic features

The territory occupied by the United Kingdom of Spain is largely occupied by a complex system of mountains surrounding a single imposing plateau called the Meseta. To the north of it are the Cantabrian Mountains, which are a continuation of the large mountain system of Spain - the Pyrenees, while only the southern slope is equipped for tourists to visit. From the northeast of the plateau stretch the Iberian mountains. It is noteworthy that most of the country's territories are located at an altitude of 600-700 meters above sea level.

The relief of the coast is characterized by significant diversity. Here you can find both dunes with cliffs and long sandy or pebble beaches. At the same time, despite the fact that most of the coastal areas are cultivated, in some places you can find deserted lagoons and swamps.

culture

Unique museums, galleries and territories recognized as world heritage are the main wealth that the Kingdom of Spain can boast of. You can talk about the country, whose sights occupy an impressive part of the territory, for hours, but when you first visit Spain, you should definitely visit the largest museum in the country - the Prado, whose exposition is so large that it is impossible to see it in one day.

Spain is one of the leading countries in terms of the development of the educational sphere. There are more than 35 students per thousand inhabitants, which is one of the highest rates in the world.

Climate

Spain is characterized by climatic contrasts. Most of its territory falls under the influence of the subtropical Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by short winters and dry and hot summers. In the north lies the "wet" part of Spain, which receives heavy rainfall in winter and summer, while the rest of the territories receive no more than 800 mm of precipitation per year.

Spain is a kingdom central territories which during the summer the temperature during the day is kept within 25-30 degrees, and at night it drops by almost half. At the same time, it is best to visit the country from March to June, as well as from September to October.

At the same time, despite the fact that the sea has a significant impact on temperature fluctuations, it never drops below 10 degrees. Rain is very rare, but usually torrential.

Attractions

The Kingdom of Spain, whose sights are famous all over the world, can also boast of its fiestas and bullfights held in all major cities. Of the many historical and architectural values, the most interesting are:

• National Archaeological Museum.
• National Ethnographic Museum.

Population

Spain is a kingdom that directly owes population growth to a wave of immigration that took place in 1970-1980. Then Europeans and Latin Americans actively began to move into the country. A smaller flow of people was seen from North America and selected African regions.

The average life expectancy in the country is about 80 years, which is a fairly good indicator. The level of education of the population is record high and amounts to 97.9%.

It is noteworthy that the stereotype that Spain is a kingdom in which only people of the Latin American type live is incorrect, because there are separate settlements in the country where people of an exclusively Nordic type live.

Spa vacation

The Kingdom of Spain, whose sights are known all over the world, attracts millions of tourists thanks to the unique resorts that satisfy every taste. At the same time, the sand on each of the Spanish beaches is different. It can be white, gold or dark gray.

Spain is a kingdom whose main income comes from the tourism sector. That is why the government is trying to create ideal conditions for the development of tourism. For example, all the beaches in the country are public, and anyone can relax on them for free.

The most popular resort areas:

• Costa Brava- a place rich in picturesque bays and sandy beaches. The main vegetation here is pines, surrounding not only small villages, but also individual hotels. At the same time, in some places, sheer cliffs rise directly from the water.
• Costa Dorado. It is famous for its beaches, the sand on which has a peculiarity, and a special pedestrian zone has been created along the entire coast, due to which hotels stand on the territory as far as possible from the coast.
• Costa Blanca. Most beaches are characterized by the presence white sand. This is one of the most clean territories countries that received an award from the EU for the purity of water and beaches. This area is best suited for a relaxing holiday and windsurfing.
• Costa del Garraf. It is located in close proximity to Barcelona, ​​which makes it the most attractive for tourists. The coast along its entire length is surrounded by a network of mountain ranges and small bays.
• Balearic Islands. Ideal for the rest of the wealthiest citizens of Russia.
• Mallorca island. Includes over 75 beaches. It is on it that the entire royal family rests every year.
• Ibiza island- an ideal place for lovers of active pastime and parties.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are the most remote part of the Spanish kingdom. The archipelago consists of many islands washed by a cold ocean current, as a result of which the water temperature rarely exceeds 24 degrees. At the same time, their main feature is that the sand on the beaches has a characteristic gray color as a result of its volcanic origin. Of course, there are artificially created beaches on the Canary Islands, the sand on which was specially brought from other countries, but they are extremely few.

The Canary Islands are unique. For example, Lanzarote Island is a reserve of volcanoes, many of which are still active. The vegetation on the island is only artificially planted, there are no cities, but only small settlements.

Kingdom of Spain - highlights

Types of tourism:

Sightseeing. Since the development of Spanish art in the Middle Ages was significantly influenced by the Arabs, most of the buildings are characterized by an oriental style. So, for example, the Alhambra palace-fortress became known all over the world due to the uniqueness of the building. The fact is that throughout the day, depending on the lighting, its walls change their color.

Ski. Every fan of outdoor activities, if desired, can visit a number of ski resorts, the total length of the tracks of which is 374 km with an elevation difference of up to 2750 m. The best period to visit them is from November to April.

Therapeutic and health-improving. If you wish, you can visit both thermal springs and specially designed balneological resorts. It is noteworthy that mineral waters can be used not only for baths, but also for inhalations.

Beach. This type of holiday attracts thousands of tourists to Spain every year. Some of the beaches are natural origin. Their distinguishing feature is dark, almost black sand, formed as a result of the destruction of volcanic rocks.

Ecotourism. In the Canary Islands you can visit unique nature reserves, many of which are declared heritage of mankind by UNESCO.

Diving. The waters of the Canary archipelago are rich in marine fauna, but the most interesting place for lovers of underwater pastime is the coast of the island of Gran Canaria. At the same time, along the entire coast, there is a large number of diving schools where you can take a training course and rent all the necessary equipment. In addition, under the guidance of a professional instructor, you can explore the sunken ships and enjoy the unforgettable beauty of the underwater world.



• Windsurfing- crown sport in Spain. Because of strong wind the water areas of the Canary Islands are ideal for windsurfing. Sailboards can be rented on all major beaches on any of the islands.

Resort tour "Three Kingdoms"

Tour operators offer everyone a lot of excursion programs, but the most popular among tourists for last years bought the tour "Three Kingdoms" - Spain, famous for its architectural sights, can be examined in detail within just one week.

	The first day after arriving in Spain allows tourists to get used to the country's climate as quickly as possible. After check-in and proper rest, you will be invited to visit the architectural museum called "Spanish Village", where dinner will be served in national restaurant, after which you can watch the performance of the "Magic Fountain". However, please note that dinner may be canceled in case of a late arrival in Barcelona.
	The day begins with a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, ​​which includes a tour of all the most outstanding masterpieces of architecture. After it, you will be transferred to Valencia with a stop in the small town of Peñiscola.
	An acquaintance with the capital of Spain is carried out, which includes a walking tour of the central part of the city. You can see a lot of sights and visit a factory that makes porcelain products. The copies you like will be available for purchase.
	You can make a walking tour of old Madrid. For those who wish, for an extra charge, you can visit a flamenco show, take an excursion to the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace, or visit the Valley of the Fallen.
	Continuation of the tour of Madrid with a visit to Columbus Square, Recoletas and Castellano boulevards, the Las Ventas monumental arena, the Deboth Temple and other attractions. Everyone can go on an excursion to Escorial for a fee.
	In the morning you will be transferred to Zaragoza, where you can make a short tour of the historic city center. Next, a transfer to the Costa Brava is carried out, and after dinner you can take an evening walking tour.
	You can spend the whole morning and evening on this day at your discretion. Closer to dinner, a wine tasting is held, followed by a visit to the theater-museum of Salvador Dali and a stop in the medieval city of Gerona.
	After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport and escorted on board the aircraft, which will mark the end of the tour.

Where to apply for a visa?

Tourists can obtain a visa by contacting the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Moscow. To do this, you need to make an appointment and pay the consular fee and about 800 rubles for reviewing the papers you provided.



Citizens who are going to study in one of the Spanish educational institutions or want to obtain a visa for a period of more than three months should apply for a visa to the Consulate General. If the trip is short, you need to apply for a Schengen tourist visa, which is issued by the Spanish Consulate.

In order to review and verify all the submitted documents and, as a result, to allow or refuse a visa to enter the Kingdom of Spain, the embassy can spend from 10 days to several months. It all depends on the correctness of the paperwork, the purpose of the trip and the time you are going to spend in the country.

What documents need to be provided?

Regardless of what type of visa you apply for a trip, the following documents must be submitted to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Russia:

• A questionnaire of the established form with two attached photographs.
• International passport.
• A photocopy of the international passport and internal passport with the personal data of the owner.
• Medical insurance.
• Certificate of income from the place of work and a document certifying the exchange of currency.

After you collect the documents listed above, you should decide on the type of visa that you receive and collect the missing ones:

• Tourist. Proof of hotel reservations, airline tickets and creditworthiness.
• Business visa. An invitation from a Spanish company, with detailed description its activities and all the data of the person who signed the invitation. In addition, here you will also need to confirm your creditworthiness.



Please note that in certain cases, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain in Moscow reserves the right to require any additional necessary document. In addition, you must be prepared for the fact that you may simply be denied a visa. However, in this case, the consulate of the Kingdom of Spain is obliged to provide an explanation of the reason for the refusal so that you can eliminate the deficiency that has arisen.

If all the documents are in order, you will soon enjoy the amazing beauty of Spanish sights.

Reino de España

The capital of Spain is. It is also worth noting that the country is located at an altitude of 660 meters above sea level. Andorra and - the northern neighbors of Spain, is a western neighbor. In the south of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain borders on Gibraltar, which is part of the territory of Britain, and in the north of Africa - on Morocco. The Atlantic Ocean washes the northern and western shores of Spain, the Mediterranean Sea - the southern and eastern.

Administratively, Spain is divided into 17 autonomous regions, which, in turn, are divided into 50 small provinces.

Spain also includes sovereign territories and two autonomous African cities.

Malaga, Zaragoza - not the whole list of the largest cities in Spain.

A little more than 46 million people - these were the indicators of the population living in Spain (according to sociologists in October 2011).

The relief of Spain is represented mainly by systems of mountains and plateaus, which occupy approximately 90% of the entire territory of the country. Meseta - one of the highest plateaus, occupies a significant part of the entire territory. The biggest mountain system Spain - which are the most inaccessible part of it. Also, the relief of this state is represented by such mountains as, for example, the Cantabrian, Catalan mountains, the system of the Iberian mountains and the system of mountain ranges, which are called the Cordillera Betica.

The Andalusian is one of the largest lowlands in Spain, which, to a small extent compared to the mountains, also represents the country's relief.

Along with the relief of the country, the climate of Spain is also diverse - from mild and humid, with a slight temperature difference, to continental and dry with sharp temperature fluctuations and little rainfall in the central part of the country.

At the present time, the International Monetary Fund has recognized Spain as the ninth state in Europe in terms of the gross domestic index. Although after the Second World War, Spain did not receive economic assistance from the United States of America, provided for by the Marshall Plan. Then the government decided to develop according to a hidden scheme, the so-called self-sufficient policy. The “Spanish Miracle” is the name given to the period of economic growth in Spain in the 1960s and 1970s. In terms of economic growth (6.6% every year for 14 years) during this period, Spain was second only to Japan.

significant role in economic development Spain played its recognition as one of the world's largest resort centers. , Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca - the largest resorts countries that attract millions of tourists every year.

An independent economic branch of the state is tourism (for example, at the beginning of this century, about 60 million tourists visited the country). Madrid and Barcelona are the tourist centers of Spain.

Sights of Spain

One of the most famous sights in Spain is a square called Plaza Mayor located in Madrid. It has been the main square of the city since the beginning of the 14th century. In its center is a monument to Philip III. About 10 arches overlook the square, framing the entrances from the adjoining streets. Casa de la Panaderia - in the old days, an ordinary bakery complements the architectural ensemble of the square. Through Plaza Mayor, after passing a few blocks, you can go to the palace with the name of Santa Cruz, behind which is the Cathedral of San Isidro. The cathedral is open from morning to late evening. It is always visited by a large number of people. Cultural life Madrid is represented by many theaters that even the most persistent tourist is unlikely to be able to visit during one trip to this beautiful city.

Every year, millions of tourists will captivate and unforgettable. It is this city that is the capital of Catalonia and the second capital of Spain, the so-called "Spanish window to Europe." It is here that the views of its visitors from Mount Tibidabo and Montjuic hill open up.

Barcelona is conditionally divided into several districts. One of them is interesting for guests of the city, primarily with the cathedral and others. architectural masterpieces. The Eixample district, built in the Art Nouveau era, is famous for the temple with the name. Barcelona guests will be very interested in Catalunya Square, Ciutadella Park, and the Olympic Village. The so-called Avinguda-Diagonal (which translated into Russian means "Diagonal Avenue"), of course, will impress even the most sophisticated tourist. In order to fully enjoy all the splendor of this city and see all its sights, you will need about a week.

Of course, it should be noted among the huge list of attractions in Spain and with its intricate streets and small squares. Valencia is famous for one of the largest markets in all of Europe - the so-called Central Market. It is also worth paying attention to the Estación del Norte (North Station), built in the era of the popularity of such architectural style like modern. Near the North Station there is a bullring and a bullfighting museum. A little further on central square, which has a triangular shape, is the Museum of the history of the city. IN architectural ensemble Valencia should highlight the significant size of the facade of the building of the main post office.

How can you ignore the most beautiful city in Spain here? Zaragoza. Acquaintance with the city begins with Cesar Augusto Square, named so in connection with the Roman fortress wall, a small part of which has survived to this day. A little further is a square called Pilar. The area is famous for the fact that it is located main temple Zaragoza is the basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, which consists of eleven domes and is the country's second pilgrimage center, second only to the cathedral, which is located in. In the Holy Chapel, in the eastern part of the temple, you can see its main shrine - a marble column, around which believers constantly gather. Attractive views from observation deck temple, which tourists can climb with the help of an elevator. Of course, you should not ignore the Aljaferia Palace, which keeps the memory of the reign of the Arabs.

Spain - video

1. In Spain, only Spanish is spoken, so it will be most convenient to purchase a pocket Russian-Spanish dictionary that you can take with you.

2. Tips in the country are welcome, for example, in a restaurant it is customary to leave from 5 to 10% of the order amount.

3. It is worth considering the fact that in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmilitary ports, at military bases, as well as police and government employees, photography is prohibited.

4. It is advisable to always carry a passport with you, and preferably a photocopy of it (in order to avoid loss or theft) certified by the stamp of the hotel.

5. If you are going to visit a cafe or restaurant, first take a look at whether there are visitors there, their absence indicates the “vague” reputation of the institution.

6. It is also worth knowing that there are practically no public toilets in Spain, except at train stations and bus stations. In such cases, you can freely use the services of a restaurant or bar.

7. If you decide to visit a major Spanish resort town, then it is better to carry out the inspection by public transport than by your own car, so you will save time and do not stand in traffic jams.

Spain on the map

It is impossible not to love Spain, just as it is impossible not to love the sound of the guitar and passionate flamenco, not to know Don Juan and Don Quixote, not to dream of the Canary Islands, even if you have already visited. Nothing is half here, red and black are always together, feelings are always to the end.

Spanish temperament is bullfighting, which in our time causes a lot of controversy among animal advocates, but remains the main entertainment of the country after football. The famous "ole-ole" is also a Spanish call. Mecca of football players Barcelona will be of interest to tourists as a cultural and historical Center. Be sure to visit the Montjuic Fountain. At night, water and light work wonders. About three thousand people worked on the creation of a masterpiece for a whole year.

Hanging between Europe and Africa, Spain gave the world a unique painting and architecture. National Museum The Prado has a lot to be proud of. Collections of paintings by El Greco, Velasquez are the largest in the world. All objects created by the architect Antonio Gaudi are under the protection of UNESCO, and the paintings of Salvador Dali and Picasso showed the world new trends in painting. Spain opened America to the world by equipping Columbus, and gave its language to a huge number of states. The country remains a monarchy to this day, and even retained some of its colonies. For example, a piece of paradise - the Canary Islands. Spain is famous for Madeira wines, fine cheeses (buy a piece of jamon home), shop villages where you can buy genuine leather goods at reasonable prices.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Spain?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photos and a short description.

The collection of the Prado Museum began to form in the time of Charles V. Today the collection of paintings includes 8600 canvases. Exhibition halls are not able to exhibit all the available masterpieces. In addition to painting in the museum, you can see objects of decorative art, treasures of the Dauphine, a collection of Italian sculpture.

The Cathedral in Burgos is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is decorated with gothic-style lacy bas-reliefs and is the third largest cathedral in Spain. Inside the church, gothic, renaissance and baroque overlap. There is a lot of gilding, stone and wooden carvings, skillful stained-glass windows. The national hero of the country, Cid Campeador, is buried on the territory.

Unique samples were found 30 kilometers from the city of Santander rock art the times of the Paleolithic. The ceiling of the Altamira cave is painted with figures of bulls, boars and horses. The ancient artist skillfully used rock bulges for a three-dimensional effect. The cave is open to the public. Inside it are huge halls and double corridors.

The municipality of Seville, built in a semicircle, embraces beautiful square peace - Plaza de España. In the niches of the government building, tiled panels are laid out as a sign of the unity of the Spanish provinces. Like a crown, a fountain sparkles in the center. The chess patterns of pebbles and tiles are impressive. A canal has been dug around the square, along which you can ride a boat.

The volcanic archipelago consists of seven islands. The favorable climate attracts tourists from all over the world. The Canary Islands are the land of eternal spring. There are many natural parks, entertainment centers, beaches with black, golden, white sand. Tourists can visit an active volcano, a thousand-year-old dragon tree, the Guimar pyramids and many others. interesting places.

A friend of the businessman Güell A. Gaudi worked on the creation of the park. Here you can forget about your age, feel yourself in the world of gingerbread houses and cream borders. Many figures, benches, vaults in the columned halls are lined with a thousand pieces of blue, yellow, pink glass, have unusual shapes, and impress with the smoothness of the lines.

The beautiful bay of La Concha in the city of San Sebastian is recognized as the most beautiful beach in Spain. It looks like a dish with a golden rim. The beach is famous for its chic restaurants and cozy cafes. The beach is suitable for families with children because of the soft sand and shallow depth. It's always quiet here strong winds over the hills to the west.

Cuenca is located at an altitude of 956m above sea level. Weathered rocks seem to have grown houses and towers. They are not afraid to hang over the abyss for many centuries. Cuenca arose at the beginning of our era as a Celtic settlement. Survived the Romans, Arabs, Moors. Different cultures and religions have left their mark here. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the unique views of the ancient city.

The Cathedral-Mosque of Mesquita appeared in Spanish Cordoba after the period of Moorish conquests. In 1236, King Ferdinand III recaptured the city and turned the Muslim temple into a Catholic cathedral. The chapel was erected right in the prayer hall of the mosque. Many columns made of jasper, granite, and onyx have been preserved here. The Arabic script from the Koran remained on the walls.

Escorial is a monastery-palace erected by King Philip II in honor of the victory over the French. It became the spiritual, historical and cultural center of Spain. On the territory of the monastery there is a museum of paintings by Titian, Anton van Dyck, Bosch, Tintoretto, Veronese and others. There is a huge library, which is second only to the Vatican. Almost all Spanish monarchs are buried in Escorial.

The construction of the Sagrada in Barcelona began in 1882 and has not yet been completed, as it relies solely on private donations. The project of Antonio Gaudi was intended to embody the New Testament of the Savior in stone, the architecture of the cathedral. On the outer side, 12 towers symbolize the apostles, 4 large ones - the evangelists, the central 170m tower symbolizes Christ.

Ibiza is an expensive party resort. It is famous for its elite discos and clubs. There is a mild Mediterranean climate, excellent beaches, but the rest can be diversified by visiting historical sites. In the very center of the island, a Muslim fortress has been preserved, there is an archaeological museum.

The Alhambra Museum of Islamic Culture or the Red Castle is located in Granada. You need to buy a ticket in advance (a limited number of people are allowed inside). The architectural complex includes several palaces, parks, many towers with a name and a legend. Quiet courtyards, fountains, lace carvings create an indescribable atmosphere of an oriental fairy tale.

The resort area, which begins near the French border and stretches for 162 km, is called the coast of the brave. Primordial rocks stretch along the sea for many kilometers. There are extraordinarily beautiful beaches and bays. Costa Brava is a favorite place for divers, climbers, and connoisseurs of cultural recreation.

The palace of the Spanish kings was built at 18 by the famous architects Sabatini and Sacchetti. The Italian Baroque style gave the building a luxurious and majestic look. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains and well-groomed flower beds. In the park you can visit the carriage museum, and in the palace itself there is a large collection of ancient weapons, Stradivari violins, and paintings.

The Moorish palace has been used by the Spanish monarchs as a residence in Seville for more than 700 years. In everything free days the palace is open to the public. In addition to contemplating the beautiful Arab architecture, you can walk among orange and lemon trees, roses, ponds with goldfish. Peacocks are the decoration of the garden.

Tides and east winds turned 3 km of Spain into Africa. The inflicted dunes even have flora and fauna similar to the Sahara. The dunes are constantly moving, the wind changing the face of Maspalomas Park on the island of Gran Canaria as it sees fit. Here you can ride camels or conquer the desert on foot in 40 minutes.

Zoo on about. Tenerife is famous for the world's largest collection of parrots. There are up to 500 species here. There is even a kind of bird theater. In addition, you can admire the show with dolphins, see penguins and other animals. The botanical garden has a unique collection of orchids.

The height of the Roman aqueduct in Segovia reaches 28m. It is the longest of the ancient drainage structures in Europe - 728 meters. Built around the time of Vespasian. For the construction of the aqueduct, the Romans used granite stone blocks, not fastening them with mortar, but tightly fitting them to each other. Almost until 1997, he remained in working condition.

The theater in Merida was a single complex with an amphitheater and a park. Modern archaeological ruins allow you to imagine quite well what it was like in ancient times. Obviously, it was designed for 6000 seats. Today, a festival of classical theatrical art is held here every summer.

The Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España or Spain España) is a country located in Southwestern Europe. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula (Iberian Peninsula) where Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra are located. To the northeast, along the ridge of the Pyrenees, is the border with France and the small principality of Andorra. Only 14 km south of Spain is the coast of Morocco.

Spain - the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa and many uninhabited islands on the Mediterranean side Strait of Gibraltar eg Chafarinskite Islands, the "stones" ("peñones") of Vélez and Alusemas and the small Islands of Alboran.

Spain ranks as the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France and ranks second in the European Union. The area of ​​Spain is 504,645 km². With an average altitude of 650 m, the country is one of the most mountainous countries on the continent. According to the 2010 municipal registration, the population of Spain is 47,150,841. The Spanish constitution defines Spanish (Castilian) as the official language that all citizens must know and use. Spanish is the mother tongue of 89% of the country's population. Other Spanish languages ​​have status in some autonomous regions.

Due to its geographical position, the territory of Spain has been exposed to many external influences since prehistoric times. After the marriage of the Catholic monks Isabela and Fernando at the end of the 15th century, Spain united and successfully completed the Muslim Reconquista of the peninsula. With the discovery of America and subsequent colonization, the country became the first global empire and the most powerful state in the world. The cultural and historical legacy is on display today, with Spanish being the second most spoken language in the world and official in 21 countries.

Under the 1978 Constitution, Spain is a public and democratic rule of law in the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Modern Spain is a highly developed and agrarian country. Strong post-war economic growth and trade development since joining the EU in 1986 place the country's economy 13th in the world in 2010, with GDP per capita above the EU average before Italy. Average life expectancy, public transport, healthcare and infrastructure are at a very high level, making Spain the 23rd country in the world's Human Development Index.

Etymology

The name Spain comes from the Latin Hispania, with which the Romans called not only the lands of ancient Iberia, but the entire Iberian Peninsula. Today, besides Spain on the peninsula, there are two more political forms - Portugal and Andorra.

Hispania first encounters a Latin source around 200 BC. in the song of Queen Enya. The name itself was imposed during the first century in the process of the Roman conquest of Spain and in the writings of Pompey Trogus. The conquest of Rome lasted almost two centuries, but before that, most of the peninsula was a colony of Carthage with the center of New Cartagena, where Hannibal fought a battle for life and death with Ancient Rome during the Second Punic War.

From the Phoenician, respectively Punic language, the etymology of the name is associated with something hidden or secret - in Hebrew: אי-שפניא (i-shfania), which literally and semantic means "Rabbit Island" or "Hidden Island".

There is another version of the origin of the name - from the Basque word to "border" or "end", i.e., the western part of the world.

Geography

With an area of ​​504.645 km2, Spain is the 51st largest country in the world and the second largest in the European Union after France. Located on most of the Pyrenees peninsula, western spain borders with Portugal, in the south with Morocco through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The northeast borders the Pyrenees with France and the small Principality of Andorra. In addition, Spain includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and numerous uninhabited islands in the Mediterranean, including the Chafarinskite Islands, Perejil Island, the "stones" (peñones) of Vélez and Alusemas against the Moroccan coast; the smaller island of Alborana and the Pifur Islands. In the northeast, in the Pyrenees, there is a small enclave of Libya, surrounded by French territory.

Relief

Inside Spain, the large Meseta Plateau dominates, which occupies almost 60% of the entire territory of the country. From the north to Mesetata climb the Cantabrian mountains in the east of the Pyrenees, the Iberian mountains, the Catalan mountains, to the south - the Andalusian mountains and the Sierra - Nevada with the highest peak in mainland Spain, Mulasen - 3478 m. Mesetata is divided into two almost equal parts of the Temperate Castile mountains , which stretch from the west to the Portuguese border with the Iberian Mountains in the east. South of the central plateau is the Depression of the Guadalquivir River, but northeast as far as the Ebro. There are several volcanoes in the Canary Islands, some of which are active, including the highest peak in Spain, Teide with 3718 m.

Water

The five longest rivers in Spain are the Tagus, Duero, Guadiana, Guadalquivir and Ebro, all of which, without the Ebro, flow from east to west and empty into the Atlantic Ocean. The rest of the rivers are shorter and seasonal. More significant among them are Segura and Jucar. The Spanish Pyrenees has about 1000 glacial lakes and along mediterranean coast There are many lagoons and estuaries, as the most complete of them is the Mar Menor (Mar Menor, Little Sea) near the city of Cartagena. Thousands of dams have been created across the country as part of a large-scale government program.

Climate

The territory of Spain is located in three climatic zones temperate, subtropical and tropical. The climate in northern Spain is temperate, with a strong impact on the Atlantic Ocean, which weakens from west to east. This climate is characterized by wet weather throughout the year. In the rest of continental Spain and the Balearic Islands, the climate is subtropical - continental in central regions with hot summers, cold winters and high temperature ranges and the Mediterranean Sea in the south, characterized by dry and hot summers and wet mild winters. The climate of the Pyrenees and other mountains is mountainous. The Canary Islands have a tropical climate, dry in the east and wetter in the west.

Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna are the most diverse in Europe. The main factors for this are the diversity of topography and climatic conditions, as well as the presence of island groups and enclaves on the coast of North Africa. The flora of Spain includes over 8,000 species of higher plants, many of which are endemic. Especially noted are the Canary Islands (500 species for the islands and another 500 for the Macaronesian region) and some areas in southern Spain. Near the city of Elche there is the only natural palm forest in Europe. The fauna includes middle European species such as bear, wolf, fox, red deer, as well as many southern or endemic species such as the Spanish lynx, genus, mongoose, deshman and others. There are almost all European predators.

Story

background

According to archaeological research carried out in Atapuerca, northern Spain, the country has been inhabited by humanoids for more than 1 million years. The first modern humans, the Cro-Magnonians, began arriving from the north across the Pyrenees about 35,000 years ago. For their culture, there are many cave paintings in northern Spain on the slopes of the Cantabrian mountains, especially in Altamira, El Castillo, Pindale and others. During the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, there were well-organized settlements in the southeastern part of the country, including largest settlement in Europe since that time, Los Mirales near Almeria.

The first peoples who inhabited the peninsula were the Iberians and Celts, the first inhabiting the southeastern regions of the Mediterranean Sea, and the second inhabiting the Atlantic coast in the north and northwest. In the central regions, where there was intense contact between them, a certain group called celibbers is formed. In addition, Basque tribes inhabited the western Pyrenees. Between 500 and 300 BC, the Phoenicians and the ancient Greeks established their colonies along the Mediterranean coast of the peninsula. Later, the Carthaginians conquered southern Spain. Their main strongholds are Gader (Cádiz) and New Cartagena (Cartagena). During the Punic Wars (264 BC - 146 BC), Carthage was defeated by the Romans, who replaced them.

Roman Spain

From 19 BC, the Iberian Peninsula became an integral part of the Roman Empire under the name of Hispania. Initially there are two provinces: near Spain and Further Spain, but Octavian-Augustus has three: Betania, Lusitania and Tarragona, Spain. The Romans established control over almost the entire country for more than 500 years, introducing their language, laws, roads. Gradually, the local population became Romanian, and local leaders became part of the Roman aristocracy.

The Romans expanded and urbanized existing cities such as Tarragona (Tarraco) and founded new ones including Zaragoza (Caesaraugusta), Mérida (Augusta Emerita), Valencia (Valentia), León (Legio Septima), Badajoz (Pax Augusta) and others. The economy grew and Iberia became one of the most important suppliers of raw materials and agricultural products to the Empire. The country is the granary of the Roman Empire, along with Egypt, and exports gold, honey, wool, olive oil, wine. Emperors Trajan, Theodosius I and the philosopher Seneca were born in Iberia. Christianity was introduced to the country in the 1st century.

During the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, German tribes invaded the country. The Westhoti, Shadows, Vandals and Alans arrive in Spain by crossing the Pyrenees. Romanized Visigoths settled there in 415. They accept Christianity and create the Vastogothic kingdom, which covers most peninsula, after the conquest of lands from the swamps of the northwestern and Byzantine territories to the southwest.

Muslim Spain

Between 711-718, almost the entire Iberian Peninsula was conquered by the Berbers - the Muslims, also known as the Moors. The kingdom of Vistogoth, torn apart by internal contradictions, becomes an easy victim for Islamic invaders. Only some individual mountainous regions in the northern part of the peninsula, such as Asturias, Navarre and a few counties in the Pyrenees, are able to maintain their independence.
In Islam, Christians and Jews are recognized as "People of the Book" and may practice their religion under certain discriminatory conditions. However, there were several waves of mass Islamism, especially in the 10th-11th centuries.

Islamic society itself had internal frictions. There was a clash of interests between the barbarians from North Africa, who made up the majority of the military and ruling Arabs from the Middle East. In the tenth century, the emir of Córdoba, who is a descendant of the Omayadite dynasty, proclaimed himself caliph. Over time, large Moorish colonies are found mainly in the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir, the coast of Valencia and the mountainous regions around Granada.

In the 10th century, Cordoba, the capital of the caliphate, became the largest and richest city in medieval Europe. Trade in the Mediterranean and culture flourish. Muslims contribute to the intellectual traditions of the Middle East, and Islamic and Jewish philosophers of Al-Andalus are reviving the classical ancient Greek school in Western Europe. The culture of the Romanian local population is uniquely combined with the culture of Muslims and Jews, which contributes to the flourishing of architecture and literature. The invaders introduce new crops and build an extensive network of irrigation canals, resulting in a significant increase in agricultural production. Al-Andalus - so the Arabs call the entire Iberian Peninsula. Today only South part peninsula, Andalusia, retained this name.

In the eleventh century the caliphate broke up into many small states, warring among themselves, called tayfas (Spanish Taifas), allowing the small Christian kingdoms in the north to expand their territories and strengthen their positions. The arrival of new Islamic waves from North Africa, such as the Almoravids and Almodads, temporarily halts the Christian advance and introduces a more conservative and less tolerant form of Islam. Although they have had some success, they cannot cope with the growing military power of the Christian kingdoms.
The term "Reconquista" (Reconquista, Conquest) indicates the seven centuries between the beginning of the 8th century and the end of the 15th century, during which the northern Christian kingdoms of Castile, Navarre, León, Aragon and Portugal reconquer the southern Iberian land, enslaved by the Arab Caliphate.

The Reconquista is believed to begin with the successful Battle of Covadonga in 722, when King Ramira of Asturias defeated the Muslims. In 732, the Islamic armies were defeated by King Franz Charles Martel at the Battle of Poitiers, forcing them to pull south and secure a stable frontier along the Ebro and Duero rivers. In 739 they were expelled from Galicia, which later became the third most important center of pilgrimage in Christendom, with the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. A few years later, the Franks managed to conquer the northeastern parts of Spain, creating a Spanish brand that includes parts of Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia. Later, several territories were identified from these territories.

The first Spanish kingdom is Asturias, formed after the Battle of Covadonga. In 910, the kingdom's capital was moved from Oviedo to León and became known as the Kingdom of León. In the 11th century the Kingdom of Castile, then a frontier district, separated from León, and from the 13th century the two states united. In the east, Navarre was founded in 824, and in the northeastern regions, the Kingdom of Aragones was formed after the unification between the Kingdom of the same name and the district of Barcelona. In 1139, Portugal was torn from Leon. At the beginning of the 11th century, the king of San Garcia Navarro managed to conquer Castile, several districts in the Pyrenees, and made King Leon his vassal, but after his death in 1035, the country was divided between his sons.

The collapse of Al-Andal contributed to the expansion of the Christian kingdoms. In 1085, King Alfonso the Wise of Castile conquered Toledo, from which all Northern part peninsulas. In the 12th century, the Almoradies managed to inflict several defeats on the Spanish, but were unable to stop their advance. In 1212, in a decisive battle at Las Navas de Tolosa, the combined armies of Castile, Aragon and Navarre defeated the Almohads. A few decades later, the major cities in the Guadalquivir Valley were recaptured. In 1236 Cordoba fell and in 1248 Seville was conquered. The Muslims only managed to keep the emirate of Granada, which lasted for over 200 years as a vassal prince of Castile. New invasions from North Africa in the 13th century failed to restore Muslim rule. At the same time, Aragon managed to spread to the Western Mediterranean - the Balearic Islands and Sicily were captured.

In 1469 the crowns of Castile and Aragon were united by the marriage of Fernando II, Crown of Aragon and Isabella, Princess of Castile, which marks the beginning of a united Spain. In 1478 he completed the conquest of the Canary Islands, and in 1492 he captured Granada, the last Muslim stronghold on the peninsula, which ended 781 years of Muslim presence in Spain. In the same 1492, a Spanish expedition led by Christopher Columbus and sponsored by Queen Isabella discovered the New World.

Fernando and Isabela were representatives of the Renaissance, the so-called "new monarchs". They centralized state power in the hands of the ruler at the expense of the aristocracy. With their massive political, legal, religious and military reforms, Spain becomes the first world power.

Spain as a world power

The unification of Castile and Aragon and the subsequent annexation of Navarre in 1512 laid the foundations modern Spain and the Spanish Empire. In the XVI and XVII centuries Spain is the most powerful country in Europe and the world. The country reached the peak of its power with the kings Carlos I (1516-1556) and Felipe II (1556-1598). In 1571, the fleets of Spain and Venice destroyed the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto, and in 1586, the combined fleet of France, England and Portugal was destroyed in the Azores. In several successive wars in the 16th century, France was defeated, and in 1580 Portugal was conquered .

In 1588 the Spanish Armada sailed for England, but was badly damaged by a storm, and after several small battles with the English in which he did not lose a ship, he retreated north, where many of the ships sank in another storm. The British make several attacks on the Spanish possessions, which are defeated. The war with England continued until 1605 and ended with a deal for Spain.

In the early 16th century, Spanish conquistadors conquered vast territories in the Americas. In 1521, Hernando Cortes destroyed the Aztec Empire, and in 1533, another Spaniard, Francisco Pizarro, conquered the Inca Empire. In 1519-1522, an expedition led by Fernando Magellan made the first worldwide voyage, with which the round shape of the Earth was finally proved. Spanish colonies extend to Central and South America, Mexico, the southern and western parts of the United States, the Philippines, Guam and the 1580s and Portuguese colonies in Brazil, the African coast, parts of India, Macau and others. Spain becomes known as the Empire where the sun never sets. In addition to precious metals, jewels and new cultures, Spanish explorers are bringing knowledge to Europe that is changing the world's minds.

At that time, Spanish culture was in its heyday, known as the Golden Age (Siglo de oro). Artists, writers, architects work in Spain; there is an intellectual current known as the School of Salamanca.
By the middle of the 16th century, a crisis began that gradually engulfed the entire empire. The Spanish Habsburgs involve the country in numerous religious and political conflicts that gradually drain Spain's resurrections.

During the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648), Spain joined the Catholic League and although it succeeded in strengthening and expanding Catholicism in Germany, the country suffered its first major defeat in centuries - in 1643 the Spanish army defeated the French at the Battle of Rocroix. In 1640, uprisings began in Portugal and Catalonia, and the first managed to break away from the power of the Spanish king. The war with France continued until 1656 and ended with the Peace of the Pyrenees. By the end of the century, the country was often at war with the French, British, Dutch, Portuguese and Ottomans, and despite some minor territorial losses, it managed to almost completely maintain its empire.

In 1700 the last Spanish Habsburg, Charles II, died and the dispute over the Spanish throne grew in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The war costs the country all its European possessions and is a serious blow to the position of Spain as a European power. During the war, a new dynasty was created on the throne - the Bourbons. In the 18th century, the country gradually recovered and the empire prospered. The new Bourbon monarchy modernized the administration and economy in the French model. The ideas of the Enlightenment begin to infiltrate, and by the end of the century trade flourishes. The country is recovering from a military point of view - even before Felipe V (1700-1741), Spain returned to Sicily and southern Italy, and then seriously contributed to the victory over England in the American War of Independence, which improved its international position.

nineteenth century

The imperfect siege of Zaragoza by the French in 1808. However, the city was captured the next year, killing almost the entire garrison of 22,000 men and 32,000 inhabitants. Zaragoza becomes a symbol of heroism in the fight between the Spaniards and the French.
The end of the XVIII century under the sign of the French Revolution. After King Louis XVI of Bourbon was deposed and executed in early 1793, Spain became involved in revolutionary wars in which European monarchies opposed revolutionary France.

The war polarizes Spanish society as the elite sympathize with the revolution, but people hate and despise the French-speaking people. Military operations mainly take place in the Pyrenees in northern Spain and in Catalonia. The Spanish armies were defeated on the battlefield, and in 1795 the country was forced to make peace with France and declared war on England and Portugal the following year. The turbulent economic situation and other factors lead to the abdication of Carlos IV in favor of his son Fernando, but after Napoleon's invasion, Napoleon's brother Joseph Bonaparte takes the throne.

The new foreign monarch is met with resentment. On May 2, 1808, a massive uprising against the French occupiers took place in Madrid, which became the War of Independence (War of the Peninsula). In all provinces, regional troops were created by volunteers and former officers and soldiers of the army. They managed to inflict several defeats on the French, but were overwhelmed after Napoleon's intervention due to lack of coordination and equipment. Napoleon opposes the English expeditionary force led by the Duke of Wellington, who, with the help of the Spaniards, finally ousted the French from the peninsula in 1814. In 1812, a meeting of the Cortes (Parliament) in Cadiz adopted one of the first liberal liberal constitutions.

The French invasion destroys the economy and divides Spanish society, leading to political instability that has lasted for over a century. National liberation movements in Latin America took advantage of the difficulties of the metropolis, and after 25 years of war, almost all of the American colonies of Spain won independence, with the exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico. In the 19th century, several successive civil wars took place, which further aggravated the situation in the metropolis. In 1898, after the Spanish American War with Spain, Spain also lost Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.

Modern history

The twentieth century does not bring peace to Spain - the country participates in the colonization of Africa and conquers Spanish Morocco, Western Sahara and Equatorial Guinea. Heavy casualties in the skirmish war against the Berbers undermine the monarchy. An authoritarian regime was created under the leadership of General Prigo de Rivera (1923-1931), which ended with the creation of the second Spanish Republic. The new government proposes autonomy for Galicia, Basques and Catalonia and women's suffrage.

After the bloody Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the republic was overthrown by General Francisco Franco, who established a dictatorship until his death in 1975. During World War II, despite being sympathetic to the Axis, Franco's Spain remained nominally neutral. The only legal party until the end of Franco's reign remains the Spanish Falange, founded in 1937.

Immediately after World War II, Spain was politically and economically isolated due to Franco's proximity to Hitler and Mussolini. The country was admitted as a member of the UN in 1955, when the country began to emerge from autarky and isolation. Since the 1960s, the Spanish economy has experienced unprecedented growth in what has come to be known as the "Spanish Miracle". According to Franco's will, after his death in 1975, Prince Juan Carlos I became king.

In October 1977, the Moncloa Agreement was signed: an agreement between politicians, parties and trade unions on how to plan and manage the economy during the transition from dictatorship to democracy. The agreement is considered the first democratic in Spain. As a result of this agreement, Spain's new constitution was approved by referendum on December 6, 1978, and Spain became a democratic state and granted autonomy to all of its provinces. In 1986, the country became a member of the European Union, giving a new impetus to the economy.

For nearly 50 years, the Spanish government has been fighting the Basque terrorist organization ETA, which wants to tear Basque out of the kingdom.

Juan Carlos I abdicated in favor of his son Philip VI at midnight on June 19, 2014. At the same time, many Spaniards want to hold a referendum on whether the country should continue with the monarchy.

Policy

Device Status

Under the current constitution, adopted in 1978, Spain is a parliamentary monarchy led by the inherited monarch, Philip VI, and a bicameral parliament (Generals Cortés). Legislative power is exercised by the General Cortes (Parliament), consisting of two chambers - the Senate (Upper Chamber - 256 people) and the Congress of Deputies (350 people), elected for four years. The execution is carried out by the government, headed by the prime minister, who in Spanish is called the president of the government. In addition, the country is divided into 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities with varying degrees of autonomy, which have their own parliaments and governments with broad powers.

Administrative division

Political Spain is divided into 17 autonomous regions - north - Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, País Basco, La Rioja and Navarra; to the east - Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands; in the central part of Castile and León, Madrid, Castile-La Mancha and Extremadura; to the south - Andalusia, Murcia and the Canary Islands. There are also two autonomous cities on African coast, Ceuthai Melilla. Current autonomous regions were formed in 1983. The largest region is Castile and León, and the smallest is the Balearic Islands. The most populous is Andalusia, with La Rioja.

Administratively, the country is divided into 50 provinces. Seven autonomous regions make up one province - Asturias, Cantabria, Navarre, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia and the Balearic Islands.

The lowest administrative unit in Spain is the municipality (in Spanish: Municipio), and their number is 8,111. Historically, some regions are divided into regions (Amerindian, in Spanish: Amerindian), which have different origins and meanings in different regions , for example, in Catalonia - historical districts.

The autonomous regions have extensive legislative and executive independence, guaranteed by an autonomous parliamentary and regional government. The competences of individual regions are determined by their autonomy status, with some differences between the so-called historical regions (Basque, Catalonia, Galicia and Andalusia) with the rest. Historic districts have greater autonomy, including control of local elections.

Armed forces

According to Article 8 of the Constitution, the Armed Forces must guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain and protect its territorial integrity and constitutional order. The total staff by 2011 consists of 230,000 people with a budget of 6,868,000,000 or 0.5% of GDP.

Traditionally, the armed forces are divided into land, naval and air forces. These include the Royal Guard, whose tasks are mainly related to security. Spain has been one of the most important members of NATO since 1982 and has the sixth largest fleet in the world. The Spanish Marines are the oldest institution of this kind of troops, the Corps was founded in 1537.

By 2011, missions abroad amounted to 2,600 troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Djibouti, Kenya, Lebanon and Chad.

Economy and infrastructure

Agriculture

According to the World Bank, Spain's economy is the ninth largest in the world and the fifth largest in Europe. In 2007, GDP per capita was $33,700, and Spain overtook some of the G7 countries such as Italy and immediately fell behind Japan and France (whose GDP is $33,800). The growth of the Spanish economy for 2007 is 3.7%, and for the third year in a row it outperforms all members of the G7 and other major European economies.

The Aznar government successfully introduced the euro in early 1999 and cash since January 1, 2002, cope with unemployment, which is 7.6% and is one of the lowest in Europe in 2005 (in the 1990s, the unemployment rate reached 20%). The main weakness of the economy is relatively high inflation, but the Spanish economy still has the potential to grow faster than the EU average thanks to industry and expanding trade with Latin America and Asia.

Before the global crisis, the Spanish economy managed to avoid zero growth, unlike most other large European countries. Between 2000 and 2005, Spain created half of the new jobs across the European Union. Until 2008, it still has one of the most dynamic economies in the EU and attracts a lot of foreign investment. As a result of the crisis, however, the economy contracted and contracted in 2009 and 2010, with unemployment rising from 7.6% to over 20%.

Modern Spain is a highly developed industrial and agricultural country. Industrial production ranks fifth in Europe and eighth in the world. The most developed industries are machine building, automotive, shipbuilding, aircraft building, automotive, electrical engineering, chemical industry, textile industry. The country is rich in minerals. Spain is a major producer of wine (3rd place in Europe), rice (the highest yields in the world), almonds, tobacco, olives (the first in the world in the production of high quality olive oil). The largest car factories are located in Martorell (near Barcelona), Vigo, Zaragoza, Valencia, Madrid, Pamplona, ​​Barcelona, ​​Valladolid, Palencia.

The planes are produced in Seville (two factories), Getafe (near Madrid) and Cadiz, while the helicopters are made in a new factory in Albacete. The largest locomotive and car building centers are Las Matas (to Madrid), San Andre Comtal (to Barcelona), Bisign and Irun (in Basque), Zaragoza, Valencia and others. There is one of the most fast trains in the world.
International tourism plays an important role in the country's economy. Spain is visited annually by about 60 million tourists (95% of them from Western Europe). The country has Europe's largest residential base for many visitors. A significant part of the population is involved in tourism services, and tourism revenues amount to 40 billion euros.

Before the economic crisis, construction increased markedly. On average, each Spaniard has a total area of ​​45 m² (2005). For comparison: in Uzbekistan, each resident has an average of 14 m², in Russia 20.5 m², in Bulgaria and Hungary - 30 m², in Ireland - 33 m², in Portugal - 36 m², in France - 37 m², in Germany - 44 m², in Denmark - 52 m², in Luxembourg - 53 m², in Sweden and Belgium - 55 m². The proportion of homeowners is 87% of the population. According to this indicator, Spain ranks first in the EU.

Transport

During much of the 20th century transport infrastructure Spain lagged far behind Western Europe, but since the 1970s it has been extensively expanded and modernized, and Spain now has one of the largest and highest quality transport systems to Europe.

The length of paved roads is more than 650,000 kilometers, and on highways - more than 15,621 km, which gives only the United States and China. The motorway network continues to develop rapidly. Spain plans to receive more than 1,000,000 electric vehicles by 2014 as part of the government's energy efficiency plan. According to Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian, electric vehicles are the engine of the new industrial revolution.

Between 2000 and 2010, more than 40 billion euros were invested in the country's railway network. Spain has the largest high-speed rail network in Europe and the second largest in the world after China. By October 2010, 3,500 km of high-speed lines had been built, such as Madrid-Seville, with deviations from Malaga; Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona, ​​with bypasses to Vesco, Madrid-Valencia and more are under development or planning. The Guadarrama Tunnel, which is 24 km long, will be the second largest in Europe, and under the Cantabrian Mountains, another 20 km tunnel will be built in the Cordillera Center. The average speed reached 300 km / h, the Spanish AVE trains are the fastest in the world, followed by Japanese and French TGVs, and in terms of accuracy (98.54%) they are second only to the Japanese Shinkansen.

Maritime transport - more than 400 ships with a total capacity of 3,200,000 tons - is highly developed. The largest seaports- Algeciras, Bilbao, Cartagena, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, La Coruña and others. The country has over 30 international airports, the largest being Madrid Barajas with over 49.8 million passengers in 2010. Other major airports: Barcelona, ​​Palma de Mallorca, Malaga. The Madrid-Barcelona line is the busiest airline in the world with a flight every half an hour and is known as the "air bridge".

Population

Population density in Spain by province in 2007.
In 2007, the Spanish population officially reached 45,200,000. The population density of 90 persons per km2 is lower than in most European countries and its distribution is uneven. With the exception of Madrid, the Guadalquivir Valley and some urban tiers, the most densely populated areas are the coast and the adjacent lowlands.

In the 20th century, Spain's population doubled thanks to a remarkable birth boom in the 1960s and 1970s. Population growth is uneven due to large internal migration from rural to industrial areas. In the 20th century, the population of eleven of the fifty provinces declined. The birth rate declined in the 1970s, but the population continues to rise after the return of many Spaniards who emigrated from the country during the Franco regime, and more recently many foreign emigrants, mostly from Latin America(38.75%), Eastern Europe (16.33%), North Africa (14.99%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (4.08%). About 20.77% of emigrants come from other countries European Union and live mainly on the Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic Islands.

The largest cities in Spain:

Madrid
Valencia
Seville
Zaragoza
Malaga
Murcia
Palma de Mallorca

1 Madrid Madrid 3 165 235
2 Barcelona Catalonia 1,602,386
3 Valencia Valencia 786 424
4 Seville Andalusia 696 676
5 Zaragoza Aragon 666 058
6 Malaga Andalusia 566,913
7 Murcia Murcia 439,712
8 Palma de Mallorca Balearic Islands 399,093
9 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Canary Islands 382 283
10 Bilbao Basque 346 574
11 Alicante Valencia 332 067
12 Cordoba Andalusia 328 041
13 Valladolid Castile and León 306,830
14 Vigo Galicia 294 997
15 Gihon Asturias 275 735
16 Lobregat Catalonia 253 518
17 A Coruña Galicia 244 810
19 Vitoria Basque 242 082
18 Granada Andalusia 237 540
20 Elche Valencia 230 224

Christianity is the predominant religion - 97.6% of the population (Catholics - 97.4%, Protestants - 2.6%). Under Chapter 2 of the Constitution, Spain has no official religion, but Catholicism remains the traditional religion. According to a study by the Spanish Center for Sociological Research, 54% of believers rarely go to church or do not go to church, 15% attend church several times a year, 10% several times a month, and 19% attend church every Sunday or several times a week. About 22% of the country's population attends church services at least once a month.

The Spanish Constitution of 1976 recognizes the existence of the regions as part of the Spanish nation. The main ethnic groups are Castilian, Catalan, Galician and Basque (2.4%). In addition to Castilian Spanish, which is the official language of the country, Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken in parts of Spain and are official alongside Castilians in their respective autonomous regions.

culture

Spain is famous for its rich and varied cultural heritage. Spanish culture is influenced by the numerous peoples that have inhabited the Iberian Peninsula over the centuries - Iberians, Celts, Romans, Islamic and Catholic influences. In addition, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea are also affected by their association with other peoples along their coasts. Today, each region of the country has its own cultural image. Spain ranks second in the world after Italy in terms of the number of sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List - only 40 people.

Holidays in Spain

January 1 - New Year
January 6 - Epiphany
May 1 - Labor Day
August 15 - Ascension of Our Lady
October 12 - National Day of the Kingdom of Spain
November 1 - All Saints' Meeting
December 6 - Constitution Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception

How many interesting things are hidden in the Kingdom of Spain. The sights of this country will tell you about the Middle Ages, introduce you to the southern temperament and plunge into the atmosphere of true football fans.

Arena Las Ventas

The arena of Las Ventas, where the bullfight takes place every year, is a huge building in the neo-Moorish style. The arena owes its appearance to an unthinkable rise in interest in the tradition of the entire nation - bullfighting. This arena is the real value of all Madrid, because it has a huge cultural impact on its inhabitants. He designed the arena of Espeliu, under whose leadership the building acquired the features of Mudéjar. The arena can accommodate about 24,000 spectators inside. Bullfighting takes place only from early spring to mid-autumn, while other social and cultural events take place in the arena during the rest of the year. .

Allondiga

For the townspeople, Alondiga is the center of entertainment. This seemingly relatively small building, however, contains almost everything that may be required for entertainment: there are restaurants, nightclubs, libraries, exhibitions, and even a rooftop pool with a transparent bottom. Much more surprising is Alondiga's own sun, which shines in the very center of the patio. Initially, the Alondiga building was used to store huge volumes of wine, but over time, the stocks of wine migrated to more modern storage facilities, and Alondiga was forgotten for almost two decades. However, in 1994 the building was reconstructed and turned into a modern entertainment center.

Royal Palace in Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official representation of the monarchs of Spain, located on the site of the Mauritanian fortress. Palace Presents good example magnificent performance of the Baroque style in architecture; In addition to the external design, the palace impresses with its internal decoration. The palace boasts not only a grand facade or amazing interiors, but also a luxurious garden that descends to the Manzanares River. The palace has a library, which stores about 300 thousand old manuscripts; a huge hall with a huge collection; as well as a huge number of halls, each of which stands out from the others.

Prado Museum

The Prado Museum can be located in the same row as the Louvre with the Hermitage. The museum boasts a luxurious collection of masterpieces by Spanish, Dutch and Italian masters. The first collection of the museum included only about 300 paintings, today the museum is a repository for about 6,000 paintings, 400 sculptures and jewelry masterpieces. Spanish paintings include such artists as Titian and Francisco Goya. The School of Italian Artists includes works by Sandro Botticelli and Raphael. The Dutch school is represented by the works of Rubens and Rembrandt.

Casco Viejo

The Casco Viejo quarter is the heart of Bilbao: it was from here that the city with ancient stone streets began to grow more than 7 centuries ago. The quarter has a long history, so each building is an ancient landmark. Here you can go through the centuries, just walking around the block. Initially, the quarter was surrounded by a wall and consisted of three parallel streets. However, today's Casco Viejo is already devoid of a wall and consists of 7 streets. The most surprising thing about this quarter is the fact that since the late 70s of the last century it has been completely pedestrian.

Valdemos in Mallorca

If you are tired of noisy Spanish streets, it's time to go to a fabulous town with a touch of provincial antiquity. Valldemosa is a tiny place, but it is made up of solid sights - the Carthusian monastery, the Baroque church, mountain landscapes.

Buen Retiro Park

The Buen Retiro Park is the largest park in Madrid and is recognized as one of the main attractions. The park is full of charm even on the first visit: spacious alleys with diverse vegetation and small masterpieces of landscape design on them are combined with bicycle paths and playgrounds. Here you can also find business card Madrid, depicted on the coat of arms of Spain, is a strawberry tree with which travelers are often photographed. Here you can also enjoy beautiful melodies performed by street musicians.

Cibeles Square

Cibeles Square is recognized as one of the most colorful places in Madrid as local residents, and tourists who tend to visit this place one of the first. In the very center is the fountain of the same name, representing an elegantly executed sculpture. The fountain was installed in the 18th century to the glory of the goddess of fertility Cybele. Previously, the townspeople used the fountain as a source of drinking water, but now it has rather a purely symbolic meaning: the memory of bygone times, which adds even more color to the city. The fountain is surrounded by a huge number of amazingly beautiful buildings, the most famous of which is the Cibeles Palace.

Gran Via street

Gran Via may not be the best the main street Madrid, but one of the most famous for sure. Along the entire street, bars full of various noises and cinemas shining with lights, prestigious shops and chic restaurants are successfully located. With all the variety of public places, residential buildings surprisingly find their place here, each of which can literally be considered a masterpiece of architecture. The current Gran Via is full of life both during the day and at night. Before the construction of this street began, many residents were against it, as a significant amount of reconstruction was required. However, the street was nevertheless built, and for about a century, Gran Via has been giving joy to both citizens and tourists.

Palace of Santa Cruz

Perhaps the most unique attraction in Madrid can be considered the Santa Cruz Palace. It is unusual in that it does not fit the usual description of the palace. Built of rust-red brick, this inconspicuous building could easily be mistaken for any other building in the vicinity. However, such an inconspicuous building from the outside hides the most unique area with a fascinating history. It took 20 years and the joint work of several architects to create the drawings of the palace. The building began to be used in 1640 as a city court prison, which was visited by more than one famous prisoner. However, the Spanish Foreign Ministry is here now.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is considered one of the most elaborate stadiums in the world. It is named in honor of the president of the "creamy" team, Santiago Bernabeu, under whose leadership the team won 6 European Cups. The stadium is designed for 80,000 people, but only about 6,000 are on sale, the remaining tickets are distributed to season ticket holders. In addition to football matches, concerts are often held at the stadium. Also, almost every day the stadium can be visited with a tour.

So, it was the kingdom of Spain, the sights of which are difficult to list, but if you try, you can explore all this in a couple of years. Go. You will not regret.