SPAIN
GEOGRAPHY
The Bay of Biscay, France and Andorra surround the northern areas of the country, to its east lay the Mediterranean Sea, and on the south Spain is bounded by the Mediterranean Seas as well as the Atlantic Ocean and its western border are bounded by Portugal and Atlantic Ocean.
88% of Spain’s periphery is surrounded by water. In the southernmost part of Spain lies the British dependency of Gibraltar. The chief mountain range of the country is Pyrenees.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Celts, Iberians, and Basques were the original inhabitants of Spain. In 206 B.C it became a part of the Roman Empire. 711 saw the first Muslim invasion of Spain, and it was not until 1492 that Spain was free of its Muslim conquerors. Thereafter Roman Catholicism was established as the official state religion of the country. During the 16th century Spain saw its greatest glory and emerged as the most powerful and wealthy European nation but under the rule of the Hapsburg kings it sank from its position of power, never to rise again in the European politics.
Spain was a neutral nation in the WW I and thereafter it went from the hands of a dictator Gen. Miguel Primo de Rivera, to become a worker’s republic in 1931. The new Spanish constitution separated the state and the church, broke up the large estates and secularized the schools.
LOCATION
In the southwest of Europe lies the Iberian Peninsula, on which Spain is situated. It occupies about four fifths of the Peninsula, covering an area of 504, 782 sq. km.
CLIMATE
Spain is a country of low rainfall but extreme temperature conditions. The climate is usually cool and damp along the northern Atlantic coastal regions, with extremely hot and dry summers in the central plateau. There is a saying in Madrid, about the climate, “9 months of winter and 3 months of hell", this is enough to demonstrate the ferocity of the winter cold and the summer heat. However along the Mediterranean coast there is some respite as a subtropical climate prevails there. The greatest time to visit Spain is during the autumn.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND
The Spanish culture has a very marked Roman influence on it. As Muslims occupied the country for a considerably long time, Spanish has an assimilation of some Arabic words and accents.
Spain has been a country of spectacular artists. Francisco Goya, one of Spain’s greatest painters became a world renowned artist during the 1500’s to 1800’s. However, Spain gave to the world, Pablo Picasso, whose abstract sculptures, drawings, graphics, ceramics and paintings have yet remained unparalleled.
Music is a way of life for the Spaniards who have made the guitar the most popular of the musical instruments in the world.
LANGUAGE
Although Spanish is the predominant language in Spain which everyone in Spain can speak and understand but despite that the country is multilingual, having a horde of regional languages that are in vogue there. Some of these languages are: Basque, Catalan, Galician and Aranese. The official language of the country is Spanish but every region has its own regional language as the co-official language along side Spanish.
MONETARY UNIT AND ECONOMIC CONDITION
Being a country belonging to the European Union, the currency of Spain is the Euro, with one Euro equaling 100 eurocent. In the European Union, Spain’s economy ranks 5th and it ranks 12th in the world, in terms of
GDP
During the 1980’s Spain’s economy registered a steady and uninterruptedly good growth. The recession of the 1990’s had its effect on Spain’s economy for a brief period but since the 2008 financial crisis, the economic growth of the country is facing a downward trend.
CAPITAL AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES
Located in the heart of the city is Spain’s capital city- Madrid. Madrid plays several of the most important roles- from being the country’s truly cosmopolitan city, a business center, it houses the headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family besides playing a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors.
Since Madrid is centrally located and is at a higher altitude, it has warm dry summers and cold winters. The Medieval center and the Prado Museum are the major historical monuments of the capital city.
For the young traveler, Madrid has a rich vibrant nightlife and the city has a horde of good eating places, bars, cafes, cinemas and parks as well.
The other major cities of Spain are: Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and Malaga.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Holidayers can look forward to a contented vacation because Spain has a multitude of sporting activities to indulge in. Additionally its pleasant weather adds to the charm.
Its lovely beaches provide great opportunities for kite surfing and wind surfing. Hiking and trekking through the fabulous landscape is a thrilling adventure. The country has some beautifully designed golf courses for the avid golfer. The Pyrenees provides fantastic skiing slopes. The traditional Spanish horse, the Andalusian horse, is one of the oldest in the world, having a balanced physique and a docile temperament. These horses are one of the greatest tourist attractions.
Nightlife in Spain
Spain has a thriving nightlife because the nightlife is an important part of the Spanish culture. The major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada etc come to life at night. Madrid is a night city and this capital city of Spain is called the nightclub capital of Europe.
Beaches
Spain has some of the world’s most splendid beaches, both, the golden sandy kinds and the ones with black volcanic sands, rocks and boulders. The Barcelona beach is undisputedly Spain’s best beach. The coastlines of the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Bay of Biscay are stunningly diverse.
TRAVELLING THE CITY
Domestic airlines
Iberia, Air Europa, Binter and Spainair are the major domestic service airlines.
Traveling by water
Traveling by water is one of the most popular travel modes in Spain. From Algeciras to Tangier and Ceuta (North African enclave); Málaga and Almeria to Melilla (North African enclave); Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante to the Balearic Islands; and Cádiz to the Canary Islands, there are regular hydrofoil and car and passenger ferry sailings. A catamaran service linking Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca are also available. From France to the Mediterranean coast and the northwest coast to the Mediterranean coast, there are some interconnecting transversal services that can be availed.
Train Travel
Spain has an excellent rail network and fabulous trains. All the regions on the Iberian Peninsula are connected by a railway network, operated by a state-owned company called the RENFE. From high speed trains to tourist trains like Andalus Express and Transcantábrico, you can try any according to your taste and budget and you will be enthralled by the beautiful landscape view and comfort that these trains provide.
Road travel
Buses are a cheap, efficient and comfortable means of travel in Spain. Alternatively if driving is fun for you, you can hire a cars or even motorcycles in order to tour the country.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
One of the most fantastic staying options in Spain is Paradores, which are restored castles, convents or palaces, converted into hotels.
Hotel accommodations in Spain range from the 5 star ones to apartment-hotels to motels.
Bed and breakfast types of accommodations, called Pensions, with varying facilities too are available throughout the country. These accommodations, run by families on their premises generally provide only bed and board.
Spain has a large number of camp sites, which vary in quality and price range. For off-site camping you would have to take permission from the police and landowner.
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