You have javascript disabled in your browser. Either enable it via your browser's options or click here to bypass the detection.
Country Fact File : Spain
Volunteer with Bearded Vultures in Andalusia, Spain
Life is pretty relaxed in Spain. Travel is easy, accommodation abounds, the climate is kind and the food and drink superb. It is also a very popular tourist destination, but you can always find the peaceful parts if you look hard enough for them – follow a narrow cobbled street away from the crowds, and you will find yourself seeing life as it was 100 years ago. Geographically, Spain is very diverse, with mountain ranges and rugged coastlines to choose from.
| Location | Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France |
| Area | 504,782 sq km |
| Border Countries | Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Morocco |
| 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 |
| Highest Point | Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m |
| Natural Hazards | Periodic droughts |
| Environmental Issues | Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification |
| Population | 40,217,413 (July 2003 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups | Composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% |
| Languages | Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% note: Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other languages are official regionally |
| Type of Government | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Capital | Madrid |
| National Day | Hispanic Day, 12 October |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 Head of Government: President of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (since 5 May 1996) |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Time | GMT +1 |
Did you know?
Spain covers the largest part of the Iberian peninsula in the southwest of Europe
The Spanish coastline is almost 5000km
General Franco established his dictatorship in 1939
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +34
Police tel: 091
Ambulance tel: 061
British Embassy: C/ Fernando el Santo, 16, 28010 Madrid. Tel: (34) 91 700 82 00
Embassy in UK: 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB. Tel: 020 7235 5555
01727 250250
Duration and Costs
Share this Page
Related Programs
Search World Map
