Let's Know About: Spain!

Where is Spain ?

The Kingdom of Spain is located in southwestern European on the Iberian Peninsula. It is a member of the European Union. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, except for a small boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay, and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Its territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.


What is the capital of Spain?

Madrid is the capital of Spain. The population of the Madrid metropolitan area is an estimated 6.271 million. It is one of the world's major global cities and is considered the major financial center of the southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. It is located on the Manzanares River in the center of both the community of Madrid and the country. In 2010, it ranked among the twelve-greenest European cities.

Which is the largest city in Spain?

Madrid is the largest city of Spain. It is the third-largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the European Union, after London and Paris. The city covers a total area of 233.3 square miles.

What is the currency of Spain?

Since 2002, the currency of Spain is Euro. The name was adopted on December 16, 1995 and was introduced to the world financial market as a currency on January 1, 1999.

 

What is the official language of Spain?

Spanish is the official language of Spain. There are a number of regional languages which have been declared co-official in the constituent communities where they are spoken. These are:

• Basque in the Basque Country and Navarre
• Catalan in Catalonia and Balearic Islands
• Valencian in the Valencian Community
• Galician in Galicia

English and Germany are widely spoken by tourists, foreign residents, and tourism workers.

What is the religion of Spain?

Although Roman Catholism is practiced by the majority of people in Spain, yet it no longer has official status by law. Due to a recent wave of immigration in Spain, Islam is the second-largest religion in the country.

What is the literacy rate in Spain?

Literacy rate in Spain is 97.9 %. State education is free and compulsory from the age of 6 to 16. The present education system was established by an education law of 2006, Ley Origanica de Educacion. University of Salamanca is the oldest founded university in Spain (founded in 1134) and is the third-oldest European university in continuous operations. It was the first institution in Europe to receive the title of “university”.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Spain?

Spain has the second highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world: as many as 40. The fortress and palace in the Granada city, Alhambra, is the most-visited World Heritage Site in Spain. Other World Heritage Sites are located in the city of Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Cordoba, Avila, Seville, etc.

Who is the political leader of Spain?

Spain is a democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The nation is one of the most decentralized countries in Europe and is composed in the form of Estado de las Autonomias (State of Autonomies). The constitutional history of the country dates back to 1812. The head of the state is the monarch, King Juan Carlos I, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces. Head of the government is the prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who was elected on March 14, 2004.

When is the national day of Spain celebrated?

The two national celebrations in Spain are the Fiesta Nacional or the National Day and the Constitution Day. Since 1987, October 12 is celebrated as Spanish National day. It commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in America. This event is also celebrated as Columbus Day in United States of America.

What is the economy of Spain like?

Spain's is a Capitalist mixed economy. It is the twelfth-largest economy worldwide and the fifth-largest in the European Union. Tourism contributes 5% to the GDP, the second-most in the world. The country’s nominal GDP is 1.484 trillion dollars. It imports chemicals, machinery, and transport necessities from its import partners: France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands. Manufactured products constitute 70% of Spain's exports while foodstuff such as fruits, olive, wine constitute 17%.