Data and Basic Information about Spain

Spain is one of the most interesting European countries to visit. Its history, its culture and its gastronomy are recognized worldwide. And its inhabitants are reputed to be very social and friendly with those who visit these lands.

Whether you are a resident or someone who wants to know about this little corner of the world, in this article we are going to give you basic data and information about Spain that will surely surprise you.

Where is Spain?

This is a country that is part of the European Union. With an area of ​​504,645 square kilometers, it is divided into 17 autonomous communities. It is located in Western Europe, and shares borders with France to the north, Portugal to the west and Gibraltar to the south. It is surrounded by two seas: the Atlantic to the west and the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. It has to be said that the Mediterranean would not exist if the Strait of Gibraltar were not "open", so it is still a small sea that has seen the birth and death of many of the most important ancient civilizations, such as the Roman, the Greek or the Egyptian. But let's not deviate. Let us now see what climate they have in this country.

Climate of Spain

The climate of Spain is quite diverse. Due to its orography, it can boast of being able to enjoy different climates.

• North of the country: to the north, in the communities of Galicia, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Navarra, northern Aragon and northern Catalonia, there is a typical mountain climate. The rains are irregular, very abundant the further to the west. As for the temperatures, they are low in winter, reaching intense frosts, and mild in summer.
• South of the country: in the south, in the communities of Andalusia and Murcia, the climate is typically Mediterranean; that is, high temperatures in summer, milder in winter. Some frosts can occur in the mountain areas (such as in Sierra Nevada, located in Granada) in winter, but generally in this corner of the Iberian Peninsula they enjoy a warm climate. Of course, the further south you go, the more you will need to apply sunscreen, since the climate there is arid, especially in Ceuta and Melilla, which are in North Africa. In the Canary archipelago, located towards the west of Africa, they enjoy a mostly tropical climate; although it should be noted that frosts can also occur in higher altitude areas during winter.
• East: in the east there is a Mediterranean climate. The Valencian community, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands have mild winters, with occasional minor frosts, and very hot summers (above 30ºC). In the Balearic Islands, it must be said that summers are very humid due to being surrounded by the sea, which makes the thermal sensation greater than that indicated by the thermometer. The precipitations are very little.
• West and center of the country: In the communities of Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha, Madrid and southern Aragon, there is a cool climate during winter, with intense frosts. The rains are abundant the further north, and somewhat less towards the south of them. Summers are warm.

Languages

This is a country where several languages ​​are spoken. The official language is, of course, the Castilian or Spanish, but others are distinguished, such as Catalan spoken in Catalonia, Basque in the Basque community, or Galician in Galicia.

To these should be added the different dialects, such as Andalusian, Madrid, Majorcan, etc.

Location

The population, according to the last census carried out in 2015 by the National Institute of Statistics, is 46.449.565 inhabitants, with 22.826.546 men and 23.623.019 women.

Tourism in Spain

This is a country that has much to offer to the tourist. Whether you prefer to spend your holidays on the beach, or if you are one of those who loves the mountains and the sports that can be practiced there, you just have to head to Spain.

In general, any place is amazing, but it is true that there are a number of cities that are very popular and, therefore, also the most visited. They are as follows:

• Barcelona: the hometown of the architect Antonio Gaudí. The city of Barcelona welcomes tourists with a wide range of leisure and fun for all tastes: you can go to the beach, visit the old town, or go climbing in the mountains.
• Seville: Andalusian city par excellence. It has been the cradle of Andalusian folk music, and even today the fairs and special days with it continue to liven up. The April Fair is full of color, music and joy that enchants everyone who goes.
• Tenerife: you don't have to go far to enjoy a tropical beach. In Tenerife, thanks to the pleasant climate it has throughout the year, you can enjoy its beach where you can surf.
• Madrid: being the capital of the country, it is of course one of the most visited cities. Here you can visit the Prado Museum, perhaps the most important in the whole country, which exhibits such interesting works as the Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymus Bosch. You can also visit another museum that is very close to this one, which is the Thyssen museum. And if you like plants, go see the Royal Botanical Garden or the Parque del Oeste, you will love it 😉.
• Mallorca Island: This small island (the largest in the Balearic archipelago) welcomes thousands of tourists every year who want to enjoy its beaches, nightlife or nature. And since it has a mild climate, with very few really cold days, you really want to go out for a walk.

So now you know, if you want to spend some unforgettable days, go to Spain. You are sure to have a great time.