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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España), is a country mostly located in Europe. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula. Its territory also includes two archipelagoes: the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The African enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera make Spain the only European country to have a physical border with an African country (Morocco). Several small islands in the Alboran Sea are also part of Spanish territory. The country’s mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with Gibraltar; to the north and northeast by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the west and northwest by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean.

With an area of 505,990 km2 (195,360 sq mi), Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, the second-largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and the fourth largest country in the European continent. By population (about 47 million), Spain is the sixth-largest in Europe and the fifth in the European Union. Spain’s capital and largest city is Madrid; other major urban areas include Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and Bilbao.

Modern humans first arrived in the Iberian Peninsula around 35,000 years ago. Iberian cultures along with ancient Phoenician, Greek, Celtic and Carthaginian settlements developed on the peninsula until it came under Roman rule around 200 BCE, after which the region was named Hispania, based on the earlier Phoenician name Sp(a)n or Spania. At the end of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribal confederations migrated from Central Europe, invaded the Iberian peninsula and established relatively independent realms in its western provinces, including the Suebi, Alans and Vandals. Eventually, the Visigoths would forcibly integrate all remaining independent territories in the peninsula, including Byzantine provinces, into the Kingdom of Toledo, which more or less unified politically, ecclesiastically and legally all the former Roman provinces or successor kingdoms of what was then documented as Hispania.

Capital: Madrid
Population: 46.7.6 million

Spain Placeholder
Spain

Regions
AndalusiaAragonAsturiasBalearic IslandsBasque CountryCanary Islands
CantabriaCastile & LeónCastile-La ManchaCataloniaCeutaExtremadura
Galicia La Rioja Madrid MelillaMurcia  Navarre
Valencia     
Cities
MadridBarcelonaValenciaSevilleBilbaoMálaga
GranadaPalmaCartegenaCádizCordobaPamplona

Blog Posts:

10 Great things to do in Barcelona

10 Great things to do in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of our favourite cities to visit. It has a fascinating history and culture, as …
Spain: Barcelona – Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Spain: Barcelona – Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, …
The Sagrada Familia is a beautiful and creative an unlike any other cathedral in the world

The Sagrada Familia is a beautiful and creative an unlike any other cathedral in the world

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, …
Park Güell is a wonderful example of the creative genius of Antoni Gaudí

Park Güell is a wonderful example of the creative genius of Antoni Gaudí

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, …
Spain: Andalusia – Córdoba

Spain: Andalusia – Córdoba

The City of Córdoba is the capital of the province of Córdoba and has a colourful history. It also …
Spain: Andalusia – Granada, Parque de las Ciencias

Spain: Andalusia – Granada, Parque de las Ciencias

If you are in the Andalusian city of Granada why not try a visit to the excellent Parque de las …
Spain: Andalusia – the spectacular Ronda

Spain: Andalusia – the spectacular Ronda

Perched on an inland plateau riven by the 100m fissure of El Tajo gorge, Ronda is Málaga province†…
Spain: Granada, Andalusia – Spanish Inquisition Museum

Spain: Granada, Andalusia – Spanish Inquisition Museum

The Museum of the Spanish Inquisition is a fascinating insight into the cruel and grisly …
Spain: Andalusia – The Alhambra

Spain: Andalusia – The Alhambra

The Alhambra, in Granada, Spain is a large palace and fortress complex that sits high on a hill …
Spain: Catalonia – Cadequés, Port Lligat; Dalí’s home

Spain: Catalonia – Cadequés, Port Lligat; Dalí’s home

Today we set out at the crack of sparrows to reach the small fishing village of Port Lligat, where …
Spain: Figueres – Teatre-Museu Dalí; Salvador Dalí museum

Spain: Figueres – Teatre-Museu Dalí; Salvador Dalí museum

Reaching Figueres late morning meant we beat the rush for visiting the Teatre-Museu Dalí, which …
Spain: Catalonia – Girona; a splendid medieval city and film set for ‘Game of Thrones’

Spain: Catalonia – Girona; a splendid medieval city and film set for ‘Game of Thrones’

A couple of excellent days spent in the culturally rich city of Girona. This northern city in …
Spain: Valenican Community – The beautiful city of Valencia

Spain: Valenican Community – The beautiful city of Valencia

Valencia is one of those cities I have driven by and flown through several times, always meaning …
Spain: Catalonia – 2-day itinerary for Barcelona

Spain: Catalonia – 2-day itinerary for Barcelona

Few European cities can offer you the wide diversity of cultural experience that you’ll find …
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