Capital
Madrid
Population
47.4 Million
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Spanish
Area
505,990 km²
National Dish
Paella
National Flower
Red Carnation
Density
94/km²
Internet TLD
.es
Spain was inhabited by Celtic and Iberian tribes before Roman conquest, later ruled by the Visigoths and Moorish Islamic caliphates from 711 CE. The Christian Reconquista culminated in 1492 with the fall of Granada and the unification of Spain under Isabella I and Ferdinand II. Spain built a massive global empire during the Golden Age. Following the Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco ruled as a dictator (1939–1975) before democracy was restored.
Spain has a population of approximately 47.4 million, with Spanish (Castilian) serving as the official national language, alongside co-official languages like Catalan, Galician, and Basque. The population is highly urbanized (81%), clustered in coastal cities and the capital Madrid. The country has seen increasing immigrant diversity in recent decades, with significant Romanian, Moroccan, and Latin American communities.
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The interior is dominated by the Meseta Central plateau, surrounded by mountain ranges including the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, and Cantabrian Mountains. Spain has both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, plus the Canary and Balearic Islands. The climate ranges from oceanic in the north to semi-arid in the southeast.
Spanish culture is vibrant and passionate. Flamenco dance and music, bullfighting (controversial but traditional), and fiestas define the cultural landscape. Spanish cuisine — tapas, paella, jamón ibérico — is world-famous. Artists like Picasso, Dalí, and Gaudí revolutionized art and architecture. Football (Real Madrid, Barcelona) is practically a religion.
Spain has the fourth-largest economy in the eurozone. Tourism is the biggest economic driver, with over 80 million visitors annually. Other key sectors include automotive, renewable energy, agriculture (olive oil, wine, citrus), and fashion (Zara/Inditex). Spain is the world's largest olive oil producer.
Explore Barcelona's Gaudí architecture (Sagrada Familia), visit Madrid's Prado Museum, walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, relax on Costa del Sol beaches, and discover the Alhambra in Granada. Seville's flamenco shows, San Sebastián's world-class cuisine, and Ibiza's nightlife offer diverse experiences.
Spain has the second-highest number of bars per capita in the world.
La Tomatina festival involves throwing over 100 tons of tomatoes.
Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world.
Spain was the first country to build a high-speed rail network in Europe.
Siestas (afternoon naps) are a cherished tradition.
Flamenco dancing originated in Andalusia.
The capital of Spain is Madrid, which serves as the political, cultural, and administrative heart of the nation.
The primary or official language spoken in Spain is Spanish, used across national education, government, and media.
Spain is recognized for its unique geography in Europe, its official currency, the Euro (EUR), and iconic locations such as Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.