Geography and History of Spain

Geography

• Located in Southwestern Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Borders Portugal to the west and France to the northeast.
• Major mountain ranges: Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada.
• Major rivers: Ebro, Duero, and Guadiana.

History

• Ancient civilizations: Iberians, Celts, and Phoenicians.
• Roman Conquest (218 BC) led to significant Roman influence.
• Visigothic rule in the early Middle Ages followed by the Moorish invasion (711 AD).
• Reconquista (722-1492) resulted in the expulsion of Moors and the establishment of a unified Christian kingdom.
• Global empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, including vast territories in the Americas.

Government

• Parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
• King is the head of state; Prime Minister is the head of government.
• Bicameral legislature: Congress of Deputies and Senate.

Culture

• Rich cultural heritage influenced by various historical epochs.
• Famous for art (Picasso, Dalí), architecture (Gaudí), and literature (Cervantes).
• Traditional festivals: La Tomatina, Running of the Bulls, Feria de Abril.
• Cuisine includes tapas, paella, and jamón ibérico.

Economy

• Diverse economy: agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
• Major industries: automotive, textiles, and renewable energy.
• Tourism is a significant part of the economy, particularly coastal regions and historical cities.

Language

• Official language: Spanish (Castilian).
• Co-official languages in some regions: Catalan, Galician, and Basque.

Demographics

• Population: Approximately 47 million.
• Major cities: Madrid (capital), Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
• Diverse cultures and regional identities.

Religion

• Predominantly Roman Catholic, with other religions present.
• Significant influence of religion on culture, holidays, and traditions.

Modern Issues

• Economic challenges post-2008 financial crisis, including high unemployment rates.
• Catalan independence movement and regional tensions.
• Environmental concerns, particularly regarding climate change and water scarcity.

Geography

• Southwestern Europe, primarily located on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Borders Portugal to the west and France to the northeast.
• Major mountain ranges include the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada.
• Significant rivers are the Ebro, Duero, and Guadiana.

History

• Early inhabitants included the Iberians, Celts, and Phoenicians.
• Roman Conquest began in 218 BC, leading to deep Roman influence.
• Visigoths ruled in the early Middle Ages, followed by the Moorish invasion in 711 AD.
• The Reconquista spanned from 722 to 1492, ending Moorish rule and unifying Christian kingdoms.
• Spain emerged as a global empire during the 16th and 17th centuries with vast territories in the Americas.

Government

• Spain operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
• The King serves as head of state while the Prime Minister acts as head of government.
• The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

Culture

• Rich cultural heritage shaped by diverse historical influences.
• Notable figures include artists Picasso and Dalí, architect Gaudí, and author Cervantes.
• Celebrated traditional festivals include La Tomatina, the Running of the Bulls, and Feria de Abril.
• Cuisine features dishes like tapas, paella, and jamón ibérico.

Economy

• The economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
• Key industries include automotive, textiles, and the growing renewable energy sector.
• Tourism is crucial, focusing on coastal regions and historical cities.

Language

• The official language is Spanish (Castilian).
• Co-official languages include Catalan, Galician, and Basque in specific regions.

Demographics

• Population stands at approximately 47 million.
• Major cities are Madrid (capital), Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
• The country exhibits diverse cultures and regional identities.

Religion

• Predominantly Roman Catholic, alongside a presence of other religions.
• Religion significantly influences cultural practices, holidays, and traditions.

Modern Issues

• Economic challenges emerged after the 2008 financial crisis, resulting in high unemployment.
• Catalan independence movement poses regional tensions.
• Environmental concerns include climate change and water scarcity issues.