Europe · Southern Europe
Kingdom of Spain
Spain is a vibrant country on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and passionate way of life. From the Pyrenees mountains to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, Spain offers flamenco, world-class art, architecture, and some of the world's finest cuisine.
Catalonia
Autonomous Community · Barcelona
Andalusia
Autonomous Community · Seville
Community of Madrid
Autonomous Community · Madrid
Valencia
Autonomous Community · Valencia
Galicia
Autonomous Community · Santiago de Compostela
Basque Country
Autonomous Community · Vitoria-Gasteiz
Castile and León
Autonomous Community · Valladolid
Canary Islands
Autonomous Community · Las Palmas / Santa Cruz
Madrid
Population: 3,305,408
Spain's capital and largest city, a major European cultural and economic hub
Barcelona
Population: 1,620,343
Cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, known for Gaudí's architecture and beaches
Valencia
Population: 789,744
Birthplace of paella and home to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences
Seville
Population: 684,234
Capital of Andalusia and the home of flamenco
Bilbao
Population: 345,821
Industrial city transformed by the iconic Guggenheim Museum
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula and includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. The Meseta Central, a high plateau, dominates the interior. The Pyrenees form a natural border with France.
Spain has diverse climates. The north is green and wet with a humid oceanic climate. The interior has a continental climate with extreme temperatures. The Mediterranean coast has mild winters and hot, dry summers. The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate.
Sagrada Família
Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece basilica under construction since 1882, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Alhambra
Granada
Stunning Moorish palace complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Park Güell
Barcelona
Gaudí's colorful mosaic park with panoramic views of Barcelona
Prado Museum
Madrid
One of the world's foremost art museums, housing masterpieces by Velázquez and Goya
Camino de Santiago
Across Spain
Ancient pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla in Africa).
Spain is the second-largest country in the European Union by area.
Spain is home to the world's largest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its size.
Spanish (Castilian) is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers.
The Canary Islands are geographically closer to Africa than to mainland Spain.
Spain produces more olive oil than any other country in the world.
Spain has 17 autonomous communities.
Spain is organized into 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa). Each autonomous community has its own government and parliament, with varying degrees of autonomy. Some, like the Basque Country and Navarre, have additional fiscal powers.
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Last updated: 2024-01-01