Dialing code +34
ISO 2 code ES
ISO 3 code ESP
Capital Madrid
Main Language Spanish
Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $1.4 trillion 11th
Population 46,505,963 27th

Geography

Continent Europe
Location Southwestern Europe bordering the Bay of Biscay Mediterranean Sea North Atlantic Ocean and Pyrenees Mountains southwest of France
Land 504,782 km2 52nd
Terrain Large flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north
Climate Temperate; clear hot summers in interior more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy cold winters in interior partly cloudy and cool along coast
Natural Hazards Large flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north
Note: Strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas

Neighbouring Countries

Andorra France Gibraltar Morocco Portugal

History

Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain France and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975 and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 80.05 years 21st
Median Age 41.1 years 15th
Birth Rate 9.72 births/1,000 population 183rd
Death Rate 9.99 births/1,000 population 62nd
Sex Ratio 0.72 male(s)/female 140th
Literacy 97.9% 61st
Population

46.5 million

Transportation

Roadways 681224 km 9th
Railways 15288 km 17th
Airports 154 34th
Waterways 1000 km 62nd
Heliports 8 23rd
Airports paved 12 8th

Economy

Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $1.4 trillion 11th
GDP per capita (PPP) $34600 31st