Spain
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0
m
Highest point: Pico de Teide
(Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m
Capital: Madrid
Largest City: Madrid
Religion: Roman Catholic 94%,
other 6%
Languages Spoken: Castilian
Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%; note - Castilian is the
official language nationwide; the other languages are official regionally
See also: Languages
spoken in Europe, Languages of
the world
Information & Brief 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). In the second half
of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international
community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque
Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.
Hot Spots
Barcelona,
Bilbao,
Caceres,
Gran
Canaria, Granada,
Ibiza,
Madrid,
Malaga,
Palma
De Mallorca, Salamanca,
San
Sebastian, Santander,
Santiago
De, Compostela,
Seville,
Toledo,
Valencia
|
Southwestern Europe, bordering the
Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains,
southwest of France
|
Spain
