About Spain
The official name is the Kingdom of Spain. Modern Spain is an economically developed European state, ranking 5th in Europe in terms of economic indicators. It is characterized by a stable banking system and a developed industry: mining, engineering, metallurgy, light and food industries, agriculture, and fishing. In addition, international tourism is excellently developed in the country, thanks to the gentle climate, beautiful beaches, ski and medical SPA resorts and architectural monuments. Due to its geographical position, Spain is a link between Europe and Africa, which has led to the diversity of cultures and dialects on its territory.
Geography of Spain
According to Collegesanduniversitiesinusa, Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the north and west and by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the south and east. It borders with states: in the north – with France and Andorra, in the West – with Portugal, in the south – with British Gibraltar. In Morocco, there are cities under the control of Spain: Ceuta and Melilla. Spain is a 90% highland country (Pyrenees and Cordillera Betica). The highest mountain peak in Spain is located on the island of Tenerife – the Teide volcano with a height of up to 3.718 meters. Most of the country is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level (the second highest altitude after Switzerland). The capital is Madrid. The so-called second capital is Barcelona. Largest cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Malaga.
Area
The area of the country is 505,000 sq. km.
Population
About 47 million people live in Spain.
Currency
The official currency is the euro.
Language
The official language is Spanish (Castilian), the second official language is Catalan, Galician and Basque are used in some regions
Visa
Schengen
Climate
Spain is one of the warmest countries in Europe. The climate can be conditionally attributed to the Mediterranean type – fluctuations in humidity and temperature, depending on the geographical location, are due to the complex terrain and length along the meridian. The beach season in the resorts is from June to October. The air temperature in this season on the Mediterranean coast can reach +40 C, on the Atlantic coast it is noticeably lower (+25…+30 C). The number of sunny days a year here can reach 350. On the central plateau, the climate is sharply continental (hot summers, cold winters), the amount of precipitation is low. In the highlands of the country, snow lies all year round. Thus, in the same season you can go skiing and swim in the warm sea.
Transport
Spain has an excellent bus service. Boarding buses is carried out from the front platform. Madrid has a metro. Intercity communication is carried out by trains. Ferries run between the mainland and the islands. The cost of a ferry ticket is on average 20-30 euros. A taxi does not drive through the streets in search of a client, you need to call from a hotel, shop, restaurant. You can rent a car. The cost in international rental companies (EUROCAR, AVIS, HERTZ) will be higher than rental in local companies. The cost of renting a car is from 30 to 120 euros per day. To rent a car, you must have a credit card and an international driver’s license. Spain has high fines for traffic violations. For talking on a mobile phone or not wearing seat belts, the fine is 300 euros.
Currency exchange
The exchange is carried out in banks, and not all banks accept 100-dollar bills. Banks are open from 9.00 to 16.30 every day except Sunday. It is worth noting that the US dollar in Spain is noticeably undervalued, so it is unprofitable to bring dollars into the country.
Electricity
220V / 50Hz. Fork “European standard” type C.
Religion
99% of the population are Catholics of the Roman Catholic Church. 1% are Protestants, Muslims and Jews.
Security
In large cities, there are cases of petty street theft. Tourists should carry a photocopy of their passport and money based on the current day. It is better to keep your passport, money and other valuables in a hotel safe. One of the characteristic features of the Spaniards is an ardent temperament. This fact should be taken into account when communicating with representatives of the local population.
Health
If you feel unwell, contact your insurance agent. Medicine in Spain is paid. Pharmacy hours are from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00, on Saturdays they are open until 13.00, Sunday is a day off. There is a network of duty (round the clock pharmacies) Farmacia De Guardia. In Spain, there are many health-improving complexes from Roman baths to balneological resorts, which carry out the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases. Balneological resorts: Alama de Aragon in the valley of the Halon river, Archena in the valley of the Segura river, Verin in the northwest of the country, Caldas de Malavella, Caldas de Montbuy and Caldas de Estrac near Barcelona, Caldas de Reyes on the Umiya River, Lanjaron in the south of the Sierra Nevada, Mondaris near Pontevedra, Ontaneda and the high mountain resort of Panticosa in the Pyrenees.
