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Facts in brief
Flag of Spain
Official name of country: Espana
Capital city: Madrid
Official language: Spanish
Population: approximately 43 million
Listen to the national Anthem of Spain here http://www.niceflag.com/midi/anthems/spain.mid
Main Religion: Roman Catholic (about 9 out of 10 people are catholic)
Highest mountain: Pico de teide (on Canary Islands) 3707 metres
Longest river: Tagus River 1007 kilometres
Government: Parliamentary Monarchy
Head of State: King
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Spain has borders with these countries
Morocco, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Andorra.
The Land
Spain is a country in western Europe. It is on a peninsula (a piece of land almost surrounded by water) between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
In the north of the country, the Pyrennes mountains form a border with France. There are mountains in the south too. Most of the centre of Spain is a high, rocky, flat plain called the Meseta. Once, there were forests on the Meseta but they were cut down long ago. The soil was eroded (washed or blown away) and the soil that is left is poor and unsuitable for growing crops. There are olive groves on parts of the Meseta, and sheep and goats graze in some parts. About one-third of Spain is forest.
The Climate
Most of Spain is hot and dry in summer and cold in winter. One the coast which faces the Mediterranean Sea, the summers are warm and sunny. It's a popular place for tourists and for Spaniards on holiday.
Plants and animals
On the mountains in the north there are forests of oak trees. Wolves, wildcats, foxes, deer and wild boar live in the forests. Much of Spain's wildlife is threatened because the land is being cleared for development. Chemicals used on farms has entered the animals' foodchain and this pollution is poisoning animals and birds.
The Cota Donana National Park is one place where animals and birds can be protected. The Park covers about 76 080 hectares and includes one of the world's greatest wetlands where migrating birds flock to in spring. About 300 different species of birds including the almost-extinct Spanish imperial eagle, as well as storks, buzzards, kites, kestrels, and egrets can be seen here. The rare Spanish lynx, an animal on the verge of extinction, lives here.
Education
Children must go to school from the ages of 6 - 14. There are free public schools and many private schools. After age 14, students attend either a secondary school where they study for a general high school diploma or a school of professional education where they train for a particular occupation.
At Spanish universities students can study law, sciences, humanities, and medicine. At special technical schools there are studies in engineering and architecture.
Main Industries
Tourism is an important industry in Spain. Millions of people visit the country each year, and thousands of Spaniards have jobs that serve the tourists. For example hotel workers, cafe and restaurant workers, workers in transport and at tourist attractions such as galleries and museums.
In factories: Clothing, shoes and textiles, food and drinks, chemicals, machinery, cars, electrical equipment, chemicals
Oranges grow in orchards
On farms: About one-quarter of the population live outside the cities in the countryside. Spain's farmers live in small villages and towns and grow vegetables, citrus fruits such as oranges, olives to make olive oil, and grapes to make wine. The best farm land is in the north. Here the soil is rich and fertile and there is plenty of rain all year round. Farmers also keep sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.
Fishing is an important industry and Spain has a large fleet of fishing boats. Cod, tuna, octopus and sardines are all caught in the waters off the Spanish coasts.
Mining in the mountains produces iron ore which is turned into steel. Other minerals mined in Spain are lead, copper, zinc and coal.
Transport
Trains: Trains link all of the main Spanish cities. High speed train lines have been built, or are being built, to link Madrid to cities such as Barcelona and Seville.
To get to all parts of Spain, people can travel by road in buses and by plane. There is a good system of roadways throughout the country.
updated June 2006
