Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Pyrenees Mountains. It has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its cuisine, music, art, and festivals. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is the euro.

Spain has a long and complex history, with a diverse mix of cultures and traditions. It was ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths, and the Moors before becoming a Christian kingdom in the 15th century. In the 16th century, Spain became a global superpower with its vast colonial empire in the Americas and Asia.

Today, Spain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch as its head of state. It is divided into 17 autonomous regions, each with its own government and parliament. The largest cities are Madrid, the capital, and Barcelona.

Spain is known for its sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage. Its food is diverse and renowned, including dishes such as paella, tortilla española, and jamón ibérico. The country is also famous for its art, with masterpieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Francisco Goya.

Spain is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Major attractions include the beaches of the Costa del Sol, the Alhambra palace in Granada, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and the Park Güell in Barcelona. The country is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic city of Toledo and the Alhambra.

In recent years, Spain has faced economic challenges, including high unemployment and a significant public debt. However, it remains one of the largest economies in Europe and a popular destination for foreign investment.

Telephone Code
34

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast

Currency (Code)
Euros (EUR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Alhambra & Generalife Gardens; Barcelona's Sagrada Familia & Gaudi Sites; Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba; Prado & Paseo del Artes; San Lorenzo de El Escorial; Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; Alcazar of Seville; Royal Palace in Madrid; Coa Valley & Siega Verde; Cave of Altamira; Routes of Santiago de Compostela; Valley of the Fallen

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, tennis, cycling, golf, handball

Cultural Practices
Dinner is served later in Spain than in many other countries. It is common for the meal to be served around 9 p.m.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is determined by the time and place you are dining. Leaving 1 euro per person is fine for a daytime meal, but leave 10% for an evening meal. Tip room service 1-2 euro and leave 2-3 euros for hotel housekeeping at the end of your stay.

Souvenirs
Espadrille shoes, Cava sparkling wine, liquor, leather goods, Caganer figurines, mortar and pestle sets, Gaudí-inspired decorated items

Traditional Cuisine
Paella — a one-pot dish consisting of saffron-flavored rice simmered in a broth of garlic, tomatoes, freshly cooked vegetables, and meat and/or seafood

Geography
Area
total: 505,370 sq km
land: 498,980 sq km
water: 6,390 sq km

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 resources
coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land

People and Society
Population
47,222,613 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Spanish 84.8%, Moroccan 1.7%, Romanian 1.2%, other 12.3% (2021 est.)

Languages
Castilian Spanish (official nationwide) 74%, Catalan (official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as Valencian)) 17%, Galician (official in Galicia) 7%, Basque (official in the Basque Country and in the Basque-speaking area of Navarre) 2%, Aranese (official in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d'Aran) along with Catalan, <5,000 speakers); note - Aragonese, Aranese Asturian, Basque, Calo, Catalan, Galician, and Valencian are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Religions
Roman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%, unspecified 1.7% (2021 est.)

Population growth rate
0.12% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Madrid

Economy
Economic overview
high-income core EU economy; diversified trade portfolio; continental tourism locale; high government spending and debt; prone to political financing corruption; negatively impacted by COVID-19; important port and customs infrastructure; key clothing/footwear supplier

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.798 trillion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$37,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
barley, milk, wheat, olives, grapes, tomatoes, pork, maize, oranges, sugar beets

Industries
textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Exports
$497.868 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
France 15%, Germany 11%, Italy 8%, Portugal 8%, United Kingdom 7%, United States 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, clothing and apparel (2019)

Imports
$476.678 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 13%, France 11%, China 8%, Italy 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019)