Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. It is the largest country in Southern Europe and the fourth-most populous European Union member state. The country covers most of the Iberian Peninsula and includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa. Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid.

Throughout history, Spain has helped shape Europe and the world. During the Age of Discovery, Spain led the exploration and conquest of the New World and built one of the largest empires ever. Today, Spain is a developed country with a strong economy, and Spanish is the world's second-most spoken native language. The country is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with King Felipe VI as head of state.

Etymology

The name of Spain (España) comes from Hispania, the name used by the Ancient Romans for the Iberian Peninsula during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. We do not know exactly where the name Hispania came from.

The Phoenicians called the area i-shphan-im. This might have meant 'land of rabbits or hyraxes', 'land of metals', or 'northern island'. Later, Roman coins from the time of Hadrian often showed a rabbit. The writer Strabo called the area the 'land of the rabbits'.

History

Main article: History of Spain

Archaeological research at Atapuerca shows that the Iberian Peninsula was home to early humans a very long time ago. Modern humans arrived around 35,000 years ago, leaving paintings in caves like those at Altamira. Before the Romans came, different groups lived there, such as the Iberians, Celts, and Phoenicians.

The Romans took over the land and ruled for many years, bringing their language and laws. Later, the Visigoths took control. In the early 700s, people from North Africa crossed into Spain, changing the culture and religion of much of the land. Christian kingdoms in the north slowly took back areas over many years.

In the late 1400s, the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon joined together. This began the Spanish Empire, which grew very large through exploration. Spain became powerful but later faced tough times, including wars and economic problems.

Spain went through many changes over the next centuries. After a difficult time, Spain became a democracy again and joined the European Union, working to become a modern and prosperous country.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Spain

Spain is the fiftieth largest country in the world and the fourth largest in Europe. It has land in both Europe and Africa. The highest point in Spain is Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife. It is 3,715 meters tall.

Spain has many important islands. The Balearic Islands are in the Mediterranean Sea. The Canary Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean. There are also small islands near the coast and close to Morocco in North Africa.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Spain and Elections in Spain

See also: Spanish Constitution of 1978

Spain's government changed in 1976 when King Juan Carlos chose a new leader. This led to a new constitution in 1978, turning Spain into a democracy. Today, Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The king helps keep the country stable, while elected leaders take care of everyday decisions.

Spain is divided into 17 regions and two cities, each with its own government. These areas have different powers but all follow the Spanish Constitution. The country has a strong democracy with regular elections and many freedoms protected by law.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Spain

Spain has a mixed economy that mixes free markets with help for people and government rules. It is one of 19 countries with a big gross domestic product (GDP) of more than $1 trillion each year, and it is the 12th largest in the world. Spain is a high-income country and an advanced economy. As of 2024, it is growing faster than any other big advanced economy.

Spain started making things in the late 1700s, mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Growth was slow, and by the early 1900s, Spain was still less developed than most of Europe. The Spanish Civil War made things harder, but changes in the 1950s helped the economy grow fast in the 1960s. After becoming a democracy in the late 1970s, Spain opened up its economy and joined Europe more closely, becoming part of the European Union in 1986 and using the euro in 1999. The country felt the effects of the 2008 financial crisis.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Spain

In 2024, Spain was the second most visited country in the world, with 94 million tourists. Tourism is very important to Spain's economy, making up 12.3% of its GDP in 2023. Spain's beautiful coastlines, many landscapes, rich history, lively culture, and good facilities draw millions of visitors each year.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Spain

Spain became a leader in solar power in 2010 and is the main wind energy producer in Europe. In 2010, wind power provided over half of the electricity needed on the mainland. Spain also uses nuclear, gas, coal, and oil for energy. Renewable energies such as hydroelectric, biomass, and marine power are also used.

Science and technology

Main article: Science and technology in Spain

The Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) is Spain's top public science research group. Spain was ranked 29th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025. Most basic research is done by universities, while private companies spend less on research and development than in other EU countries.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Spain

See also: List of airports in Spain

Spain has good roads and wants to use more electric cars. The country has the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, connecting big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. Spain has 49 public airports, with Madrid and Barcelona being the busiest.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Spain

See also: List of Spanish autonomous communities by population

In January 2026, Spain had about 49.6 million people. Most people were born in Spain, and some were born in other countries. Spain is not as crowded as many other places in Western Europe. The busiest areas are near the coast and around the capital, Madrid. The number of people in Spain has grown a lot since 1900, mostly because many babies were born in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Spain has an older population than many places, with the average age being about 47 years. The total fertility rate in 2024 was about 1.1 children for each woman, which is lower than what is needed to keep the population the same size. In the past, families had more children. Today, many people moving to Spain from other countries help keep the population growing. Most immigrants come from Latin America, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Main article: List of metropolitan areas in Spain

Most people in Spain, about 82%, live in towns and cities. This trend has grown in recent years and affects the country's economy, politics, and culture.

Main article: Immigration to Spain

Over 10 million people in Spain were born in other countries. The largest groups come from Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, Romania, and Ecuador. Immigration to Spain has grown a lot since 2000. People move to Spain for many reasons, such as work and cultural ties.

Main article: Languages of Spain

Spain has many languages. Spanish is the main language everywhere. Other languages are spoken in different parts of the country, like Catalan/Valencian, Galician, Basque, and Aranese. Many people also speak Arabic because of immigration, and some speak English, Romanian, and French.

Main article: Education in Spain

Education in Spain is free for children from six to sixteen years old. Schools have classes for young children, primary school, secondary school, and classes for older students. Some students also learn skills for jobs. Not all students do as well as they could in reading, math, and science compared to other countries.

Main articles: Health care in Spain and Abortion in Spain

Spain has a public health system that helps everyone who lives there. People live longer today than they did in the past.

Main article: Religion in Spain

Most people in Spain follow Roman Catholicism, but it is not the official religion of the country. Some people learn about Catholicism or other subjects in school, like Islam, Judaism, and evangelical Christianity. Many people do not follow any religion. There are also small groups of Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Muslims, many from North Africa. There are also some Jews in Spain today.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Spain

Spain is a Western country and one of the major Latin countries of Europe. It is known for its strong influence on world culture. Spanish culture is linked to the Catholic Church, which helped shape the nation. Art, architecture, food, and music in Spain have been shaped by many groups and the country's own history and landscape. Because of this rich background, Spain is a leader in many cultural areas. It is one of the most visited countries in the world, with many important historical sites and students from across Europe.

Spain has 50 World Heritage Sites, including beautiful landscapes and historic places. The country also values special traditions and practices as important parts of its culture. Spanish literature has a long history, with famous writers such as Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quijote de La Mancha. Spanish art has produced world-known artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. The country’s music includes many styles, from traditional flamenco to modern pop and rock. Spanish food is famous around the world, with dishes like paella and gazpacho. Football is the most popular sport, with teams like Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona being well known. Spain celebrates many colorful festivals, such as San Fermín in Pamplona.