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 spans 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 played an important role in shaping Europe and the world. During the Age of Discovery, Spain led the exploration and conquest of the New World and created one of the largest empires in history. 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. The exact origin of the term Hispania is still unknown.

The Phoenicians called the area i-shphan-im, which 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, and the writer Strabo referred to the region as 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 1.3 million years ago. Modern humans arrived around 35,000 years ago, leaving beautiful 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 centuries, bringing their language and laws. Later, the Visigoths took control. In the early 700s, Muslims 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 huge through exploration and conquest. Spain became very powerful but later faced tough times, including wars and economic problems.

Spain went through many changes over the next centuries, including a civil war in the 1930s and rule by a dictator. After that, 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 world's fiftieth largest country and Europe's fourth largest country. It is a transcontinental country, with land in both Europe and Africa. The country's highest point is Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife, which stands at 3,715 meters.

Spain includes several important island groups. The Balearic Islands lie in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean. There are also smaller islands and territories along the coast and near Morocco in North Africa.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Spain and Elections in Spain

See also: Spanish Constitution of 1978

Spain's government began changing in 1976 when King Juan Carlos appointed a new leader. This led to a new constitution in 1978, which turned Spain from a dictatorship into a democracy. Today, Spain is a parliamentary monarchy with a king who helps maintain stability and unity, while elected leaders handle day-to-day governance.

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, each with its own government. These regions have different levels of power but all work together under 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 combines free-market capitalism with social welfare and state intervention. It is one of 19 countries with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) exceeding $1 trillion per year, ranking 12th largest worldwide. Spain is classified as a high-income economy and an advanced economy. As of 2024, it is the fastest growing major advanced economy in the world.

Spain began industrialising in the late 18th century, with industry mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Economic growth was slower than in most Western European countries, and Spain remained relatively underdeveloped by the early 20th century. The Spanish Civil War and later policies left the economy struggling until reforms in the 1950s set the stage for rapid growth in the 1960s. Since transitioning to democracy in the late 1970s, Spain has liberalised its economy and integrated more deeply with Europe, joining the European Union in 1986 and adopting the euro in 1999. The country was heavily affected by 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 contributes significantly to Spain's economy, making up 12.3% of its GDP in 2023. Spain's beautiful coastlines, diverse landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and strong infrastructure attract millions of visitors each year.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Spain

Spain became a leader in solar power in 2010 and is Europe's main producer of wind energy. In 2010, wind power covered 53% of mainland electricity demand. Spain also uses nuclear, gas, coal, and oil for energy. Renewable energies like 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 leading public scientific research agency. Spain was ranked 29th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025. Most basic research is conducted by higher education institutions, while private sector contributions to research and development are lower than in other EU countries.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Spain

See also: List of airports in Spain

Spain has a well-developed road system and aims to increase its use of electric cars. The country has the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, linking major cities such as 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 a population of 49,570,725 people. People born in Spain made up 79.7% of the total population, while people born abroad accounted for 20.3%. Spain's population density is lower than most Western European countries, with most densely populated areas found along the coast, except around the capital, Madrid. The population of Spain has more than tripled since 1900, mainly due to a demographic boom in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Spain has one of the oldest populations globally, with a median age of 46.8 years. The total fertility rate in 2024 was 1.10 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. This low birth rate contrasts with a historical maximum of 5.11 children per woman recorded in 1865. Immigration has become a significant factor in Spain's population growth, with immigrants making up more than 19% of the population today. Most immigrants come from Latin America, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Main article: List of metropolitan areas in Spain

About 81.6% of Spain's population lived in urban areas as of 2023, showing a continuing trend of urbanisation that has shaped the country's demographic landscape in recent decades. This concentration has led to urban areas dominating economic, political, and cultural life in Spain.

Main article: Immigration to Spain

Over 10 million people in Spain were born abroad as of January 2026, making up 20.3% of the total population. The largest groups of immigrants come from Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, Romania, and Ecuador. Immigration to Spain has increased greatly since the 21st century, rising from 1.6% of the population in 1998 to over 12% by 2009. Factors driving this immigration include Spain's cultural ties with Latin America, its geographical location, and the needs of its agricultural and construction sectors for labour.

Main article: Languages of Spain

Spain is a multilingual country where Spanish is the official language nationwide. Other languages recognised in specific regions include Catalan/Valencian, Galician, Basque, and Aranese. According to a 2021 census survey, Spanish is the first language for 81.53% of the population, while Catalan/Valencian, Galician, and Basque follow. The most spoken foreign language is Arabic, mainly due to immigration, followed by English, Romanian, and French.

Main article: Education in Spain

Education in Spain is free and compulsory from age six to sixteen. The system includes preschool, primary, secondary, and post-16 education, along with vocational training at three levels. Despite these opportunities, Spanish students aged 15 rank below the OECD average in reading, mathematics, and science according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Main articles: Health care in Spain and Abortion in Spain

Spain's healthcare system is public, universal, and free for legal citizens, ranking 7th in the world. Health spending equals 9.4% of the country's GDP. Life expectancy improved from 79.1 years in 2000 to 82.7 years in 2021.

Main article: Religion in Spain

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Spain, though it is no longer official. Most public school students choose either Catholic religion or ethics classes, though Islam, Judaism, and evangelical Christianity are also taught. Around 30% of Spaniards are irreligious. Other religious groups include Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Muslims, most of whom are immigrants or descendants from North Africa. There are also around 62,000 Jews in Spain today.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Spain

Spain is a Western country and one of the major Latin countries of Europe, known for its strong influence on world culture. Spanish culture is deeply connected to the Catholic Church, which helped shape the nation's identity. Art, architecture, food, and music in Spain have been influenced by many different groups over time, as well as the country's own unique landscape and history. Because of this rich background, Spain has become a leader in many cultural areas. It is one of the most visited countries in the world, has many important historical sites, and attracts many students from across Europe.

Spain has 50 World Heritage Sites, including beautiful landscapes and important historic places. The country also recognizes special traditions and practices as important parts of its culture. Spanish literature has a long and varied 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 among the best known globally. Spain celebrates many colorful festivals, such as San Fermín in Pamplona, famous for its running of the bulls.