Spain

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe that occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula and also includes several island groups in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. The country shares its land borders with Portugal to the west, France and Andorra to the northeast, and Gibraltar to the south.

The Catholic kingdoms of Castile and Aragon merged in 1479 through the marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand, establishing the foundation for a modern state. The following centuries produced a global colonial power, which lost most of its overseas holdings during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Bullfighting still shapes discussion in some regions, while flamenco dancing remains a living art form in Andalusia, visible in many small bars and theaters. The siesta, a midday break, still closes shops in rural areas and smaller towns for several hours in the early afternoon.

A high-speed rail network connects the largest cities with trains reaching up to 310 kilometers per hour (193 miles per hour) on certain routes, reducing long journeys considerably. Bus lines and regional trains complement the system, offering connections to smaller places across all parts of the country.

The two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla sit on Africa's northern coast and have formed Europe's only land borders with the African continent since the 15th century. Both cities preserve a mix of European and North African influences in their architecture and daily life.

Inception: March 14, 1516

Capital city: Madrid

Part of: Europe, European Union, Pyrenees–Mediterranean Euroregion, European Economic Area, Iberian Peninsula

Shares border with: Andorra, Portugal, Morocco, France, Gibraltar, Algeria, United Kingdom

Address: Spain

Website: https://administracion.gob.es

GPS coordinates: 39.32607,-4.83798

Latest update: December 7, 2025 23:38