Europe (EU)
Spain
The flag of
Spain features three horizontal bands (top and bottom) with a yellow
band in the middle. The coat of arms on the Spanish flag includes
the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which represent
Gibraltar and Ceuta on either side of the eastern end of the Strait
of Gibraltar. The colors of the flag of Spain were chosen as they
were the colors of King Ferdinand´s own coat of arms.
Spain is situated in south western Europe. It occupies the Iberian
Peninsula and is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean
and the Cantabrian Sea. It also includes the Balearic Islands in the
Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the cities of
Ceuta and Melilla.
| Capital: | Madrid |
| Government type: | Parliamentary monarchy |
| Population: | 43,209,511 (July 2005 est.) |
| Languages: | Spanish 100% (official - Castillan 74%), some regional dialects in Catalan 16%, Basque 2 %, Galician 6%, and Occitan 2%. |
| Official Currency: | Euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European
Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be
used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1
January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday
transactions within the member countries Current Euro Exchange Rates |
| Climate: | temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast. |
| National Day: | October 12 - 1492 - commemorates Columbus landing |
| Religion: | predominately Roman Catholic 85%-94% |
| Area: | total: 504,782 sq km |
| Country Phone Code: | 34 |
Top Destinations in Spain
Barcelona | Madrid | Valencia |
Seville | San Sebastian | Benidorm
Gibraltar | Costa Brava |
Malaga | Pamplona | Granada