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Last updated: April 16, 2024
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  • The harbor at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

    The harbor at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

  • The Pyrenees (whose highest point is Spain's Pico d'Aneto 3,404 m; 11,168 ft) extend from the Bay of Biscay (west, left) to the Gulf of Lyon (east, right). Spain lies south of the range, France is to the north, and Andorra is entirely within the range near the eastern snow patch. There is a long history of mining in the Pyrenees - tin, tungsten, talc, fluorite, barium, and gold. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The Pyrenees (whose highest point is Spain's Pico d'Aneto 3,404 m; 11,168 ft) extend from the Bay of Biscay (west, left) to the Gulf of Lyon (east, right). Spain lies south of the range, France is to the north, and Andorra is entirely within the range near the eastern snow patch. There is a long history of mining in the Pyrenees - tin, tungsten, talc, fluorite, barium, and gold. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The Alps may be more famous, but the Pyrenees have been around much longer - tens of millions of years longer, in fact. These mountains formed between 100 and 150 million years ago when the landmass that Spain occupies pushed into the one that France occupies. The mountains have served as a natural barrier between the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and the rest of Europe ever since. Stretching east to west across 430 sq km (166 sq mi), the Pyrenees fall mostly within Spain's borders, but also pass into the independent state of Andorra. The NASA Terra satellite captured this image of part of the Central Pyrenees - the highest part of the range - on 1 August 2000. In this false-color image, clouds appear white, snow appears pale blue, vegetation appears green, and bare ground appears as either pink or dark, bluish-purple. Water on the ground appears dark blue (or nearly black). In this shot, the vegetated areas are mostly to the north, and the peaks to the south are mostly bare rock. Patches of dark purple that are visible along rivers and in valley floors are probably developed areas. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The Alps may be more famous, but the Pyrenees have been around much longer - tens of millions of years longer, in fact. These mountains formed between 100 and 150 million years ago when the landmass that Spain occupies pushed into the one that France occupies. The mountains have served as a natural barrier between the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and the rest of Europe ever since. Stretching east to west across 430 sq km (166 sq mi), the Pyrenees fall mostly within Spain's borders, but also pass into the independent state of Andorra. The NASA Terra satellite captured this image of part of the Central Pyrenees - the highest part of the range - on 1 August 2000. In this false-color image, clouds appear white, snow appears pale blue, vegetation appears green, and bare ground appears as either pink or dark, bluish-purple. Water on the ground appears dark blue (or nearly black). In this shot, the vegetated areas are mostly to the north, and the peaks to the south are mostly bare rock. Patches of dark purple that are visible along rivers and in valley floors are probably developed areas. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The Strait of Gibraltar provides a natural physical barrier between the countries of Spain (north) and Morocco (south). This photo shows the mountainous northern coast of Morocco and the coastal mountains of southern Spain, including the dagger-shaped, snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains of southeastern Spain. The British territory of Gibraltar is located on the thin, wedge-shaped peninsula on the east side of the bay in the southernmost protrusion of Spain. The city of Ceuta is a Spanish enclave on the extreme northeastern coast of Morocco. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The Strait of Gibraltar provides a natural physical barrier between the countries of Spain (north) and Morocco (south). This photo shows the mountainous northern coast of Morocco and the coastal mountains of southern Spain, including the dagger-shaped, snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains of southeastern Spain. The British territory of Gibraltar is located on the thin, wedge-shaped peninsula on the east side of the bay in the southernmost protrusion of Spain. The city of Ceuta is a Spanish enclave on the extreme northeastern coast of Morocco. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • This space shuttle photo was taken near sunset. Two packets of tidally-generated internal waves are highlighted by sunglint off the surface waters in the Strait of Gibraltar. The older packet (labeled) contains at least 14 waves, which can be counted like tree rings. A younger group is forming near the middle of the strait (marked by the carat south of Gibraltar). The waves are generated as a diurnal tidal pulse flows over the shallow Camarinal Sill at Gibraltar. The waves flow eastward and refract around coastal features; they can be traced for as much as 150 km. Image credit: NASA.

    This space shuttle photo was taken near sunset. Two packets of tidally-generated internal waves are highlighted by sunglint off the surface waters in the Strait of Gibraltar. The older packet (labeled) contains at least 14 waves, which can be counted like tree rings. A younger group is forming near the middle of the strait (marked by the carat south of Gibraltar). The waves are generated as a diurnal tidal pulse flows over the shallow Camarinal Sill at Gibraltar. The waves flow eastward and refract around coastal features; they can be traced for as much as 150 km. Image credit: NASA.

  • Algeciras, Spain (left), the Bay of Gibraltar (Bahia de Algecira), and Gibraltar itself (right) are featured in this detailed vertical view over the European side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Ship traffic in the bay can easily be seen. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Algeciras, Spain (left), the Bay of Gibraltar (Bahia de Algecira), and Gibraltar itself (right) are featured in this detailed vertical view over the European side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Ship traffic in the bay can easily be seen. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The small Spanish enclave of Ceuta occupies a narrow isthmus of land on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar; the rest of the surrounding territory is Morocco. Densely populated Ceuta occupies the center of the image, its pink and white residential and industrial rooftops occasionally broken by patches of green - city parks and athletic fields. North of the city, seawalls enclose a small bay and harbor. On the beach, bright blue patches are large water parks. The Spanish fort at Monte Hacho on the eastern isthmus tip commands a clear view of the Strait. Image credit: NASA.

    The small Spanish enclave of Ceuta occupies a narrow isthmus of land on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar; the rest of the surrounding territory is Morocco. Densely populated Ceuta occupies the center of the image, its pink and white residential and industrial rooftops occasionally broken by patches of green - city parks and athletic fields. North of the city, seawalls enclose a small bay and harbor. On the beach, bright blue patches are large water parks. The Spanish fort at Monte Hacho on the eastern isthmus tip commands a clear view of the Strait. Image credit: NASA.

  • Saharan dust blowing off the west coast of Africa and over the Canary Islands (a Spanish archipelago) on 11 November 2006. The horizontal line is the border between Morocco (to the north) and Western Sahara. The plumes of dust are more distinct off the coast of the former than the latter. The fine particles blow to the northwest, and although the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria appear unaffected, the neighboring islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are receiving a strong dusting. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Saharan dust blowing off the west coast of Africa and over the Canary Islands (a Spanish archipelago) on 11 November 2006. The horizontal line is the border between Morocco (to the north) and Western Sahara. The plumes of dust are more distinct off the coast of the former than the latter. The fine particles blow to the northwest, and although the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria appear unaffected, the neighboring islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are receiving a strong dusting. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Scene in the old walled town of Pensicola in Andalusia.

    Scene in the old walled town of Pensicola in Andalusia.

  • A view of the city of Toledo. On the right is the castle-fortress known as the Alcazar.

    A view of the city of Toledo. On the right is the castle-fortress known as the Alcazar.

  • Ronda, a city perched on cliffs in the province of Malaga. This mountainous area of Andalucia is roughly 750 m (2,500 ft) above sea level.

    Ronda, a city perched on cliffs in the province of Malaga. This mountainous area of Andalucia is roughly 750 m (2,500 ft) above sea level.

  • Well-preserved Roman aqueduct a few kilometers north of the city of Tarragona.

    Well-preserved Roman aqueduct a few kilometers north of the city of Tarragona.

  • The Valle de Cuelgamuros (formally the Valle de los Caidos or the Valley of the Fallen) in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, Spain, is a memorial to the dead of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). It is comprised of one of the world's largest Catholic basilicas and the tallest memorial cross in the world.

    The Valle de Cuelgamuros (formally the Valle de los Caidos or the Valley of the Fallen) in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, Spain, is a memorial to the dead of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). It is comprised of one of the world's largest Catholic basilicas and the tallest memorial cross in the world.

  • A view of Barcelona from the heights overlooking the city.

    A view of Barcelona from the heights overlooking the city.

  • The Sagrada Familia (Basilica and Exiatory Church of the Holy Family) in Barcelona was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni GAUDI. Construction began in 1882 and completion is hoped for by 2026. Construction is dependent on donations. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    The Sagrada Familia (Basilica and Exiatory Church of the Holy Family) in Barcelona was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni GAUDI. Construction began in 1882 and completion is hoped for by 2026. Construction is dependent on donations. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. It was constructed from the 13th to the 15th centuries, with the bulk of the work done in the 14th century.

    The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. It was constructed from the 13th to the 15th centuries, with the bulk of the work done in the 14th century.

  • The neo-Gothic facade of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona (built 13th-15th centuries).

    The neo-Gothic facade of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona (built 13th-15th centuries).

  • The crypt of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona. The saint is the patron of the Spanish city.

    The crypt of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona. The saint is the patron of the Spanish city.

  • Evidence of damage dating back to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) may be seen on this church wall in the Old City in Barcelona.

    Evidence of damage dating back to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) may be seen on this church wall in the Old City in Barcelona.

  • Doric columns supporting the roof of the lower court that forms the central terrace at the unique Park Guell garden complex in Barcelona. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and built between 1910 and 1914, the park is full of his mosaics including this ceiling rondel.

    Doric columns supporting the roof of the lower court that forms the central terrace at the unique Park Guell garden complex in Barcelona. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and built between 1910 and 1914, the park is full of his mosaics including this ceiling rondel.

  • The facade of the City Hall in Barcelona.

    The facade of the City Hall in Barcelona.

  • Chapel of St. Agatha in the Palau Reial Major (Grand Royal Palace) in Barcelona. The royal chapel was built in the 14th century.

    Chapel of St. Agatha in the Palau Reial Major (Grand Royal Palace) in Barcelona. The royal chapel was built in the 14th century.

  • Building in the complex of the Grand Royal Palace in Barcelona. The palace dates to the 11th century.

    Building in the complex of the Grand Royal Palace in Barcelona. The palace dates to the 11th century.

  • View of Cordoba showing the Roman Bridge and the massive Mesquita complex on the left.

    View of Cordoba showing the Roman Bridge and the massive Mesquita complex on the left.

  • Courtyard of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin (Mezquita) in Cordoba. The cathedral was originally a church (constructed about A.D. 600) that was considerably expanded and converted to a mosque during the Muslim conquest (it became the second-largest mosque in the world). Following the recapture of the city in 1236, the building was reconsecrated as a Christian church and additional architectural alterations were added in subsequent centuries.

    Courtyard of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin (Mezquita) in Cordoba. The cathedral was originally a church (constructed about A.D. 600) that was considerably expanded and converted to a mosque during the Muslim conquest (it became the second-largest mosque in the world). Following the recapture of the city in 1236, the building was reconsecrated as a Christian church and additional architectural alterations were added in subsequent centuries.

  • Interior of the Mezquita in Cordoba showing some of the distinctive Muslim architecture and a section of the dome.

    Interior of the Mezquita in Cordoba showing some of the distinctive Muslim architecture and a section of the dome.

  • The treasure chamber in the Mezquita of Cordoba houses a remarkable monstrance - a vessel used to display a consecrated Eucharistic Host - constructed by the German master goldsmith Heinrich von Arfe between 1510 and 1516.

    The treasure chamber in the Mezquita of Cordoba houses a remarkable monstrance - a vessel used to display a consecrated Eucharistic Host - constructed by the German master goldsmith Heinrich von Arfe between 1510 and 1516.

  • Monument in Cordoba to the famous Andalusian-Arab polymath Ibn Rushd (1126-1198; known in European literature as Averroes).

    Monument in Cordoba to the famous Andalusian-Arab polymath Ibn Rushd (1126-1198; known in European literature as Averroes).

  • Cordoba monument honoring a native son, the eminent Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1135-1204).

    Cordoba monument honoring a native son, the eminent Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1135-1204).

  • Original Moorish Garden at the Alhambra, Granada.

    Original Moorish Garden at the Alhambra, Granada.

  • Alhambra garden viewed through an archway, Granada.

    Alhambra garden viewed through an archway, Granada.

  • View of Granada from the Alhambra.

    View of Granada from the Alhambra.

  • Courtyard of the Lions at the Alhambra, Granada.

    Courtyard of the Lions at the Alhambra, Granada.

  • Courtyard in front of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

    Courtyard in front of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

  • View of the gardens through a window at the El Escorial.

    View of the gardens through a window at the El Escorial.

  • Tombs of Spanish kings and queens at the El Escorial.

    Tombs of Spanish kings and queens at the El Escorial.

  • The third-largest church in the world and the largest Gothic-style cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Prior to today’s cathedral, the site was occupied by a mosque that was dedicated in 1182. After Ferdinand III’s 1248 conquest of Seville, the mosque was converted to a cathedral until 1401, when the church was torn down and the present cathedral was constructed. All that remains of the mosque is an interior garden and a minaret that became a bell tower. The cathedral, the adjoining Alcázar palace complex, and the General Archive of the Indies of Saint Mary of the See, together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

    The third-largest church in the world and the largest Gothic-style cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Prior to today’s cathedral, the site was occupied by a mosque that was dedicated in 1182. After Ferdinand III’s 1248 conquest of Seville, the mosque was converted to a cathedral until 1401, when the church was torn down and the present cathedral was constructed. All that remains of the mosque is an interior garden and a minaret that became a bell tower. The cathedral, the adjoining Alcázar palace complex, and the General Archive of the Indies of Saint Mary of the See, together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

  • La Giralda, one of the two bell towers of the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) at Seville. The lower two-thirds of the structure are a former minaret.

    La Giralda, one of the two bell towers of the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) at Seville. The lower two-thirds of the structure are a former minaret.

  • The Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens) in the Alcazar in Seville.

    The Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens) in the Alcazar in Seville.

  • Fountain in the Garden of El Estanque in the Alcazar in Seville.

    Fountain in the Garden of El Estanque in the Alcazar in Seville.

  • Gateway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.

    Gateway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.

  • Pathway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.

    Pathway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.

  • North facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.

    North facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.

  • West facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid as seen from the Campo del Moro (Garden of the Moors).

    West facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid as seen from the Campo del Moro (Garden of the Moors).

  • Interior detail from the Cathedral of Toledo.

    Interior detail from the Cathedral of Toledo.

  • Exterior detail over one of the Cathedral doors in Toledo.

    Exterior detail over one of the Cathedral doors in Toledo.

  • The Aqueduct of Segovia - built of unmortared, granite blocks - is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments on the Iberian peninsula; it provided water to the city until the mid-19th century. The impressive aqueduct is one of the symbols of Segovia and appears on the city's coat of arms.

    The Aqueduct of Segovia - built of unmortared, granite blocks - is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments on the Iberian peninsula; it provided water to the city until the mid-19th century. The impressive aqueduct is one of the symbols of Segovia and appears on the city's coat of arms.

  • Garden at the Alcazar (fortress) in Segovia.

    Garden at the Alcazar (fortress) in Segovia.

  • View of the 16th-century Cathedral of Segovia as seen from the Torre de Juan II (Tower of John II) in the Alcazar. Built between 1525 and 1577, this late Gothic structure - dedicated to the Virgin Mary - is referred to as the "Dame of Spanish Cathedrals."

    View of the 16th-century Cathedral of Segovia as seen from the Torre de Juan II (Tower of John II) in the Alcazar. Built between 1525 and 1577, this late Gothic structure - dedicated to the Virgin Mary - is referred to as the "Dame of Spanish Cathedrals."

  • Ceiling detail in the Cathedral of Segovia.

    Ceiling detail in the Cathedral of Segovia.

  • The library at El Escorial, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real, contains many priceless manuscripts, as well as artwork by Titian, El Greco, Valazquez, and many others.

    The library at El Escorial, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real, contains many priceless manuscripts, as well as artwork by Titian, El Greco, Valazquez, and many others.

  • The interior of the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena in Madrid.

    The interior of the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena in Madrid.

  • The Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gate) monument in the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) in Madrid. Inaugurated by King Carlos III in 1778, it originally functioned as an enormous gate in the city's wall.

    The Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gate) monument in the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) in Madrid. Inaugurated by King Carlos III in 1778, it originally functioned as an enormous gate in the city's wall.

  • Dedicated on 19 January 1967, the bronze statue “The Bear and the Arbutus” (Strawberry Tree) in the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) square in the center of Madrid depicts the heraldic symbol of the city of Madrid. King Alfonso VIII first used this symbol in 1222 as a seal that signed a decree ending a dispute over land rights between the church and city council. The tree represents the woodlands that were property of the city and the bear represented the animals belonging to the church. Earlier in history, Madrid was Ursalia “Land of the bears” due to the numerous bears living there. People of southern Europe held the strawberry tree in high regard, as they believed the leaves could help cure the plague. The tree itself is primarily an ornamental plant with bland fruit that tastes more like a pear.

    Dedicated on 19 January 1967, the bronze statue “The Bear and the Arbutus” (Strawberry Tree) in the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) square in the center of Madrid depicts the heraldic symbol of the city of Madrid. King Alfonso VIII first used this symbol in 1222 as a seal that signed a decree ending a dispute over land rights between the church and city council. The tree represents the woodlands that were property of the city and the bear represented the animals belonging to the church. Earlier in history, Madrid was Ursalia “Land of the bears” due to the numerous bears living there. People of southern Europe held the strawberry tree in high regard, as they believed the leaves could help cure the plague. The tree itself is primarily an ornamental plant with bland fruit that tastes more like a pear.

  • The Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Madrid. Inaugurated in 1931, it has a capacity of 25,000.

    The Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Madrid. Inaugurated in 1931, it has a capacity of 25,000.

  • The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in the Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) in Madrid. Inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, it was built of glass and steel in 1887 - originally to keep alive exotic plants from the Philippines.

    The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in the Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) in Madrid. Inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, it was built of glass and steel in 1887 - originally to keep alive exotic plants from the Philippines.

  • The eclectic Palacio de Comunicaciones (Palace of Communications) in Madrid successfully combines elements of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture. Opened as the headqusrters for the Post and Telegraph State Company in 1909, it became the municipal headquarters of Madrid in 2007.

    The eclectic Palacio de Comunicaciones (Palace of Communications) in Madrid successfully combines elements of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture. Opened as the headqusrters for the Post and Telegraph State Company in 1909, it became the municipal headquarters of Madrid in 2007.

  • The Lago Metro Station in Madrid is one of the few surface stations of the system. First opened in 1919, the Madrid Metro is one of the largest subway systems in the world.

    The Lago Metro Station in Madrid is one of the few surface stations of the system. First opened in 1919, the Madrid Metro is one of the largest subway systems in the world.

  • The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Aranjuez, 48 km (30 mi) south of Madrid, is one of the residences of the King of Spain. It was commissioned by Philip II in the late 16th century, but not completed until the middle of the 18th century.

    The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Aranjuez, 48 km (30 mi) south of Madrid, is one of the residences of the King of Spain. It was commissioned by Philip II in the late 16th century, but not completed until the middle of the 18th century.

  • Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.

    Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.

  • Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.

    Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.

  • Building of the Government Subdelagation along the Gran Via in Bilbao, Bizkaia Province.

    Building of the Government Subdelagation along the Gran Via in Bilbao, Bizkaia Province.

  • Flowers in a square in Bilbao, the capital of Bizkaia (Basque) Province. Signs are in Spanish and Basque.

    Flowers in a square in Bilbao, the capital of Bizkaia (Basque) Province. Signs are in Spanish and Basque.

  • Completed in 1900, the Palacio de la Diputacion de Bizkaia in Bilbao is the seat of the local provincial government.

    Completed in 1900, the Palacio de la Diputacion de Bizkaia in Bilbao is the seat of the local provincial government.

  • Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; front view.

    Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; front view.

  • Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; rear view.

    Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; rear view.

  • Town Hall in Ayuntamieto Square in Castro Urdiales.

    Town Hall in Ayuntamieto Square in Castro Urdiales.

  • Town seal of Castro Urdiales on a manhole cover.

    Town seal of Castro Urdiales on a manhole cover.

  • The town seal of Castro Urdiales in street tiles.

    The town seal of Castro Urdiales in street tiles.

  • Town steps in Castro Urdiales.

    Town steps in Castro Urdiales.

  • The Tower of Hercules in La Coruna was built by the Romans as a lighthouse in the 2nd century A.D. The 55 m Tower sits on a 57 m hill. The first 34 m of the Tower date back to Roman times; the rest of the Tower was added during a renovation in 1791. The lighthouse is still working, and its light can be seen from 35 km at sea. The Tower is the best- preserved Greco-Roman structure of its kind and is the oldest functioning lighthouse in the World.

    The Tower of Hercules in La Coruna was built by the Romans as a lighthouse in the 2nd century A.D. The 55 m Tower sits on a 57 m hill. The first 34 m of the Tower date back to Roman times; the rest of the Tower was added during a renovation in 1791. The lighthouse is still working, and its light can be seen from 35 km at sea. The Tower is the best- preserved Greco-Roman structure of its kind and is the oldest functioning lighthouse in the World.

  • Alley in Betanzos, a Galician municipality about 20 minutes inland from La Coruna.

    Alley in Betanzos, a Galician municipality about 20 minutes inland from La Coruna.

  • The Igrexa de San Francisco (Saint Francis Church) in the town of Betanzos dates to 1387.

    The Igrexa de San Francisco (Saint Francis Church) in the town of Betanzos dates to 1387.

  • Huge Ficus Centenario tree in Cadiz. The city is among the oldest settlements in Spain, founded by the Phoenicians about 1100 B.C. It was a major port for trade with the Americas.

    Huge Ficus Centenario tree in Cadiz. The city is among the oldest settlements in Spain, founded by the Phoenicians about 1100 B.C. It was a major port for trade with the Americas.

  • Monument in Cadiz to the 1812 Spanish Constitution, the first in Spain. The Constitution was established on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cadiz, the first Spanish legislature.

    Monument in Cadiz to the 1812 Spanish Constitution, the first in Spain. The Constitution was established on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cadiz, the first Spanish legislature.

  • Narrow street in Cadiz.

    Narrow street in Cadiz.

  • The bull ring in Malaga.

    The bull ring in Malaga.

  • Contrasting walls. The wall on the right belongs to one of the palaces in the Alcazaba in Malaga.

    Contrasting walls. The wall on the right belongs to one of the palaces in the Alcazaba in Malaga.

  • The stone walls in the Alcazaba in Malaga show different periods of construction. The Alcazaba is a complex of palaces that sits high atop a hillside. It was built by the Moors in the 11th century and formerly connected to the Gibralfaro fortification that overlooks the city and is situated higher still.

    The stone walls in the Alcazaba in Malaga show different periods of construction. The Alcazaba is a complex of palaces that sits high atop a hillside. It was built by the Moors in the 11th century and formerly connected to the Gibralfaro fortification that overlooks the city and is situated higher still.

  • Remains of a Roman amphitheater in Malaga. Some Roman building materials were used in constructing the Alcazaba (Moorish castle complex), which may be seen in the background.

    Remains of a Roman amphitheater in Malaga. Some Roman building materials were used in constructing the Alcazaba (Moorish castle complex), which may be seen in the background.

  • Courtyard garden of the Cuartos de Granada (The Granada Quarters) in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

    Courtyard garden of the Cuartos de Granada (The Granada Quarters) in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

  • Moorish gateway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

    Moorish gateway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

  • Moorish doorway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

    Moorish doorway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.

  • Gibralfaro Castle walls, Malaga.

    Gibralfaro Castle walls, Malaga.

  • View from the Gibralfaro Castle over the city of Malaga, the second largest port in Spain.

    View from the Gibralfaro Castle over the city of Malaga, the second largest port in Spain.

  • The Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación (Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation) in Malaga was constructed over a 250-year period (between 1528 and 1782).

    The Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación (Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation) in Malaga was constructed over a 250-year period (between 1528 and 1782).

  • The Alcala Gate in Madrid, completed in 1778, is regarded as the first modern post-Roman triumphal arch built in Europe; it is older than similar monuments in Paris and Berlin. This view is of the front (west) side.

    The Alcala Gate in Madrid, completed in 1778, is regarded as the first modern post-Roman triumphal arch built in Europe; it is older than similar monuments in Paris and Berlin. This view is of the front (west) side.

  • Equestrian statue of King Philip IV at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

    Equestrian statue of King Philip IV at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

  • Equestrian statue of King Charles III in Madrid.

    Equestrian statue of King Charles III in Madrid.

  • The Monument to Miguel de Cervantes in the center of the Plaza de España in Madrid, Spain, was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1915, on the 300th anniversary of the writer’s death. Cervantes is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language. The main part of the monument was erected in 1929, but the structure was not fully finished until the 1960’s with the addition of the flanking Aldonza and Dulcinea statues. Standing 34 m (111.5 ft), the stone monolith includes a statue of a seated Cervantes holding a copy of Don Quixote, allegories of Literature, Military Value, and Mysticism; and a crowning Earth globe at the top surrounded by five women representing the five continents. A detached bronze statue of two of Cervantes’ best known literary characters, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, stand in front of the monolith.

    The Monument to Miguel de Cervantes in the center of the Plaza de España in Madrid, Spain, was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1915, on the 300th anniversary of the writer’s death. Cervantes is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language. The main part of the monument was erected in 1929, but the structure was not fully finished until the 1960’s with the addition of the flanking Aldonza and Dulcinea statues. Standing 34 m (111.5 ft), the stone monolith includes a statue of a seated Cervantes holding a copy of Don Quixote, allegories of Literature, Military Value, and Mysticism; and a crowning Earth globe at the top surrounded by five women representing the five continents. A detached bronze statue of two of Cervantes’ best known literary characters, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, stand in front of the monolith.

  • Statues of Spanish kings in the Plaza de Oriente, near the Royal Palace.

    Statues of Spanish kings in the Plaza de Oriente, near the Royal Palace.

  • A market in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

    A market in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

  • View of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.

    View of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.

  • Another view of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.

    Another view of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.

  • The south facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.

    The south facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.

  • Barcelona's shops provide an array of delectable treats for visitors. Traditional shops may close in the mid-day for siesta, and stay open later in the evening.

    Barcelona's shops provide an array of delectable treats for visitors. Traditional shops may close in the mid-day for siesta, and stay open later in the evening.

  • This view from space of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, vividly displays the volcanic island’s large caldera. The summit of the Teide stratovolcano reaches 3,718 m (12,198 ft) above sea level. However, much of the volcano’s impressive height is unseen below the water line. The volcano rises 7,500 m (24,606 ft) from the ocean floor, making it the third tallest volcanic structure on Earth. About 190 sq km (73 sq mi) of land around the summit are protected as part of Teide National Park. In 2007, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as examples of the geologic processes responsible for building oceanic volcanoes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s largest city and capital, is the large grayish area on the northeastern shore. Image courtesy of NASA.

    This view from space of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, vividly displays the volcanic island’s large caldera. The summit of the Teide stratovolcano reaches 3,718 m (12,198 ft) above sea level. However, much of the volcano’s impressive height is unseen below the water line. The volcano rises 7,500 m (24,606 ft) from the ocean floor, making it the third tallest volcanic structure on Earth. About 190 sq km (73 sq mi) of land around the summit are protected as part of Teide National Park. In 2007, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as examples of the geologic processes responsible for building oceanic volcanoes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s largest city and capital, is the large grayish area on the northeastern shore. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • High in the pine forest above the harbor at Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Mount Teide appears in the distance. The tallest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide is the third tallest volcano on earth, measured from the ocean floor. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

    High in the pine forest above the harbor at Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Mount Teide appears in the distance. The tallest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide is the third tallest volcano on earth, measured from the ocean floor. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

  • Volcanic terrain high on the Mount Teide caldera on the island of Tenerife. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.

    Volcanic terrain high on the Mount Teide caldera on the island of Tenerife. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.

  • Tenerife Desert flora living above the tree line on the island of Tenerife. Many unique floral species have evolved on the Canary Islands including the amazing and beautiful Echium. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.

    Tenerife Desert flora living above the tree line on the island of Tenerife. Many unique floral species have evolved on the Canary Islands including the amazing and beautiful Echium. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.

  • The harbor at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

    The harbor at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

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  • The city lights of Spain and Portugal define the Iberian Peninsula in this photograph taken from the International Space Station (ISS) on 4 December 2011. Several large metropolitan areas are visible, marked by their relatively large and brightly lit areas, such as the capital cities of Madrid, Spain - located near the center of the peninsula's interior - and Lisbon, Portugal - located along the southwestern coastline. The ancient city of Seville, visible at image right to the north of the approximately 14 km (9 mi)-wide Strait of Gibraltar, is one of the largest cities in Spain. The view is looking outwards from the ISS towards the east. The network of smaller cities and towns in the interior and along the coastline attest to the areal extent of human presence on the Iberian landscape. Blurring of the city lights is caused by thin cloud cover (image left and center), while the cloud tops are dimly illuminated by moonlight. Though obscured, the lights of France are visible near the horizon line at image upper left, while the lights of northern Africa are more clearly discernable at image right. The gold to green line of airglow, caused by excitation of upper atmosphere gas molecules by ultraviolet radiation, parallels the horizon line (or Earth limb). Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The Pyrenees (whose highest point is Spain's Pico d'Aneto 3,404 m; 11,168 ft) extend from the Bay of Biscay (west, left) to the Gulf of Lyon (east, right). Spain lies south of the range, France is to the north, and Andorra is entirely within the range near the eastern snow patch. There is a long history of mining in the Pyrenees - tin, tungsten, talc, fluorite, barium, and gold. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The Alps may be more famous, but the Pyrenees have been around much longer - tens of millions of years longer, in fact. These mountains formed between 100 and 150 million years ago when the landmass that Spain occupies pushed into the one that France occupies. The mountains have served as a natural barrier between the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and the rest of Europe ever since. Stretching east to west across 430 sq km (166 sq mi), the Pyrenees fall mostly within Spain's borders, but also pass into the independent state of Andorra. The NASA Terra satellite captured this image of part of the Central Pyrenees - the highest part of the range - on 1 August 2000. In this false-color image, clouds appear white, snow appears pale blue, vegetation appears green, and bare ground appears as either pink or dark, bluish-purple. Water on the ground appears dark blue (or nearly black). In this shot, the vegetated areas are mostly to the north, and the peaks to the south are mostly bare rock. Patches of dark purple that are visible along rivers and in valley floors are probably developed areas. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The Strait of Gibraltar provides a natural physical barrier between the countries of Spain (north) and Morocco (south). This photo shows the mountainous northern coast of Morocco and the coastal mountains of southern Spain, including the dagger-shaped, snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains of southeastern Spain. The British territory of Gibraltar is located on the thin, wedge-shaped peninsula on the east side of the bay in the southernmost protrusion of Spain. The city of Ceuta is a Spanish enclave on the extreme northeastern coast of Morocco. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • This space shuttle photo was taken near sunset. Two packets of tidally-generated internal waves are highlighted by sunglint off the surface waters in the Strait of Gibraltar. The older packet (labeled) contains at least 14 waves, which can be counted like tree rings. A younger group is forming near the middle of the strait (marked by the carat south of Gibraltar). The waves are generated as a diurnal tidal pulse flows over the shallow Camarinal Sill at Gibraltar. The waves flow eastward and refract around coastal features; they can be traced for as much as 150 km. Image credit: NASA.
  • Algeciras, Spain (left), the Bay of Gibraltar (Bahia de Algecira), and Gibraltar itself (right) are featured in this detailed vertical view over the European side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Ship traffic in the bay can easily be seen. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The small Spanish enclave of Ceuta occupies a narrow isthmus of land on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar; the rest of the surrounding territory is Morocco. Densely populated Ceuta occupies the center of the image, its pink and white residential and industrial rooftops occasionally broken by patches of green - city parks and athletic fields. North of the city, seawalls enclose a small bay and harbor. On the beach, bright blue patches are large water parks. The Spanish fort at Monte Hacho on the eastern isthmus tip commands a clear view of the Strait. Image credit: NASA.
  • Saharan dust blowing off the west coast of Africa and over the Canary Islands (a Spanish archipelago) on 11 November 2006. The horizontal line is the border between Morocco (to the north) and Western Sahara. The plumes of dust are more distinct off the coast of the former than the latter. The fine particles blow to the northwest, and although the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria appear unaffected, the neighboring islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are receiving a strong dusting. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Scene in the old walled town of Pensicola in Andalusia.
  • A view of the city of Toledo. On the right is the castle-fortress known as the Alcazar.
  • Ronda, a city perched on cliffs in the province of Malaga. This mountainous area of Andalucia is roughly 750 m (2,500 ft) above sea level.
  • Well-preserved Roman aqueduct a few kilometers north of the city of Tarragona.
  • The Valle de Cuelgamuros (formally the Valle de los Caidos or the Valley of the Fallen) in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, Spain, is a memorial to the dead of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). It is comprised of one of the world's largest Catholic basilicas and the tallest memorial cross in the world.
  • A view of Barcelona from the heights overlooking the city.
  • The Sagrada Familia (Basilica and Exiatory Church of the Holy Family) in Barcelona was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni GAUDI. Construction began in 1882 and completion is hoped for by 2026. Construction is dependent on donations. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. It was constructed from the 13th to the 15th centuries, with the bulk of the work done in the 14th century.
  • The neo-Gothic facade of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona (built 13th-15th centuries).
  • The crypt of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia in Barcelona. The saint is the patron of the Spanish city.
  • Evidence of damage dating back to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) may be seen on this church wall in the Old City in Barcelona.
  • Doric columns supporting the roof of the lower court that forms the central terrace at the unique Park Guell garden complex in Barcelona. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and built between 1910 and 1914, the park is full of his mosaics including this ceiling rondel.
  • The facade of the City Hall in Barcelona.
  • Chapel of St. Agatha in the Palau Reial Major (Grand Royal Palace) in Barcelona. The royal chapel was built in the 14th century.
  • Building in the complex of the Grand Royal Palace in Barcelona. The palace dates to the 11th century.
  • View of Cordoba showing the Roman Bridge and the massive Mesquita complex on the left.
  • Courtyard of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin (Mezquita) in Cordoba. The cathedral was originally a church (constructed about A.D. 600) that was considerably expanded and converted to a mosque during the Muslim conquest (it became the second-largest mosque in the world). Following the recapture of the city in 1236, the building was reconsecrated as a Christian church and additional architectural alterations were added in subsequent centuries.
  • Interior of the Mezquita in Cordoba showing some of the distinctive Muslim architecture and a section of the dome.
  • The treasure chamber in the Mezquita of Cordoba houses a remarkable monstrance - a vessel used to display a consecrated Eucharistic Host - constructed by the German master goldsmith Heinrich von Arfe between 1510 and 1516.
  • Monument in Cordoba to the famous Andalusian-Arab polymath Ibn Rushd (1126-1198; known in European literature as Averroes).
  • Cordoba monument honoring a native son, the eminent Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1135-1204).
  • Original Moorish Garden at the Alhambra, Granada.
  • Alhambra garden viewed through an archway, Granada.
  • View of Granada from the Alhambra.
  • Courtyard of the Lions at the Alhambra, Granada.
  • Courtyard in front of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
  • View of the gardens through a window at the El Escorial.
  • Tombs of Spanish kings and queens at the El Escorial.
  • The third-largest church in the world and the largest Gothic-style cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Prior to today’s cathedral, the site was occupied by a mosque that was dedicated in 1182. After Ferdinand III’s 1248 conquest of Seville, the mosque was converted to a cathedral until 1401, when the church was torn down and the present cathedral was constructed. All that remains of the mosque is an interior garden and a minaret that became a bell tower. The cathedral, the adjoining Alcázar palace complex, and the General Archive of the Indies of Saint Mary of the See, together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
  • La Giralda, one of the two bell towers of the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) at Seville. The lower two-thirds of the structure are a former minaret.
  • The Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens) in the Alcazar in Seville.
  • Fountain in the Garden of El Estanque in the Alcazar in Seville.
  • Gateway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.
  • Pathway in the gardens of the Alcazar in Seville.
  • North facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.
  • West facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid as seen from the Campo del Moro (Garden of the Moors).
  • Interior detail from the Cathedral of Toledo.
  • Exterior detail over one of the Cathedral doors in Toledo.
  • The Aqueduct of Segovia - built of unmortared, granite blocks - is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments on the Iberian peninsula; it provided water to the city until the mid-19th century. The impressive aqueduct is one of the symbols of Segovia and appears on the city's coat of arms.
  • Garden at the Alcazar (fortress) in Segovia.
  • View of the 16th-century Cathedral of Segovia as seen from the Torre de Juan II (Tower of John II) in the Alcazar. Built between 1525 and 1577, this late Gothic structure - dedicated to the Virgin Mary - is referred to as the "Dame of Spanish Cathedrals."
  • Ceiling detail in the Cathedral of Segovia.
  • The library at El Escorial, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real, contains many priceless manuscripts, as well as artwork by Titian, El Greco, Valazquez, and many others.
  • The interior of the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena in Madrid.
  • The Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gate) monument in the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) in Madrid. Inaugurated by King Carlos III in 1778, it originally functioned as an enormous gate in the city's wall.
  • Dedicated on 19 January 1967, the bronze statue “The Bear and the Arbutus” (Strawberry Tree) in the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) square in the center of Madrid depicts the heraldic symbol of the city of Madrid. King Alfonso VIII first used this symbol in 1222 as a seal that signed a decree ending a dispute over land rights between the church and city council. The tree represents the woodlands that were property of the city and the bear represented the animals belonging to the church. Earlier in history, Madrid was Ursalia “Land of the bears” due to the numerous bears living there. People of southern Europe held the strawberry tree in high regard, as they believed the leaves could help cure the plague. The tree itself is primarily an ornamental plant with bland fruit that tastes more like a pear.
  • The Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Madrid. Inaugurated in 1931, it has a capacity of 25,000.
  • The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in the Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) in Madrid. Inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, it was built of glass and steel in 1887 - originally to keep alive exotic plants from the Philippines.
  • The eclectic Palacio de Comunicaciones (Palace of Communications) in Madrid successfully combines elements of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture. Opened as the headqusrters for the Post and Telegraph State Company in 1909, it became the municipal headquarters of Madrid in 2007.
  • The Lago Metro Station in Madrid is one of the few surface stations of the system. First opened in 1919, the Madrid Metro is one of the largest subway systems in the world.
  • The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Aranjuez, 48 km (30 mi) south of Madrid, is one of the residences of the King of Spain. It was commissioned by Philip II in the late 16th century, but not completed until the middle of the 18th century.
  • Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.
  • Part of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez fan collection.
  • Building of the Government Subdelagation along the Gran Via in Bilbao, Bizkaia Province.
  • Flowers in a square in Bilbao, the capital of Bizkaia (Basque) Province. Signs are in Spanish and Basque.
  • Completed in 1900, the Palacio de la Diputacion de Bizkaia in Bilbao is the seat of the local provincial government.
  • Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; front view.
  • Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Castro Urdiales, a northern Spain seaport town in the autonomous community of Cantabria; rear view.
  • Town Hall in Ayuntamieto Square in Castro Urdiales.
  • Town seal of Castro Urdiales on a manhole cover.
  • The town seal of Castro Urdiales in street tiles.
  • Town steps in Castro Urdiales.
  • The Tower of Hercules in La Coruna was built by the Romans as a lighthouse in the 2nd century A.D. The 55 m Tower sits on a 57 m hill. The first 34 m of the Tower date back to Roman times; the rest of the Tower was added during a renovation in 1791. The lighthouse is still working, and its light can be seen from 35 km at sea. The Tower is the best- preserved Greco-Roman structure of its kind and is the oldest functioning lighthouse in the World.
  • Alley in Betanzos, a Galician municipality about 20 minutes inland from La Coruna.
  • The Igrexa de San Francisco (Saint Francis Church) in the town of Betanzos dates to 1387.
  • Huge Ficus Centenario tree in Cadiz. The city is among the oldest settlements in Spain, founded by the Phoenicians about 1100 B.C. It was a major port for trade with the Americas.
  • Monument in Cadiz to the 1812 Spanish Constitution, the first in Spain. The Constitution was established on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cadiz, the first Spanish legislature.
  • Narrow street in Cadiz.
  • The bull ring in Malaga.
  • Contrasting walls. The wall on the right belongs to one of the palaces in the Alcazaba in Malaga.
  • The stone walls in the Alcazaba in Malaga show different periods of construction. The Alcazaba is a complex of palaces that sits high atop a hillside. It was built by the Moors in the 11th century and formerly connected to the Gibralfaro fortification that overlooks the city and is situated higher still.
  • Remains of a Roman amphitheater in Malaga. Some Roman building materials were used in constructing the Alcazaba (Moorish castle complex), which may be seen in the background.
  • Courtyard garden of the Cuartos de Granada (The Granada Quarters) in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.
  • Moorish gateway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.
  • Moorish doorway in the Inner Citadel of the Alcazaba of Malaga.
  • Gibralfaro Castle walls, Malaga.
  • View from the Gibralfaro Castle over the city of Malaga, the second largest port in Spain.
  • The Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación (Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation) in Malaga was constructed over a 250-year period (between 1528 and 1782).
  • The Alcala Gate in Madrid, completed in 1778, is regarded as the first modern post-Roman triumphal arch built in Europe; it is older than similar monuments in Paris and Berlin. This view is of the front (west) side.
  • Equestrian statue of King Philip IV at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
  • Equestrian statue of King Charles III in Madrid.
  • The Monument to Miguel de Cervantes in the center of the Plaza de España in Madrid, Spain, was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1915, on the 300th anniversary of the writer’s death. Cervantes is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language. The main part of the monument was erected in 1929, but the structure was not fully finished until the 1960’s with the addition of the flanking Aldonza and Dulcinea statues. Standing 34 m (111.5 ft), the stone monolith includes a statue of a seated Cervantes holding a copy of Don Quixote, allegories of Literature, Military Value, and Mysticism; and a crowning Earth globe at the top surrounded by five women representing the five continents. A detached bronze statue of two of Cervantes’ best known literary characters, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, stand in front of the monolith.
  • Statues of Spanish kings in the Plaza de Oriente, near the Royal Palace.
  • A market in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
  • View of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.
  • Another view of the Royal Palace in Madrid from the Plaza de la Armeria.
  • The south facade of the Royal Palace in Madrid.
  • Barcelona's shops provide an array of delectable treats for visitors. Traditional shops may close in the mid-day for siesta, and stay open later in the evening.
  • This view from space of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, vividly displays the volcanic island’s large caldera. The summit of the Teide stratovolcano reaches 3,718 m (12,198 ft) above sea level. However, much of the volcano’s impressive height is unseen below the water line. The volcano rises 7,500 m (24,606 ft) from the ocean floor, making it the third tallest volcanic structure on Earth. About 190 sq km (73 sq mi) of land around the summit are protected as part of Teide National Park. In 2007, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as examples of the geologic processes responsible for building oceanic volcanoes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s largest city and capital, is the large grayish area on the northeastern shore. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • High in the pine forest above the harbor at Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Mount Teide appears in the distance. The tallest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide is the third tallest volcano on earth, measured from the ocean floor. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.
  • Volcanic terrain high on the Mount Teide caldera on the island of Tenerife. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.
  • Tenerife Desert flora living above the tree line on the island of Tenerife. Many unique floral species have evolved on the Canary Islands including the amazing and beautiful Echium. Photo courtesy of NOAA/Michael Theberge.
  • The harbor at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Michael Theberge.

Spain Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 2 February 2022); note - also accredited to Andorra

embassy: Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid

mailing address: 8500 Madrid Place, Washington DC  20521-8500

telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200

FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303

email address and website:
askACS@state.gov
https://es.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Barcelona

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.37% (male 3,226,491/female 3,087,271)

15-64 years: 66.13% (male 15,649,418/female 15,577,164)

65 years and over: 20.5% (2023 est.) (male 4,169,949/female 5,512,320)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Spain. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

40 00 N, 4 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Heliports

121 (2024)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts, occasional flooding

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (3,715 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; La Palma (2,426 m), which last erupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes; Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano

Area - comparative

almost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
Area comparison map

almost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 24-36 month initial obligation; women allowed to serve in all branches, including combat units; no conscription (abolished 2001), but the Spanish Government retains the right to mobilize citizens 19-25 years of age in a national emergency; 18-58 for the voluntary reserves (2024)

note 1: as of 2023, women comprised about 13% of the military's full-time personnel

note 2: the military recruits foreign nationals with residency in Spain from countries of its former empire, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela

Background

Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World War I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. More recently, Spain has emerged from a severe economic recession that began in mid-2008, posting solid years of GDP growth above the EU average. Unemployment has fallen but remains high, especially among youth. Spain is the euro-zone's fourth-largest economy. The country has faced increased domestic turmoil in recent years due to the independence movement in its restive Catalonia region.

Environment - current issues

pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas and drought are negatively impacting water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

20.4% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 25% (2020 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

Administrative divisions

17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia; Aragon; Asturias; Canarias (Canary Islands); Cantabria; Castilla-La Mancha; Castilla-Leon; Cataluna (Castilian), Catalunya (Catalan), Catalonha (Aranese) [Catalonia]; Ceuta*; Comunidad Valenciana (Castilian), Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian) [Valencian Community]; Extremadura; Galicia; Illes Baleares (Balearic Islands); La Rioja; Madrid; Melilla*; Murcia; Navarra (Castilian), Nafarroa (Basque) [Navarre]; Pais Vasco (Castilian), Euskadi (Basque) [Basque Country]

note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania)

Agricultural products

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

Military and security forces

Spanish Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de España): Army (Ejército de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola; includes Marine Corps), Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio), Emergency Response Unit (Unidad Militar de Emergencias); Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) (2024)

note 1: the Civil Guard is a military force with police duties (including coast guard) under both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior; it also responds to the needs of the Ministry of Finance

note 2: the Emergency Response Unit was established in 2006 as a separate branch of service for responding to natural disasters and providing disaster relief both domestically and abroad; it has personnel from all the other military services

note 3: the Spanish National Police (Cuerpo Nacional de Policía, CNP) and the Civil Guard maintain internal security as well as migration and border enforcement under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior; the regional police under the authority of the Catalan and the Basque Country regional governments and municipal police throughout the country also support domestic security 

note 4: the military has a Common Corps of four specialized corps that provide professional services to all the branches of the Armed Forces and the Civil Guard, including comptroller, legal, medical, and music services

note 5: the Royal Guard is an independent regiment of the military dedicated to the protection of the King and members of the royal family; it is made up of members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Common Corps

Budget

revenues: $546.084 billion (2019 est.)

expenditures: $585.979 billion (2019 est.)

Capital

name: Madrid

geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: Spain has two time zones, including the Canary Islands (UTC 0)

etymology: the Romans named the original settlement "Matrice" after the river that ran through it; under Arab rule it became "Majerit," meaning "source of water"; in medieval Romance dialects (Mozarabic) it became "Matrit," which over time changed to "Madrid"

Imports - commodities

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

Climate

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

Coastline

4,964 km

Constitution

history: several previous; latest approved by the General Courts 31 October 1978, passed by referendum 6 December 1978, signed by the king 27 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978

amendments: proposed by the government, by the General Courts (the Congress or the Senate), or by the self-governing communities submitted through the government; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by both houses and passage by referendum if requested by one tenth of the members of either house; proposals disapproved by both houses are submitted to a joint committee, which submits an agreed upon text for another vote; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in Congress and simple majority vote in the Senate; amended 1992, 2011

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
0.847 (2018 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: King FELIPE VI (since 19 June 2014); Heir Apparent Princess LEONOR, Princess of Asturias (daughter of the monarch, born 31 October 2005)

head of government: President of the Government of Spain (prime minister-equivalent) Pedro SANCHEZ PEREZ-CASTEJON (since 2 June 2018); Vice President Nadia Maria CALVINO Santamaria (since 12 July 2021)

cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the monarch usually proposes as president the leader of the majority party or coalition, who is then indirectly elected by the Congress of Deputies; election last held on 23 July 2023 (next to be held on 31 July 2027); vice president and Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election results: Congress of Deputies vote - NA

note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding

Fiscal year

calendar year

Flag description

three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe; the triband arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer dates to the 18th century

note: the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre

Illicit drugs

a European transit point for cocaine from South America and for hashish from Morocco; cocaine is shipped in raw or liquid form with mixed cargo to avoid detection or altered to escape detection after which chemists within Spain extract and reconstitute any altered form of cocaine, preparing it for distribution within Europe;  minor domestic drug production; occasionally synthetic drugs, including ketamine, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and MDMA transit through Spain to the United States

Independence

1492; the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo (consists of the court president and organized into the Civil Room, with a president and 9 judges; the Penal Room, with a president and 14 judges; the Administrative Room, with a president and 32 judges; the Social Room, with a president and 12 judges; and the Military Room, with a president and 7 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional de Espana (consists of 12 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates proposed by the General Council of the Judiciary Power, a 20-member governing board chaired by the monarch that includes presidential appointees, lawyers, and jurists confirmed by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Assembly, executive branch, and the General Council of the Judiciary, and appointed by the monarch for 9-year terms

subordinate courts: National High Court; High Courts of Justice (in each of the autonomous communities); provincial courts; courts of first instance

Land boundaries

total: 1,952.7 km

border countries (5): Andorra 63 km; France 646 km; Gibraltar 1.2 km; Portugal 1,224 km; Morocco (Ceuta) 8 km and Morocco (Melilla) 10.5 km

note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera

Land use

agricultural land: 54.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 24.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.8% (2018 est.)

other: 9.1% (2018 est.)

Legal system

civil law system with regional variations

Legislative branch

description: bicameral General Courts or Las Cortes Generales consists of:
Senate or Senado (265 seats; 208 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 57 members indirectly elected by the legislatures of the autonomous communities; members serve 4-year terms)
Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; 348 members directly elected in 50 multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3% threshold needed to gain a seat, and 2 directly elected from the North African Ceuta and Melilla enclaves by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms or until the government is dissolved)

elections:
Senate - last held on 23 July 2023 (next to be held no later than July 2027)
Congress of Deputies - last held on 23 July 2023 (next to be held no later than July 2027)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 120, PSOE 72, ERC 7, PNV 4, other 5; composition as of January 2024 - men 153, women 112; percent of women 42.3%

Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PP 33.1%, PSOE 31.7%, Vox 12.4%, Sumar 12.3%, ERC 1.7%, Junts 1.6%, EH-Bildu 1.4%, PNV 1.1% other 4.7%; seats by party - PP 137, PSOE 121, Vox 33, Sumar 31, ERC 7, Junts 7, EH-Bildu 6, PNV 5, other 3; composition as of January 2024 - men 195, women 155, percent of women 44.3%; note - overall General Courts percent of women 42%

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99%

female: 98.2% (2020)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CABEI, CAN (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National holiday

National Day (Hispanic Day), 12 October (1492); note - commemorates the arrival of COLUMBUS in the Americas

Nationality

noun: Spaniard(s)

adjective: Spanish

Natural resources

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

Geography - note

strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas; Spain's Canary Islands are one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), and Cabo Verde

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

Pipelines

10,481 km gas, 358 km oil, 4,378 km refined products (2017)

Political parties and leaders

Asturias Forum or FAC [Carmen MORIYON]
Basque Country Unite (Euskal Herria Bildu) or EH Bildu [Arnaldo OTEGI] (coalition of 4 Basque pro-independence parties)
Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Andoni ORTUZAR]
Canarian Coalition or CC [Fernando Clavijo BATLLE] (coalition of 5 parties)
Ciudadanos Party (Citizens Party) or Cs [Adrian Vazquez LAZARA]
Compromis - Compromise Coalition [Enric MORERA i Català]
Navarrese People's Union or UPN [Javier ESPARZA]
Together for Catalonia or Junts [Carles PUIGDEMONT]
People's Party or PP [Alberto Nunez FEIJOO]
Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Oriol JUNQUERAS]
Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Pedro SANCHEZ]
Teruel Existe or TE [Tomas GUITARTE]
Unidas (Unite) or Sumar [Yolanda Diaz] (electoral coalition formed in March 2022) (formerly Unidas Podemos or UP)
Vox or VOX [Santiago ABASCAL]

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s):
Atlantic Ocean: Bilbao, Huelva; Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (in the Canary Islands)
Mediterranean Sea: Algeciras, Barcelona, Cartagena, Tarragona, Valencia

container port(s) (TEUs): Algeciras (4,799,497), Barcelona (3,531,762), Valencia (5,604,478) (2021)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, El Musel, Huelva, Mugardos, Sagunto

river port(s): Seville (Guadalquivir River)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: Spain’s telecom sector has tracked the performance of the overall economy, which has been one of the most heavily impacted by the pandemic in all of Europe; GDP dropped by 10.8% in 2020, while telecom revenue reversed the previous five years’ positive results by falling 5.3%; fixed-line services were the hardest hit, with revenue falling 13.7%; mobile voice services did not fare much better, falling 4.7%; this is despite relatively small shifts in the number of subscribers, though the harsh lockdown conditions resulted in a significant drop in usage; it had appeared that a return to growth might be possible in 2021 following lifting the state of emergency in May, but the most recent surge in cases and the continued restrictions on travel may once again put the brakes on growth until at least 2022; Spain’s fixed-line broadband market managed to extend its decade-long pattern of steady growth into 2020, with a slight increase in demand caused by the need for fast internet access to support working and learning from home; while most of Spain’s larger telcos delivered negative revenue and profit in 2020 (2021)

domestic: fixed-line is 39 per 100 and mobile-cellular 124 telephones per 100 persons (2022)

international: country code - 34; landing points for the MAREA, Tata TGN-Western Europe, Pencan-9, SAT-3/WASC, Canalink, Atlantis-2, Columbus -111, Estepona-Tetouan, FLAG Europe-Asia (FEA), Balalink, ORVAL and PENBAL-5 submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia, Southeast Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries (2019)

Terrain

large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees Mountains in north

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain

conventional short form: Spain

local long form: Reino de Espana

local short form: Espana

etymology: derivation of the name "Espana" is uncertain, but may come from the Phoenician term "span," related to the word "spy," meaning "to forge metals," so, "i-spn-ya" would mean "place where metals are forged"; the ancient Phoenicians long exploited the Iberian Peninsula for its mineral wealth

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

37,593 sq km (2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ángeles MORENO Bau (since 27 February 2024)

chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100

FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670

email address and website:
emb.washington@maec.es

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/washington/en/Paginas/index.aspx

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Internet country code

.es

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 14,994 (Syria) (mid-year 2022); 438,400 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2022); 192,390 (Ukraine) (as of 29 February 2024)

stateless persons: 6,489 (2022)

note: 351,562 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals, including Canary Islands (January 2015-March 2024)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.418 trillion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: A- (2018)

Moody's rating: Baa1 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: A (2019)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

111.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 18 years

male: 18 years

female: 19 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 81.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

a mixture of both publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; overall, hundreds of TV channels are available including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV systems available; multiple national radio networks, a large number of regional radio networks, and a larger number of local radio stations; overall, hundreds of radio stations 

(2019)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)

lyrics/music: no lyrics/unknown

note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem is the first anthem to be officially adopted, but it has no lyrics; in the years prior to 1931 it became known as "Marcha Real" (The Royal March); it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by "Himno de Riego" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Spain. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

6.751 million MADRID (capital), 5.687 million Barcelona, 838,000 Valencia (2023)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physicians density

4.44 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Hospital bed density

3 beds/1,000 population (2018)

National symbol(s)

Pillars of Hercules; national colors: red, yellow

Mother's mean age at first birth

31.2 years (2020 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

62.1% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 57.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 18.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.6% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 34.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -31.4% (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 52.4

youth dependency ratio: 21.9

elderly dependency ratio: 30.2

potential support ratio: 3.3 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Spain

dual citizenship recognized: only with select Latin American countries

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years for persons with no ties to Spain

Population distribution

with the notable exception of Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations are found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts; numerous smaller cities are spread throughout the interior reflecting Spain's agrarian heritage; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelona

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 21 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 552

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 80,672,105 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.117 billion (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EC

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

note: data represent population by country of birth

Religions

Roman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%, unspecified 1.7% (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

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish audio sample

Imports - partners

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

Disputes - international

Spain-Andorra: none identified

Spain-France: none identified

Spain-Gibraltar (UK): in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain does not recognize British sovereignty beyond the original fortified perimeter of the city and disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; after voters in the UK chose to leave the EU in a June 2016 referendum, Spain again proposed shared sovereignty of Gibraltar; UK officials rejected Spain’s joint sovereignty proposal

Spain-Morocco: Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island), which remains unoccupied but was the site of a  military standoff in 2002; Morocco serves as the primary embarkation area for illegal migration into mainland Spain from North Africa

Spain-Portugal: Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz

Elevation

highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 660 m

Current health expenditure

10.7% of GDP (2020)

Military - note

the Spanish Armed Forces have a wide variety of responsibilities, including protecting the country’s national interests, sovereignty, and territory, providing support during natural disasters, and fulfilling Spain’s responsibilities to European and international security; the military conducts operations worldwide, and its air, ground, and naval forces participate in a variety of EU-, NATO-, and UN-led missions; Spain joined NATO in 1982 and is fully integrated into the NATO structure; it routinely conducts exercises with EU and NATO partners, and hosts one of NATO’s two combined air operations centers 

the military is organized into commands for air, cyberspace, joint, land, maritime, and space operations; it also has a separate Emergency Response Unit, a permanent joint service force designed to respond to catastrophes and emergencies in both domestic and overseas environments; the Army is the largest service and has two divisional headquarters with several subordinate brigades of mechanized infantry and one of paratroopers; there are also separate commands for air defense, artillery, aviation, mountain troops, and special operations forces, as well as for the garrison units in the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla

the basic structure of the Navy’s operational units includes surface and action forces, aviation and submarine flotillas, and a marine corps; the Surface Combat Force includes amphibious, mine warfare, surface warship, and escort squadrons and groups, while the Maritime Action Force is generally made up of units and assets whose main task is to conduct maritime security and surveillance operations in geographically based areas such as the Balearic and Canary islands, Cadiz, and Cartagena; the Navy’s principal warships include 11 frigates, four attack submarines, and three large helicopter-capable amphibious assault ships; it also has squadrons of multirole fighters and anti-submarine warfare aircraft; the 5,500-strong Marine Corps (aka Marine Infantry or Infantería de Armada) has amphibious, garrison, and special operations forces

the Air Force is organized into an Air Combat Command, home to the air combat squadrons, a General Air Command, and a Canary Islands Air Command; it has approximately 400 aircraft, including about 170 modern European- and US-made fighters and multirole fighter aircraft; in addition to traditional military operations, the Air Force supports such missions as medical operations, delivering humanitarian aid, evacuations, search and rescue, firefighting, and surveillance

the Spanish military has a rich history that goes back to the 13th century; the Army has an infantry regiment, formed in the 13th century, that is considered the oldest still active military unit in the Western world; the Marine Corps, which traces its roots back to 1537, is the oldest naval infantry force in the World; Spain created a Spanish Legion for foreigners in 1920, but early on the Legion was primarily filled by native Spaniards due to difficulties in recruiting foreigners, and most of its foreign members were from the Republic of Cuba; it was modeled after the French Foreign Legion and its purpose was to provide a corps of professional troops to fight in Spain's colonial campaigns in North Africa; in more recent years, it has been used in NATO peacekeeping deployments; today’s Legion includes a mix of native Spaniards and foreigners with Spanish residency (2023)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 120,000 active-duty troops (72,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 5,500 marines; 23,000 Air and Space Force); 80,000 Guardia Civil (2023)

note: military figures include about 3,500 Emergency Response Unit and 1,500-2,000 Royal Guard personnel

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory is comprised of domestically produced and imported Western weapons systems; in recent years, leading suppliers have included France, Germany, and the US; Spain's defense industry manufactures land, air, and sea weapons systems and is integrated within the European defense-industrial sector (2023)

Military deployments

approximately 200 Iraq (NATO/EU training assistance); up to 600 Latvia (NATO); 650 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 200 Romania (NATO); approximately 500 Mali (EUTM); 150 Turkey (NATO) (2023)

note 1: as of 2023, up to 3,000 Spanish soldiers and civil guards were deployed on 17 missions on four continents 

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 4.56 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 5.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 18.96 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 20.151 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 3,393,428 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.8% (2015 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 12.1% of household expenditures (2018 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2018 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 9.34 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 244 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 36.94 megatons (2020 est.)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Tagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 50 (44 cultural, 4 natural, 2 mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (c); Works of Antoni Gaudí (c); Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) (c); Historic City of Toledo (c); Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida (c); Tower of Hercules (c); Doñana National Park (n); Pyrénées - Mont Perdu (m); Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzín in Granada (c); Old City of Salamanca (c); Teide National Park (n); Historic Walled Town of Cuenca (c); Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct (c); Historic Cordoba (c); El Escorial (c)

Coal

production: 546,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 4.918 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 2.083 million metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 4.857 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 1.187 billion metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 32.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 21.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 22.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 13.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Natural gas

production: 57.99 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

consumption: 32.03 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

exports: 1.185 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

imports: 32.489 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 2.549 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 47,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 1.328 million bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,364,700 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.63 (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

50.1% (2023 est.)

Remittances

0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.27% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.23% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Nuclear energy

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 7 (2023)

Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 0

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 7.12GW (2023)

Percent of total electricity production: 21.38% (2016)

Percent of total energy produced: 33.2% (2021)

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 1

Space program overview

space program is integrated into the European Space Agency (ESA) and dates back to the 1940s; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific/technology satellites; has developed sounding rockets; conducts research and development in a broad range of space-related capabilities, including astrobiology, astronomy, imaging/RS, materials, meteorology, optics, propulsion, robotics, satellites (particularly micro- and nano-satellites), satellite systems and subsystems, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), and space sciences; participates in ESA, EU, and other international programs; hosts the European Space Astronomy Center (ESOC) and the ESA’s Space Surveillance and Tracking Data Centre (ESAC); cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including those of ESA and EU member states and the US; has a considerable commercial space industry, which is involved in a wide range of space-related research, development, and production, including satellites and SLVs; the CDTI coordinates the activities of the commercial space sector (2023)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in Appendix S

Space launch site(s)

El Arenosillo Experiment Center/Range (Andalusia); private launch site (Teruel province) (2023)

Space agency/agencies

Spanish Space Agency (became operational in April 2023); previously, the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial or INTA, established 1942), a public research organization that depends on the Ministry of Defense, acted as Spain’s space agency; Space Command (Mando del Espacio or MESPA; established January 2024); Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI); Catalan Space Agency (established 2021); Valencian Space Consortium (established 2009) (2024)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 17 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: Basque Coast UNESCO; Cabo de Gata-Níjar; Cabo Ortegal; Calatrava Volcanoes. Ciudad Real; Central Catalonia; Courel Mountains; El Hierro; Granada; Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands; Las Loras; Maestrazgo; Molina-Alto; Origens; Sierra Norte de Sevilla; Sierras Subbéticas; Sobrarbe-Pirineos: Villuercas Ibores Jara (2024)

Labor force

23.687 million (2022 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 36.9% (2021 est.)

male: 35.9%

female: 38.2%

Net migration rate

4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 46.3 years (2023 est.)

male: 45.2 years

female: 47.4 years

Debt - external

$2.338 trillion (2019 est.)
$2.366 trillion (2018 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$92.905 billion (2022 est.)
$92.201 billion (2021 est.)
$81.288 billion (2020 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Waterways

1,000 km (2012)

Refined petroleum products - imports

464,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Public debt

134.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
140.27% of GDP (2020 est.)
112.05% of GDP (2019 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Total fertility rate

1.29 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2022)
1% of GDP (2021)
1% of GDP (2020)
0.9% of GDP (2019)

Unemployment rate

12.92% (2022 est.)
14.78% (2021 est.)
15.53% (2020 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

47,222,613 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Internet users

total: 44.18 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 94% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

280.624 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 16.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 191.299 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 72.582 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 505,370 sq km

land: 498,980 sq km

water: 6,390 sq km

note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera

Taxes and other revenues

15.03% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.922 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.817 trillion (2021 est.)
$1.708 trillion (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Roadways

total: 150,110 km (2021)

Airports

363 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 59,019,998 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 124 (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

34.9 (2020 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.39% (2022 est.)
3.09% (2021 est.)
-0.32% (2020 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Refined petroleum products - exports

562,400 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Current account balance

$8.095 billion (2022 est.)
$10.893 billion (2021 est.)
$8.229 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$40,200 (2022 est.)
$38,300 (2021 est.)
$36,100 (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 16,188,502 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 27.7% (2020 est.)

male: 28.6% (2020 est.)

female: 26.7% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.8% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

122.673 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

7.1 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 115.837 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 233.267 billion kWh (2020 est.)

exports: 14.649 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 17.928 billion kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 23.999 billion kWh (2020 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 503 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 33, oil tanker 24, other 445

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Imports

$561.49 billion (2022 est.)
$479.392 billion (2021 est.)
$375.378 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$578.039 billion (2022 est.)
$493.359 billion (2021 est.)
$393.87 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 18,687,040 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2022 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.361 million bbl/day (2017 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 10.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 4.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 3.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 2.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 80.1 years

female: 85.6 years

Real GDP growth rate

5.77% (2022 est.)
6.4% (2021 est.)
-11.17% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

2.71% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 15,489 km (2020) 9,953 km electrified

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.2% (2017 est.)

services: 74.2% (2017 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

0.12% (2023 est.)
Sources: