An overview of Spain today
Key Facts
- Population: 47.7 million [2016]
- Capital: Madrid
- Area: 505,988 sq km
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy [2014]: 79 years (men), 85 years (women)
- Main exports: Transport equipment, agricultural products
Spain in brief
For much of its recent history, Spain has been a country of conflicting identities; on one hand a national identity based on the concept of Spain as a single country; on the other hand a network of regional identities, with regions displaying distinct regional characteristics, and even using their own distinct languages.
In the time of General Franco, the single united country vision of Spain prevailed, and was enforced; in the modern era, Spain has taken the path of devolution, with the creation of "autonomous communities" with their own parliaments, institutions, cultural identities and even languages. Though "Spanish" [often referred to as "Castilian"] remains the main language spoken in modern Spain, it is not the only language. In Catalonia, the most prosperous region of Spain, the official language is Catalan; and in the Basque country, the Basque language exists alongside Spanish. But even in some provinces where Castilian Spanish is widely spoken, it exists alongside regional dialects or languages. This is the case in Valencia and Galicia.
Mainland Spain is divided into 17 regions each with directly elected authorities. The level of autonomy varies dramatically from region to region with Cataluña, El País Vasco and Galicia being the most independent. Significantly, they have their own language and bill of rights. Every region boasts its own customs and fiestas. Of course it goes without saying that each is extremely proud of its heritage and traditions
Some facts you may not know about Spain!
- If your car is towed away, a message is left on the street so you know where it was taken.
- Madrid is in the physical centre of the country and the plaza Puerta del Sol is the exact centre.
- Do not be alarmed by a dirty floor in a bar. It is completely acceptable and normal to throw things on the ground in bars. Most of the time a dirty floor means a good bar!
- Spain has the second highest number of bars per inhabitant, the only country that has more bars than Spain is Cyprus. Bars are an important part of life!
- Sunflower seeds are big deal in Spain. More importantly, Spaniards are really talented at opening and eating them at a shocking speed.
- Euskera, spoken by the Basque population in northern Spain and southern France, is one of the oldest living languages in the world.
- Tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco, and cacao [for chocolate] were all first imported into Europe by Spain.
- Spain has the third most plastic surgery interventions per capita in the world after the US and Brazil.
For all your Spanish Language needs
Please contact Noemi Rey
Spanish Language Services
07710 783809