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Avila, Spain #10 Wall of Avila
Ávila Spain
Avila Spain - Medieval Town
Ávila, Spain
Avila, Spain #16 Yemas de Santa Teresa
Walking On Avila City Wall, Spain
Here we are in Avila (Spain)
Avila, Spain
Avila, Spain
Avila, Spain
(380) Ávila ,Spain (HD)   2
AVILA España : La ciudad de la Mística  (1ª Parte)

Ávila, Spain

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Found a place in the southern reaches
A day or two in a saddle ride
If you're looking for leather breeches
They've got some damn good hides
If you're looking for the wild country
And you can live without John Wayne
There's a place that is down in history
Under the name of Spain
Under the name of Spain
If you want to leave the clouds behind you
Take a walk into sunshine
Plenty of it in the southern reaches
Where they're making future wine
Looks a little like California
Prickly pears and rolling plains
It's a place I could fly my flag today
Under the name of Spain
Under the name of Spain
We knew that it was love at first sight
Watch them move into the future
Got a lot of catching up to do
Hope they take a lesson from their neighbours
That'll show 'em what not to do
Should've happened for them in the 30's
But the pleasure got caught in pain
Ended up like the bull in the china shop
Under the name of Spain
Under the name of Spain
We knew that it was love at first sight

Four days in Spain
Smoky Spain
And I take off again
Then I take off again
Smiling back
The engine is idling and the car
Seems to be expanding, weird
Blindfolded kissing
Looking for the truth in your tiny moves
I hate to loose
Four days in Spain
Spooky Spain
And you're my missing thing
Too sweet and pointless
Complete and somewhere else
I I I I I I I I, I I I I I I I I
I was sick of being asked
I didn't want to anyways
Sucking down mother's milk
Singing my throat away
It's not an awful secret, you know
It's just a secret
Spitting out your blue gum
Kissing your breath away
I I I I I I I I, I I I I I I I I
I wanted you to sleep with her and
Hate yourself instead of me
I wanted you untrue
Hating yourself like me
After all, what am I missing
I haven't missed before
Sucking down the precious lies
I should have swallowed way before?
I I I I I I I I, I I I I I I
I wanted you to sleep with her and
Hate yourself instead of me
I wanted you untrue
Hating yourself like me
After all, what am I missing
I haven't missed before
Sucking down the precious lies

sometimes I cry, I don't know why
cause this world is changing, leaving me behind
but I cant complain, this life I live
is more than I have to offer, more than I have to give
but inside I'm screaming, but they cant hear me now
If you can reach me, I need you now more than I ever did
And so I sit, and stare at the sky
and if you're here, please tell me why
this oceans big, so far and wide
and everyday I watch the sun fade from my eyes
And now I'm praying, so God if you can hear me help me out
shed some light on my life, cause I need it now more than I ever did
if you saw me now, you'd say don't cry
baby girl wipe those tears from your eyes
cause now your doing, everything they said you couldn't do
and now you realize you don't need them as much as you thought you did
and now they're screaming, and you can hear them loud and clear

A soul like no one before
I met sometime ago
The most mysterious
I intersected
Psychologically
She's always attracted me
Her look crossed mine
She won out again
We need only a sign
To understand the complete
Essence of others' minds
And I thought to write
Something special for you
I hope you'll appreciate it
Your spontaneity
Your high capacity
To keep us at our ease
How do you do that?
Every time
You make me feel better
Than I was before.
If I could I would stay
With you,
In you,
For a life,
But the reality
Is that I'm here
Not there
Therefore the only thing
Yeah I could do now
Is to hope and
Wait for another trip.

(You) cry cry again
Don't you want to stay awake?
I feel something going wrong now
Keep keep it on
Soon your tears
Will start to fade
Your breath is getting very long
It's all around
Faces, places
Dreams are starting now
I just wanna fly
Go to Spain in the sun
Dance away in the sun
We're okay in the sun
Smiles are born in Spain
Hear hear it now
All the sounds have flown away
Just you ticking to the end
See see your life
Drawing white lines in the air
I'm here to carry you out there
It's all around
Lightness, brightness
Dreams are starting now
I just wanna fly
Go to Spain in the sun
Dance away in the sun
We're okay in the sun

Jesus
I don't want to die
Alone
Jesus
Oh Jesus
I don't want to die
Alone
My love wasn't true
Now all I have is you
Jesus
Oh Jesus
I don't want to die
Alone
Jesus
If you hear
My last breath
Don't leave me here
Left to die a lonely deathI know I have sinned
But lord I'm suffering
Jesus
Oh Jesus
If you hear
My last breath
Repeat 1st verse
Jesus
Jesus
All my troubles
All my pain
Will leave me
Once again
X3
Once again

It was love
Only love
Only love
Oh then why
Do I feel
So alone
Love
Only love
It's only love
I'm waiting for you to comeIt was you
Only you
Only you
Oh then why
Did I cry
The whole night through
Love
Only love
It's only love
I'm waiting for you to come

Last night
Was just like a dream
Oh girl
You were meant for me
You were meant for me
You were meant for me
All night
Girl we were so close
Oh girl
You needed love the most You needed love the most
You needed love the most
Last night
Was just like a dream
Oh girl
You were meant for me
You were meant for me
You were meant for me

Oh the feelings never went away
Like she did
Now she haunts all my dreams
Oh love's traces left in memories
I was once alone
Now she haunts all my dreams
Now she haunts all of my dreams
Now she haunts them all
Oh I thought I saw her yesterday
Thought our eyes met
Now she haunts all my dreams Oh I tried so hard not to believe
I held her
Now she haunts all my dreams
Now she haunts all of my dreams
Now she haunts them all
Now she haunts all of my dreams
Now she haunts them all
Now she haunts all of my dreams
Now she haunts them all
Now she haunts all of my dreams
Now she haunts them all

There must be a way
To feel like I used to feel before
Before it all went wrong
Before I thought that love
Could never be
Before I felt your body
Next to me
There must be a way
To get back to where we were before
Before it all went wrong
Before I thought that love
Could never be
Before I felt your body
Next to me

Some people say she is cursed
More trouble than she is worth
More trouble than she will ever be worth
I knew I could get away
Knew it wasn't good to stay
Knew it wouldn't ever be good to stay
I couldn't leave her if I tried
For I have touched her deep inside
Why can't these people understand
Why I am so sad, so sadThey ask me if I can see
She'll lead to the death of me
She'll lead someday to the death of me
But they may have overlooked
That I have become so hooked
That I have now become so hooked
I couldn't leave her if I tried
For I have touched her deep inside
Why can't these people understand
Why I am so sad, so sad

Do you see the light
Oh do you see the light
Won't need no sleep tonight
Oh do you see the light
Oh do you see the light
Girl it shines so bright
Won't need no sleep tonight, tonight
Just kiss me girl and hold me tight
Don't it feel so right
Oh don't it feel so right
The lord let there be light
Oh don't it feel so right Oh don't it feel so right
Surrounded by the light
Won't need no sleep tonight, tonight
Just kiss me girl and hold me tight
Oh don't you see the light
Girl it shines so bright
Won't need no sleep tonight, tonight
Just kiss me girl and hold me tight
Won't need no sleep tonight, tonight
Just kiss me girl and hold me tight

Tell me why
She Makes Me Wait
She's wasting time
And tempting fate
Why can't she see
That her search is in vain
I was born to love her
I was born to love her
Tell me why
She's so afraid What destiny hides
Is locked away
Why can't she see
That her destiny came
I was born to love her
I was born to love her
I was born to love her
I was born to love her
I was born to love her
I was born to love her

Blue is such a cold shelter, shelter, shelter
Blue is such a cold shelter, shelter, shelter
Blue is the colour of the sky
Blue is the colour of her eyes
Blue is the colour of the mountains
Blue is the colour of the sea, of the sea
Blue is such a cold shelter, shelter, shelter
Blue is such a cold shelter, shelter, shelter
Blue is the colour of the sky
Blue is the colour of her eyes
Blue is the colour of the mountain

Walked away released from all my crimes
Walked away released from all my crimes
But I could never hide what I kept inside
Walked away released from all my sins
Walked away released from all my sins
But the cruelest thing was all my suffering
When I held you that night, I knew it felt so right
I knew it felt so right
Walked away released from all my crimes
Walked away released from all my crimes

Story book fable is ending
As ten angels are descending
I forget that you are my only friend
Love is my only devotion
Ten little steps to the ocean
Ten nights to decide whether I could live alone
Ten nights all alone
Praying you haven't gone
I can't stop love
I can't erase what's been written down
Story book fable is ending
As ten angels are descending

Ray of light, I never see
Through the passing clouds or through the trees
When you left into the pouring rain
I knew I would never see you again
Ray of light won't shine through
When love is through, when love is through
Late, one night, I heard you at my door
But I pretended like I wasn't home
Please forgive me for what I've done
But you know I would've done it like I did before
Ray of light won't shine through
What can I do ? Lord, what can I do ?
Ray of light, I never see
Through the passing clouds or through the trees
When you left into the pouring rain
I knew I would never see you again
Ray of light won't shine through
When love is through, when love is through
When love is through, when love is through

I got a message tonight
It was on my machine
She said, I quote,
'Hope you're not asleep
'Cause I'm in my bed
And the lights are dim
And the air is hot
So won't you come on in
I got a message tonight
It was on my machine
But I got home too late
I couldn't even see
That the stars above
Deter me from love
'Cause she's in her bed
And the lights are dim
And the air is hot

They say life is never fair
That love's so far away
But I know babe, it's so true
It's so true
I know that you feel so alone
And you cry yourself to sleep
But I know babe, it's so true
It's so true, true, true
They say fate plays cruel jokes
And keeps love from you
But I know babe, it's so true
It's so true
I know that you feel so alone
And you cry yourself to sleep
But I know babe, it's so true

Holy holy Jesus
Everlasting peace
Walked across the water
Died at Calvary
Oh lord how he died
At Calvary
Jesus up in Heaven
Wanting only you
Save me from temptation
Oh lord walk me through
The ruins
Holy holy Jesus
When you took your
First step across the sand
To the place up in Heaven
From the promised land
Oh lord how he left the promised land
Holy holy Jesus
Everlasting peace
Walked across the water
Died at Calvary
Oh lord how he died

Could it be
That no one else
Could make me see
Could make me trust
Girl you know now I believe
Girl your love
Has taken hold of me
Now I know
This love was meant to be
Could it be
You feel so right
You made me see
Day comes from night Girl you know now I believe
Girl your love
Has taken hold of me
Now I know
This love was meant to be
Girl you know now I believe
Girl your love
Has taken hold of me
Now I know
This love was meant to be
Now I know
This love was meant to be

Blue is such a cold shelter
Shelter
Shelter
Blue is such a cold shelter
Shelter
Shelter
Blue is the color of the sky
Blue is the color of her eyes
Blue is the color of the mountains
Blue is the color of the sea
Of the seaBlue is such a cold shelter
Shelter
Shelter
Blue is such a cold shelter
Shelter
Shelter
Blue is the color of the sky
Blue is the color of her eyes
Blue is the color of the mountains
Blue is the color of the sea
Of the sea

I know
If we kissed
Then love
Would follow
Follow
Through the rain
And the snow
I know
If we touched
We'd lose
Our sorrow Sorrow
Oh the rain
Could never know
Sorrow
Oh the rain
Could never know

Holding hands down by the shore
And I know, God knows it feels so fine
Holding hands down by the shore
And I know, God knows it feels so fine
I said I loved you, I said I loved you
Holding hands down by the shore
Leaned over and whispered in your hear
But I lied, I lied
I couldn't love you if I tried
Holding you in my harms, in my bed
God knows it feels so fine
Holding you in my harms, in my bed
God knows it feels so fine
I said I loved you, I said I loved you
Holding you in my harms, in my bed
I whispered in your hear
But I lied, I lied
I feel so dead inside

She knew it was all over
When she turned her back
On her used-to-been
She knew it was all over
When she turned from him
She turned to me
What's for me to say
I see that you've been crying
Your own man's arms
Like to bear their fists
But my arms have hands like a graceful nest

Lost my way, it's alright
Lost my way, it's alright
I've been dreaming of love
And we're so close
And we're so near
Oh when we touch
Oh we disappear
Lost my way, I don't care
Lost my way, I don't care
I've been dreaming of love
And we're so close
And we're so near
Oh when we touch
Oh we disappear
Oh we're so close
Oh we're so near
Oh when we touch
Oh we disappear
Oh we're so close
Oh we're so near
Oh when we touch

Tonight's the night
That we're alone
So baby turn the lights down low
Girl our love is gonna live
Forever
All it took was just
One kiss
You're the one I'm gonna missGirl our love is gonna live
Forever
Soon we will be far apart
But girl you've gone and
Touched my heart
And tomorrow
I'm gonna love you
Just like I do today
Today

Nobody has to know
Girl we've fallen so in love
It was just a year ago
And you've kept it to yourself
Nobody has to know
Nobody has to know
Nobody has to know
Girl our love has grown so strong
Close the shades unplug the phone
How can our love be so wrongNobody has to know
Nobody has to know
Nobody has to know
Girl we've fallen so in love
It was just a year ago
And you've kept it to yourself
Nobody has to know
Nobody has to know

It's all over now
He knew from the start
It was in the way
She walked and the way she moved
It's all over now
She told him somehow
It was in the way
She softly turned her head
It's all over now
And now she¡¯s free
Free to find another loveIt's all over now
And when shes alone
She remembers her first love
From so long ago
It's all over now
How she thinks of him
And of what it would be like
If he were to call
It's all over now
And now shes free
Free to find another love

Girl
Oh that feeling
That was the love
You've been needing
Girl
Your heart's beating
Faster now
You ain't dreaming
Yes it was
That was love
Don't let it slip away
Love's there for you to take
Stop playing these games with fate Girl
You've been waiting
You feel so much
Has been forsaken
Girl
Your heart's aching
For the touch
Love's awakened
Yes it was
That was love
Don't let it slip away
Love's there for you to take
Stop playing these games with fate
Oh girl before it's too late

In those days
I was all alone
I was all alone
In those days
I was all alone
I was all alone
I was all alone
Met a girl
And I hoped and prayed
That she wasn't the one
Met a girl
And I hoped and prayed
That she wasn't the one
That she wasn't the one
I hoped and prayed
That God wouldnt make
Her the oneIn those days
Didn't know about love
Didn't know about love
In those days
Didn't know about love
Didn't know about love
Didn't know about love
Met a girl
But I turned her away
I was so young
Met a girl
But I turned her away
I was so young
I was so young
I hoped and prayed
That God wouldnt make
Her the one

I want to hold you
But every time I try
Something keeps you
Out of reach
I want to love you
But every time I try
Something keeps
Love away
And I can feel it
So love me right now
Though it won't last
Girl don't make me try
'Cause I'll lose you forever
Every time
Every time
But every time I try
To put our love out
Like a fire
You keep me in your reach
And every time I try
To throw away my desire
You hold me
So close
And I can feel it
So love me right now
Though it won't last
Girl don't make me try
'Cause I'll lose you forever
Every time

Easy lover
What are you trying to say
Made love now we have to pay
Easy lover
What are you trying to do
Made love now we'll see this through
Easy lover
What is there left to see
Easy lover
Now you know what it takes
To satisfy meEasy lover
It ain't so easy now
Love just works this way somehow
Easy lover
You know it has to end
Now we can't remain just friends
Easy lover
What is there left to see
Easy lover
Now you know what it takes
To satisfy me

Made up
My mind
Tonight I'm leaving you
No love
To find
Tonight I'm leaving you
Nothing to say
Nothing left you can do
Tonight I'm leaving youDon't need
Your lies
Tonight, tonight I'm through
Don't want
Goodbyes
Tonight, tonight I'm through
You can hold on
You can, it's up to you
Tonight I'm leaving you
Tonight I'm leaving you

Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace
Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace
Mary, Mary
I know you'll never leave
Mary, Mary
I know you'll never leave
Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace
Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace
Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace
Mary, Mary
Put on your white lace

Two o'clock
You're all alone
Starting from across the room
Come right here
Girl you know
Just what our love can do
We don't have
To take it slow
Talking all the whole night trough
I just want
To take you home
And make your body move
Make your body move Girl you'll feel
Your loneliness
Drifting away from you
And you'll see
This love exists
We found a love so true
Now we have
Happiness
It's what out love will prove
I just wan't
To kiss your lips
And make your body move

One time long ago
When the sun had dimmed it's glow
When the clouds were filled with
Rain and cold
That was a long time
That was a long time
A long time ago
Love has left me all alone
Her secrets left they're better left untold
Why oh why she left I'll never know
But that was a long
That was a long time
A long time ago
That was a long time
A long time ago

Walked away
Released from all my crimes
Walked away
Released from all my crimes
But I could never hide
What I kept inside
Walked away
Released from all my sins
Walked away
Released from all my sinsBut the cruelest thing
Was all my suffering
When I held you that night
I knew it felt so right
I knew it felt so right
Walked away
Released from all my crimes
Walked away
Released from all my crimes
But I could never hide
What I kept inside

Can we sail to spain just me and you?
Open ocean and the bright blue sky above
What do you want?
Do you want the moon?
I'll get it for you
From the top so high
To the valley low
I want to give you whatever you need so just let me know
Cause all I want is more of you
All I want is you
Give me a dance she says
Just take my hand she says
I don't want anything
Let's make our getaway
Just me and you babe
The rest of the world can wait
Cause I've been waiting for you
I've been waiting for you ohoh
With the world we know waiting on hold
Do you think we could really just be alone?
Far from all that seems to keep us apart?
I need you
So don't leave yet
Let's find a way to stay even if just for a moment
Cause all I need is more of you
All I want is you
Give me a dance she says
Just take my hand she says
I don't want anything
Let's make our getaway
Just me and you babe
The rest of the world can wait
Cause I've been waiting for you
I've been waiting for you ohoh
Give me a dance she says
Just take my hand she says
I don't want anything
Let's make our getaway
Just me and you babe
The rest of the world can wait
Cause I've been waiting for you

My notebook says I can't take it anymore
The dancer says he is the one to share my bed
I only know when I look at you
Aren't many men I feel I love
I don't mean to flatter you
My sister says no more calling you
It's out of my hand no more missing you
I only know when I look at you
Aren't many men I feel I love
I don't mean to flatter you
I don't care for making more
I just want the glazing eyes
I want us to share the wine
Let us share our blood and hearts
Let us share our blood and hearts
I stole your golden key
Tiptoed around and closed the door
I only want the love
Could give me back my modesty
I only know when I look at you
There isn't much I feel I need
I don't mean to flatter you
I don't care for having more
I just want the glazing eyes
I want us to share the wine
Let us share our blood and hearts
I just want the glazing eyes
Let us share our blood and hearts

I can remember the rain in December
The leaves of brown on the ground
In Spain I did love and adore you
The nights filled with joy were our yesterdays
And tomorrow will bring you near me
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Yesterday I can say
I get a kick every time they play that Spain again
I can remember the rain in December
The leaves of brown on the ground
Our love was a Spanish fiesta
The bright lights and songs were our joy each day
And the nights were the heat of yearning
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Yesterday I can say
I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
I see moments of history
Your eyes meet mine and they dance to the melody
And we live again as if dreaming
The sound of our hearts beat like castanets
And forever we'll know their meaning
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Yesterday I can say

I'm taking you to Spain,
I won't accept "no" as an answer...
I'm taking you to Spain,
To find the love that we've been after...
My days were filled with rain,
Until you turned rain into laughter...
I'm taking you to Spain,
So let's go...
We'll travel to Paris,
Or Paris`...
Whatever makes you happy,
We'll walk on the beach,
And gaze at the stars...
And I'll tell you that I love you...
I love you...
Rock!
Walking through the gardens,
I will pick you all the flowers...
We'll stay up late at night,
And we will talk for hours and hours...
Or mi amor, we'll watch el bulls y el matador...
You be my senorita, and I will be your senor...
Because nothing can be more right,
Than us tonight...

Yesterday, just a photograph of yesterday
And all it's edges folded and the corners, sepia brown
And yet it's all I have of our past love
A postscript to it's ending
Brighter days, I can see such brighter days
When every song we sang is sung again
And now we know it's for good
This time for good
And we'll love us once again
And you're near me
I can remember the rain in December
The leaves are brown on the ground
In Spain I did love and adore you
The nights filled with joy were our yesterday's
And tomorrow will bring you near me
I can recall my desire, every reverie is on fire
And I got a picture of all my yesterdays
Yesterday, I can say. I got a kick everytime I see
That Spain again.
I can remember the rain in December
The leaves are brown on the ground
Our love was a Spanish fiesta
The bright light and songs were our joy each day
And the nights were the heat of yearning.
*** I can recall my desire, every reverie is on fire
And I got a picture of all my yesterdays
Yesterday, I can say. I got a kick everytime I see
You gaze at me
I see moments of history
Your eyes meet mine
And they dance to the melody
And we live again, as if dreaming
The sound of our hearts beat like castagnets

RELEASE


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Avila, Spain #10 Wall of Avila
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  • Duration: 1:31
  • Updated: 29 Apr 2013
http://davidsbeenhere.com/ In Spain's city of Avila everything that goes in and out of the city must pass through the city walls. Once serving the purpose of...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila, Spain #10 Wall of Avila
Ávila Spain
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  • Duration: 3:37
  • Updated: 12 Jan 2013
Ávila - A Video By Herman Ashley - Ávila may have been the ancient town known as Abula, mentioned by Ptolemy in his Geographia (II 6, 60) as being located in...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Ávila Spain
Avila Spain - Medieval Town
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  • Duration: 4:13
  • Updated: 13 Mar 2013
Avila near Madrid in Spain is most known for the Medieval city walls that surround the old city built in 1090 AD.
  • published: 13 Apr 2012
  • views: 454
  • author: banoncom
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila Spain - Medieval Town
Ávila, Spain
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  • Duration: 2:35
  • Updated: 18 Sep 2012
Short visit in Avila. Main focus on Basilica de San Vicente and Cathedral of Avila.
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Ávila, Spain
Avila, Spain #16 Yemas de Santa Teresa
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  • Duration: 2:10
  • Updated: 29 Apr 2013
http://davidsbeenhere.com/ Spain's city of Avila is the home of a famous Spanish desert called Yema De Santa Teresa. While David visits the city of Avila he ...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila, Spain #16 Yemas de Santa Teresa
Walking On Avila City Wall, Spain
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  • Duration: 1:26
  • Updated: 29 Apr 2013
Walking On Avila City Wall, Spain.
  • published: 05 Mar 2011
  • views: 304
  • author: dniyomsub
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Walking On Avila City Wall, Spain
Here we are in Avila (Spain)
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  • Duration: 0:35
  • Updated: 27 Aug 2010
Jared beatboxes a tune about Avila, Spain "Take it away, Shasta!"
  • published: 16 Oct 2006
  • views: 1990
  • author: kajeersten
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Here we are in Avila (Spain)
Avila, Spain
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  • Updated: 16 Nov 2012
The medieval walls and historic centre of Avila, Spain http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9011442/Avila?source=yo utube_16391.
  • published: 30 Jun 2009
  • views: 2752
  • author: britannica
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila, Spain
Avila, Spain
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  • Duration: 21:03
  • Updated: 29 May 2012

  • published: 03 Dec 2011
  • views: 100
  • author: Alex Colao
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila, Spain
Avila, Spain
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  • Duration: 6:48
  • Updated: 27 Nov 2012
The town of Avila is famous for its medieval walls (11th to 14th centuries), its churches, basilicas and cathedral and boasts 2 famous saints: Saint Theresa ...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila, Spain
(380) Ávila ,Spain (HD)   2
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  • Duration: 0:45
  • Updated: 14 Jul 2012
Ávila is most known for the medieval city walls !! :-o And this is the most biggest Alcázar's gate :-D.
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/(380) Ávila ,Spain (HD) 2
AVILA España : La ciudad de la Mística  (1ª Parte)
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  • Duration: 9:19
  • Updated: 05 Apr 2013
AVILA, con sus grandes Místicos, sus hermosas murallas, sus iglesias románicas y la energía de sus piedras, es una joya que hay que lucir.
  • published: 30 Jul 2009
  • views: 3436
  • author: mclucero1
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/AVILA España : La ciudad de la Mística (1ª Parte)
3/2013  V RALLY DE ESPAÑA HISTORICOS SPAIN HISTORIC Ávila
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  • Duration: 8:26
  • Updated: 08 Mar 2013
Resumen del reportaje de Rallytelevision Disponible DVD hasta 5 tomas agrupadas de todos los participantes, 2 cámaras simultáneas en los tramos 5 y 8 Burgoho...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/3/2013 V RALLY DE ESPAÑA HISTORICOS SPAIN HISTORIC Ávila
Avila Spain,  Cosmos European  Tour
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  • Duration: 1:07
  • Updated: 24 Oct 2011
Spain and Portugal Cosmos Tour Day 1ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring lively Madrid. Toni...
http://web.archive.org./web/20130508062115/http://wn.com/Avila Spain, Cosmos European Tour


http://davidsbeenhere.com/ In Spain's city of Avila everything that goes in and out of the city must pass through the city walls. Once serving the purpose of...

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Avila, Spain #10 Wall of Avila
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Walk­ing On Avila City Wall, Spain....
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au­thor: dniy­omsub
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Here we are in Avila (Spain)
Jared beat­box­es a tune about Avila, Spain "Take it away, Shas­ta!"...
pub­lished: 16 Oct 2006
au­thor: ka­jeer­sten
0:34
Avila, Spain
The me­dieval walls and his­toric cen­tre of Avila, Spain http://​www.​britannica.​com/​eb/​articl...​
pub­lished: 30 Jun 2009
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Avila, Spain
...
pub­lished: 03 Dec 2011
au­thor: Alex Colao
6:48
Avila, Spain
The town of Avila is fa­mous for its me­dieval walls (11th to 14th cen­turies), its church­es,...
pub­lished: 16 Aug 2012
0:45
(380) Ávila ,Spain (HD) 2
Ávila is most known for the me­dieval city walls !! :-o And this is the most biggest Alcáza...
pub­lished: 19 Aug 2011
9:19
AVILA España : La ciu­dad de la Mística (1ª Parte)
AVILA, con sus grandes Místi­cos, sus her­mosas mu­ral­las, sus igle­sias románicas y la energí...
pub­lished: 30 Jul 2009
au­thor: mclucero1
8:26
3/2013 V RALLY DE ESPAÑA HIS­TORI­COS SPAIN HIS­TORIC Ávila
Re­sumen del re­por­ta­je de Ral­lytele­vi­sion Disponible DVD hasta 5 tomas agru­padas de todos l...
pub­lished: 07 Mar 2013
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Avila Spain, Cos­mos Eu­ro­pean Tour
Spain and Por­tu­gal Cos­mos Tour Day 1AR­RIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN Check into your hotel. The res...
pub­lished: 12 Sep 2011
Youtube results:
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Avila Spain Cos­mos tour
http://​www.​cosmos.​com/​Product.​aspx?​trip=16790 This ex­cit­ing ad­ven­ture in­tro­duces you to th...
pub­lished: 11 Sep 2011
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Ávila: ciu­dad Pat­ri­mo­nio de la Hu­manidad
http://​www.​spain.​info/​es/​ven/​otros-destinos/​avila.​html Recor­ri­do por los mon­u­men­tos más de...
pub­lished: 20 Nov 2007
au­thor: spain
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St Tere­sa'a Birth Place, Avila Spain Cos­mos Tour
Spain and Por­tu­gal Cos­mos Tour St Tere­sa'a Birth Place, Avila Spain Cos­mos Tour....
pub­lished: 12 Sep 2011
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Segovia and Avila, Spain. Ta­tiana Mc­k­een's Span­ish Im­mer­sion In­ter­na­tion­al in Spain!
Segovia is one of the provinces in the the au­tonomous re­gion of Castile and León.​It was de...
pub­lished: 30 Nov 2012
photo: AP / Mark Duncan
Members of the FBI evidence team remove items from a house on in Cleveland Monday, May 6, 2013. Three women who went missing separately about a decade ago, when they were in their teens or early 20s, were found alive in the house, and a man was arrested.
Denver Post
07 May 2013
Amanda Berry, left, and Gina DeJesus right, both went missing as teens a decade ago. (Getty Images, APF / FBI). CLEVELAND — Three women who went missing separately about a decade ago, when they were in their teens or early 20s, had been tied up but were found alive Monday in a residential area just south of downtown, and three brothers were arrested, police said ... "Help me, I'm Amanda Berry ... I need police ... ... I'm Amanda Berry ... ....(size: 5.5Kb)
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The Inquisitr
07 May 2013
Posted. May 7, 2013. A Philippine volcano killed at least five climbers and injured more than a dozen others after it spewed huge rocks and ash just after daybreak on Tuesday. Officials announced the deaths as rescue teams and helicopters rushed to Mayon volcano to bring out the dead and rescue the remaining hikers ... Some of the boulders were the size of living rooms ... Jesalva reported rushing back to the closest base camp to call for help....(size: 2.7Kb)
photo: AP Photo/Baz Ratner
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BEIRUT -- A look at the reasons for and possible implications of the escalation of Israel's involvement in Syria's civil war. WHY NOW?. Israel has said repeatedly it does not want to get dragged into Syria's civil war but has also warned that it will not allow so-called "game-changing" sophisticated weapons to flow across the border to Lebanon's Hezbollah, an Islamic militant group allied with the Syrian regime ... WHAT IS THE U.S. VIEW? ... ....(size: 15.2Kb)
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Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling. When it was announced that the Taliban in Afghanistan had again launched another spring offensive against U.S. forces, the twelfth one since 2001, it was reminiscent of Bernard Fall, a prominent war correspondent and expert on Indochina. He referred to the desperate and horrific battle of Dien Bien Phu as. "Hell in a very small place." ... lost its colony in Iran ... 11, 2001 despite U.S....(size: 5.1Kb)
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There was tight security around the courthouse as the NSU trial began in Munich on Monday. The case was later adjourned for one week after defense lawyers questioned the impartiality of the judges. It is the biggest trial on far-right extremism in Germany since World War II, centering on Beate Zschäpe and the National Socialist Underground (NSU) neo-Nazi group she allegedly co-founded ... Just one incident required police intervention ... ....(size: 4.2Kb)



noodls
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Team USA closed out the weekend at the 2013 Spanish Open in Alicante, Spain, with hardware in the junior and cadet divisions on Sunday. Valorie Loureda won a bronze medal in the female junior -68kg division after defeating Soumaya Belkhir Santiago of Spain, 15-2, and losing to Lorena Brandl of Germany, 9-1, in the semifinals ... She lost in the semifinal to Marta Oliver Hernandez of Spain, 10-1....(size: 2.5Kb)
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noodls
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Reuters
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Ávila
Ávila de los Caballeros
Ávila del Rey
Ávila de los Leales
Ávila with its famous city walls, as seen from a distance

Flag

Seal
Motto: Una ciudad para todos...
(Spanish for "A city for everyone...")
Ávila is located in Spain
Ávila
Coordinates: 40°39′N 4°41′W / 40.65°N 4.683°W / 40.65; -4.683Coordinates: 40°39′N 4°41′W / 40.65°N 4.683°W / 40.65; -4.683
Country  Spain
Autonomous Community  Castile and León
Province Ávila
Government
 • Mayor Miguel Ángel García Nieto (PP)
Area
 • Land 231.9 km2 (89.5 sq mi)
Elevation 1,182 m (3,665 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 58,245
 • Density 252.46/km2 (653.9/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 05001 - 05006
Area code(s) 34 (Spain) + 920 (Ávila)
Website http://www.avila.es (Spanish)

Ávila (Latin: Abila and Obila) is a Spanish city located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, capital of the province of the same name.

"Ávila de los Caballeros" is an honorific title of the city and others are "Ávila del Rey" and "Ávila de los Leales" which are all present in the flag of the city.

The city is notable for having complete medieval city walls which were built in the Romanesque style. It is also one of the cities with the highest number of Romanesque churches, Gothic churches and catering establishments in relation to the number of its inhabitants.

It is known by many as the city of «Pebbles and Saints». The writer José Martínez Ruiz Azorín, after writing The Castilian Soul, said it was "perhaps the most 16th century city of Spain".

Contents

Geography[link]

The city is 1131 meters (3665 feet) above sea level, the highest provincial capital in Spain. It is built on the flat summit of a rocky hill, which rises abruptly in the midst of a veritable wilderness: a brown, arid, treeless table-land, strewn with immense grey boulders, and shut in by lofty mountains. This results in an extreme climate, with very hard and long winters, and short summers.

Climate[link]

The climate in Ávila is Mediterranean (Csb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with warm summers and chilly winters, with the occurrence of snowfalls. This climate borders on a cold semi-arid climate (BSk). The hottest month, July, has an average temperature of 19.7 °C (67 °F), and the coldest month, January, has an average of 2.8 °C (37 °F). The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (15.75 in).

Ávila
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
32
 
7
−2
 
 
22
 
9
−1
 
 
23
 
11
1
 
 
42
 
13
2
 
 
50
 
17
6
 
 
37
 
23
9
 
 
16
 
27
12
 
 
19
 
27
12
 
 
29
 
23
10
 
 
40
 
16
6
 
 
43
 
11
2
 
 
44
 
8
0
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: AEMET

History[link]

Gate Alcazar

In pre-Roman times (5th century BC), it was inhabited by the Vettones, who called it Obila ("High Mountain") and had here one of their strongest fortresses.

Ávila may have been the ancient town known as Abula, mentioned by Ptolemy in his Geographia (II 6, 60) as being located in the Iberian region of Bastetania.[1] Abula is mentioned as one of the first cities in Hispania that was Christianized, specifically by Saint Secundus (San Segundo).[1] However, Abula may have been the town of Abla.[1] After the conquest by the Romans, it was called Abila or Abela. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Ávila was a stronghold of the Visigoths. Conquered by the Arabs (who called it Ābila, آبلة), it was repeatedly attacked by the northern Iberian Christian kingdoms, after which it remained virtually uninhabited. It was repopulated in the 11th century, after the definitive capture of the area by the Christians, under Raymond of Burgundy.

The city lived a period of prosperity under the Catholic Monarchs (early 16th century) and their successors Charles V and Philip II of Spain, but decayed again starting from the 18th century, when it reduced to just 4,000 inhabitants.

Architecture[link]

Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches *
Ávila city walls.
Country Spain
Type Cultural
Criteria iii, iv
Reference 348
Region ** Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1985 (9th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List
** Region as classified by UNESCO

Cathedral[link]

Main view of the Cathedral of Ávila
Apse of the Cathedral through the city walls

In religious architecture, stands the Cathedral (12th-15th century) and military function his fortified bedside, the romanesque churches of San Vicente (12th-14th centuries) and San Pedro and the Monastery of Santo Tomás (15th-century summer residence of the Catholic Monarchs).

The master Fruchel begins works inspired by the Basilica of St Denis church giving the appearance of sobriety and classicism, brings with it the early gothic structures, making the work in initiating the penetration of gothic architecture. In the 14th century Bishop D. Sancho Dávila reactive the works.

    • Northern facade: Gothic style at left and added renaissance at right. Portada de los Apóstoles.
    • Western front: Burgundian style, with two towers forming a covered gateway.
    • Interior: Latin cross with three naves, a crossing and ambulatory.
    • Mayor Chapel: It highlights the monumental altarpiece by Pedro Berruguete from 1499 until his death.
    • Altar of San Segundo: Attached to a column of the cruise. Renaissance style.
    • Altar of Santa Catalina: Made of alabaster.
    • Choir and Rood screen: Renaissance style, is designed with two highs of seats and decorated with reliefs depicting scenes of saints. The rood screen is a work carved in limestone.
    • Cloister: Access from the romanesque cathedral by a door from the south aisle. Gothic style.

Basílica de San Vicente[link]

Basilica of San Vicente
The Plaza de Santa Teresa with the Iglesia de San Pedro at background
  • Construction began in the 12th century and lasted until the 14th. Its design is attributed to the French master Giral Fruchel, the author himself from the cathedral and pioneer of the Gothic style in Spain.
  • The overall structure is similar to the Latin basilicas. It has a Latin cross plan, three naves, dome, tribunes, three apses, atrium, two towers and crypt.
  • All the facade and the environment where it is located are of great artistic value.
  • Interior: Latin cross room with three naves. The pillars are of a Greek cross with half columns on the heads.
  • Crypt: Consists of three chapels, for the three apses of the church are mainly romanesque and have the best capitals of the monument.

Highlight the tomb of Saint Peter of the Boat and, above all, the Cenotaph of the Holy Brothers Martyrs, the head of the temple, Saint Vincent of Avila, and her sisters, along with the torture he suffered in the 4th century, Saint Sabina and Saint Cristeta, (Cenotafio de los santos Vicente, Sabina y Cristeta), one of the most important works of Romanesque sculpture in Spain.

Iglesia de San Pedro[link]

  • Start date: about 1100.
  • It is located outside the city walls in the Plaza de Mercado Grande at the door of the Alcazar. Presents analogous with that of San Vicente.
  • Latin cross floor and three naves of five sections. Apsidal chapels: mayor chapel, chapel of the south apse and chapel of the north apse.

Ermita de San Segundo[link]

Torreón de los Guzmanes.
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles.

Beautiful hermitage located to the west of Avila, outside the city walls, on the right bank of the Adaja river. Highlights the sculpted capitals in which the sculptor is the footprint of the apse of San Andrés. Alabaster statue made by Juan de Juni. Popular belief has it that introducing a handkerchief in the tomb and asking for three wishes, the saint granted one. His pilgrimage is celebrated on May 2, being the patron of Avila.

Palacio de Don Diego del Águila[link]

This 16th-century palace is located inside the wall and attached to it as junt walk through the door of San Vicente, defended the access of Muslim troops.[clarification needed] Located on a busy street by different arms of the Águila family.[clarification needed]

Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás[link]

Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás is a Dominican convent in the late 15th century. Despite being away from the historic center, is one of the most important monuments of the city.

Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles[link]

Detail of the Cathedral at dusk, from the street Tomás Luis de Victoria
Convento de Santa Teresa

Located 6 km from the capital, is this sanctuary in a beautiful area, housing a restaurant, hostel, picnic areas, playgrounds, etc.

There is located the statue of the Virgin of Sonsoles, co-patroness of Ávila and patroness of the fields in the province.

It is tradition in this city make pilgrimage to the sanctuary, making a wish to the Virgin and to get to the door barefoot until enter the church.

Civil architecture[link]

Finally, in civil architecture, the Valderrábanos Palace (15th century), the Casa de los Deanes (16th century), the Torreón de los Guzmanes and the Verdugos Palace (15th-16th centuries) are the most important buildings.

The Walls of Ávila[link]

Its main monument is the imposing Walls of Ávila (11th-14th centuries), the medieval work was started in 1090. The fenced area is of 31 hectares with a perimeter of approximately 2,516 meters, 88 blocks or semicircular towers, 2,500 merlons, paintings by 3 m. thick, an average height of 12 m. and 9 gates. It is the largest fully illuminated monument in the world.

Conference and Exhibition Centre Lienzo Norte[link]

  • In mid-2007, work began on the convention center. In April 2009 the construction was completed, opening its doors since then.
  • The building designed by architect Francisco José Mangado is of modern style. Its extension is constructed of 19,800 m2 (213,125 sq ft), which would add the area corresponding to the neighboring gardens and parking.
  • There is a large symphony hall, large glass galleries, café, restaurant, conference room, catering services, storage, reception, store room, etc.
  • The symphony hall has a capacity for 2,000 guests and the secondary hall for 500. The two conference rooms have each 1,000 seats.

Museums and sights[link]

  • Museum of Ávila
  • Museum of la Encarnación
  • Museum of Santa Teresa
  • Museum of the Cathedral
  • Museo of Santo Tomás
  • Museum of Oriental Art
  • Museum of Natural Sciences
  • Living Water
  • Hall of Torreón de los Guzmanes
  • Sala de la Diputación
  • Sala del Episcopio
  • Caprotti Museum (future museum located in the Superunda Palace currently under rehabilitation, which will house the work of Italian painter Guido Caprotti (1887–1966), based in Avila from 1916)[2]

Universities[link]

Main building of the Catholic University of Avila

Avila has two universities: the Catholic University of Ávila (UCAV) and the University of Mysticism, which became operational on September 2, 2008.[citation needed] There are three colleges of the University of Salamanca (USAL): the Polytechnic School of Avila, the College of Education and Tourism in Avila, and the School of Nursing.

Sports buildings[link]

  • City Sport: swimming Pool, heated pool, tennis, paddle tennis, athletics, football, basketball, etc..
  • North Zone: heated pool, football, basketball and tennis.
  • Abulense Casino Club: pools, golf, tennis, paddle, cafeteria, restaurant, football, skating, basketball etc.
  • Naturavila: golf, swimming, horse riding, walking, basketball, paddle tennis, football.
  • San Antonio Sports Hall: in the north of the city is a large covered pavilion with basketball courts, tennis, soccer, squash, climbing.
  • Polideportivo Carlos Sastre, on the outskirts of the city. His inauguration took place on January 30, 2009 by a friendly match between Óbila Club de Basket of LEBPlata and LEB C.B. León. It has basketball courts, soccer, tennis, volleyball, etc.

Popular celebrations[link]

The first public festival after the winter cold is the Holy week. The temperature is cold, especially at night, so one should not forget warm clothes.

Avila holidays are October 15, Santa Teresa de Jesús, and May 2, San Segundo. The festivities take place around October 15 and the Summer Festival in mid-July.

Holy Week[link]

Holy Week as celebrated in Avila is considered of national tourist interest. It is one of the highest expressions of art and wealth as seen in numerous steps of Holy Week along the city walls. Processions have either or fifteen or twelve fraternities.

Fiestas de Santa Teresa[link]

Fiestas de Santa Teresa (Procession, 2007).

The festivities of Santa Teresa last almost the entire month of October. The proclamation is done by the mayor in the Plaza Mayor, accompanied by some celebrity. After the proclamation was organized in the same place a musical performance with renowned singers.

The festival program includes several musical concerts, a fairground, bullfights, passacaglia, processions of the fan groups, chocolate with churros and liturgical acts naturally focus on the day of the patroness, on 15 October with multitudinous mass presided by Bishop, then celebrated a great procession, headed the image of Santa Teresa with the Virgin of La Caridad, and is accompanied by all the authorities of Ávila, civil and military, and several bands music. The procession takes place between the Cathedral of Avila and Santa Teresa Church. Takes place the day before the "Procession Girl" from the Iglesian de Santa Teresa to the Cathedral.

Gastronomy[link]

  • Typical dishes of the city and region are "Judías del Barco", "Chuletón de Ávila", "Patatas revolconas" and "Yemas de Santa Teresa". Also worth mentioning is "Hornazo", "Bun stuffed with sausage, bacon, steak and eggs", "Mollejas de ternera" or the "Cochinillo", which can be found in the capital and in Arévalo.

Yemas de Santa Teresa[link]

Yemas de Santa Teresa.

This sweet can always be found in the traditional pastry shop "La Flor de Castilla". In the other bakeries in the city it is produced under the name "Yemas de Ávila", or simply "Yemas", produced as its name indicates from egg yolk.

Chuletón de Ávila[link]

This is a grilled T-bone steak, best cooked rare, which can be enjoyed in any hotel in the city. It is made from Avileña-Negra ibérica, an indigenous black cow of excellent meat, whose fame transcends the borders of the province and the country.

Judías del Barco[link]

White beans from Barco de Avila cooked with sausage, chorizo, ear, etc.

Sister cities[link]

A view of the Walls of Ávila.

See also[link]

References[link]

  1. ^ a b c Avitiano (December 23, 2008). "Abulenses". Centro de estudios abulenses. http://centrodeestudiosabulenses.blogia.com/temas/abulenses.php. Retrieved February 20, 2009. 
  2. ^ Estudio Caprotti

Further reading[link]

  • Keyes, Frances Parkinson (1957) The Land of Stones and Saints. London: Peter Davies (on Isabel the Catholic, St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, María Vela and San Pedro Bautista)

External links[link]

http://wn.com/Ávila,_Spain




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Kingdom of Spain
Reino de España
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Plus Ultra" (Latin)
"Further Beyond"
Anthem: "Marcha Real" (Spanish)
"Royal March"
Marcha Real.ogg

Location of  Spain  (dark green)– in Europe  (green & dark grey)– in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Spain  (dark green)

– in Europe  (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]

Capital
(and largest city)
Madrid
40°26′N 3°42′W / 40.433°N 3.7°W / 40.433; -3.7
Official language(s) Spanish[a]
Recognised regional languages Basque, Catalan/Valencian, Galician and Occitan
Demonym Spanish, Spaniard
Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
 -  King Juan Carlos I
 -  Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
Legislature Cortes Generales
 -  Upper house Senate
 -  Lower house Congress of Deputies
Formation 15th century 
 -    Traditional date 569 (ascension to the throne of Liuvigild
 -    Dynastic 1479 
 -    De facto 1516 
 -    De jure 1715 
 -    Nation state 1812 
 -    Constitutional democracy 1978 
Area
 -  Total 504,030 km2 (51st)
195,364 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) 1.04
Population
 -  2010 estimate 46,030,109[1] (27th)
 -  Density 93/km2 (106th)
231/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2011 estimate
 -  Total $1.413 trillion[2] 
 -  Per capita $30,625[2] 
GDP (nominal) 2011 estimate
 -  Total $1.495 trillion[2] 
 -  Per capita $32,360[2] 
Gini (2005) 32[3] 
HDI (2011) increase 0.878[4] (very high) (23rd)
Currency Euro () (EUR)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 -  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Except the Canary Islands which observe UTC+0 (WET) (UTC+1 during summer time)
Date formats dd.mm.yyyy (Spanish; CE)
Drives on the right
ISO 3166 code ES
Internet TLD .es[b]
Calling code 34

Spain (Listeni/ˈspn/ SPAYN; Spanish: España, pronounced: [esˈpaɲa] ( listen)), officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España),[c][5] is a sovereign state and a member of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north and north east by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal.

Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco. Furthermore, the town of Llívia is a Spanish exclave situated inside French territory. With an area of 504,030 square kilometres (194,610 sq mi), it is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France, and the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France.

Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences since prehistoric times and through to its dawn as a country. Spain emerged as a unified country in the 15th century, following the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs and the completion of the reconquest, or Reconquista, of the Iberian peninsula in 1492. Conversely, it has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the modern era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 500 million Spanish speakers today, making it the world's second most spoken first language.

Spain is a democracy organised in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy. It is a developed country with the twelfth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards, including the tenth-highest quality of life index rating in the world, as of 2005. It is a member of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, OECD, and WTO.

Contents

Etymology[link]

The true origins of the name España and its cognates "Spain" and "Spanish" are disputed. The ancient Roman name for Iberia, Hispania, may derive from poetic use of the term Hesperia to refer to Spain, reflecting the Greek perception of Italy as a "western land" or "land of the setting sun" (Hesperia, Εσπερία in Greek) and Spain, being still further west, as Hesperia ultima.[6]

It may also be a derivation of the Punic Ispanihad, meaning "land of rabbits" or "edge", a reference to Spain's location at the end of the Mediterranean; Roman coins struck in the region from the reign of Hadrian show a female figure with a coney at her feet.[7] There are also claims that España derives from the Basque word Ezpanna meaning "edge" or "border", another reference to the fact that the Iberian peninsula constitutes the southwest of the European continent.[6]

The humanist Antonio de Nebrija proposed that the word Hispania evolved from the Iberian word Hispalis, meaning "city of the western world". Jesús Luis Cunchillos argues that the root of the term span is the Phoenecian word spy, meaning "to forge metals". Therefore i-spn-ya would mean "the land where metals are forged".[8]

History[link]

The Iberian peninsula enters written records as a land populated largely by the Iberians, Basques and Celts. After an arduous conquest, the peninsula came under the rule of Rome. During the early Middle Ages it came under Germanic rule but later, it was conquered by Moorish invaders from North Africa. In a process that took centuries, the small Christian kingdoms in the north gradually regained control of the peninsula. The last Moorish kingdom fell in the same year Columbus reached the Americas. A global empire began which saw Spain become the strongest kingdom in Europe and the leading world power for a century and a half and the largest overseas empire for three centuries.

Continued wars and other problems eventually led to a diminished status. The Napoleonic invasions of Spain led to chaos, triggering independence movements that tore apart most of the empire and left the country politically unstable. Prior to the Second World War, Spain suffered a devastating civil war and came under the rule of an authoritarian government, whose rule oversaw a period of stagnation but that finished with a powerful economic surge. Eventually democracy was peacefully restored in the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. In 1986, Spain joined the European Union, experiencing a cultural renaissance and steady economic growth.

Prehistory and pre-Roman peoples[link]

Altamira Cave paintings,[9] in Cantabria.

Archaeological research at Atapuerca indicates the Iberian Peninsula was populated by hominids 1.2 million years ago.[10] Modern humans first arrived in Iberia, from the north on foot, about 32,000 years ago.[11] The best known artifacts of these prehistoric human settlements are the famous paintings in the Altamira cave of Cantabria in northern Iberia, which were created about 15,000 BCE by cro-magnons.[9]

Archaeological and genetic evidence strongly suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as one of several major refugia from which northern Europe was repopulated following the end of the last ice age.

The two main historical peoples of the peninsula were the Iberians and the Celts. The Iberians inhabited the Mediterranean side from the northeast to the southeast. The Celts inhabited the Atlantic side, in the north, center (Celtiberian), northwest and southwest part of the peninsula. Basques occupied the western area of the Pyrenees mountain range and adjacent areas.

In the south of the peninsula appeared the semi-mythical city of Tartessos (c.1100 BC), whose flourishing trade in items made of gold and silver with the Phoenicians and Greeks is documented by Strabo and the Book of Solomon. Between about 500 BC and 300 BC, the seafaring Phoenicians and Greeks founded trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast. The Carthaginians briefly exerted control over much of the Mediterranean side of the peninsula, until defeated in the Punic Wars by the Romans.[12]

Roman Empire and the Gothic Kingdom[link]

A votive crown of Recceswinth (653–672)

During the Second Punic War, an expanding Roman Empire captured Carthaginian trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast from roughly 210 BC to 205 BC. It took the Romans nearly two centuries to complete the conquest of the Iberian peninsula, though they had control of much of it for over six centuries. Roman rule was bound together by law, language, and the Roman road.[13]

The cultures of the Celt and Iberian populations were gradually romanized (Latinized) at differing rates in different parts of Hispania. Local leaders were admitted into the Roman aristocratic class[d][12] Hispania served as a granary for the Roman market, and its harbors exported gold, wool, olive oil, and wine. Agricultural production increased with the introduction of irrigation projects, some of which remain in use. Emperors Hadrian, Trajan, Theodosius I, and the philosopher Seneca were born in Hispania.[e] Christianity was introduced into Hispania in the 1st century CE and it became popular in the cities in the 2nd century CE.[12] Most of Spain's present languages and religion, and the basis of its laws, originate from this period.[13]

The weakening of the Western Roman Empire's jurisdiction in Hispania began in 409, when the Germanic Suevi and Vandals, together with the Sarmatian Alans crossed the Rhine and ravaged Gaul until the Visigoths drove them into Iberia that same year. The Suevi established a kingdom in what is today modern Galicia and northern Portugal. As the western empire disintegrated, the social and economic base became greatly simplified: but even in modified form, the successor regimes maintained many of the institutions and laws of the late empire, including Christianity.

The Alans' allies, the Hasdingi Vandals, established a kingdom in Gallaecia, too, occupying largely the same region but extending farther south to the Duero river. The Silingi Vandals occupied the region that still bears a form of their name –Vandalusia, modern Andalusia, in Spain. The Byzantines established an enclave, Spania, in the south, with the intention of reviving the Roman empire throughout Iberia. Eventually, however, Hispania was reunited under Visigothic rule.

Muslim Iberia (711–1492)[link]

In the 8th century, nearly all of the Iberian Peninsula was conquered (711–718) by largely Moorish Muslim armies from North Africa. These conquests were part of the expansion of the Umayyad Islamic Empire. Only a small area in the mountainous north-west of the peninsula managed to resist the initial invasion.

Under Islamic law, Christians and Jews were given the subordinate status of dhimmi. This status permitted Christians and Jews to practice their religions as people of the book but they were required to pay a special tax and to be subject to certain discriminations.[14][15]

Conversion to Islam proceeded at a steadily increasing pace. The muladies (Muslims of ethnic Iberian origin) are believed to have comprised the majority of the population of Al-Andalus by the end of the 10th century.[16][17]

La Giralda, the bell tower of Seville Cathedral

The Muslim community in the Iberian peninsula was itself diverse and beset by social tensions. The Berber people of North Africa, who had provided the bulk of the invading armies, clashed with the Arab leadership from the Middle East.[f] Over time, large Moorish populations became established, especially in the Guadalquivir River valley, the coastal plain of Valencia, the Ebro River valley and (towards the end of this period) in the mountainous region of Granada.[17]

Córdoba, the capital of the caliphate, was the largest, richest and most sophisticated city in western Europe. Mediterranean trade and cultural exchange flourished. Muslims imported a rich intellectual tradition from the Middle East and North Africa. Muslim and Jewish scholars played an important part in reviving and expanding classical Greek learning in Western Europe. The Romanized cultures of the Iberian peninsula interacted with Muslim and Jewish cultures in complex ways, thus giving the region a distinctive culture.[17] Outside the cities, where the vast majority lived, the land ownership system from Roman times remained largely intact as Muslim leaders rarely dispossessed landowners, and the introduction of new crops and techniques led to a remarkable expansion of agriculture.[citation needed]

In the 11th century, the Muslim holdings fractured into rival Taifa kingdoms, allowing the small Christian states the opportunity to greatly enlarge their territories.[17] The arrival from North Africa of the Islamic ruling sects of the Almoravids and the Almohads restored unity upon the Muslim holdings, with a stricter, less tolerant application of Islam, and saw a revival in Muslim fortunes. This re-united Islamic state, experienced more than a century of successes that partially reversed Christian gains.

Fall of Muslim rule and unification[link]

The Reconquista ("Reconquest") was the centuries-long period of expansion of Iberia's Christian kingdoms. The Reconquista is viewed as beginning with the Battle of Covadonga in 722, and was concurrent with the period of Muslim rule on the Iberian peninsula. The Christian army's victory over Muslim forces led to the creation of the Christian Kingdom of Asturias along the northwestern coastal mountains. Shortly after, in 739, Muslim forces were driven from Galicia, which was to eventually host one of medieval Europe's holiest sites, Santiago de Compostela and was incorporated into the new Christian kingdom. Muslim armies had also moved north of the Pyrenees, but they were defeated by Frankish forces at the Battle of Poitiers, Frankia. Later, Frankish forces established Christian counties on the southern side of the Pyrenees. These areas were to grow into the kingdoms of Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia.[18] For several centuries, the fluctuating frontier between the Muslim and Christian controlled areas of Iberia was along the Ebro and Duero valleys.

Ávila city walls

The breakup of Al-Andalus into the competing taifa kingdoms helped the long embattled Iberian Christian kingdoms gain the initiative. The capture of the strategically central city of Toledo in 1085 marked a significant shift in the balance of power in favour of the Christian kingdoms. Following a great Muslim resurgence in the 12th century, the great Moorish strongholds in the south fell to Christian Spain in the 13th century—Córdoba in 1236 and Seville in 1248—leaving only the Muslim enclave of Granada as a tributary state in the south.[19]

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Marinids Muslim sect based in North Africa invaded and established some enclaves on the southern coast but failed in their attempt to re-establish Muslim rule in Iberia and were soon driven out. The 13th century also witnessed the Crown of Aragon, centred in Spain's north east, expand its reach across islands in the Mediterranean, to Sicily and even Athens.[20] Around this time the universities of Palencia (1212/1263) and Salamanca (1218/1254) were established. The Black Death of 1348 and 1349 devastated Spain.[21]

In 1469, the crowns of the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were united by the marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. 1478 commenced the completion of the conquest of the Canary Islands and in 1492, the combined forces of Castile and Aragon captured the Emirate of Granada, ending the last remnant of a 781-year presence of Islamic rule in Iberia. The Treaty of Granada guaranteed religious tolerance toward Muslims.[22] The year 1492 also marked the arrival in the New World of Christopher Columbus, during a voyage funded by Isabella. That same year, Spain's Jews were ordered to convert to Catholicism or face expulsion from Spanish territories during the Spanish Inquisition.[23] A few years later, following social disturbances, Muslims were also expelled under the same conditions.[g][24]

As Renaissance New Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand centralized royal power at the expense of local nobility, and the word España, whose root is the ancient name Hispania, began to be commonly used to designate the whole of the two kingdoms.[24] With their wide-ranging political, legal, religious and military reforms, Spain emerged as the first world power.

Imperial Spain[link]

The Spanish Empire's historical influence

The unification of the crowns of Aragon and Castile laid the basis for modern Spain and the Spanish Empire.[25] Spain was Europe's leading power throughout the 16th century and most of the 17th century, a position reinforced by trade and wealth from colonial possessions. It reached its apogee during the reigns of the first two Spanish HabsburgsCharles I (1516–1556) and Philip II (1556–1598). This period saw the Italian Wars, the revolt of the comuneros, the Dutch revolt, the Morisco revolt, clashes with the Ottomans, the Anglo-Spanish war and wars with France.[26]

The Spanish Empire expanded to include great parts of the Americas, islands in the Asia-Pacific area, areas of Italy, cities in Northern Africa, as well as parts of what are now France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It was the first empire of which it was said that the sun never set.

This was an age of discovery, with daring explorations by sea and by land, the opening-up of new trade routes across oceans, conquests and the beginnings of European colonialism. Along with the arrival of precious metals, spices, luxuries, and new agricultural plants, Spanish explorers brought back knowledge from the New World, and played a leading part in transforming the European understanding of the globe.[27] The cultural efflorescence witnessed is now referred to as the Spanish Golden Age. The rise of humanism, the Protestant Reformation and new geographical discoveries raised issues addressed by the influential intellectual movement now known as the School of Salamanca.

A 17th century galleon

In the late 16th century and first half of the 17th century, Spain was confronted by unrelenting challenges from all sides. Barbary pirates under the aegis of the rapidly growing Ottoman empire, disrupted life in many coastal areas through their slave raids and renewed the threat of an Islamic invasion.[28] This at a time when Spain was often at war with France.

The Protestant Reformation schism from the Catholic Church dragged the kingdom ever more deeply into the mire of religiously charged wars. The result was a country forced into ever expanding military efforts across Europe and in the Mediterranean.[29]

By the middle decades of a war- and plague-ridden 17th century Europe the Spanish Habsburgs had enmeshed the country in the continent-wide religious-political conflicts. These conflicts drained it of resources and undermined the European economy generally. Spain managed to hold on to most of the scattered Habsburg empire, and help the imperial forces of the Holy Roman Empire reverse a large part of the advances made by Protestant forces, but it was finally forced to recognise the separation of Portugal (with whom it had been united in a personal union of the crowns from 1580 to 1640) and the Netherlands, and eventually suffered some serious military reverses to France in the latter stages of the immensely destructive, Europe-wide Thirty Years War.[30]

El Escorial, central Spain.

In the latter half of the 17th century, Spain went into a gradual relative decline, during which it surrendered a number of small territories to France. However it maintained and enlarged its vast overseas empire, which remained intact until the beginning of the 19th century.

The decline culminated in a controversy over succession to the throne which consumed the first years of the 18th century. The War of Spanish Succession was a wide ranging international conflict combined with a civil war, and was to cost the kingdom its European possessions and its position as one of the leading powers on the Continent.[31]

During this war, a new dynasty originating in France, the Bourbons, was installed. Long united only by the Crown, a true Spanish state was established when the first Bourbon king, Philip V, united the crowns of Castile and Aragon into a single state, abolishing many of the old regional privileges and laws.[32]

The 18th century saw a gradual recovery and an increase in prosperity through much of the empire. The new Bourbon monarchy drew on the French system of modernising the administration and the economy. Enlightenment ideas began to gain ground among some of the kingdom's elite and monarchy. Military assistance for the rebellious British colonies in the American War of Independence improved the kingdom's international standing.[33]

Napoleonic rule and its consequences[link]

Second of May 1808: the people revolt against the Bonapartist regime.

In 1793, Spain went to war against the new French Republic, which had overthrown and executed its Bourbon king, Louis XVI. The war polarised the country in an apparent reaction against the gallicised elites. Defeated in the field, peace was made with France in 1795 and it effectively became a client state of that country; In 1807, the secret treaty of Fontainebleau between Napoleon and the deeply unpopular Godoy led to a declaration of war against Britain and Portugal. French troops entered the kingdom unopposed, supposedly to invade Portugal, but instead they occupied Spanish fortresses. This invasion by trickery led to the abdication of the ridiculed Spanish king in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte.

This foreign puppet monarch was widely regarded with scorn. The 2 May 1808 revolt was one of many nationalist uprisings against the Bonapartist regime across the country.[34] These revolts marked the beginning of what is known to the Spanish as the War of Independence, and to the British as the Peninsular War.[35] Napoleon was forced to intervene personally, defeating several badly coordinated Spanish armies and forcing a British army to retreat. However, further military action by Spanish guerrillas and armies, and Wellington's British-Portuguese forces, combined with Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia, led to the ousting of the French imperial armies from the Spain in 1814, and the return of King Ferdinand VII.[36]

The French invasions devastated the economy, and left Spain a deeply divided country prone to political instability. The power struggles of the early 19th century led to the loss of all of its colonies in the Americas (which stretched from Las Californias to Patagonia), with the sole exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Spanish–American War (1898)[link]

Amid the instability and economic crisis that afflicted Spain in the 19th century there arose nationalist movements in the Philippines and Cuba. Wars of independence ensued in those colonies and eventually the United States became involved. Despite the commitment and ability shown by some military units, they were so mismanaged by the highest levels of command that the Spanish–American War, fought in the Spring of 1898, did not last long. "El Desastre" (The Disaster), as the war became known, helped give impetus to the Generation of 98 who were already conducting much critical analysis concerning the country. It also weakened the stability that had been established during Alfonso XII's reign.

Spanish Civil War (1936–39)[link]

The 20th century brought little peace; Spain played a minor part in the scramble for Africa, with the colonisation of Western Sahara, Spanish Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. The heavy losses suffered during the Rif war in Morocco helped to undermine the monarchy. A period of authoritarian rule under General Miguel Primo de Rivera (1923–1931) ended with the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic. The Republic offered political autonomy to the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia and gave voting rights to women.

Francisco Franco and US President Eisenhower, Madrid, 1959

The Spanish Civil War (1936–39) ensued. Three years later the rebel Nationalist forces, led by General Francisco Franco, emerged victorious with the support of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The Republican side was supported by the Soviet Union, Mexico and International Brigades, including the American Abraham Lincoln Brigade, but it was not supported officially by the Western powers due to the British-led policy of Non-Intervention.

The Civil War claimed the lives of over 500,000 people[37] and caused the flight of up to a half-million citizens.[38] Most of their descendants now live in Latin American countries, with some 300,000 in Argentina alone.[39] The Spanish Civil War has been called the first battle of the Second World War.[by whom?]

Spain under Franco (1939-75)[link]

The Spanish State established by Franco was nominally neutral in the Second World War, although sympathetic to the Axis. The only legal party under Franco's post civil war regime was the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS, formed in 1937; the party emphasised anti-Communism, Catholicism and nationalism. Given Franco's opposition to competing political parties, the party was renamed the National Movement (Movimiento Nacional) in 1949.

After World War II Spain was politically and economically isolated, and was kept out of the United Nations. This changed in 1955, during the Cold War period, when it became strategically important for the U.S. to establish a military presence on the Iberian peninsula as a counter to any possible move by the Soviet Union into the Mediterranean basin. In the 1960s, Spain registered an unprecedented rate of economic growth in what became known as the Spanish miracle, which resumed the much interrupted transition towards a modern economy.

Post Franco (1975-)[link]

With Franco's death in November 1975, Juan Carlos succeeded to the position of King of Spain and head of state in accordance with the law. With the approval of the new Spanish Constitution of 1978 and the restoration of democracy, the State devolved much authority to the regions and created an internal organization based on autonomous communities.

In the Basque Country, moderate Basque nationalism has coexisted with a radical nationalist movement led by the armed organisation ETA. The group was formed in 1959 during Franco's rule but has continued to wage its violent campaign even after the restoration of democracy and the return of a large measure of regional autonomy.

On 23 February 1981, rebel elements among the security forces seized the Cortes in an attempt to impose a military backed government. King Juan Carlos took personal command of the military and successfully ordered the coup plotters, via national television, to surrender.

On 30 May 1982 Spain joined NATO, following a referendum. That year the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) came to power, the first left-wing government in 43 years. In 1986 Spain joined the European Community; what became the European Union. The PSOE was replaced in government by the Partido Popular (PP) after the latter won the 1996 General Elections; at that point the PSOE had served almost 14 consecutive years in office.

On 1 January 2002, Spain ceased to use the peseta as currency replacing it with the euro, which it shares with 15 other countries in the Eurozone. Spain has also seen strong economic growth, well above the EU average; however, well publicised concerns issued by many economic commentators at the height of the boom that the extraordinary property prices and high foreign trade deficits of the boom were likely to lead to a painful economic collapse were confirmed by a severe property-led recession that struck the country in 2008/9.[40]

A series of bombs exploded in commuter trains in Madrid, Spain on 11 March 2004. After a five month trial in 2007 it was concluded the bombings were perpetrated by a local Islamist militant group inspired by al-Qaeda.[41] The bombings killed 191 people and wounded more than 1800, and the intention of the perpetrators may have been to influence the outcome of the Spanish general election, held three days later.[42]

Though initial suspicions focused on the Basque group ETA, evidence soon emerged indicating possible Islamist involvement. Because of the proximity of the election, the issue of responsibility quickly became a political controversy, with the main competing parties PP and PSOE exchanging accusations over the handling of the aftermath.[43] At 14 March elections, PSOE, led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, obtained a plurality, enough to form a new cabinet with Rodríguez Zapatero as the new Presidente del Gobierno or Prime Minister of Spain, thus succeeding the former PP administration.[44]

The bursting of the Spanish property bubble in 2008 led to the 2008–2012 Spanish financial crisis.

Geography[link]

At 504,782 km2 (194,897 sq mi), Spain is the world's 51st-largest country. It is some 47,000 km2 (18,000 sq mi) smaller than France and 81,000 km2 (31,000 sq mi) larger than the U.S. state of California. Mt. Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands) has the highest mountain peak of Spain and the third largest volcano in the world from its base.

Spain lies between latitudes 26° and 44° N, and longitudes 19° W and 5° E.

On the west, Spain borders Portugal; on the south, it borders Gibraltar (a British overseas territory) and Morocco, through its exclaves in North Africa (Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera). On the northeast, along the Pyrenees mountain range, it borders France and the tiny principality of Andorra. Along the Pyrenees in Gerona, a small exclave town called Llívia is surrounded by France.

Islands[link]

Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and a number of uninhabited islands on the Mediterranean side of the Strait of Gibraltar, known as Plazas de soberanía, such as the Chafarine islands, the isle of Alborán, Alhucemas, and the tiny Isla Perejil. The little Pheasant Island in the River Bidasoa is a Spanish-French condominium.

Islander population:[45]

Mt. Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands is the tallest mountain in Spain

Mountains and rivers[link]

Mainland Spain is a mountainous country, dominated by high plateaus and mountain chains. After the Pyrenees, the main mountain ranges are the Cordillera Cantábrica, Sistema Ibérico, Sistema Central, Montes de Toledo, Sierra Morena and the Sistema Penibético whose highest peak, the 3,478 m high Mulhacén, located in Sierra Nevada, is the highest elevation in the Iberian peninsula, while the highest point in Spain is the Teide, a 3,718 m high active volcano in the Canary Islands. The Meseta Central is a vast plateau in the heart of peninsular Spain.

There are several major rivers in Spain such as the Tagus, the Ebro, the Duero, the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir. Alluvial plains are found along the coast, the largest of which is that of the Guadalquivir in Andalusia.

Climate[link]

Three main climatic zones can be separated, according to geographical situation and orographic conditions:[46][47][48]

  • The Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry and warm summers. According to the Köppen climate classification, it is dominant in the peninsula, with two varieties: Csa and Csb.
  • The semiarid climate (Bsh, Bsk), located in the southeastern quarter of the country, especially in the region of Murcia and in the Ebro valley. In contrast with the Mediterranean climate, the dry season extends beyond the summer.
  • The oceanic climate (Cfb), located in north quarter of the country, especially in the region of Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria and partly Galicia. In contrary to the Mediterranean climate, winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean, and have no seasonal drought.

Apart from these main types, other sub-types can be found, like the alpine climate in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, and a typical subtropical climate in the Canary Islands.

Governance[link]

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 is the culmination of the Spanish transition to democracy. The constitutional history of Spain dates back to the constitution of 1812. Impatient with the pace of democratic political reforms in 1976 and 1977, Spain's new King Juan Carlos, known for his formidable personality, dismissed Carlos Arias Navarro and appointed the reformer Adolfo Suárez as Prime Minister.[49][50] The resulting general election in 1977 convened the Constituent Cortes (the Spanish Parliament, in its capacity as a constitutional assembly) for the purpose of drafting and approving the constitution of 1978.[51] After a national referendum on 6 December 1978, 88% of voters approved of the new constitution.

As a result, Spain is now composed of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities with varying degrees of autonomy thanks to its Constitution, which nevertheless explicitly states the indivisible unity of the Spanish nation. The constitution also specifies that Spain has no state religion and that all are free to practice and believe as they wish.

As of November 2009, the government of Spain keeps a balanced gender equality ratio. Nine out of the 18 members of the government are women. Under the administration of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain has been described as being "at the vanguard" in gender equality issues and also that "[n]o other modern, democratic, administration outside Scandinavia has taken more steps to place gender issues at the centre of government".[52] The Spanish administration has also promoted gender-based positive discrimination by approving gender equality legislation in 2007 aimed at providing equality between genders in Spanish political and economic life (Gender Equality Act).[53][54] However, in the legislative branch, as of July 2010 only 128 of the 350 members of the Congress are women (36.3%).[55] It places Spain 13th on a list of countries ranked by proportion of women in the lower house. In the Senate, the ratio is even lower, since there are only 79 women out of 263 (30.0%).[56] The Gender Empowerment Measure of Spain in the United Nations Human Development Report is 0.794, 12th in the world.[57]

Branches of government[link]

Mariano Rajoy, Prime minister.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary monarch and a bicameral parliament, the Cortes Generales. The executive branch consists of a Council of Ministers of Spain presided over by the Prime Minister, nominated and appointed by the monarch and confirmed by the Congress of Deputies following legislative elections. By political custom established by King Juan Carlos since the ratification of the 1978 Constitution, the king's nominees have all been from parties who maintain a plurality of seats in the Congress.

The legislative branch is made up of the Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados) with 350 members, elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms, and a Senate (Senado) with 259 seats of which 208 are directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to also serve four-year terms.

Spain is organizationally structured as a so-called Estado de las Autonomías ("State of Autonomies"); it is one of the most decentralized countries in Europe, along with Switzerland, Germany and Belgium;[58] for example, all Autonomous Communities have their own elected parliaments, governments, public administrations, budgets, and resources. Health and education systems among others are managed regionally, and in addition, the Basque Country and Navarre also manage their own public finances based on foral provisions. In Catalonia and the Basque Country, a full fledged autonomous police corps replaces some of the State police functions (see Mossos d'Esquadra, Ertzaintza, Policía Foral and Policía Canaria).

Administrative divisions[link]

The Spanish State is integrated by 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, both groups being the highest or first-order administrative division in the country. Autonomous communities are integrated by provinces, of which there are 50 in total, and in turn, provinces are integrated by municipalities. In Catalonia, two additional divisions exist, the comarques (sing. comarca) and the vegueries (sing. vegueria) both of which have administrative powers; comarques being aggregations of municipalities, and the vegueries being aggregations of comarques. The concept of a comarca exists in all autonomous communities, however, unlike Catalonia, these are merely historical or geographical subdivisions.

Autonomous communities and autonomous cities[link]

Autonomous communities are the first level administrative division in the country. These were created after the 1979 and current constitution came into effect in recognition of the right to self-government to the "nationalities and regions of Spain".[59] Autonomous communities were to be integrated by adjacent provinces with common historial, cultural, and economical traits. This territorial organization, based on devolution, is known in Spain as the "State of Autonomies".

The basic institutional law of each autonomous community is the Statute of Autonomy. The Statutes of Autonomy establish the name of the community according to its historical identity, the limits of their territories, the name and organization of the institutions of government and the rights they enjoy according the constitution.[60]

The government of all autonomous communities must be based on a division of powers comprising:

  • a Legislative Assembly whose members must be elected by universal suffrage according to the system of proportional representation and in which all areas that integrate the territory are fairly represented;
  • a Government Council, with executive and administrative functions headed by a president, elected by the Legislative Assembly and nominated by the King of Spain;
  • a Supreme Court of Justice, under the Supreme Court of the State, which head the judicial organization within the autonomous community.

Catalonia, Galicia and the Basque Country, which identified themselves as "nationalities" were granted self-government through a rapid process. Andalusia also took that denomination in its first Statute of Autonomy, even though it followed the longer process stipulated in the constitution for the rest of the country. Progressively, other communities in revisions to their Statutes of Autonomy have also taken that denomination in accordance to their historical regional identity, such as the Valencian Community,[61] the Canary Islands,[62] the Balearic Islands,[63] and Aragon.[64]

The autonomous communities have wide legislative and executive autonomy, with their own parliaments and regional governments. The distribution of powers may be different for every community, as laid out in their Statutes of Autonomy, since devolution was intended to be asymmetrical. Only two communities—the Basque Country and Navarre—have full fiscal autonomy. Aside of fiscal autonomy, the "historical" nationalities—Andalusia, the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Galicia—were devolved more powers than the rest of the communities, amongst them the ability of the regional president to dissolve the parliament and call for elections at any time. In addition, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarre have police corps of their own: Ertzaintza, Mossos d'Esquadra and the Policía Foral respectively. Other communities have more limited forces or none at all, like the Policía Autónoma Andaluza[65] in Andalusia or the BESCAM in Madrid.

Nonetheless, recent amendments to existing Statutes of Autonomy or the promulgation of new Statutes altogether, have reduced the asymmetry between the powers originally granted to the "historical nationalities" and the rest of the regions.

Finally, along with the 17 autonomous communities, two autonomous cities are also part of the State of Autonomies and are first-order territorial divisions: Ceuta and Melilla. These are two exclaves located in the northern African coast.

Provinces and municipalities[link]

Autonomous communities are subdivided into provinces (provincias), which served as their territorial building blocks. In turn, provinces are integrated by municipalities (municipios). The existence of both the provinces and the municipalities is guaranteed and protected by the constitution, not necessarily by the Statutes of Autonomy themselves. Municipalities are granted autonomy to manage their internal affairs, and provinces are the territorial divisions designed to carry out the activities of the State.[66]

The current provincial division structure is based—with minor changes—on the 1833 territorial division by Javier de Burgos, and in all, the Spanish territory is divided into 50 provinces. The communities of Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja, the Balearic Islands, Madrid, Murcia and Navarre are the only communities that are integrated by a single province, which is coextensive with the community itself. In this cases, the administrative institutions of the province are replaced by the governmental institutions of the community.

Foreign relations[link]

European Union membership, 1986

After the return of democracy following the death of Franco in 1975, Spain's foreign policy priorities were to break out of the diplomatic isolation of the Franco years and expand diplomatic relations, enter the European Community, and define security relations with the West.

As a member of NATO since 1982, Spain has established itself as a participant in multilateral international security activities. Spain's EU membership represents an important part of its foreign policy. Even on many international issues beyond western Europe, Spain prefers to coordinate its efforts with its EU partners through the European political cooperation mechanisms.

Spain has maintained its special identification with Latin America. Its policy emphasizes the concept of an Iberoamerican community, essentially the renewal of the historically liberal concept of hispanoamericanismo, or Hispanism as it is often referred to in English, which has sought to link the Iberian peninsula with Latin America through language, commerce, history and culture.

Territorial disputes[link]

Spain claims Gibraltar, a six square km Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom in the southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula. Then a Spanish town, it was conquered by an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of Archduke Charles, pretender to the Spanish throne.

Port of Melilla

The legal situation concerning Gibraltar was settled in 1713 by the Treaty of Utrecht, in which Spain ceded the territory in perpetuity to the British Crown[67] stating that, should the British abandon this post, it would be offered to Spain first. Since the 1940s Spain has called for the return of Gibraltar. The overwhelming majority of Gibraltarians strongly oppose this, along with any proposal of shared sovereignty.[68] UN resolutions call on the United Kingdom and Spain, both EU members, to reach an agreement over the status of Gibraltar.[69][70]

However, the Spanish claim makes a distinction between the isthmus that connects the Rock to the Spanish mainland on the one hand, and the Rock and city of Gibraltar on the other. While the Rock and city were ceded by the Treaty of Utrecht, Spain asserts that the "occupation of the isthmus is illegal and against the principles of International Law".[71] The United Kingdom relies on de facto arguments of possession by prescription in relation to the isthmus,[72] as there has been "continuous possession [of the isthmus] over a long period".[73]

Another claim by Spain is about the Savage Islands, not recognized by Portugal.

Spain claims the sovereignty over the Perejil Island, a small, uninhabited rocky islet located in the South shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. The island lies 250 meters just off the coast of Morocco, 8 km from Ceuta and 13.5 km from mainland Spain. Its sovereignty is disputed between Spain and Morocco. It was the subject of an armed incident between the two countries in 2002. The incident ended when both countries agreed to return to the status quo ante which existed prior to the Moroccan occupation of the island. The islet is now deserted and without any sign of sovereignty.

Besides the Perejil Island, the Spanish-held territories claimed by other countries are two: Morocco claims the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla and the plazas de soberanía islets off the northern coast of Africa; and Portugal does not recognise Spain's sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza.

Military[link]

The armed forces of Spain are known as the Spanish Armed Forces (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas Españolas). Their Commander-in-chief is the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I.[74]

The Spanish Armed Forces are divided into three branches:[75]

Economy[link]

Barcelona: finance centre
Valencia: finance centre

Spain's capitalist mixed economy is the twelfth largest worldwide and the fifth largest in the European Union, as well as the Eurozone's fourth largest.

The centre-right government of former prime minister José María Aznar worked successfully to gain admission to the group of countries launching the euro in 1999. Unemployment stood at 7.6% in October 2006, a rate that compared favorably to many other European countries, and especially with the early 1990s when it stood at over 20%. Perennial weak points of Spain's economy include high inflation,[76] a large underground economy,[77] and an education system which OECD reports place among the poorest for developed countries, together with the United States and UK.[78]

However, the Spanish property bubble that begun building from 1997, fed by historically low interest rates and an immense surge in immigration, imploded in 2008, leading to a rapidly weakening economy and soaring unemployment. By the end of May 2009, unemployment reached 18.7% (37% for youths).[79][80]

Before the current crisis, the Spanish economy was credited for having avoided the virtual zero growth rate of some of its largest partners in the EU.[81] In fact, the country's economy created more than half of all the new jobs in the European Union over the five years ending 2005, a process that is rapidly being reversed.[82] The Spanish economy has been until recently regarded as one of the most dynamic within the EU, attracting significant amounts of foreign investment.[83]

The most recent economic growth benefited greatly from the global real estate boom, with construction representing an astonishing 16% of GDP and 12% of employment in its final year.[84]

According to calculations by the German newspaper Die Welt in 2007, Spain was on course to overtake Germany in per capita income by 2011.[85] But the collapse of the housing boom in 2008 brought this to an end. According to the IMF, the PPP GDP per capita of Spain had, by 2010, slipped to USD 29,830; this compared to Germany at 36,081, UK 35,059, France 33,910, Italy 29,480, Greece 28,496, and Portugal 23,262.[86]

Research about quality of life by the Economist Intelligence Unit's quality of life survey placed Spain as the country among the top 10 best quality of life in the world for 2005, ahead of other economically and technologically advanced countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea.[87]

Before the collapse of the real estate boom there had been a corresponding rise in the levels of personal debt as prospective home owners struggled to meet asking prices. The average level of household debt tripled in less than a decade. This placed great pressure upon lower to middle income groups; by 2005 the median ratio of indebtedness to income had grown to 125%, due primarily to expensive boom time mortgages.[88]

The 2008/2009 credit crunch and world recession manifested itself in Spain through a massive downturn in the property sector. Fortunately, Spain's banks and financial services avoided the more severe problems of their counterparts in the USA and UK, due mainly to a stringently enforced conservative financial regulatory regime. The Spanish financial authorities had not forgotten the country's own banking crisis of 1979 and an earlier real-estate-precipitated banking crisis of 1993. Indeed, Spain's largest bank, Banco Santander, participated in the UK government's bail-out of part of the UK banking sector.[89]

A European Commission forecast predicted Spain would enter a recession by the end of 2008.[90] According to Spain’s Finance Minister, “Spain faces its deepest recession in half a century”.[91] Spain's government forecast the unemployment rate would rise to 16% in 2009. The ESADE business school predicted 20%.[92] In 2012, it had already risen to an astonishing 23.3%.[93]

Tourism[link]

During the last four decades the Spanish tourism industry has grown to become the second biggest in the world, worth approximately 40 billion Euros, about 5% of GDP, in 2006.[84][94] Today, the climate of Spain, historical and cultural monuments and its geographic position together with its facilities make tourism one of Spain's main national industries and a large source of stable employment and development. The Spanish hotel star rating system has requirements much more demanding than other European countries, so at a given rating Spanish accommodations worth higher.[95]

PS10 Seville solar power tower

Energy[link]

Spain is one of the world's leading countries in the development and production of renewable energy. In 2010 Spain became the solar power world leader when it overtook the United States with a massive power station plant called La Florida, near Alvarado, Badajoz.[96][97] Spain is also Europe's main producer of wind energy. In 2010 its wind turbines generated 42,976 GWh, which accounted for 16.4% of all the energy produced in Spain.[98][99][100] On November 9, 2010, wind energy reached an instantaneous historic peak covering 53% of mainland electricity demand[101] and generating an amount of energy that is equivalent to that of 14 nuclear reactors.[102] Other renewable energies used in Spain are hydroelectric, biomass and marine (2 power plants under construction).[103]

Non-renewable energy sources used in Spain are nuclear (8 operative reactors), gas, coal, and oil.

Transport[link]

The Spanish road system is mainly centralized, with six highways connecting Madrid to the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia, West Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia. Additionally, there are highways along the Atlantic (Ferrol to Vigo), Cantabrian (Oviedo to San Sebastián) and Mediterranean (Girona to Cádiz) coasts.

Spain has the most extensive high-speed rail network in Europe, and the second most extensive in the world after China.[104][105][106] As of October 2010 Spain has a total of 3,500 km (2,174.80 mi) of high speed tracks linking Málaga, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Valladolid, with the trains reaching speeds up to 300 km/h (187 mph). On average, the Spanish high-speed train is the fastest one in the world followed by the Japanese bullet train and the French TGV.[107] Regarding punctuality, it is the second one in the world (98.54% on-time arrival) after the Japanese Shinkansen (99%). [108] Should the aims of the ambitious AVE program (Spanish high speed trains) be met, by 2020 Spain will have 7000 km (4300 mi) of high-speed trains linking almost all provincial cities to Madrid in less than 3 hours and Barcelona within 4 hours.

There are 47 public airports in Spain. The busiest one is the airport of Madrid (Barajas), with 50 million passengers in 2011, being the world's 15th busiest airport, as well as the European Union's fourth busiest. The airport of Barcelona (El Prat) is also important, with 35 million passengers in 2011, being the world's 31th busiest airport. Other main airports are located in Majorca (23 million passengers), Málaga (13 million passengers), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) (11 million passengers), Alicante (10 million passengers) and smaller, with the number of passengers between 4 and 10 million, for example Tenerife (two airports), Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura. Also, more than 30 airports with the number of passengers below 4 million.

Spain aims to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2014 as part of the government's plan to save energy and boost energy efficiency.[109] The Minister of Industry Miguel Sebastian said that "the electric vehicle is the future and the engine of an industrial revolution."[110]

Demographics[link]

Geographical distribution of the Spanish population in 2008

In 2008 the population of Spain officially reached 46 million people, as recorded by the Padrón municipal.[111] Spain's population density, at 91/km² (235/sq mi), is lower than that of most Western European countries and its distribution across the country is very unequal. With the exception of the region surrounding the capital, Madrid, the most populated areas lie around the coast. The population of Spain more than doubled since 1900, when it stood at 18.6 million, principally due to the spectacular demographic boom in the 1960s and early 1970s.[112]

Native Spaniards make up 88% of the total population of Spain. After the birth rate plunged in the 1980s and Spain's population growth rate dropped, the population again trended upward, based initially on the return of many Spaniards who had emigrated to other European countries during the 1970s, and more recently, fuelled by large numbers of immigrants who make up 12% of the population. The immigrants originate mainly in Latin America (39%), North Africa (16%), Eastern Europe (15%), and Sub-Saharan Africa (4%).[113] In 2005, Spain instituted a three-month amnesty program through which certain hitherto undocumented aliens were granted legal residency.

In 2008, Spain granted citizenship to 84,170 persons, mostly to people from Ecuador, Colombia and Morocco.[114] A sizeable portion of foreign residents in Spain also comes from other Western and Central European countries. These are mostly British, French, German, Dutch, and Norwegian. They reside primarily on the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic islands, where many choose to live their retirement or telecommute.

Substantial populations descended from Spanish colonists and immigrants exist in other parts of the world, most notably in Latin America. Beginning in the late 15th century, large numbers of Iberian colonists settled in what became Latin America and at present most white Latin Americans (who make up about one-third of Latin America's population) are of Spanish or Portuguese origin. In the 16th century perhaps 240,000 Spaniards emigrated, mostly to Peru and Mexico.[115] They were joined by 450,000 in the next century.[116] Between 1846 and 1932 it is estimated that nearly 5 million Spaniards emigrated to the Americas, especially to Argentina and Brazil.[117] Approximately two million Spaniards migrated to other Western European countries between 1960 to 1975. During the same period perhaps 300,000 went to Latin America.[118]

Urbanization[link]

File:Spain met.png
Map of the main metropolitan areas
The city of Las Palmas de G.C.
The city of Toledo

Source: ESPON, 2007[119]

Pos. City Region Province Population
1 Madrid Community of Madrid Madrid 6,501,717
2 Barcelona Catalonia Barcelona 5,511,147
3 Valencia Valencian Community Valencia 2,575,362
4 Seville Andalusia Seville 1,927,109
5 Bilbao Basque Country Biscay 1.152.658
6 Málaga Andalusia Málaga 1,624,145
7 OviedoGijón Asturias Asturias 844,000
8 AlicanteElche Valencian Community Alicante 793,000
9 Las Palmas de G.C. Canarias Las Palmas 750,000
10 Zaragoza Aragon Zaragoza 730,000
Pos. City Region Province Population
1 Madrid Community of Madrid Madrid 3,213,271
2 Barcelona Catalonia Barcelona 1,615,908
3 Valencia Valencian Community Valencia 810,064
4 Seville Andalusia Seville 703.206
5 Zaragoza Aragon Zaragoza 699.240
6 Málaga Andalusia Málaga 566,447
7 Murcia Murcia Murcia 430,571
8 Palma de Mallorca Balearic Islands Balearic Islands 401,570
9 Las Palmas de G.C. Canary Islands Las Palmas 381,723
10 Bilbao Basque Country Biscay 353,340

Peoples[link]

The Spanish Constitution of 1978, in its second article, recognises historic entities ("nationalities", a carefully chosen word in order to avoid the more politically charged "nations") and regions, within the context of the Spanish nation. For some people, Spain's identity consists more of an overlap of different regional identities than of a sole Spanish identity. Indeed, some of the regional identities may even conflict with the Spanish one.[clarification needed] Distinct traditional regional identities within Spain include the Basques, Catalans, Galicians and Castilians, among others.[120]

It is this last feature of "shared identity" between the more local level or Autonomous Community and the Spanish level which makes the identity question in Spain complex and far from univocal.

Minority groups[link]

Spain has a number of descendants of populations from former colonies (especially Equatorial Guinea) and immigrants from several Sub-Saharan and Caribbean countries have been recently settling in Spain. There are also sizeable numbers of Asian immigrants, most of whom are of Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Middle Eastern and South Asian origins; the population of Latin Americans is sizable as well and a fast growing segment. Other growing groups are Britons, 760,000 in 2006, Germans and other immigrants from the rest of Europe.[121]

The arrival of the Gitanos, a Romani people, began in the 16th century; estimates of the Spanish Gitano population fluctuate around 700,000.[122] The Mercheros (also Quinquis) are a minority group, formerly nomadic, that share a lot of the way of life of Gitanos. Their origin is unclear.

Immigration[link]

According to the Spanish government there were 5.7 million foreign residents in Spain in 2011, or 12.2% of the total population. According to residence permit data for 2011, more than 860,000 were Romanian, about 770,000 were Moroccan, approximately 390,000 were British, and 360.000 were Ecuadorian.[123] Other sizeable foreign communities are Colombian, Bolivian, German, Italian, Bulgarian, and Chinese. There are more than 200,000 migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Spain, principally Senegaleses and Nigerians.[124] Since 2000, Spain has experienced high population growth as a result of immigration flows, despite a birth rate that is only half the replacement level. This sudden and ongoing inflow of immigrants, particularly those arriving clandestinely by sea, has caused noticeable social tension.[125]

Marbella, Málaga, where Britons —who are the third immigrant community in Spain— reside in large numbers.

Within the EU, Spain had the second highest immigration rate in percentage terms after Cyprus, but by a great margin, the highest in absolute numbers, up to 2008.[126] The number of immigrants in Spain had grown up from 500,000 people in 1996 to 5.2 million in 2008 out of a total population of 46 million.[127][128] In 2005 alone, a regularisation programme increased the legal immigrant population by 700,000 people.[129] There are a number of reasons for the high level of immigration, including Spain's cultural ties with Latin America, its geographical position, the porosity of its borders, the large size of its underground economy and the strength of the agricultural and construction sectors, which demand more low cost labour than can be offered by the national workforce.

Another statistically significant factor is the large number of residents of EU origin typically retiring to Spain's Mediterranean coast. In fact, Spain was Europe's largest absorber of migrants from 2002 to 2007, with its immigrant population more than doubling as 2.5 million people arrived.[130] According to the Financial Times, Spain is the most favoured destination for West Europeans considering a move from their own country and seeking jobs elsewhere in the EU.[131]

In 2008, the government instituted a Plan of Voluntary Return which encouraged unemployed immigrants from outside the EU to return to their home countries and receive several incentives, including the right to keep their unemployment benefits and transfer whatever they contributed to the Spanish Social Security.[132] The program had little effect; during its first two months, just 1,400 immigrants took up the offer.[133] What the program failed to do, the sharp and prolonged economic crisis has done from 2010 to 2011 in that tens of thousands of immigrants have left the country due to lack of jobs. In 2011 alone, more than half a million people have left Spain.[134] For the first time in decades the net migration rate is expected to be negative, and 9 out 10 emigrants are foreigners.[134]

Languages[link]

The languages of Spain (simplified)
  Spanish official and spoken all over the country
  Catalan/Valencian, co-official
  Basque, co-official
  Galician, co-official
  Aranese, co-official (dialect of Occitan)
  Asturian, recognised
  Aragonese, recognised
  Leonese, unofficial
  Extremaduran, unofficial
  Fala, unofficial

Spain is openly multilingual,[135] and the constitution establishes that the nation will protect "all Spaniards and the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions.[136]

Spanish (español) — officially recognized in the constitution as Castilian (castellano) — is the official language of the entire country, and it is the right and duty of every Spaniard to know the language. The constitution also establishes that "all other Spanish languages" — that is, all other languages of Spain — will also be official in their respective autonomous communities in accordance to their Statutes, their organic regional legislations, and that the "richness of the distinct linguistic modalities of Spain represents a patrimony which will be the object of special respect and protection."[137]

The other official languages of Spain, co-official with Spanish are:

As a percentage of the general population, Basque is spoken by 2%, Catalan (or Valencian) by 17%, and Galician by 7% of all Spaniards.[138]

In Catalonia, Aranese, a local variety of the Occitan language has been declared co-official along with Catalan and Spanish since 2006. It is spoken only in the comarca of Val d'Aran by roughly 6,700 people. Other Romance minority languages, though not official, have special recognition, such as the Astur-Leonese group (Asturian, also called "Bable"in Asturias[139] and Leonese in Castile and León) and Aragonese in Aragon.

In the North African Spanish autonomous city of Melilla, Riff Berber is spoken by a significant part of the population. In the tourist areas of the Mediterranean coast and the islands, English and German are widely spoken by tourists, foreign residents, and tourism workers.

Education[link]

State education in Spain is free and compulsory from the age of 6 to 16. The current education system was established by an educational law of 2006, Ley Orgánica de Educación, or Fundamental Law of Education.[140]

Religion[link]

Religions in Spain
Catholicism
  
71%
No religion
  
24.1%
Other faith
  
2.7%
No answer
  
1.9%
Numbers from the following source:[141]

Roman Catholicism has long been the main religion of Spain, and although it no longer has official status by law, in all public schools in Spain students have to choose either religion or ethics and Catholic is the only religion officially taught. According to a April 2012 study by the Spanish Center of Sociological Research about 71% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholics, 2.7% other faith, and about 24% identify with no religion among which 9.4% are atheists. Most Spaniards do not participate regularly in religious services. This same study shows that of the Spaniards who identify themselves as religious, 59% hardly ever or never go to church, 15% go to church some times a year, 8% some time per month and 14% every Sunday or multiple times per week.[141]

But according to a December 2006 study, 48% of the population declared a belief in a supreme being, while 41% described themselves as atheist or agnostic.[142] Altogether, about 22% of the entire Spanish population attends religious services at least once per month.[143] Though Spanish society has become considerably more secular in recent decades, the influx of Latin American immigrants, who tend to be strong Catholic practitioners, has helped the Catholic Church to recover.

Protestant churches have about 1,200,000 members.[144] There are about 105,000 Jehovah's Witnesses. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approximately 46,000 adherents in 133 congregations in all regions of the country and has a temple in the Moratalaz District of Madrid.[145]

The recent waves of immigration have also led to an increasing number of Muslims, who number approximately one million in Spain. Presently, Islam is the second largest religion in Spain, accounting for approximately 2.3% of the total population.[146] After their expulsion in 1492, Muslims did not live in Spain for centuries. Late 19th-century colonial expansion in northwestern Africa gave a number of residents in Spanish Morocco and Western Sahara full citizenship. Their ranks have since been bolstered by recent immigration, especially from Morocco and Algeria.[147]

Judaism was practically non-existent in Spain from the 1492 expulsion until the 19th century, when Jews were again permitted to enter the country. Currently there are around 62,000 Jews in Spain, or 0.14% of the total population. Most are arrivals in the past century, while some are descendants of earlier Spanish Jews. Approximately 80,000 Jews are thought to have lived in Spain on the eve of the Spanish Inquisition.[148]

Culture[link]

Culturally, Spain is a Western country. Because of the great strength of its Roman heritage in almost every aspect of Spanish life, Spain is often described as a Latin country. Nevertheless, there have been many influences on many aspects of Spanish life, from art and architecture to cuisine and music, from many countries across Europe and from around the Mediterranean, through its long history.

The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain, 40, is exceeded only by the number in Italy.[149]

Literature[link]

Due to historic, geographic and generational diversity, Spanish literature has known a great number of influences and it is very diverse. Some major literary movements can be identified within it.

Miguel de Cervantes is probably Spain's most famous author and his Don Quixote is considered the most emblematic work in the canon of Spanish literature and a founding classic of Western literature.[150]

Language institutions[link]

The Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española or RAE, in Spanish) is the institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language. It is based in Madrid, but is affiliated with national language academies in 21 Spanish-speaking nations through the Association of Spanish Language Academies. Its emblem is a fiery crucible, and its motto is Limpia, fija y da esplendor ("It cleans, sets, and gives splendor").[151]

With the same policy, the Royal Galician Academy (Real Academia Galega or RAG, in Galician) was created in 1906 in A Coruña with the help of Havana emigrated Galicians. Its work is based in a Lexicography (the main results are the official and standard Dicionario da Real Academia and the Vocabulario ortográfico da lingua galega), Terminology (through Termigal since 1997), Sociolinguistics, Onomastics and Grammar approaches from the Linguistics point of view, and another two sections for History and Literature.[152] The Academy works closely with the government as an advice institution, and its resolutions are almost binding about language standard. It had though recently demonstrated criticism about the developement of the Galician language policy by the Government.[153]

Book of Games, c. 1285

The Institute of Catalan Studies (Institut d'Estudis Catalans or IEC, in Catalan) is an academic institution which seeks to undertake research and study into "all elements of Catalan culture". The IEC is known principally for its work in standardizing the Catalan language. The IEC is based in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Officially the IEC provides standards for Catalonia proper, Northern Catalonia (located in France), the Balearic Islands, and the Principality of Andorra (the only country where Catalan is the sole official language). The Valencian Community has its own language academy, the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua. In an area known as the Franja de Ponent, the eastern edge of Aragon adjacent to Catalonia where Catalan is spoken, the rules are used de facto although Catalan is not an official language.

Art[link]

Artists from Spain have been highly influential in the development of various European artistic movements. Due to historical, geographical and generational diversity, Spanish art has known a great number of influences. The Moorish heritage in Spain, especially in Andalusia, is still evident today in cities like Córdoba, Seville, and Granada. European influences include Italy, Germany and France, especially during the Baroque and Neoclassical periods.

Cinema[link]

Spanish cinema has achieved major international success including Oscars for recent films such as Pan's Labyrinth and Volver.[154] In the long history of Spanish cinema, the great filmmaker Luis Buñuel was the first to achieve world recognition, followed by Pedro Almodóvar in the 1980s. Spanish cinema has also seen international success over the years with films by directors like Segundo de Chomón, Florián Rey, Luis García Berlanga, Carlos Saura, Julio Medem and Alejandro Amenábar.

Architecture[link]

The Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid

Due to its historical and geographical diversity, Spanish architecture has drawn from a host of influences. An important provincial city founded by the Romans and with an extensive Roman era infrastructure, Córdoba became the cultural capital, including fine Arabic style architecture, during the time of the Islamic Umayyad dynasty.[155] Later Arab style architecture continued to be developed under successive Islamic dynasties, ending with the Nasrid, which built its famed palace complex in Granada.

The Sagrada Família, Barcelona.

Simultaneously, the Christian kingdoms gradually emerged and developed their own styles; developing a pre-Romanesque style when for a while isolated from contemporary mainstream European architectural influences during the earlier Middle Ages, they later integrated the Romanesque and Gothic streams. There was then an extraordinary flowering of the gothic style that resulted in numerous instances being built throughout the entire territory. The Mudéjar style, from the 12th to 17th centuries, was developed by introducing Arab style motifs, patterns and elements into European architecture.

Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The arrival of Modernism in the academic arena produced much of the architecture of the 20th century. An influential style centered in Barcelona, known as modernisme, produced a number of important architects, of which Gaudí is one. The International style was led by groups like GATEPAC. Spain is currently experiencing a revolution in contemporary architecture and Spanish architects like Rafael Moneo, Santiago Calatrava, Ricardo Bofill as well as many others have gained worldwide renown.

Music and dance[link]

The guitar, an iconic spanish instrument, is now popular worldwide.

Spanish music is often considered abroad to be synonymous with flamenco, a West Andalusian musical genre, which, contrary to popular belief, is not widespread outside that region. Various regional styles of folk music abound in Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Castile, the Basque Country, Galicia and Asturias. Pop, rock, hip hop and heavy metal are also popular. In the field of classical music, Spain has produced a number of noted composers such as Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla and Enrique Granados and singers and performers such as Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Alicia de Larrocha, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Casals, Ricardo Viñes, José Iturbi, Pablo de Sarasate, Jordi Savall and Teresa Berganza. In Spain there are over forty professional orchestras, including the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona, Orquesta Nacional de España and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid. Major opera houses include the Teatro Real,the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Arriaga and the El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.

Thousands of music fans also travel to Spain each year for internationally recognised summer music festivals Sonar which often features the top up and coming pop and techno acts, and Benicàssim which tends to feature alternative rock and dance acts.[156] Both festivals mark Spain as an international music presence and reflect the tastes of young people in the country.

The most popular traditional musical instrument, the guitar, originated in Spain.[157] Typical of the north are the traditional bag pipers or gaiteros, mainly in Asturias and Galicia.

Cuisine[link]

Paella, a traditional Valencian dish[158]

Spanish cuisine consists of a great variety of dishes which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep Mediterranean roots. Spain's extensive history with many cultural influences has led to a unique cuisine. In particular, three main divisions are easily identified:

  • Mediterranean Spain – all such coastal regions, from Catalonia to Andalusia: heavy use of seafood, such as pescaíto frito; several cold soups like gazpacho; and many rice-based dishes like paella from Valencia[158] and arroz negro from Catalonia.[159]
  • Inner Spain – Castile: hot, thick soups such as the bread and garlic-based Castilian soup, along with substantious stews such as cocido madrileño. Food is traditionally conserved by salting, like Spanish ham, or immersed in olive oil, like Manchego cheese.
  • Atlantic Spain – the whole Northern coast, including Asturian, Basque, Cantabrian and Galician cuisine: vegetable and fish-based stews like pote gallego and marmitako. Also, the lightly cured lacón ham. The most known North countries cuisine often rely on the captures from close or distant seas, like the Basque-style cod, albacore or anchovy or the Galician octopus-based polbo á feira and shellfish dishes.

Science and technology[link]

In the 19th and 20th centuries science in Spain was held back by severe political instability and consequent economic underdevelopment. Despite the conditions, some noted scientists and engineers emerged. Among the most notable were Miguel Servet, Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol, Celedonio Calatayud, Juan de la Cierva and Severo Ochoa.

Sport[link]

Camp Nou, Barcelona: the largest football stadium in Europe

Sport in Spain has been dominated by football since the early 20th century. Real Madrid C.F. and FC Barcelona are two of the most successful football clubs in the world. The country's national football team won the UEFA European Football Championship in 1964 and 2008 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, futsal, motorcycling and, lately, Formula One are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all these disciplines. Today, Spain is a major world sports powerhouse, especially since the 1992 Summer Olympics that were hosted in Barcelona, which stimulated a great deal of interest in sports in the country. The tourism industry has led to an improvement in sports infrastructure, especially for water sports, golf and skiing.

Rafael Nadal is the leading Spanish tennis player and has won several Grand Slam titles including the Wimbledon 2010 men's singles. In north Spain, the game of pelota is very popular. Alberto Contador is the leading Spanish cyclist and has won several Grand Tour titles including three Tour de France titles.

Public holidays[link]

Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious (Roman Catholic), national and regional observances. Each municipality is allowed to declare a maximum of 14 public holidays per year; up to nine of these are chosen by the national government and at least two are chosen locally.[160] Spain's National Day (Fiesta Nacional de España) is 12 October, the anniversary of the Discovery of America and commemorate Our Lady of the Pillar feast, patroness of Aragón and throughout Spain.

The city of San Sebastián in Guipúzcoa

See also[link]

References[link]

Notes
  1. ^ In some autonomous communities, Catalan, Valencian, Galician, Basque and Aranese (Occitan) are co-official languages. Aragonese, Asturian and Leonese have some degree of official recognition
  2. ^ The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states. Also, the .cat domain is used in Catalan-speaking territories.
  3. ^ In Spain, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous (regional) languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:
  4. ^ The latifundia (sing., latifundium), large estates controlled by the aristocracy, were superimposed on the existing Iberian landholding system.
  5. ^ The poets Martial, Quintilian and Lucan were also born in Hispania.
  6. ^ The Berbers soon gave up attempting to settle the harsh lands in the north of the Meseta Central handed to them by the Arab rulers.
  7. ^ For the related expulsions that followed see Morisco.
References
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  35. ^ (Gates 2001, p.20)
  36. ^ (Gates 2001, p.467)
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Literature
  • Gates, David (2001). The Spanish Ulcer: A History of the Peninsular War. Da Capo Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-306-81083-1. 

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