Spain

Spain is a country which has a vast and diverse history. It is a country rich in culture and

Spaniards are a proud race. Due to its central location, Spain has long been conquered by

advancing armies and has gone through many changes. This Iberian Peninsula was ruled

by Rome. After the fall of Rome, Germanic forces took over. This was then replaced by

Muslims of the Umayyad dynasty which saw the peak of the Muslim Empire. The

Muslims were eventually defeated by Christian alliances and Spain then became a world

power and kept this status for a long time until it was weakened by internal conflict.

Spain is officially called the ‘Kingdom of Spain’ due to it being a constitutional

monarchy. Spain’s capital is Madrid. Spain’s national day is October 12. Spain is

located on Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain gained membership into

the European Union. Spain is the 51st largest country and is larger than California.

The climate of Spain is varied and changes. The climate of Spain can be broken

down into three distinct systems: The Mediterranean, semiarid and the oceanic climate.

Spain is known for its closeness to the Mediterranean Sea and every year a large amount

of tourists routinely come to Spain to enjoy its weather and beaches. Spain also attracts

tourists due to its unique architecture, history, food and efforts of the government to make

it the number one destination for tourists.

Spain has a distinct architecture due to its rich history. There are impressions of

Christian, Roman and Muslim architectures since each ruled Spain at one point or

another. The impact of Modernism cannot be denied in current day Spanish architecture.

Buildings routinely employ a blend of these different styles to come up with designs

which are unique to Spain.

The cuisine of Spain is also heavily influenced by the various dominant cultures

that were present at one time or another. The regions near the coast use a lot of seafood

due to the easy access. The middle or inner Spain cuisine consists of hearty foods such as

soups and garlic bread with liberal use of olive oil. The northern region relies on fresh

fish and stews derived from it along with vegetables.

Soccer is the number one sport in Spain. The soccer team of Spain is well

respected and its victories include winning the FIFA world cup in 2010. Along with

soccer, Spaniards enjoy watching a host of other sports.

Spain is a dynamic country that is taking bold steps in the field of energy

conservation. Spain has a well laid out public transportation system and is the most

extensive after China. Spain is also the world leader in the use of solar power. The wind

power is also heavily utilized by Spain. Spain is also investing considerably in these

renewable resources and looking into electric cars.

The current financial crisis had a devastating impact on the economy of Spain

since Spain was investing heavily in the housing market. Spain was set to overtake

Germany in gross domestic product before the financial crisis. Spain’s economy is

however diversified and it is still the twelfth largest economy in the world.

Spain is a highly traveled destination due to its centrality in Europe. Its inviting

beaches and climate are worth exploring. The Flamenco dance of Spain which involves

“Cante” (the song), “Baile” (the dance) and “Guittara” (guitar playing) serves to lighten

up the mood of every onlooker. The Running of the Bulls (encierro) is a lively event and

unlike anything else you have ever seen. The bull fighting event showcases the

spontaneity of Spanish culture. It seems as if Spain has something to offer to everyone.