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Useful Information about Spain - Canary Islands - Tenerife

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Index to Useful Information, Spain, Canary Islands and Tenerife

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The following information is compiled to the best of our knowledge and in good faith. E&OE.

 Overview

Spain is the third largest country in Europe and it is located in south western Europe in an area known as the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is surrounded by the Mediterranean to the east and to the south, Portugal to the west, the Atlantic to the southwest, and France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay to the north. The Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands situated in the Atlantic are also part of Spain.

Spain is an interesting country, rich in art and culture. The legacy of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and Christians are all apparent throughout the country.

For the traveller, perhaps the best place to start a tour would be Madrid, capital of Spain. Madrid has a very large international airport which receives flights from most countries. This city is one of the vibrant and lively cities in Spain and indeed the European continent. Madrid is a city which never sleeps; there is always some type of activity going on. The city is very well known for the night life. Bars, discotheques, and restaurants which don’t start to get busy until after 10pm. Many of the discotheques stay open until daybreak.

From Madrid, a network of roads and high speed rail lines extend throughout the country, making it easy to quickly travel to other Spanish locations.

In the sunny southern part of Spain you will find Andalusia which was the cultural and power centre of the Moors. Throughout this region you will see examples of Moorish architecture and arts. The most famous of which are the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba. The Alhambra, the high point of Muslim architecture in Spain, is an exquisitely decorated palace/fortress compound located on a hill overlooking Granada. The intricate sculptures, arches, columns, and pools are combined in such a magnificent way.

In Cordoba, visitors will enjoy the splendour of the Mezquita, once the 3rd most important religious site in the Muslim world. Throughout the temple, there are 900 or so intricately carved columns and arches. Gazing upwards, it is possible to see the intricately worked wood that makes up the ceiling.

Spain has an interesting Medieval and Renaissance past. When visiting the narrow streets and fortifications of Toledo and Segovia, you can visit the old churches and palaces. In Toledo, visit the church that today houses "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" is one of the finest works produced by the Renaissance master "El Greco". Outside of Segovia, visit the beautifully preserved, mile long Roman aqueduct. In the city itself, explore the Alcazar, a former fortress for the many past kings and queens of Spain.

Catalunya and Barcelona are also worth a visit. This region of Spain is distinct both in its culture and its language, Catalan. Barcelona is a bustling port city, vibrant and lively; most visitors develop a passion for the place. You can stroll down La Rambla, the city’s most famous street, and sample the various markets, bars, and quality restaurants. Barcelona is very famous for modernist architecture; probably the most famous example of this is La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, designed by Anton Gaudi. He died many years ago and they are still working to complete the project in accordance with his original designs.

The famous Costa del Sol, located in the southern part of Spain is a must to visit for it’s sunny beaches and relaxing atmosphere. You may also want to consider just driving through and visiting some of the large wine growing regions and sampling the many varied wines of Spain.

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 The Economy

Background

Spain now has the ninth largest economy in the world; from up until 1975 it was regulated by Francoism. During the early Franco period, the economy was regulated although during the 1960’s some deregulatory moves were made and these together with large infrastructure projects, resulted in the paramount economic growth almost overnight which came to be known as the "Spanish Miracle".

At the time of Franco’s death the economy started to change. Even then basic products like bread and sugar had their prices fixed by the government; large public firms controlled all strategic sectors, e.g. telephones, tobacco, oil, etc.) Shops also had fixed opening and closing times and interest rates were fixed by the government. All of these regulations and more were highlighted by the 1973 oil crisis, which reversed the previous expansion cycle. Then for a ten year period Spain suffered a major industrial crisis (1975-1985). The Spanish then realised it was essential to modernize the economy and join the European Community.

Spain's accession to the European Community, now known as the European Union (EU), in January 1986 steered the country into opening up its economy, modernising its industrial base and revising the restricted economic legislation. Spain was supported with EU funding from the European Regional Development Fund thus facilitating greatly improved infrastructure, increased GDP growth, reduced the public debt to GDP ratio, reduced unemployment from 23% to 10%, and reduced inflation to under 3%.

The Spanish economy grew strong until 1992 when is became affected by the recession of the late 1980’s. That became apparent during 1992, the year when the Barcelona Olympic projects were finished.

The economy, however, recovered during the first Aznar administration (1996-2000), driven by a return of consumer confidence and increased private consumption. Unemployment was at 7.6% by October 2006, which was a significant improvement against the previous levels during the 1980’s. During the 1990’s devaluations of the peseta made exports more competitive.

By 1999 Spain was amongst the first countries within the EU to opt for the Euro in preparation for its launch as a European currency on 1st January 2002. Spain terminated its historic peseta currency on that date and replaced it with the Euro, which has became its national currency shared with 12 other countries from the Eurozone. A process of economic modernization began even though the strength of the euro has raised recent concerns that Spanish exports outside the European Union, are being priced out of the range of foreign buyers.

The Spanish economy is credited for having avoided the low growth rates of some of its largest EU partners from the late 90's to date.

This has steadily narrowed the economic gap between Spain and other leading EU partners over this period. Hence, the Spanish economy has been regarded lately as one of the most dynamic within the EU now rated as the ninth economy of the world and the fifth within the EU. Spain subsequently attracted significant amounts of foreign investment.

Due to the improved Spanish economic development and the recent increase in the number of EU member to 27 members on 1st January 2007, Spain as a whole finally slightly exceeded (100.7%) the average of the EU GDP in 2004. As for the extremes within Spain, three regions were included in the leading EU group exceeding 125% of the GDP average level. According to current statistics, notable progress is still being achieved.

Fundamental problems of the Spanish economy by early 2007 are, according to Financial Times, its trade deficit, the "loss of competitiveness against its main trading partners" and also, as a part of the latter, an inflation rate which is traditionally higher than some of its European partners. Lately this has been affected by dramatic house price increases of 150%, since 1998 and increased indebtedness which was as a result on this same real estate boom. Nevertheless, it is expected that the Spanish economy will continue growing based on a strength of it’s industry, the growth of the global economy and in particular, increased trade with Latin America and Asia.

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Environmental Concerns

As with most of the fast developing countries, there is an environmental issue and a concern that Spain's model of economic growth is detrimental environmentally. The main concerns are the construction industry, manufacturing sectors, and mass tourism. The first report of the Observatory on Sustainability (Observatorio de Sostenibilidad) — published in 2005 and funded by Spain's ministry of the environment and Alcalá University revealed that the country's per capita GDP had grown by 25% over the last ten years, while greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 45% since 1990. Although Spain's population grew by less than 5% between 1990 and 2000, urban areas expanded by no less than 25% over the same period, which is considerable. Meanwhile, Spain's energy consumption has doubled over the last 20 years and is currently rising by 6% per annum. This is particularly worrying for a country whose dependence on imported oil currently 80% of Spain's energy needs, is one of the greatest in the EU. Large-scale housing and tourism development are also placing strain on local land and water resources. Recent developments to deal with the country's growing water shortage include the building of high energy using reverse osmosis plants along the Spanish Costas.

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Statistics

GDP

Purchasing power parity - $1 203.4 billion (2006)

real growth rate: 3.9% (2006)

per capita: purchasing power parity - $27,522 (2006)

composition by sector: Industry: 30.1% services: 66.5% (2003 est.) agriculture: 3.4%

Population below poverty line: 19.8% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: · lowest 10%: 2.8% · highest 10%: 25.2% (1990)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2003 est.)

Labor force: 17.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force by occupation: · services 64% · manufacturing mining, and construction 29% · agriculture 7% (2001est.)

Unemployment rate: 7.6% October 2006

Budget: · revenue $105 billion · expenditure $109 billion, including capital expenditure of $12.8 billion (2000 est.)

Industries: · metals and metal manufacturing · textiles and apparel (including footwear) · food and beverages · chemicals · shipbuilding · electronic devices · automobiles · machine tools · tourism.

Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (2003 est.) Electricity - production: 222,500 GWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source: · fossil fuel: 50.4% · nuclear: 27.2% · hydro: 18.2% · other: 4.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption: 210,400 GWh (2001)

Electricity - exports: 4,138 GWh (2001)

Electricity - imports: 7,588 GWh (2001)

Agricultural products: · grain · vegetables · olives · wine grapes · sugar beets · citrus; beef · pork, poultry · dairy products · fish

Exports: $192.5 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports: · commodities · machinery · motor vehicles · foodstuffs, other consumer goods

Exports partners: · France 19% · Germany 11.4% · UK 9.6% · Portugal 9.5% · Italy 9.3% · U.S. 4.6% (2002) Imports: $289.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports: · Commodities · machinery and equipment · fuels · chemicals · semi-finished goods · foodstuffs · consumer goods

Imports partners · France 17% · Germany 16.5% · Italy 8.6% · UK 6.4% · Netherlands 4.8%

Debt external: $90 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid donor: ODA, $1.33 billion (1999)

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History

Most of the Iberian Peninsula has been populated since prehistoric times. Early evidence of human habitation unearthed at the Atapuerca site in northern Spain are some 800,000 years old. Modern man made his appearance around 35,000 BC. Sometime around 4000 BC, much of Spain was settled by the Iberians, arriving from the east. The Celts arrived later, settling in the northern third of the peninsula. Bronze Age civilization flourished in the south, culminating with the Tartessian civilization around Seville (1000-500 BC).

Around 1100 BC, Phoenician seafarers from present day Lebanon set up trading colonies in Cadiz and elsewhere along the Spanish coast. Phocaean Greeks also traded along the north-eastern coast. With the fall of Phoenicia, the Iberian Peninsula came under the rule of Carthage (present day Tunisia), but was occupied by Rome following the Punic Wars. The Romans held onto Iberia for six centuries, laying the foundations for Spanish language and culture.

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century AD, Spain was ruled by the Visigoths, a Germanic people who had migrated from central Europe. In 711, the Muslims of northern Africa launched an invasion across the Strait of Gibraltar, occupying most of the peninsula within a few years. Their presence lasted more than seven centuries, though the Christian kingdoms to the north increased in power over the generations, gradually driving the Moors southwards. The last Moorish kingdom, Granada (the eastern half of present-day Andalusia), was conquered in 1492.

The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus and the expulsion of Jews and Moors from Spain were to mark Spanish history forever. Treasure from Spain's vast overseas empire pushed Spain into the forefront of European countries, but constant warfare drained resources. With the accession of the Bourbon dynasty to the Spanish throne at the beginning of the 18th century, Spain came under French control for the following 100 years, up to the defeat of Napoleon's army during the Peninsular War.

During the 19th century, Spain was sharply divided between conservatives and liberals, and rural and urban society. Coups d'etat and changes of government were frequent. With the increasing power of the working class, in 1931 King Alfonso XIII was forced to abdicate, and Spain was declared a republic. Conservative reaction from the church and army sparked the Spanish Civil War, which raged from 1936 to 1939 and was a prelude to World War II. Under the dictatorship of Franco, who had been sympathetic to the Axis powers, Spain was ostracized from the community of nations until it became strategically attractive to the US during the Cold War. The first US bases opened in the 1950s. Spaniards working abroad and tourists arriving in increasing numbers brought  in foreign revenue and fuelled the emergence of a large middle class. When Franco finally died in 1975, the accession of King Juan Carlos to the throne and the transition to a democratic state were relatively smooth.

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Architecture

When it comes to art and architecture in Spain, we are confronted with the legacies left behind by the many cultures that have spent time on this Peninsula. With such a varied contribution of artwork and styles and constant foreign influence, it was some time before a truly Spanish artistic and architectural style became defined as it is today. Typically Spanish art soon flourished and made an important contribution to Western Art, producing several big names in art and architecture, that are world famous today.

Mozarabic and Romanesque Art and Architecture:

After the Arabic invasion, the Moorish civilization and culture flourished and exerted great influence on the conquered Christians. As both continued living on the Peninsula, their cultures and art forms inevitably blended to a considerable extent, resulting in what today is referred to as the Mozarabic style.

This mixed style appeared mainly in architecture, especially in the South where the Islamic civilizations flourished for the longest period of time. Two of the most famous Islamic buildings are the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada. Meaning “red castle”, the Alhambra derives its name from the colour of its walls, which are made from clay extracted from the surrounding area.

Romanesque architecture developed further toward the North, where the Christian strongholds were. Strong Italian and French influence is evident, as well as some Moorish features and architecture was based on stone and vaulted buildings. Many churches and chapels were built in this style.

In painting and sculpture, Romanesque influence was much stronger than the Islamic style. Mozarabic manuscripts represented the earliest Spanish paintings but these were not as sophisticated or as striking as their Romanesque counterparts. Next to Italy, Spain has the greatest number of wall paintings and panel paintings (altar fronts) left over from this era. The subject matter is predominantly religious, focusing on the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity, which is the country’s official religion. Sculptures of the time were mostly carvings and stone adornments on monasteries and churches.

Gothic Art and Architecture:

The Gothic style of architecture arrived in Spain around 1300, mainly through the French monastic orders. Famous examples include the monastery of La Oliva and the cathedrals of Burgos, Toledo, and León.

Once the Muslims were driven out of Spain, some Moorish architects stayed and developed a new style which blended traditional Islamic architecture with Romanesque and Gothic elements, known as the Mudejar architectural style, which developed mainly in the south. This Islamic remnant remained a great influence in Spanish architecture until well into the 18th Century.

In painting and sculpture, Italian and French influence was again the most prominent theme, with certain German and Flemish overtones into the 15th and 16th Centuries.

In the 13th and 14th Centuries painting took on the elegant and courtly style typical of French artists and Italian features were also strong especially in Catalonia. Master painters such as Ferrer Bassa and Luis Borassá created very strongly unique and original works of art. Later, trade with the German states and the Netherlands prompted the creation of a new Hispano-Flemish style which is seen clearly in paintings by Jaume Huguet and Bartolomé Bermejo.

Sculpture focused mainly on religious and royal monuments in churches, such as the altar fronts and choir stalls which Gil de Siloe is famous for and which can still be seen in the church of Miraflores, located in the vicinity of Burgos.

The Renaissance:

The Renaissance styles from Italy and France were blended in Spain with Gothic and Mudéjar elements, creating the Plateresque style, the Spanish variation of Renaissance style. Derived from the word "plata", meaning silver, this style was much richer in ornamentation than the original Italian Renaissance style. Excellent representations of this style include the facade of the University of Salamanca and of the Convent of San Marcos located in León.

Sculptor and architect Diego de Siloé, who had studied in Italy worked with this style a great deal, with his Golden Staircase (Escalera Dorada) in Burgos Cathedral being one of the most faithful representations the Plateresque style. Other well known architects from this time include Pedro Machuca, Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera.

Phillip II was the reigning monarch at the time and his passionate love of art was key in fostering its development. Until this time, art in Spain had focused almost exclusively on a religious subject matter. However Phillip II brought many foreign painters to Spain on commissions and among these was the Dutch portraitist Anthonis Mor, who began the practice of portraying members of the court. For the first time secular themes were represented. The most prominent sculptor of these times, Alonso Berruguete and in painting, El Greco is regarded as a genius of Spanish art, particularly of the Mannerism style, brought over to Spain by young Italian artists.

The Baroque, Rococo and Neo Classical Period:

The Baroque Period in Spain coincided with what was probably the country’s most glorious era. Art from this stage in history, unlike classic art upon which it was based, made a strong play on the senses and on sensibility. The effects of extreme realism and inward spirituality were clearly shown in religious sculptures by Juan Martínez Montañés, Alonso Cano, and Pedro de Mena and in painting the most eminent artists included Bartolomé Estéban Murillo, Jusepe de Ribera, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco de Zurbarán. Their work reflects the naturalism of the time, the dramatic light and shade contrasts and their sobriety of colour, a feature that linked them to the tenebrosi (gloomy) palettes of Caravaggio and the Italians.

While the subject matter remained predominantly religious, artists were beginning to explore new areas such as mythological and historical themes and even still life creations.

In architecture, a new style emerged in the Rococo period named after architect José Churriguera. Reflecting the extreme reaction against the heavy and somber constraint and severity of the Renaissance, the Churrigueresque architectural style used extremely rich ornamentation, including extravagant, undulating cornices, spirals, balustrades, stucco shells, and garlands. Examples of this style can be seen in the Transparente in Toledo cathedral and the sacristy of the Cartuja in Granada.

When the rococo period gave way to the neo classical period, Spanish art experienced a certain decline in creativity. The Bourbon rule was against the individualism, embellishment and exuberance of Baroque art and a new tendency developed. In the mid 18th Century the first Spanish academy of art was founded, providing for somewhat sterile academic styles. Francisco Goya was an exception to the rule and created poignant depictions of the brutality and corruption of the time.

19th and 20th Century Art and Architecture:

During the 19th Century, Spain produced no particularly eminent painters. Minor artists included José de Madrazo y Agudo and Mariano Fortuny, the latter having belonged to the French romantic and historical painters. However things changed in the 20th Century, with several world famous painters and sculptors becoming respected. The most famous of all modern artists, Pablo Picasso, the cubist Juan Gris and the Surrealist artists Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró all made important contributions to Spanish art and to the artistic world as a whole.

The mid 20th Century saw the emergence of abstract expressionism in Spain, which was represented in the works of Luis Sáez and Antonio Tapies, to name a few. Among the contemporary painters are Luis Ficto José Francés, and Rafael Canogar. Important Spanish sculptors include Francisco Barón and José Luis Sánchez y Gabino, among others.

Architecture in Spain experienced true change at the turn of the 19th Century when a new bizarre style of Art Nouveau, termed Modernism, emerged. The most prominent and outstanding contributions with this new movement are the works of Antonio Gaudi, which are incredibly original and unique. Barcelona was this movement's cradle and to this day the city has remained a leading centre of modern architecture in Spain.

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 Geography

The Geography of Spain

Spanish territory comprises nearly five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, which the nation shares with Portugal, the micro-state of Andorra, and the British possession of Gibraltar. Spanish territory also includes two sets of islands, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. There are also two city enclaves in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla.

Peninsular Spain, covers an area of 492,503 square kilometres, and consists of a central plateau known as the Meseta Central, which is enclosed by high mountains on its north, south, east, and part of its western sides. The area that is predominantly plateau also encompasses several mountain systems that are lower than the peripheral mountains. Although Spain thus has physical characteristics that make it, to some extent, a natural geographic unit, there are also internal geographic features that tend to segregate the country.

The topographical characteristics also generate a variety of climatic regimes throughout the country. Most of the country experiences a continental climate of hot dry summers and harsh cold winters. Where these conditions prevail, the soils have eroded, vegetation is sparse, and agriculture is difficult. Irrigation is necessary, but it is difficult because the flow in most waterways is seasonally irregular, and the stream beds of larger rivers are frequently much lower than the adjacent terrain.

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External Boundaries and Landmass

Being a peninsula, most of Spain's boundary is surrounded by water, the Mediterranean Sea on the south and east from Gibraltar to the French border; and the Atlantic Ocean on the northwest and southwest. To the south there is the Golfo de Cadiz and to the west the Bay of Biscay. Spain shares land boundaries with France and Andorra along the Pyrenees in the northeast, with Portugal on the west. There is also the boundary with British Gibraltar at the southern tip. Although the affiliation of Gibraltar continued to be a contentious issue between Spain and Britain in the late 1980s, there were no other disputes over land boundaries, and no other country claimed the insular provinces of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

The majority of Spain's peninsular landmass consists of the Meseta Central, a highland plateau rimmed and dissected by mountain ranges. Other landforms include narrow coastal plains and some lowland river valleys, the most prominent of which is the Andalusian Plain in the southwest. The country can be divided into ten natural regions or sub regions; the dominant Meseta Central, the Cordillera Cantabrica, the Iberico region, the Pyrenees, the Penibetico region in the southeast, the Andalusian Plain, the Ebro Basin, the coastal plains, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

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The Meseta Central and Associated Mountains

The Meseta Central, a vast plateau in the heart of peninsular Spain, has elevations that range from 610 to 760 metres. Rimmed by mountains, the Meseta Central slopes gently to the west and to the series of rivers that form some of the border with Portugal. The Sistema Central, described as the "dorsal spine" of the Meseta Central, divides the Meseta into northern and southern sub regions, the former higher in elevation and the latter smaller in area. The Sistema Central rims the capital city of Madrid with peaks that rise to 2,400 metres north of the city and to the lower elevations south of it. West of Madrid, the Sistema Central shows its highest peak of almost 2,600 metres. The mountains of the Sistema Central, which continue westward into Portugal, display some glacial features; the highest of the peaks are snow-capped for most of the year. Despite their height, however, the mountain system does not create a major barrier between the northern and the southern portions of the Meseta Central because several passes permit road and railroad transportation to the northwest and the northeast.

The southern portion of the Meseta is further divided by twin mountain ranges, the Montes de Toledo running to the east and the Sierra de Guadalupe, to the west. Their peaks do not rise much higher than 1,500 metres. With many easy passes, including those that connect the Meseta with the Andalusian Plain, the Montes de Toledo and the Sierra de Guadalupe do not present an obstacle to transport and communications. The two mountain ranges are separated from the Sistema Central to the north by the Tagus River.

The mountain regions that rim the Meseta Central and are associated with it are the Sierra Morena, the Cordillera Cantabrica, and the Sistema Iberico. Forming the southern edge of the Meseta Central, the Sierra Morena merges in the east with the southern extension of the Sistema Iberico and reaches westward along the northern edge of the Rio Guadalquivir valley to join the mountains in southern Portugal. The massif of the Sierra Morena extends northward to the Rio Guadiana, which separates it from the Sistema Central. Despite their relatively low elevations, seldom surpassing 1,300 metres, the mountains of the Sierra Morena are quite rugged
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The Cordillera Cantabrica, a limestone formation, runs parallel to, and close to, the northern coast near the Bay of Biscay. Its highest points are the Picos de Europa, reaching 2,500 metres. The Cordillera Cantabrica extends 182 kilometres and abruptly drops 1,500 metres some 30 kilometres from the coast. To the west lie the hills of the northwest region.

The Sistema Iberico extends from the Cordillera Cantabrica south-eastward and, close to the Mediterranean, spreads out from the Rio Ebro to the Rio Jucar. The barren, rugged slopes of this mountain range cover an area of close to 21,000 square kilometres. The mountains exceed 2,000 metres in their northern region and reach a maximum height of over 2,300 metres east of the headwaters of the Rio Duero. The extremely steep mountain slopes in this range are often cut by deep, narrow gorges.

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The Mountainous Regions

External to the Meseta Central laid the Pyrenees in the northeast and the Sistema Penibetico in the southeast. The Pyrenees, extending from the eastern edge of the Cordillera Cantabrica to the Mediterranean Sea, form a solid barrier and a natural border between Spain and both France and Andorra. Throughout history, this has effectively isolated the countries from each other. Passage is easy in the relatively low terrain at the eastern and western extremes of the mountain range; it is here that international railroads and roadways cross the border. In the central section of the Pyrenees, however, passage is difficult. In several places, peaks rise above 3,000 metres; the highest, Pico de Aneto, surpasses 3,400 metres.

The Sistema Penibetico extends northeast from the southern tip of Spain, running parallel to the coast until it merges with the southern extension of the Sistema Iberico near the Rio Jucar and with the eastern extension of the Sierra Morena. The Sierra Nevada, part of the Sistema Penibetico south of Granada, includes the highest mountain on the peninsula, Mulhacen, which rises to 3,430 metres.

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Lowland Regions

The major lowland regions are the Andalusian Plain in the southwest, the Ebro Basin in the northeast, and the coastal plains. The Andalusian Plain is essentially a wide river valley through which the Rio Guadalquivir flows. The river broadens out along its course, reaching its widest point at the Golfo de Cadiz. The Andalusian Plain is bounded to the north by the Sierra Morena and to the south by the Sistema Penibetico. It narrows to an apex in the east where these two mountain chains meet. The Ebro Basin is formed by the Rio Ebro valley, contained by mountains on three sides; the Sistema Iberico to the south and west, the Pyrenees to the north and east, and their coastal extensions paralleling the shore to the east. Minor low-lying river valleys close to the Portuguese border are located on the Tagus and the Rio Guadiana.

The coastal plains regions are narrow strips between the coastal mountains and the seas. They are broadest along the Golfo de Cadiz, where the coastal plain adjoins the Andalusian Plain, and along the southern and central eastern coasts. The narrowest coastal plain runs along the Bay of Biscay, where the Cordillera Cantabrica ends close to shore.

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The Islands

The remaining regions of Spain are the Balearic and the Canary Islands, the former located in the Mediterranean Sea and the latter in the Atlantic Ocean. The Balearic Islands, encompass a total area of 5,000 square kilometres and lie 80 kilometres off Spain's central eastern coast. The mountains that rise up above the Mediterranean Sea to form these islands are an extension of the Sistema Penibetico. The archipelago's highest points, which reach 1,400 metres, are in north-western Majorca, close to the coast. The central portion of Majorca is a plain, bounded on the east and the southeast by broken hills.

The Canary Islands are located ninety kilometres off the west coast of Africa and they are of volcanic origin. The large central islands, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, have the highest peaks, on Gran Canaria they rise to 1,950 metres and on Tenerife Mount Teide rises to more than 3,700 metres.

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The Rivers of Spain

There are approximately 1,800 rivers and streams in Spain. Only the Tagus is more than 960 kilometres long, all but 90 extend less than 96 kilometres. These shorter rivers carry small volumes of water on an irregular basis, and they have seasonally dry river beds, however, when they do flow, they often are swift and torrential. Most major rivers rise in the mountains rimming or dissecting the Meseta Central and flow westward across the plateau through Portugal to empty into the Atlantic Ocean. One significant exception is the Rio Ebro, which flows eastward to the Mediterranean. Rivers in the extreme northwest and in the narrow northern coastal plain drain directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The north-western coastline is also truncated by Rias, waterways similar to the Norweign Fjords.

The major rivers flowing westward through the Meseta Central include the Rio Duero, the Tagus, the Rio Guadiana, and the Rio Guadalquivir. The Rio Guadalquivir is one of the most significant rivers in Spain because it irrigates a fertile valley, thus creating a rich agricultural area, and because it is navigable inland, making Seville the only inland river port for ocean-going traffic in Spain. The major river in the northwest region is the Rio Mino.

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 Culture

Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain is located in Southern Europe. It is a democratic country which is organized as a parliamentary monarchy with a hereditary monarch and a bicameral parliament. The official language of this developed country is Spanish. Spain enjoys a temperate climate. According to the 2006 census Spain is populated by almost 44,708, 964. Though Spain remained neutral in the two World Wars, it was devastated during the Civil War. Spain has the ninth largest economy in the world. The culture of Spain has evolved in a unique way.

Spain is rich in art and craft. With its artistic heritage it has produced numerous artists and architects.

The Culture of Spain traces back to Iberian and Latin influences. The Spanish Culture is shaped by the history of the nation, its Mediterranean climate and its geography. This enriched culture of has lots to offer. Spain produced some of the most beautiful architectural structures of the world. Some of the historical buildings which have stood the test of time are now designated World Heritage sites. The architecture in Southern Spain reflects its Moorish history like Alhambra. Several mosques and synagogues are exquisite works of architecture.

Cultural output in music and dance of Spain is incomparable. The Western and Andalusian classical music along with popular music industry and diverse styles of folk music thrive in Spain. However modern Spain is more interested in rock and roll, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop. Flamenco is the best acknowledged variety of Spanish folk music. Some famous Spanish singer includes Camaron de la Isla and the guitarist Carlos Montaya. The most noted Spanish dance styles include the Contradanza, Flamenco, Pasodoble and Sardana.

The Culture of Spain remains incomplete without its delicacies. The cuisine of Spain is largely influenced by the assortment of sea foods. The taste, richness and delicacy of the Spanish food are apparent in its delicious flavours. Some of the important cuisines of Spain include Chorizo, Cocido, Gazpacho soup, Sangria and Tortilla de patatas.

Almost 94% of the population follow the Roman Catholic Religion and the remaining 6% follow a variety of other religions.

Different regions of Spain have distinct regional dress. Extremadura and other small cities of Castille have a sober dressing sense while Andaluz indulges in an exhuberant fashion statement. Barcelona is probably the most stylish city in Europe.

The Nation is strict about their adopted customs and etiquette. The Spaniards shake hands when introduced or met. While men pat each other female friends may kiss each other on both cheeks starting with the left. You should remain standing until you are asked to sit down. You should not start eating until the host starts. Do not get up until the guest of honour does.

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 Language

General

The history of the Spanish language and the origin of the dialects of Spain begin with the linguistic evolution of Vulgar Latin. Castilian & Andalusian dialects emerged in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania) during the middle ages. The emergence of modern Spanish more or less coincided with the reconquest of Moorish Spain which was completed by Isabella of Castile & Ferdinand of Aragón.

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Spanish Language

Spanish is the native language of 332 million people in the world. In addition to Spain, Spanish is the official language of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In addition, it is widely spoken in several other nations, including Canada, Morocco, the Philippines, and the United States.

Spanish is one of the Romance languages in the Italic subfamily of the Indo-European language family and within Spain it has two major dialects, Andalusian and Castilian.  Many other dialects exist in other geographical areas, namely North and South America.

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History of the Spanish Language

The Spanish language originated in the Southwest region of Europe known as the Iberian Peninsula. Sometime before the end of the 6th century BC, the region's first inhabitants, the Iberians, began to mingle with the Celts, a nomadic people from central Europe. The two groups formed a people called the Celtiberians, speaking a form of Celtic.
 
  Under Roman rule, in 19 BC, the region became known as Hispania, and its inhabitants learned Latin from Roman traders, settlers, administrators, and soldiers. When the classical Latin of the educated Roman classes mixed with the pre-Roman languages of the Iberians, Celts, and Carthaginians, a language called Vulgar Latin appeared. It followed the basic models of Latin but borrowed and added words from the other languages.
 
  Even after the Visigoths, Germanic tribes of Eastern Europe, invaded Hispania in the AD 400s, Latin remained the official language of government and culture until about AD 719, when Arabic-speaking Islamic groups from Northern Africa, called Moors, completed their conquest of the region. Arabic and a related dialect called Mozarabic came to be widely spoken in Islamic Spain except in a few remote Christian kingdoms in the North such as Asturias, where Vulgar Latin survived.

  During the succeeding centuries, the Christian kingdoms gradually re-conquered Moorish Spain, retaking the country linguistically as well as politically, militarily, and culturally. As the Christians moved South, their Vulgar Latin dialects became dominant. In particular, Castilian, a dialect that originated on the Northern Central plains, was carried into Southern and Eastern regions.
 

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Castilian & Andalusian

The resulting language was a hybrid because Castilian borrowed many words from Mozarabic, and modern Spanish has an estimated 4,000 words with Arabic root.

  The creation of a standardized Spanish language based on the Castilian dialect began in the 1200s with King Alfonso X, who was called the Learned–King of Castile and Leon. He and his court of scholars adopted the city of Toledo, a cultural centre in the central highlands, as the base of their activities. There, scholars wrote original works in Castilian and translated histories, chronicles, and scientific, legal, and literary works from other languages (principally Latin, Greek, and Arabic). Indeed, this historic effort of translation was a major vehicle for the dissemination of knowledge throughout ancient Western Europe. Alfonso X also adopted Castilian for administrative work and all official documents and decrees.
 
  The Castilian dialect of Spanish gained wider acceptance during the reign of the Catholic monarchs Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragón, who completed the re-conquest of Spain in 1492 by pushing the Moors from their last stronghold in the southern city of Granada. Isabella and Ferdinand made Castilian the official dialect in their kingdom. In the same year the Moors were defeated, an important book appeared; Antonio de Nebrija's Arte de la lengua castellana (The Art of the Castilian Language). It was the first book to study and attempt to define the grammar of a European language.
 
  The Castilian dialect of Toledo became the written and educational standard in Spain, even though several spoken dialects remained. The most noteworthy was Andalusian, a dialect spoken in the southern city of Seville in the Andalucía region.
 

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Spanish Language in the Americas

During the 1400s, Spanish explorers, conquistadors, and colonizers carried their language to Central America, South America, and parts of North America.

Both the Castilian and Andalusian dialects made the trip. Castilian was used in administrative and cultural centres such as Mexico City, Mexico; Potosí, Bolivia; and Lima, Peru. These cities retained close links to the Spanish capital of Madrid, which was in the Castile region. However, because many of the people involved in expeditions were from Andalucía, the Andalusian dialect also travelled to the Spanish colonies. It became dominant in Argentina and Central America, which were regions remote from the influence of the Spanish government's administrative centres. Spain lost control of its American colonies in the 1800s, but the Spanish language remained and is now the official language of almost every Latin American nation, except Brazil where they use colonialised Portuguese.

The Spanish spoken in the Americas differs somewhat from European Spanish today because many words were borrowed from the languages of the indigenous peoples. Most of these words reflect features unique to the new territories, such as proper names, plants and animals, and geographic features.

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Spanish Language in the United States

In 1565 Spanish conquerors and explorers established the settlement of Saint Augustine in what is now Florida. It was the first permanent European settlement in the United States as it is now known. In the 1600s and 1700s Spanish explorations and settlements extended the Spanish language North from Mexico into present-day Arizona, California, Southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. When the United States annexed these areas following the Mexican War (1846-1848), many of the region's Spanish-speaking inhabitants remained, creating a distinct linguistic and cultural population in the South-western United States.

After the Spanish-American War (1898), the United States gained control over Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Over time, many Spanish speakers from these countries moved to the mainland of North America. The immigrants primarily settled in neighbourhoods in California, Florida, New York, and New Jersey, where they continued to use Spanish.

Immigration by Spanish speakers further increased during the 20th century. Many legal and illegal immigrants crossed the border between Mexico and the United States to work in agriculture and industry, and other immigrants fled political instability in Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Also, many Latin American students came to North America to study at colleges and universities.

The presence of Spanish in American culture grew throughout the late 20th century. As more native Spanish speakers sent their children to school, elementary and high schools established bilingual classes. Television executives also recognized the Spanish-speaking market and created television networks and shows in Spanish. The government printed forms and tests in Spanish. By the 1990s more than 17 million people in the United States spoke Spanish as their primary language at home.

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 Climate

Spain

Spain is a country almost as large as France. Together with Portugal, with which it has a long land border on the west, it forms a large peninsula south of the Pyrenees, with the Atlantic Ocean on its western and northern side and the Mediterranean Sea to its south and east.

The large size of the peninsula and the different climatic influences of the Atlantic and Mediterranean result in a variety of climates within Spain. It is a mistake to think of the whole country as having a typical Mediterranean climate such as is found in the tourist areas along the east and south coasts and in the Balearic Islands.

In the north the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains rise to between 1,800 and 3,000 metres. Much of interior Spain is a plateau with an average height of 450-900 metres, crossed by a number of mountain ranges (sierras).

In the south of the country (Andalusia) the valley of the Guadalquivir River forms a wide lowland. To the south of this lies the high Sierra Nevada, which dominates the narrow Mediterranean coastlands.

These large differences of altitude and the contrast between coast and interior give Spain a range of climatic and weather conditions. Although most of the country is hot and sunny in summer there are great differences of temperature in winter. Coastal areas are mild but the interior is frequently cold and snowy. Skiing can be enjoyed on the nearest mountain ranges to most of the large towns of the country.

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The Canary Islands

The Canaries form an archipelago of seven main islands, situated in about latitude 28°N, some 100 km/60 miles off the coast of North Africa.

They are rugged volcanic islands with the highest peak, on the island of Tenerife, rising to 3,700 metres. This high mountain is snow-capped around the year, in marked contrast to the mild temperatures experienced at or near sea level in winter.

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean are here rather cool because of the cold Canaries current, thus, summer temperatures rarely rise very high, while winters are mild.

The warmest days in summer occur when hot, dry air is drawn out from the Sahara desert and reaches as far as the islands. This air may sometimes be laden with fine dust particles blown from the desert. However, it reaches the islands with a raised relative humidity and lower temperatures after its passage across the cool ocean water.

The weather may be disturbed for a few days at a time in winter under the influence of an Atlantic depression, but such stormy and wet periods are not frequent. Some fog and cloud may occur in the summer months, which are usually dry and sunny with no very hot days.

The northern shores of the islands, being more exposed to the predominant northeast trade winds, are rather wetter than the sheltered southern coasts. Daily sunshine hours range from an average of six in winter to as many as eleven in the summer months.

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 Food and Wine

Food

Spanish food reflects this vast country’s erratic history, diverse geography and Mediterranean culture. Centuries of occupation by the Moors, who were the first to cultivate olives and oranges in Spain, made a huge impact on the Spanish diet as did decades of extreme poverty suffered by millions under Franco’s repressive regime.

You can taste the Moorish influence in the huge variety of Spanish dishes flavoured with cumin, saffron and other exotic spices. The sumptuous soups and stews which you’ll find all over Spain today were the staple diet of peasant communities, surviving on home grown vegetables and meat bones stewed for hours to savour the flavour.

Spanish cuisine consists of a huge 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 with literally thousands of recipes and flavors.

A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Jewish and Moorish traditions. The Moors were a strong influence in Spain for many centuries and some of their food is still eaten in Spain today. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity, because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Several native foods of the Americas were introduced to Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook couldn't do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and beans. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items.

The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. However, butter or lard are also important, especially in the north.

Daily meals eaten by the Spanish in many areas of the country are still very often made traditionally by hand, from fresh ingredients bought daily from the local market. This practice is more common in the rural areas and less common in the large urban areas like Madrid, where supermarkets are beginning to displace the open air markets. However, even in Madrid food can be bought from the local shops, bread from the panadería and meat from the carnicería, etc.

One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink (sherry, wine, beer, etc.). In some places, like Granada, tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that reason. It should be noted that almost every bar serves something edible when a drink is ordered, without charge. However many bars exist primarily to serve a purchased "tapa".

Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. Churrerías, or stores that serve churros, are quite common. The Chocolatería de San Ginés in Madrid is especially famous as a place to stop and have some chocolate with churros, often late into the night (even dawn) after being out on the town. Often traditional Spanish singers will entertain the guests.

As is true in many countries, the cuisines of Spain differ widely from one region to another, even though they all share certain common characteristics, which include:

The use of olive oil as a cooking fat in items such as fritters, It is also used raw; The use of sofrito to start the preparation of many dishes; The use of garlic and onions as major seasonings. The custom of drinking wine during meals; Serving bread with the vast majority of meals; Consumption of salads, especially in the summer; The consumption of a piece of fruit or a dairy product as dessert. Desserts such as tarts and cakes are typically reserved for special occasions.

 Among the multitude of recipes that make up the varied cuisines of Spain, a few can be considered common to all or almost all of Spain's regions, even though some of them have an origin known and associated with specific places. Examples include the potato omelette ("tortilla de patata", "tortilla española" or just "tortilla"), gazpacho, paella, stews, migas, sausages (such as embutidos, chorizo, and morcilla), jamón serrano, and cheeses. There are also many dishes based on beans (chickpeas, lentils, green beans); soups, with many regional variations; and bread, that has numerous forms, with distinct varieties in each region. The regional variations are less pronounced in Spanish desserts and cakes: flan, custard, rice pudding (arroz con leche), torrijas, churros, and madeleines are some of the most representative examples.

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Wine

Spain has a similar classification system to France and Italy, with all classified wine regions regulated under the Denominación de Origen (DO) system. Red wines are often labelled as Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva. In Rioja and the Ribera del Duero, Crianza wines are two years old, with at least twelve months spent in cask (elsewhere the oak ageing may legally be restricted to just six months). Reservas are three years old (at least one year in cask), Gran Reservas five years old (two in cask, three in bottle)

Spain has a long and noble tradition of wine-making and the joys and delights of sherry and sweet Malaga wines were appreciated 400 years ago by Shakespeare. In the more recent past Spain had a reputation for producing cheap but drinkable 'plonk' as well as some quality table wines, mainly from Rioja and, one must not forget, sherry from Jerez.

In the last 20 years Spain’s wine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. New technology and innovative ideas from gifted winemakers has meant that throughout Spain superb new wines are being produced from a range of grape varieties, almost on a daily basis. Without doubt, Spain is currently the most dynamic and progressive of the Old World wine-producing countries.

Nowadays, world class wines are not only produced in Rioja and Jerez but in Ribera del Duero, Priorato and many other parts of Spain besides. It is not just the top end of the market where vast improvements have been made. The scope and quality of Spanish wine for everyday drinking must rate as the best in the world for the relationship of quality to price. The range of red, white and rose wines provides pleasurable drinking for any palate and any budget. Finally, one must not forget cava, a sparkling wine made in the traditional champenoise way, whose popularity increases year after year.

In summary, Spain produces a broad spectrum of quality wines which includes fortified varieties such as sherry and sweet wine, sparkling cava and table wine. In nearly all cases the wines are affordable and represent excellent value for money.

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 Political and Economic System in Spain

Government

Spain has a Constitutional monarchy, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King on 22nd November 1975. The Constitutional Government was formed during 1978.

The Executive President of government is nominated by the monarch, subject to approval by democratically elected Congress of Deputies.

The Bicameral Cortes is a 350-seat Congress of Deputies (elected by the d'Hondt system of proportional representation) and a Senate. Four senators are elected in each of 47 peninsular provinces, 16 are elected from the three island provinces, and Ceuta and Melilla elect two each; this accounts for 208 senators. The Parliaments of the 17 autonomous regions also elect one senator as well as one additional senator for every 1 million inhabitants within their territory, about 20 senators in all.

The Judicial Constitutional Tribunal has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. The Supreme Tribunal heads the system comprising territorial, provincial, regional, and municipal courts. There are fourty seven peninsular and three island provinces; two enclaves on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco (Ceuta and Melilla) and three island groups along that coast; Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and the Chafarinas Islands.

The main Political parties are the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), Popular Party (PP), and the United Left (IU) coalition. Key regional parties are the Convergence and Union (CIU) in Catalonia and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in the Basque country.

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People

Spain's population density is lower than that of most European countries. In recent years, following a trend in most developed countries, rural populations have moving to cities.

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The Education System

About 70% of Spain's student population attends public schools or universities. The remainder attend private schools or universities, the great majority of which are operated by the Catholic Church. Compulsory education begins with primary school or general basic education for ages 6-14. It is free in public schools and in many private schools, most of which receive government subsidies.

Following graduation, students attend either a secondary school offering a general high school diploma or a school of professional education (corresponding to grades 9-12 in the United States) offering a vocational training program. The Spanish university system offers degree and post-graduate programs in all fields including law, sciences, humanities, and medicine. The superior technical schools offer programs in engineering and architecture.

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Government and Political Conditions

Parliamentary democracy was restored following the death of General Franco in 1975, who had ruled since the end of the civil war in 1939. The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy, with the prime minister responsible to the bicameral Cortes (Congress of Deputies and Senate) elected every 4 years. On February 23, 1981, rebel elements among the security forces seized the Cortes and tried to impose a military-backed government. However, the great majority of the military forces remained loyal to King Juan Carlos, who used his personal authority to put down the bloodless coup attempt.

In October 1982, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), led by Felipe Gonzalez, swept both the Congress of Deputies and Senate, winning an absolute majority. Gonzalez and the PSOE ruled for the next 13 years. During that period, Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Community.

In March 1996, Jose Maria Aznar's Popular Party (PP) won a plurality of votes. Aznar moved to decentralize powers to the regions and liberalize the economy, with a program of privatisation, labour market reform, and measures designed to increase competition in selected markets. During Aznar's first term, Spain fully integrated into European institutions, qualifying for the European Monetary Union. During this period, Spain participated, along with the United States and other NATO allies, in military operations in the former Yugoslavia. President Aznar and the PP won re-election in March 2000, obtaining absolute majorities in both houses of parliament.

After the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001, President Aznar became a key allie in the fight against terrorism. Spain backed the military action against the Taliban in Afghanistan and took a leadership role within the European Union (EU) in pushing for increased international cooperation on terrorism. The Aznar government, with a rotating seat on the UN Security Council, supported the intervention in Iraq.

Spanish parliamentary elections on March 14, 2004 came only three days after a devastating terrorist attack on Madrid commuter rail lines that killed 191 and wounded over 1,400. With large voter turnout, PSOE won the election and its leader, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, took office on April 17, 2004. The Zapatero government has supported coalition efforts in Afghanistan, including maintaining troop support for 2004 elections, supported reconstruction efforts in Haiti, and cooperated on counter terrorism issues. Carrying out campaign promises, it immediately withdrew Spanish forces from Iraq but has continued to support Iraq reconstruction efforts.

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Local Government

The 1978 constitution authorized the creation of regional autonomous governments. By 1985, 17 regions covering all of peninsular Spain, the Canaries, and the Balearic Islands had negotiated autonomy statutes with the central government. In 1979, the first autonomous elections were held in the Basque and Catalan regions, which have the strongest regional traditions by virtue of their history and separate languages. Since then, autonomous governments have been created in the remainder of the 17 regions. The central government continues to devolve powers to the regional governments, which will eventually have full responsibility for health care and education, as well as other social programs.

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Foreign Relations

After the return of democracy following the death of General 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 major 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 mechanism.

With the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel and Albania in 1986, Spain virtually completed the process of universalising its diplomatic relations. The only country with which it now does not have diplomatic relations is North Korea.

Spain has maintained its special identification with Latin America. Its policy emphasizes the concept of Hispanidad, a mixture of linguistic, religious, ethnic, cultural, and historical ties binding Spanish-speaking America to Spain. Spain has been an effective example of transition from authoritarianism to democracy, as shown in the many trips that Spain's King and Prime Ministers have made to the region. Spain maintains economic and technical cooperation programs and cultural exchanges with Latin America, both bilaterally and within the EU.

Spain also continues to focus attention on North Africa, especially on Morocco. This concern is dictated by geographic proximity and long historical contacts, as well as by the two Spanish enclave cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa. While Spain's departure from its former colony of Western Sahara ended direct Spanish participation in Morocco, it maintains an interest in the peaceful resolution of the conflict brought about there by decolonisation. These issues were highlighted by a crisis in 2002, when Spanish forces evicted a small contingent of Moroccans from a tiny islet off Morocco’s coast following that nation’s attempt to assert sovereignty over the island.

Meanwhile, Spain has gradually begun to broaden its contacts with Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a particular interest in its former colony of Equatorial Guinea, where it maintains a large aid program.

In relations with the Arab world, Spain has sought to promote European-Mediterranean dialogue. Spain strongly supports the EU’s “Barcelona Process” which seeks to expand dialogue and trade between Europe and the nations of North Africa and the Middle East, including Israel.

Spain has been successful in managing its relations with its two European neighbours, France and Portugal. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the EU has helped ease some of their periodic trade frictions by putting these into an EU context. Franco-Spanish bilateral cooperation is enhanced by joint action against Basque ETA terrorism. Ties with the United Kingdom are generally good, although the question of Gibraltar remains a sensitive issue.

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 Law in Spain

Get Everything in Writing

Your lawyer will take care of all the details for you such as setting up bank accounts and transferring utilities such as water, electricity and telephone into your name. They will also take care of the formalities of registering the property in your name and paying on your behalf all the relevant fees and taxes described here.

Expedia Property SL has proven experience in assisting overseas buyers.

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Get Everything In Writing

Do not hand over any deposit unless it is accompanied by written guarantees clearly setting out terms of sale. Never hand a deposit directly to a private vendor. All reputable agents and developers will hold your deposit in a protected client account or your lawyer's client account if you would prefer.

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The next stage

Whilst your chosen property is being kept off the market, your lawyer will make all the necessary searches to ensure the property is free and clean of any debts or charges. If it is a new development, your lawyer will ensure all the necessary licences and bank guarantees are in place. After approximately 2-3 weeks it is customary to exchange contracts at which time 10% of the purchase value must be paid if it is a resale and 30-40% is usually payable if it is a new development.

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Final Completion

A sale is formally completed when the deeds or Escritura are signed before a notary, when full payment is made. The keys are then formally handed over to the buyer.

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Purchasing costs

Apart from the purchase price of the property its important to note that there are several fees and taxes involved. As a general rule of thumb you should always add around 10% to the purchase price to cover these costs. Included in this figure is your property transfer tax at 7%, plus your legal fees (usually 1%) and notary and registry fees.

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Be Prepared

Prior to viewing any property make sure you've familiarised yourself with these basic guidelines.

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Organize Your Funds

To reserve a Spanish property it's customary to place a holding deposit, which takes the property off the market and prevents you losing it to someone else. The usual amount is between 3000-6,000 Euros, which can be paid by credit card or cash. Please note, Sterling cheques can take up to 10 days to clear during which time you could lose you purchase.

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Use A Local English Speaking Lawyer

It is imperative that you use a good English-speaking lawyer with offices in Spain. They will make sure the property you are buying meets all the necessary legal criteria.

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Fiscal Representation

A lawyer will provide the legal guarantees for the purchase of the property ensuring that Spanish legal requirements are met and that the property is acquired free of debt and up to date with all payments of local contributions and community charges etc. Your lawyer may also assist the sales team if any difficult and complex negotiations are required with the owner.

Using a lawyer from your home country will increase your legal costs substantially and will certainly delay the sales process.

If you do not currently have a lawyer in Spain, then Expedia Property SL will be happy to suggest a few law firms for you.

By law, a non-resident owner with more than two Spanish properties must appoint a fiscal representative. Failure to do so may result in a fine between 150 Euros and 6,010 Euros. Those who own only a single property do not by law have to appoint one, but it is in their interest to do so.

Once you have appointed a lawyer, official notification will be given to the tax authorities notifying them of the appointment and thereafter all official correspondence relating to your affairs in Spain will be directed there. This correspondence may include governmental and local tax notifications relative to the ownership of property or business situated in Spain.

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Financial Matters

Once a property has been selected, the ongoing expenses of maintaining the property should be checked. These may include amongst others the Annual Real Estate Tax Referred to as IBI, community fees, charges for rubbish collection, water rates, electricity charges and Wealth Tax.

Once the sales team, together with the lawyer, have discussed terms of the purchase with the owner and there is a verbal accord, the next step will be to formalize the offer terms of purchase by setting them out in writing. Funds should be lodged in a local bank account or with your lawyer in order to show the seller that there is a real intention to purchase. It is usual practice in Spain to include with the offer a sum of money to reserve the property until exchange of private contracts.

Legal fees are usually charged at 1%-1.5% of the purchase value, plus VAT (IVA in Mainland Spain is currently charged at 16%, and IGIC in the Canary Islands is currently charged at 5%).

The scale of Notary Fees is fixed by law and may range from circa 300 Euros for lower priced properties to circa 850 Euros for higher priced properties.

There is a Property Registry fee, which is usually 40% of the Notary charge.

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Other costs to bear in mind are:

  • Wills
  • Changing of utility contracts and arranging their payment by direct debit
  • Fiscal representation
  • Insurance
  • Water and electricity connection charges
  • Mortgages

There are virtually no exchange controls in Spain, which means that whether resident or not, you are free to obtain a loan or mortgage against your property in any currency and from any bank in the world. Spanish Banks are quite willing to lend to non-resident purchasers of Real Estate and offer competitive interest rates.

The period of the loan will depend on age but can extend to 20 years and the amount borrowed may be up to 70% of the bank's valuation of the property in most circumstances although 80% may be available in some circumstances. Higher percentages, even up to 100% may be available for residents, subject to status.

You will need to provide proof of your capacity to repay the mortgage and most banks will look for earnings per month in excess of three times your expected monthly mortgage repayment.

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Documentation required:

  • A photocopy of the buyer's income tax returns or P60
  • Letter from employer stating net income
  • Bank reference letter
  • Salary slips
  • If self employed, a statement of accounts certified by a Chartered Accountant

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Procedure on resale

When buying a resale property a Contract of Sale & Purchase is drawn up and a deposit is paid, normally 10% of the agreed sale price, and the contract is then signed by both parties, Vendor(s) and Purchaser(s). This commits both parties to the price and the conditions of the Contract.

Ask the vendor to show you a copy of the deeds of the property (Escritura) to verify that the people who are selling are the owners of the property.

Also ask to see a copy of a document from the Land Registry (Nota Simple), which
shows if there are any mortgages or other encumbrances registered against the property.

Ask about any costs such as community fees and the actual cost of the transaction.

Your lawyer will ascertain whether there are any outstanding rates or community fees.

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A contract drawn up by your lawyer, which will include:

  • The price and conditions of payment.
  • All charges on the property, which are the responsibility of the Vendor
    up until the day of signing.
  • A complete description of the property, size in square metres, with building
    licences for extra work carried out, not included in the original deeds.
  • Full registration details of the Land Registry.
  • A clear explanation of payment conditions.
  • A clause verifying the fact that the property is free of sitting tenants.
  • Unless otherwise agreed, a complete inventory of furniture if sold furnished.
    A clause referring to the retention deposit (percentage of the declared purchase price), which is held back from non Spanish Residents selling a property for tax reasons.

A penalty clause with a specified date for payment and a back out clause.
The purchase is formally completed when the public title deeds of purchase-sale are signed before a Notary Public, the agreed payment of the price paid and the possession given to the buyer.

Four or five days after completion, the deed is collected from the Notary’s office. With the original deed, all the relevant transfer taxes are paid in the different tax offices and eventually the deed is taken to the Land Registry in order to procure formal registration of the title to the property.

Depending on the Land Registry Office for the area, registration may take about 15 days. The Land Registry will then give notice to the lawyer that the registration has been completed and the deeds are available for collection. Land Registry fees are paid at this time.

During the interval, as from the moment of signing, the purchaser can have a copy of the records by requesting from the Notary Publica a ‘copia simple’.

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Wills

Spanish law protects family heirs in that they restrict the testors' freedom to dispose of their estate to anybody they chose.

If a foreign resident dies in Spain without a will, their estate will be distributed according to the Spanish laws of succession. Those laws are as follows:

Where a person dies leaving children, one third of the estate must be left to surviving issue in equal parts. Another third must be left to the surviving children but may be divided as the testor pleases. A surviving spouse will have a lifetime interest in this third. The remaining third may be willed to whomever the testor pleases.

A foreign Will may cover your Spanish assets but the legal procedure to enforce it in Spain can take a long time, it is expensive and is subject to the court's discretion.

Without a will your heirs will be involved in time consuming expensive legal procedures. Furthermore if you have definite ideas on how you require your estate to be distributed then you must make a Spanish will.

Upon making a Spanish will, you must ensure that your foreign will excludes Spain and that any subsequent will you make in another country does not supercede the testamentary dispositions under your Spanish will.

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Tax

Transfer tax (ITP) at 7% or, when buying from a promoter, developer or habitual trader, IVA at 7% or 16%, plus Stamp Duty at 1%. The IVA rate of 16% is applicable when purchasing plots of land, commercial premises or garage spaces. The foregoing percentages apply to mainland Spain, for the Canary Islands IVA is known as IGIC and a lower percentage of 5% applies.

Plus Valia is usually payable by the vendor but it may be stipulated that the buyer pays. This tax may range from a few hundred Euros to as much as a thousand Euros on larger properties.

Annual Real Estate Tax is based on the rateable value of your property and can vary from town to town. In Spain the tax Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles is more usually referred to as the IBI. Payment of this tax can be arranged by direct debit through your local Spanish bank. For example, a typical municipality such as Marbella on the Costa del Sol may charge 0.65% of the rateable value per year, which would equate to around 400 Euros per year.

Income From Urban Property For Own Use. The income to be declared is the amount resulting from applying a percentage to the Catastral value of the property, as shown on the Real Estate Tax (Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles; IBI) receipt. The percentages are:

  • 2% in general or,
  • 1.1% in the case of property which catastral value was revised or modified after 1 January 1994

This income is chargeable once per year on 31st December

A Tax rate of is 25%, applied to the foregoing percentages.

Property Wealth Tax, in addition to the Real Estate Tax the Spanish property owner, whether resident or not in Spain must pay Spanish tax on capital assets. The tax is very small and is based upon the real value of the property. For values up to around 161,000 Euros the tax rate is 0.2%. Thereafter the scale is increased as the value of the property goes up.

The current scale for Property Wealth Tax:

Value up to (Euros) tax band
0 161,000 0.20%
161,000 322,000 0.30%
322,000 644,000 0.50%
644,000 1,288,000 0.90%
1,288,000 2,575,000 1.30%
2,575,000 5,150,400 1.70%
5,150,400 10,300,900 2.10%
10,300,900 upwards 2.5%

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Community Fees

In Spain it is quite common practice when buying your property to find yourself in the position of co-proprietor of communal property. Such communal property may include swimming pool and gardens which, form part of the whole complex. Each owner will own a percentage of the communal property in relation to the value of his apartment or villas as a percentage of the complex as a whole.

As a community owner you will have certain rights and obligations. Your obligations will include, amongst others:

  • Maintenance of general communal installations.
  • Maintenance of your own property to good repair.
  • The consent of repairs to be undertaken in or on your property, which are for the benefit of the community as a whole.
  • To permit entrance to workmen to effect any repairs.
  • To pay your share of the community expenses.
  • To be accountable to the community for failure to observe the community and statutory regulations.

Your assets in Spain should be protected by insurance and in the case of a mortgage it is a requirement.

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 Immigration

Expedia Property S.L can help and arrange for your NIE Number and Residencia in Main land Spain or Tenerife.

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NIE Number

Recent Spanish legislation makes it compulsory for anyone selling or buying property in Spain to have an NIE - Numero de Identidad de Extranjeros which, translated, means "Identity Number for Foreigners".

A modern NIE is like a certificate, a piece of paper with your name and number and a official stamp.

Until recently, foreign non-residents in Spain could buy or sell property without a NIE. Then, once it became necessary to have one, their legal representative could get one for them. But recent legislation passed in Spain has made it necessary for anyone paying money to the Spanish Inland Revenue (Hacienda) to have a Spanish identity number, and to obtain it in person.

To obtain an NIE you need go to the Extranjeros department of your nearest Policia Nacional station, fill in and sign an application form, and hand it in together with a recent passport sized photo, a photocopy of your passport and your original passport.

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Obtaining a NIE prior to arrival in Spain

You are able to obtain a NIE prior to your arrival in Spain. To do this you need to have photocopies of your passport legalised by a UK Notary Public (who will witness the authenticity of the original document presented before him and attest that the copy is made of the original presented to him), and then legalised in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London (please go to http://www.fco.gov.uk for instructions).

You then need to employ a lawyer or ´gestoria´ to process the application to the Spanish National Police offices.

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Residencia

The Tarjeta de Residencia is a card incorporating your NIE, your personal details and a photograph/fingerprint. It is necessary for transactions where someone wants to see a proof of your current physical address in Spain (i.e. in local video rentals, banks etc.). The Tarjeta is valid for five years and must then be renewed. Non-EU applicants are granted an initial Residencia for one year, which is usually extended to five years on renewal.

An NIE ( Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a number the immigration service issues once you obtain residency. This is your identification number in Spain. It is needed in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account, and for almost all other forms you fill out.

In order to obtain your residency and NIE, you have to apply at the nearest Oficina de Extranjeros. You then receive your Tarjeta de Residencia in a few weeks, although this process can take many months.


Note that the NIE can often be processed faster than the physical Tarjeta de Residencia, since it is issued before the actual production of the physical card. If you are in a hurry, it might therefore be worth applying separately for the NIE and the Tarjeta, so you receive your NIE faster.

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You will need these documents in order to apply for your residency:

  • Current passport and one photocopy 3 recent passport style photos with your name clearly written on the back.
  • The completed application form, plus 3 photocopies of it.

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Further documents that might be requested could include:

  • A medical certificate depending on country of origin and recent residency.

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If a member of the family is Spanish (or has residency):

  • Your Libro de Familia and DNI (or Residency Card) of that family member.
  • Empadronamiento.
  • Medical insurance.

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For specific circumstances, the following may apply:

If you will be working for someone:

  • A contract of employment. If you will be self-employed: documents that prove you fulfil the requirements necessary to undertake that activity.

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If you will not be working:

  • Documents that prove you have enough money to live during your time in Spain, plus medical insurance.

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Renewing your Residency

You will not be reminded when your Residencia needs renewing, so it is up to you to check and make sure you get this done. In order to renew your Residencia, you will probably need the following documents:

  • 2 passport photos.
  • Original tarjeta de residencia + 1 photocopy.
  • Original Passport + 1 photocopy.
  • Relevant completed application form + 3 photocopies.
  •  Be aware that the exact documentation may vary according to your legal status in Spain.  

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Further documents might include:

The residency visa or its extension (necessary for non-EU-citizens).
A medical certificate.

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Citizenship

Your eligibility for Spanish citizenship depends upon your parentage, your current nationality and how long you have lived in Spain. You can automatically acquire citizenship if:

  • One of your parents is Spanish.
  • You were born in Spain.
  • One of your parents was born in Spain, whatever their nationality.
  • If you have held a residencia for ten years you can apply for Spanish nationality.

The period of residence in Spain must have been immediately prior to the application. Foreign children aged under 18 who are adopted by Spanish parents automatically become Spanish citizens, although an adopted child aged 18 or older at the time of adoption must decide whether to choose Spanish nationality in the two years following adoption.

The application for Spanish citizenship must be made to the Minister of Justice who can refuse it on grounds of public order or national interest. In order to apply for Spanish nationality you will need to produce your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and your parent's birth and marriage certificates, all of which must be officially translated into Spanish. You also require a certificate of good conduct from the police, a statement from two Spanish citizens supporting your application and must show that you're a good citizen and integrated into Spanish society.

Most people find it necessary to employ a lawyer to handle the paperwork involved.

Spanish law doesn't recognize dual nationality for adults and therefore a child who's entitled to choose between Spanish and another nationality must make a choice at the age of 18. A foreigner must usually renounce his former nationality (aside from Latin America or Portugal), swear allegiance to the King of Spain and swear to abide to the Spanish constitution and laws.

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 Buyers Tips

Location

In real estate, location is everything. This section will help you choose the right location. There are many factors to consider when deciding where to buy a property. If you are buying a property to live in, you need to find out the location of:

  • The closest shopping centre
  • Public transport
  • Parks and other facilities
  • Schools if you have children
  • Nearest beach

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If you are looking for an investment property you need to find out:

  • Recent property growth figures
  • The demand for rental properties in that area
  • Local facilities which will appeal to the rental market

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Buying Off Plan 

WE ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!

This section explains the negatives and positives of buying off the plan.

Buying off the plan means you are purchasing a property that has not been built yet. Generally you will be able to view detailed plans, models or displays of the proposed building.

To reserve a Spanish property it's customary to place a holding deposit, which takes the property off the market and prevents you losing it to someone else. The usual amount is 3,000- 6,000 Euros, which can be paid by credit card or cash. Please note, Sterling cheques can take up to 10 days to clear during which time you could lose you purchase.

Please check our “Law in Spain” (link here) section for detailed information on how to buy risk free in Spain.

It's less expensive to buy off the plan than it is to purchase a property that has already been built. This is because when the developer has your money their financial risk is lower.

Before you commit to buying off the plan, find out what is included in the purchase price. Specifically ask about fittings, fixtures, and painting. Often they will be included in the price, but not always.

If particular brands for fittings have been mentioned, make sure they are specified in the contract. Keep in mind that under some conditions (which should be covered in your contract), the builder can use other brand fittings if they are of equal quality.

Always research the developer before you sign the contract. Ask if they have built other properties that you can have a look at. This will allow you to see the quality of their finished work.

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Buying as an Investment

WE TRY HARDER!

Steps to help you research the investment property market.

While the decision to buy a family home is usually very emotive, buying investment property should be based on a logical and calculated process. To minimise the risk of getting stuck with a bad investment Expedia Property recommends buyers research the area they intend to buy in. Expedia Property advises investors to:

1. Check the local newspapers

Find properties with similar features and compare their prices. This simple research will be a valuable guide to determining what is on the market, and at what price.


2. Talk to An Expedia Property Consultant in the area

A good agent should be able to provide buyers with an informed opinion on prices and market trends. They should also be aware of the property types that tenants are looking for, and how much particular types of property should return in rent.


3. Seek financial advice

Expedia Property can recommend a few financial institutions, from the Spanish Costa’s, Tenerife, Dubai or even Eastern Europe. We are with you all the way!

Seeking the advice of your accountant, financial adviser and bank is important. Each will assess your financial situation using different criteria. These assessments will provide a broad picture of the financial feasibility of your investment.

If you're a first time investor, property investment should be considered and managed as part of an investment portfolio. Unless you're an experienced property investor, independent advice will prove invaluable.

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Like any other investment, you need to consider:

  • How much money you can invest
  • What the goal of the investment is
  • How long you want to hold the investment

For a good return on property, buyers should be looking towards a minimum of 3 to 5 years for investment.

4. Re-evaluate regularly

Another important factor to consider is the property and the market conditions affecting your investment. It must be monitored and re-evaluated on a regular basis.

While there are many avenues of investment, property is still a stable and financially rewarding investment.

The buyer must be aware of what sort of return they can expect from their investment. Purchasing the right property makes it easier to rent out and sell when the need arises.

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Why not visit our Homepage

We have strong connections with Spain and the Canary Islands and if you are thinking of buying a property in Spain or the Canaries we have an excellent cross section of properties. You will be surprised at our range of luxury property, especially what we have for sale in Southern Spain. Being based in the Canary Islands we have a fine selection of Tenerife property. We are one of the leading Tenerife Real Estate Agents, please visit our search page to view properties for sale in Tenerife. We are always taking on new Tenerife Properties, so if you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us with your requirements.
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Tel No. 0034 922 138791

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