SPAIN

 

 
Government :  Parliamentary monarchy.

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

Area: 
total: 504,782 sq km 
land: 499,542 sq km 
water: 5,240 sq km 

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

Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin,potash, hydropower, arable land 

Population: 39,996,671 (July 2000 est.) 

Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types 

Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% 

Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% 

Capital: Madrid 

Independence: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification) 

National holiday: National Day, 12 October 

Labor force - by occupation: services 64%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 28%, agriculture 8% (1997 est.) 

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

Exchange rates: euros per US$1 - 0.9867 (January 2000), 0.9386 (1999); pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 143.39 (January1999), 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (1996), 124.69 (1995) 
note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in somemember countries at a fixed rate of 166.386 pesetas per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard 
Military age: 20 years of age 

 Land use :    arable land: 30% 
                      permanent crops: 9% 
                      permanent pastures: 21% 
                      forests and woodland: 32% 
                      other: 8% (1993 est.) 

Natural hazards: periodic droughts 
                     Sevilla Bridge                       Parc Guell
                      Cassa Battlo                      Belles Guard

More facts about Spain

 
LA SAGRADA FAMALIA 1883-1926) , "Plaça de la Sagrada Familia"
This great cathedral, inspired by gothic style yet a landmark of modern architecture,    is in reality not much more than a facade.  Gaudí died before he could finish his biggest and most beloved project, with galleries that should have room for 1500 singers, 700 children and 5 organs.
Will the city of Barcelona ever complete this monumental work?

Casa Vincens
(1883-1888) , "Carrer de les Carolines 18-24"
Gaudí's first architectonic work, and a milestone in his carreer. The building reminds to a palace of an Arabian prince, but was made for the owner of a tile factory - material of which Gaudí made ample use.

Casa Calvet
(1898-1900) , "Carrer de Casp"
Perhaps the most traditional work of this master of extravagance. That might be the reason why Gaudí received for this building his one and only honorable mention by the city of Barcelona.

Bellesguard
(1900-1909), "C. Bellesguard"
Landmark of Catalonia. This gothic building, formerly summer-residence of king Martí I., was modified by Gaudí in genial harmony with the original.

Casa Batllo
(1904-1906) , "Passeig de Gracia 43"
Another futurist work, with no single straight line at its front. Even the walls are curved and seem to be covered by leather.

Parc Güell
(1900-1914) , "Carrer d'Olot"
A fascinating scenario of gardens and overdimensional architectonic forms which seem to be born by the ground. Gaudí created an equilibry that usually only exists in nature, but never in architecture.