Rough Guide To Spain
By Rhiannon Williamson, Thu Dec 8th
Spain is the cultural centre of Europe and the third mostpopular tourist destination in the world; furthermore it is hometo an ever growing eclectic mix of expatriates from around theglobe. Those who choose to visit or relocate to Spain are drawn by thecountry’s charm, beauty and passionate people: this rough guideto Spain will give you an introduction to this fascinating, richand diverse country. The Environment and Climate
Mainland Spain is located in South Western Europe. It makes upabout 80% of the Iberian Peninsula which it shares with Portugaland Gibraltar. The Pyrenees form the north-eastern edge of the Peninsula, andthe Peninsula is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the southand east, and by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and west.Mainland Spain also borders Andorra and France. Mainland Spain enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate with hotsummers and with the winters being divided into relatively coldin the interior, temperate on the coast and fair on the islandsthat make up the Kingdom of Spain. Further Spanish territories and tourist hotspots are theBalearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea: the main islandsmaking up the Balearics are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza andFormentera - and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Sea: theseven islands making up the Canaries are Gran Canaria, Tenerife,Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Fuertaventura. The Kingdom of Spain also consists of two cities in North Africacalled Ceuta and Melilla. Spain’s Historical Background Spain was once the most powerful nation in Europe and derivedmost of its wealth at the time from its colonization of theAmericas which began with the arrival of Christopher Columbus inthe Americas in 1492. After that time Spain suffered a long history of wars, revoltsand conflicts which
were responsible for a steady decline in thecountry’s wealth, status and position. In 1939 General Franco was able to take over as dictator ofSpain. He ruled a politically and economically exhausted Spainuntil his death in 1975. During the 1960s and 1970s Spain thankfully began to regain itseconomic strength through industry and tourism. When Franco died in 1975 Prince Juan Carlos became the king ofSpain and the Head of State. He instigated important politicalchanges and turned Spain from an authoritarian regime into ademocracy and from a weakened European state into one of themost politically and economically strong countries in Europetoday. Spain Today Spain today is economically and politically stable and dividedinto 17 regions which function as a Federation of AutonomousCommunities. Each region is geographically and culturallydifferent and even different in personality. For example, youcan visit the southern Spanish region of Andalusia and bask onbeautiful beaches in the 3000 hours of sunshine the regionenjoys a year, or you could travel north to Asturias where someof Spain’s most interesting popular customs come from and wheremagnificent mountains dominate the landscape and the climate. You can ski in Spain, and sunbathe in Spain, you can mountainclimb and dive, surf and snorkel, you can enjoy flamenco, bullfighting, tapas and wine, you can relax or party for a week,bask in the cultural centre of Europe or just bask on a sundrenched beach – whatever kind of experience you’re after Spainoffers it all! About the author:Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ - the online resource for investment property abroad,offshore investing & living overseas. Click the following linkfor Spanishproperty and moving to Spain articles, guides and resources. |
