Spain
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Brief Facts
Madrid (7.1 million)
40.5 million
Castilian Spanish 74% (official); Catalan 17%; Galician 7%; Basque 2%
Catholic 94%; other 6%
UTC/GMT +1 hour (+2 hours with Central European Summer Time)
+34
Western Europe
Andorra, France, Portugal
9.72 per 1000
9.90 per 1000
80.05 years (male 76.74; female 83.57)
97.9% (male 98.7%; female 97.2%)
Parliamentary Monarchy
Temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Euro (EUR)
SPAIN, the largest country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwest Europe, began opening up after the end of General Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. It joined the EU in 1986, and is now one of Europe’s strongest economies, but continues to be challenged by Eta terrorism and fairly high unemployment.
Historical Background
Phoenicians and Greeks formed trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast between the 4th and 6th centuries BC.
During the 3rd Century BC the Iberian Peninsula came under Roman control for over 500 years. Then there followed the Barbarian kingdom in the 5th Century, and the Muslim occupation that began in the 8th century and lasted for 700 years.
The “Reconquista” or Reconquest by Christian forces was completed by 1492 when several kingdoms united to form the foundation of present day Spain. In the same year, Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the new world marked the beginning of Spain’s status as Europe’s leading power throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
The country was neutral during the World Wars and was devastated by the Civil War of 1936-39, won by the Nationalists under General Franco. After Franco’s death in 1975, King Juan Carlos became the Head of State. A new constitution was formed in 1978 and Spain became a democracy.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was elected Prime Minister in 2004, days after a series of bombs in Madrid killed 191 people. Suspected Islamic militants were later detained, and following his election victory, Mr Zapatero pulled Spanish troops out of Iraq.
Geography
Spain is located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Spain has an area of 195,363 miles and its territory includes the Balearic and Canary Islands. Portugal lies to the West, and France is to the northeast over the natural border formed by the Pyrenees Mountains. Mainland Spain is dominated by high plateaus and mountain ranges.
Natural resources include coal, iron ore, copper, lead, and hydropower. 27% of the land is arable.
The country is divided into 17 regions with their own elected bodies and some with their own languages and rights.
Spain’s climate is temperate. Summers are hot and sunny, cooler along the coast. Winters are cloudy and cold. There can be droughts periodically.
Spain’s agreeable climate attracts a lot of tourism and a sizeable population of expatriate residents.
Society & Culture
Spain is famous for its Flamenco music and dance, bullfighting, beaches and sunshine.
The Spanish love their fiestas (festivals) which are celebrated throughout the year in towns and villages across the country. Some celebrate religious or historical events, and all take place outdoors with music and fireworks.
Popular dishes in Spain include Tortilla Espanola (Spanish Omelet, made of eggs, potatoes and onions), Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) and Jamón serrano (country ham). Tapas bars popular for both snacks and meals. Tapas can include cheese, fish, eggs, vegetable dishes, dips, canapés, and savoury pastries.
Christianity in Spain
Christianity entered Hispania in the first century AD and flourished throughout the 2nd century. During the period of Islamic rule, as a “people of the book”, Christians practised their religion freely, but by the 11th century they were outnumbered by Muslims.
During the Inquisition of the 16th Century the Catholic Church burned at the stake hundreds of thousands of Spanish Jews, Muslims and Protestants. There was discrimination against non-Catholics under Franco, but the constitution of 1978 provided for equality of rights for all religions.
Over 90% of the population are nominally Roman Catholic, but 30% of those baptized are no longer affiliates, and as many as 50% are no longer active. Increasingly, atheism, materialism and cultic activity are filling the spiritual vacuum. Gambling is also a major problem, and in 2005 Spain became the third country in Europe to permit same-sex marriage.
PCI partners with the Spanish Evangelical Church (IEE), a small denomination with around 3,000 members.
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