504,782 sq km (194,897 sq miles). Includes Balearics, Canaries, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Population:47.7 million (2014).
Population density:94.6 per sq km.
Capital:Madrid.
Government:Parliamentary monarchy.
Head of state:King Felipe VI of Spain since 2014.
Head of government:Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez since 2016.
Electricity:230 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two round pins are standard.
From riotous fiestas and sizzling cuisine to world-class museums and cutting-edge art galleries, there’s a reason why Spain endures as one of the world’s most popular destinations. Like the country’s famous tapas, Spain itself is a tempting smorgasbord of bustling cities, scenic countryside and sunny islands, which visitors can nibble away at on repeat trips or consume in one giant feast. Either way, it is one appetising nation.
In spite of its myriad attractions, most come to Spain for sun, sand and self-indulgence, flocking to the likes of the Costa del Sol and Costa Brava to while away days on beaches and nights in clubs. An early pioneer of package holidays, Spain’s leading resorts have long been geared up for the mass market – from the Balearics to the Canary Islands – but it’s not all sprawling hotel complexes; quaint fishing villages, bijous retreats and secluded beaches abound if you’re looking to veer off the tourist trail.
Spain is much more than holidays in the sun, though. Away from the beach there’s an extraordinary variety of things to do; from climbing snow-capped peaks in the Pyrénées to hiking the ancient pilgrimage route of St James’s Way; from diving in the protected Medes Islands to stargazing in Tenerife. Alternatively, you could drop in on one of the country’s many festivals (think Running of the Bulls, La Tomatina and the Baby Jumping Festival) which are madder than a box of frogs.
And then there are the cities; Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville, Valencia, the list goes on. Each one of these vibrant metropolises has their own distinct flavour; the Dali architecture and sweeping beaches of Barcelona seem a long way from the wide boulevards and soaring skyscrapers of Madrid (though the Catalans wish it was further).
But for all their disparities, these cities are bound by Spain’s remarkable history and enviable cultural feats, which are proudly displayed in the country’s museums, galleries and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Suffice to say, its popularity shows no sign of waning.
