Spain Map Europe

Spain, one of the oldest countries in Europe, was a powerful nation in the sixteen and seventeenth centuries. The third largest country in Europe, Spain, is heavily influenced by Moorish and European society. Culturally a rich land, Spain has also been blessed with mesmerizing landscapes, making it the second biggest tourism destination in the world.

One of the wealthiest nations of the ancient world, Spain has had to struggle in the recent past to gain economic stability.

At present Spain is the 13th most economically developed country in the world.

Spain borders with:

• France
• Portugal

A Political Timeline of Spain

Economy

Spain has a capitalist mixed economy, which is the thirteen largest in the world. Spain is also the third-largest world investor. Spain’s GDP for the year 2011 is estimated to be $1.411 trillion. Like many other nations Spain’s economy was impacted by a recession in late 2007, but fortunately, by 2011 the country again experienced positive growth. Spain’s tourism industry also contributes substantially to the country’s GDP. In fact, Spain’s tourism industry is the second biggest in the world.

Spain is also one of the world’s leading countries in the development and production of renewable energy. In 2010 Spain set up a solar power station plant called La- Florida in Badajoz and became the world leader.

Political History and Divisions:

Spain’s strategic location along the ocean and seas has helped her to have control over many colonies in the past. At present also Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco.

Spain has a Parliamentary Monarchy, where the Prime Minister is answerable to the Congress of Deputies and Senate. The Prime Minister is elected every 4 years. The monarch serves as the head of the state and commander in chief of the forces. The seventeen regions of Spain have their own sovereign governments. The central government only delegates powers to the regional governments, especially for health care, education, and other social programs. At present, Spain’s Prime Minister is Pedro Sánchez.

Quick Facts

Spain’s Regions and their Capitals: