Information about Spain

From the rugged, mountainous Pyrenean border with France, west along the Bay of Biscay to the vast Atlantic Ocean, and south to the sunny Mediterranean coast, Spain occupies the lion's share of the Iberian Peninsula, pushing neighbouring Portugal into a long, narrow strip along its western edge. After the Ukraine and France, Spain is the third largest country in Europe. Physically and culturally diverse, the nation holds enormous appeal for both the adventurous traveller and the dedicated sun seeker.

Beyond the famous Costas, beautiful cities, fine palaces, and imposing fortresses bear testimony to a rip-roaring history of Moorish invaders and New World conquistadores, introspective kings and ambitious emperors. On and off the beaten track, there is spectacular scenery and a host of hidden delights, including the tiny fishing villages that cling like limpets to the wave lashed shores of Galicia and Andalusia's whitewashed hill towns, asleep among the olive groves.
Although it forms part of continental Europe, the history of Spain has developed independently from mainstream European affairs. The eighth-century Moorish invasions from North Africa, just 14 km (9 miles) across the Straits of Gibraltar, have lent a distinctive flavour to Spanish culture and tradition that is still apparent today. Threatened by only one neighbour with expansionist ideas, namely France, Spain managed to escape instant involvement in numerous European conflicts over the centuries.

Regionally, the country is deeply divided, having three semi-autonomous regions in the north-Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia, all of which speak their own language. Castilian is spoken throughout the rest of the country (and it is understood elsewhere), but the local people, along with their surroundings, differ widely in custom and character-from the hardy mountain men of Navarre to the fiery Andalusians.

After a relatively quiet period in the 1970s and 1980s, during which time the dictator Franco was buried and his successor, King Juan Carlos, was installed along with a new democratic constitution, Spain was launched into the 1990s in top gear. The 5OOth anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World was marked by the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Expo '92 in Seville, and by Spain gaining full economic partner status in the European Union.

Though parts of the old industrialized northern sector are suffering post-industrial blues, Spain's economy as a whole is strong (few bargains for visitors in currency exchange) and the prognosis is healthy. This economic confidence has done wonders for quality control, resulting in a huge change in standards

Much improvement has been made to general facilities ranging from shopping and services to roads and hotel accommodation. Although these improvements have prompted a significant increase in prices since the days when Spain was the bargain sunspot of Europe, it is still worth every euro.

Travel in Spain

Spain is so big there is no way you can "do" it in a fortnight. It is best to select an area that appeals to you or, if you're not sure, to explore one region at a time and really get a feel for the land and its people. The obvious starting point is Madrid, the Spanish capital and transport hub at the geographical heart of the country. A bustling metropolis with a population of around 4 million, Madrid offers visitors elegant buildings and museums galore, including the incomparable Prado Museum, a "must" on any art lover's itinerary.

To the north and within easy reach of the capital is Philip II's brooding Escorial Palace and the golden stone city of Segovia. Due south, touristy but delightful, is Toledo - a treasure-house of fine arts, and the religious centre of Spain. Another excellent place to launch your trip is Barcelona, Spain's second largest city and the capital of Catalonia. Dynamic, prosperous, and proudly Catalan, Barcelona's top attractions include a medieval Gothic quarter and the inspired creations of Moderniste architect Antoni Gaudi, as well as great nightlife and good food. The best way to explore Spain is to hire a car from Barcelona Airport, Madrid Airport or Malaga Airport and take your time to look around.

Inland Spain

North and west of Madrid, on Spain's high, central plateau (La Meseta), a quartet of fine old Castilian cities recall the I 5th and 16th century Golden Age of Spain: handsome Salamanca; Leon and Burgos in the north; and Valladolid.

To the east, the wine-growing region of La Rioja is a hospitable corner of Spain. South of Madrid, the windmills and dra­matic, wide-open spaces of Don Quixote's La Mancha shimmer in the high heat. Late spring and early autumn are good times to visit the central region, bearing in mind the old Spanish weather warning of "nine months of winter, three months of hell."

Visit northern Spain

The three provinces on the north coast, Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria, receive up to six times the average rainfall of parched La Mancha - hence the name. Here, the vines and orchards are heavy with fruit, and the July-August holiday season sees Spanish families flocking to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic seashore.

Galicia's charms include the lovely pilgrim town of Santiago de Compostela. Asturias and Cantabria offer a selection of hik­ing and climbing routes in the spectacular Picos de Europa Mountains, plus appealing towns and seaside resorts.

At the far corner of the north coast, the Basque Country (Euskadi) climbs from the sea into the Pyrenees. Here, the complex Basque language adorns jaunty little fishing boats and road signs in an unpronounceable welter of Xs, Ks, and Zs, while Basque cooking is rated as some of the tastiest in Spain.

The Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim passage from France to the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela, begins in the mountains of neighbouring Navarre and passes through Pamplona.

To the east, the northern portion of Aragon has one foot in the Pyrenees and the other dipped in the Ebro, Spain's largest river. Here, the provincial capital of Zaragoza boasts the exquisite Aljaferia - a Moorish palace unrivalled by any other outside Andalusia.

Andalusia Extremadura and the Costa Brava

Home of flamenco and bullfighting, Andalusia is the Spain of the familiar travel-office poster. Here, the Moorish strongholds of Granada and Cordoba form two comers of a triangular inland tourist route with the delightful Andalusian capital of Seville.

North of Andalusia, along the western border with Portugal, the harsh, arid landscape of Extremadura is as challenging as it is striking. The Romans left their mark here at Merida, but it is in medieval Caceres and Trujillo that one finds traces of the conquistadores, natives of this hard bitten region, who brought home the spoils of the New World to enrich their churches.

The pick of the Spanish beaches begins below the Medi­terranean border with France. The sandy coves and cliffs of the Costa Brava mark the eastern end of the Pyrenees. South of Barcelona, the costas Azahar (Orange Blossom), Dorada (Gold), Blanca (White), Calida (Warm) and Almeria (named for its chief town), hug the Mediterranean all the way around to the southern Costa del Sol. Here, both princes and package tourists lay equal claim to their place in the sun, while visitors to windy Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic coast had better hang on to their towels. The Atlantic and northern Mediterranean beaches are es­sentially summer-season playgrounds, but the Costa del Sol never sleeps, attracting visitors throughout the year.

Off Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Minorca still have a few relatively unexplored corners for independent travellers. The hip island of Ibiza throbs to the disco party beat all summer long, whereas the more beach orientated Formentera makes for an effective rest cure.

Visitors from the northern hemisphere in search of serious winter sunshine and swimming need look no further than the Canary Islands. Anchored off the coast of Africa, these seven Spanish islands vary in appearance from towering Tenerife to flat-as-a-pancake Fuerteventura. The two other most frequented holiday islands in the group are Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Car hire is available from Majorca Airport, Menorca Airport and Ibiza Airport, plus all other major airports in Spain.


The sheer size and variety of scenery in Spain really does mean that there is something here to attract everyone. You'll gain most from your stay in the country if you don't try to do too much. Each of the semi-autonomous regions of Spain offers a wealth of distinct cultural and scenic delights, so immerse yourself, and enjoy.