Overview
Geography
Spain lies in southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France. Its large, flat to dissected plateau is surrounded by rugged hills, with the Pyrenees Mountains in the north. Natural resources include coal, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, gypsum, potash, hydropower, and arable land.
Its location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar is strategic. Spain controls territories in northern Morocco, including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas. The Canary Islands form part of Macaronesia, alongside the Azores and Madeira in Portugal and Cabo Verde. Pico de Teide on Tenerife in the Canary Islands is the highest point. The Atlantic Ocean is the lowest point.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
People and society
Spain’s ethnic groups include Spanish, Moroccan, Romanian, and others. Castilian Spanish is official, while Catalan is official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community. Galician is official in Galicia, Basque in the Basque Country and Navarre, and Aranese in part of Catalonia.
Religious affiliations include Roman Catholic, atheist, agnostic, non-believer, other, and unspecified affiliations. Except for Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations lie along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Numerous smaller cities spread through the interior, while settlement is very dense around Madrid, the capital, and Barcelona, the port city.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Government
Spain has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Its legal system is a civil law system with regional variations. The latest constitution took effect on 29 December 1978, after approval by the General Courts on 31 October 1978, passage by referendum on 6 December 1978, and signing by the king on 27 December 1978. National Day (Hispanic Day) falls on 12 October.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Flag and symbols
Three horizontal bands—red, yellow at double width, and red—carry a coat of arms at yellow’s left. The shield bears emblems of Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon; a stylized pomegranate represents Granada. Two columns represent the Pillars of Hercules, promontories Gibraltar and Ceuta on the Strait of Gibraltar. A red scroll bears the imperial motto "Plus Ultra" ("further beyond"). The national symbol is the Pillars of Hercules.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Spain