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Spain Facts

Spain Facts
Officially known as the Kingdom of Spain, Spain is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. There are only three countries, Morocco, France, and Spain that have both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. Included in Spain's territory are the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. In 206 BC Spain became a part of Roman Empire. Conflict for rule of the country continued for hundreds of years until Spain finally joined NATO in 1982. Today Spain is governed by a hereditary monarchy and bicameral parliament, with a monarchy-appointed Prime Minister confirmed by legislative elections.
Interesting Spain Facts:
There are approximately 46 million people living in Spain.
Spain's total area is 504,780 square kilometers. It is the fourth largest country in Europe.
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, grossing billions each year in tourism.
Spain is España in Spanish. It was derived from the word Ispania. Ispania means the land of rabbits.
The Spanish language is believed to be the second most spoken language in the world.
The Spanish language is spoken in 44 countries around the world.
More people are native Spanish speaking than native English speaking.
Today Spain is a large producer of renewable energy, both wind and solar power.
The most popular sport in Spain is football, which in North America is called soccer. Antonio Banderas, a famous movie star and Spaniard, played soccer until he was 14 and he broke his foot.
There are more than 8,000km of beaches in Spain.
Spain did not involve itself in the first or second World Wars.
Approximately 44% of the world's olive oil is produced in Spain.
The majority of Spaniards are Roman Catholic.
It was the Spanish who invented the mop!
Saffron, an expensive spice for cooking food, is grown primarily in Spain. Spain accounts for almost 75% of the world's saffron. Saffron comes from the crocus flower. Saffron is the stigma of the crocus flower.
Some of Spain's more famous dishes include gazpacho, paella, seafood, and soups.
Spain's largest city is Madrid, which is also its capital.
The highest mountain in Spain is Mount Teide. It is also an active volcano.
Spain and France are divided by the Pyrenees Mountains.
People in Spain own more cars than they do cellular phones.
Some of Spain's most famous artists include Picasso, Goya and Dali.
The explorer Christopher Columbus was Spanish.
Within the next fifty years it is believed that half of all Americans will be able to speak Spanish.
In Europe, Spain is the only country that grows bananas.
Spain's currency is the euro, and before that it was the peseta.
In Spain they do not have a tooth fairy. Instead they have a mouse named Ratoncito Perez who does the job of the tooth fairy.
Of all the countries in the European Union, Spain has the most bars.
When countries began banning smoking in bars and in the workplace, Spain was one of the first in Europe to make this a law.
Spaniards were responsible for spreading the growth of potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, and cacao around the world.


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