About Spain......
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| Geography |
Spain |
|
Spain's powerful
world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately
yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent
failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial
revolutions caused the country to fall behind
Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political
power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I
and II, but suffered through a devastating civil
war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th
century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the
western international community; it joined the
EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque
Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further
reductions in unemployment. |
| Location |
|
|
Southwestern Europe,
bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea,
North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains,
southwest of France |
| Geographic Co-Ordinates |
|
|
40 00 N,4 00 W |
| Map References |
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Europe |
| Area |
|
| Total |
504782 |
| Land |
499542 |
| Water |
5240 |
| Area Comparative |
|
|
slightly more than twice the size
of Oregon |
| Land Boundaries |
|
| Total |
1917.8 |
| Border Countries |
Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km,
Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta)
6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km |
| Coastline |
|
|
4964 |
| Climate |
|
|
temperate; clear, hot summers
in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast;
cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy
and cool along coast |
| Terrian |
|
|
large, flat to dissected plateau
surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north |
| Elevation Extremes |
|
| lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean 0 m |
| highest point |
Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary
Islands 3,718 m |
| |
| People |
Spain |
| Population |
|
|
40,341,462 (July 2005 est.) |
| Age structure |
|
| 0-14 years |
14.4% (male 2,994,124/female 2,815,456) |
| 15-64 years |
68% (male 13,762,281/female 13,664,762) |
| 65 years and over |
17.6% (male 2,965,859/female 4,138,980)
(2005 est.) |
| Religions |
  |
|
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% |
| Languages |
|
|
Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan
17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%; note - Castilian
is the official language nationwide; the other
languages are official regionally |
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