The country Spain is situated in Southern Europe. To the west in borders Portugal and to the south it borders Gibraltar and Morocco. The north east it borders France. It is in the Mediterranean Sea.

The country Spain is a democracy and is organised as a parliamentary monarchy. It is a developed country. It has the ninth largest economy in the world. It is the largest of two sovereign states the other being Portugal. The language spoken is Spanish. However English is normally understood.

Euros are now the current currencies.

Spain to the British is a holiday resort. Night life sandy beaches and hot sun. However away from the holiday coastal areas you could find in cities narrow twisting old streets, views of daring modern architecture and presages wine bars.

The climate during the summer months June, July and August can be extremely hot. Ideal months are May, June and September when the climate is more comfortable. In some parts of Spain weather is decent all year round.

Paella and sangria are well known and world famously linked to Spain. Bull fighting is regularly attended in Spain for entertainment purposes. Flamenco music and dancing is another tradition. The Spanish culture is unique and charming.

The capital of Spain is Madrid. It may not have the Roman origins that get city historians hot and bothered but selected from rural obscurity to become the capital only in the second half of the 16th century it oozes an ebullience that rarely fails to move. Madrids coat of arms shows a bear, a tree and seven stars. The stars represent the Ursa Minor a constellation with seven stars or little bear.

Another city to visit in Spain is Barcelona. Barcelona the capital of Catalonia is a cosmopolitan Mediterranean city that incorporates in its urban street pattern Roman remains medieval districts and the most beautiful examples of Modernism and 20th century avant-garde art.

Ski in the area of Pyrenees at one of the twenty three ski resorts. In this area of northern Aragon and Catalonia they are modern resorts for all levels. In addition to snow and fun these mountains are also home to protected nature areas including two national parks cultural heritage with centuries of history and charming villages.

The flag description is horizontal bands of red yellow and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band. The coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules which are the two promontories on either side of the eastern end of the strait of Gibraltar.

Douglas Scott
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