Country's Full Name: Kingdom Of Spain; Reino de Espana

Brief History: Geographically Spain acquires 85% area of Iberian Peninsula. Spain became a part of Roman Empire in 206 BC. It was occupied by Muslim invaders in 7-8th century. Muslims were driven out in 1492 with capture of the last Muslim stronghold of Granada. In the same year Jews were ordered to change their faith to Christian religion or face expulsion from Spain. The kingdom in 16 - 17th century reigned from South America, Central America, Mexico, Central Europe and Northern Africa. It was the golden period for Spain amassing big wealth and becoming a powerful nation in the world. Not adapting to modern methods, technological advancement led the empire to decline to advancing nations like France, Portugal, and England. In both the world wars Spain hold neutral position but the economy shattered by the war effects. The country witnessed civil war in 1936-39 which ended with the rebel leader Francisco Franco Bahamonde taking up Madrid. A 1947 referendum drafted by Franco was approved by Spanish people to install the monarchy again. After the death of Franco, King Juan Carlos was installed as king on November 22, 1975. Today, the country is headed by a monarch who can 'veto' any law passed by the parliament. Spain joined European Union in 1986 and NATO in 1982.

What is the country known for: Animal right activists will not approve it but Spain is famous for bullfights. Bullfights can be seen in most of the Spanish cities during its season from April to September.

Main Industries: Agriculture, Cement, Chemicals, Engineering, Fishing, Food Processing, Forestry and Timber Products, Iron and Steel, Mining Manufactures, Metal Processing, Petroleum Refining, Transport Equipment, Wine Making, Yarns and Textiles.

Main Trading Partners: The main trading partners are members of European Union - France, Germany, Italy, UK, and Netherlands. Exports: $194.3 billion (2005 est.): machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods. Imports: $271.8 billion (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semi-finished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments.

Major Cities: Madrid population 5,130,000 (metro area) and 3,169,400 (proper city)
Barcelona - 1,528,800, Valencia - 741,100, Seville - 679,100.

Location: 40 00 N, 4 00 W
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France

Size: The total area of this country including enclaves is 194,897 sq mi (504,782 sq km). The land area comprises 192,873 sq mi (499,542 sq km) which is slightly more than Oregon. It has total coastline of 4,964 km.

Time Zone:
Central European Standard Time
UTC/ GMT 1 hour
Daylight Saving Time - GMT 2 hour

Type of Government: It is a mix of monarchy and democracy. King Juan Carlos is the present king since 1975. The elected President since 2004 is Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan * Epiphany.
19 Mar * San Jose.
1 Apr * Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
12 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
6 Dec Constitution Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan * Epiphany.
19 Mar * San Jose.
21 Apr * Maundy Thursday.
22 Apr Good Friday.
1 May - 2 May Labour Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
12 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
6 Dec Constitution Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
(a) *These holidays may be replaced by the autonomous communities with another date. (b) Additional dates are celebrated as regional public holidays. These vary from region to region.

Population and Breakdown:
July 2007 estimated - 40,448,191.
0-14 years: 14.4% (male 3,005,818/female 2,826,805)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 13,758,869/female 13,661,295)
65 years and over: 17.8% (male 3,002,585/female 4,192,819)
Life expectancy 79.7 years (male 76.46 years/female 83.32 years)

Time Zone:
Portugal maintains Western European Time or GMT.
Summer Daylight Saving Time is shifted forward by 1 hour (GMT 1 hour).

Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, Jews 2%, Protestants 2%, Others 2%.

Language: Nationwide Official Language -- Castilian Spanish - 74%; Regional Official Languages -- Catalan and Valencian - 17%, Galician - 7%, Basque - 2%; Unofficial languages - Astuarian, Aragonese

Local Customs:
Visitors should know that consumption of alcohol is prohibited in public places, except licensed bars and restaurants. There are numerous lottery scams in Spain, visitors should be vigilant.

Best Time to go: Spain's climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south. The best months are from April to October, although mid-summer (July, August) can be excessively hot throughout the country except the coastal regions. Madrid is best in late spring or autumn. The central plateau can be bitterly cold in winter.

Currency:
1 Euro = 0.67937 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.47195 Euro (EUR)
1 Euro = 1.36801 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.73099 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations:
European Union - No more duty free allowances are allowed in EU countries. Visitors entering Spain from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 litres of beer, 20 litres of fortified wine/and or 90 litres of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries - Visitors above the age 15 and above may enter Spain duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a litre of alcohol and 2 litres of wine.

Tipping:
Spain is a no tipping country where except visitors from US nobody else pays tips. Tips given to the waiters are generally taken by the owners.
Even you want to tip - tipping 10% above the bill is general norm in European countries. A Euro or two to the porter in the hotel will be enough. A couple of Euro to the room maid in the beginning of the stay makes the room clean. All the restrooms in the European countries need to be paid. Match the required coin, and pay 30 cents tip to the attendant.