Spain: Difference between revisions

| native_name = {{native name|es|Reino de España}}

| common_name = Spain

| name = {{collapsible list

|title = {{resize|1.0 em|4 other names}}{{efn|name=a|The Spanish Constitution does not establish any official name for Spain, even though the terms {{lang|es|España}} (Spain), {{lang|es|Estado español}} (Spanish State) and {{lang|es|Nación española}} (Spanish Nation) are used throughout the document. Nonetheless, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs established in an ordinance published in 1984 that the denominations {{lang|es|España}} (Spain) and {{lang|es|Reino de España}} (Kingdom of Spain) are equally valid to designate Spain in international treaties. The latter term is widely used by the government in national and international affairs of all kinds, including foreign treaties as well as national official documents, and is therefore recognised as the official name by many international organisations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/Admin/ai281209-aec.html|title=Acuerdo entre el Reino de España y Nueva Zelanda sobre participación en determinadas elecciones de los nacionales de cada país residentes en el territorio del otro, hecho en Wellington el 23 de junio de 2009.|website=Noticias Jurídicas}}</ref>}}{{efn|name=b|In Spain, [[Languages of Spain|other languages]] are officially recognised as legitimate [[Indigenous language|autochthonous]] [[regional language|(regional) languages]] under the [[Spanish Constitution]]. In each of these, Spain's official name ({{lang-es|Reino de España|links=no}}, pronounced: {{IPA-es|ˈrejno ð(e) esˈpaɲa|}}) is as follows:

|{{Infobox |subbox=yes |bodystyle=font-size:80%;font-weight:normal;

|rowclass1 =mergedrow |label1=[[Catalan language|Catalan]]: |data1={{lang|ca|Regne d'Espanya}}

|rowclass2 = mergedrow |label2=[[Basque language|Basque]]: |data2={{lang|eu|Espainiako Erresuma}}

|rowclass3 = mergedrow |label3=[[Galician language|Galician]]: |data3={{lang|gl|Reino de España}}

|rowclass4 = mergedrow |label4=[[Occitan language|Occitan]]: |data4={{lang|oc|Reiaume d'Espanha}}

| image_flag = Bandera de España.svg

| image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg

| national_motto = {{native phrase|la|[[Plus ultra]]}} <br /> {{small|"Further Beyond"}}

| national_anthem = {{native name|es|[[Marcha Real]]|icon=yes}}<!-- In full ''Marcha Real Española'' (Spanish Royal March), also known as ''Marcha Granadera'' (March of the Grenadiers). --><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1997/10/11/pdfs/A29594-29600.pdf|title=Real Decreto 1560/1997, de 10 de octubre, por el que se regula el Himno Nacional|author=Presidency of the Government|work=[[Boletín Oficial del Estado]] núm. 244|date=11 October 1997|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034615/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1997/10/11/pdfs/A29594-29600.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|author-link=Government of Spain}}</ref> <br /> {{small|"Royal March"}} <br /> <div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:Himno Nacional de España.ogg]]}}</div>

| image_map = {{Switcher|[[File:EU-Spain (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:EU-Spain.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Europe|default=2}}

| map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the [[European Union]] |subregion_color=green}}

| image_map2 =  

| capital = [[Madrid]]

| coordinates = {{Coord|40|26|N|3|42|W|type:city}}

| largest_city = capital

| languages_type = Official language

| languages = [[Spanish language|Spanish]]<!--(aka Castilian)-->{{efn|name=c|The official language of the State is established in the Section 3 of the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] to be Castilian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/IDIOMAS/9/Espana/LeyFundamental/index.htm |title=The Spanish Constitution |publisher=Lamoncloa.gob.es |access-date=26 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325101204/http://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/IDIOMAS/9/Espana/LeyFundamental/index.htm |archive-date=25 March 2013}}</ref> In some [[autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous communities]], [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Galician language|Galician]], [[Basque language|Basque]] and [[Occitan language|Occitan]] (locally known as [[Aranese language|Aranese]]) are co-official languages. [[Aragonese language|Aragonese]] and [[Asturian language|Asturian]] have some degree of official recognition.}}

| label1 = Nationality {{nobold|(2020)}}

| data1 = {{unbulleted list |84.8% [[Spaniards]] |15.2% [[Immigration to Spain|Others]]<ref name="ine.es">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/jaxi/Datos.htm?path=/t20/e245/p08/l0/&file=01006.px#!tabs-tabla|title=Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Población (españoles/extranjeros) por País de Nacimiento, sexo y año|publisher=[[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|Instituto Nacional de Estadística]]|website=ine.es}}</ref>}}

| ethnic_groups =

| ethnic_groups_year =  

| ethnic_groups_ref =  

| religion = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;

|58.6% [[Christianity]]

|37.1% [[Irreligion in Spain|No religion]]

|2.4% [[Religion in Spain|Other]]s

|1.9% Unanswered

| religion_ref = <ref>[[Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas|CIS]].[http://datos.cis.es/pdf/Es3326marMT_A.pdf "Barómetro de Julio de 2021"], 3,814 respondents. The question was "¿Cómo se define Ud. en materia religiosa: católico/a practicante, católico/a no practicante, creyente de otra religión, agnóstico/a, indiferente o no creyente, o ateo/a?".</ref>

| religion_year = 2021

| demonym = [[Spaniards|Spanish<br />Spaniard]]

| government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]]&nbsp;[[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]]

| leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of Spain|King]]

| leader_name1 = [[Felipe VI]]

| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Spain|Prime Minister (President of the Government)]]

| leader_name2 = [[Pedro Sánchez]]

| leader_name5 = [[Carlos Lesmes Serrano]]

| legislature = [[Cortes Generales]]

| upper_house = [[Senate of Spain|Senate]]

| lower_house = [[Congress of Deputies]]

| sovereignty_type = [[History of Spain|Formation]]

| established_event1 = [[Catholic Monarchs of Spain|''De facto'']]

| established_date1 = 20 January 1479

| established_event2 = ''[[Nueva Planta decrees|De jure]]''

| established_date2 = 9 June 1715

| established_event3 = [[Spanish Constitution of 1812|First constitution]]

| established_date3 = 19 March 1812

| established_event4 = [[Fascist regime]] [[Francoist Spain]]

| established_date4 = 1 April 1939 - 1978

| established_event5 = {{nowrap|[[Spanish transition to democracy|Current democracy]]}}

| established_date5 = [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|29 December 1978]]

| established_event6 = {{nowrap|[[Enlargement of the European Union#Mediterranean enlargements|EEC accession]]}}{{efn|[[European Union]] (EU) since 1993.}}

| established_date6 = 1 January 1986

| area_km2 = 505,990<ref>{{cite web|title=Anuario estadístico de España 2008. 1ª parte: entorno físico y medio ambiente|url=http://www.ine.es/prodyser/pubweb/anuario08/anu08_01entor.pdf|website=Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|access-date=14 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144913/http://www.ine.es/prodyser/pubweb/anuario08/anu08_01entor.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

| area_rank = 51st

| area_sq_mi = 195,364 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

| percent_water = 0.89 (as of 2015)<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|access-date=11 October 2020|publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD)|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER#}}</ref>

| population_census = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 47,450,795<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177012&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254734710990|title=INEbase / Demografía y población /Padrón. Población por municipios /Estadística del Padrón continuo. Últimos datos datos|website=ine.es|access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="cp_2020"/>{{efn|As of 1 January 2020, the Spanish population increased in 392,921 in 2019, reaching a number of 47,330 million inhabitants. In the same period of time, the number of citizens with Spanish citizenship reached 42,094,606. The number of foreigners (i.e. immigrants, ex-pats and refugees, without including foreign born nationals with Spanish citizenship) permanently living in Spain was estimated to be at 5,235,375 (11.06%) in 2020.<ref name="cp_2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/prensa/cp_e2020_p.pdf|title=Population Figures at 01 January 2019. Migrations Statistics. Year 2019.|date=June 2020|publisher=[[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|National Statistics Institute]] (INE)|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628123003/http://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736176951&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735572981|archive-date=28 June 2017}}</ref>}}

| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} {{nowrap|$1.942&nbsp;trillion<ref name="IMFWEOES">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2020/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2020&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1= |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>}}

| GDP_PPP_year = 2021

| GDP_PPP_rank = 15th

| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $41,736<ref name="IMFWEOES"/>

| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} {{nowrap|$1.450&nbsp;trillion<ref name="IMFWEOES"/>}}

| GDP_nominal_year = 2021

| GDP_nominal_rank = 13th

| Gini = 33.0 <!--Number only-->

| Gini_year = 2019

| Gini_change = decrease

| Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tessi190&plugin=1 |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>

| Gini_rank = 103rd

| HDI = 0.904 <!--Number only-->

| HDI_year = 2019 <!--Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->

| HDI_change = increase <!--Increase/decrease/steady-->

| HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/latest-human-development-index-ranking|title=Human Development Report 2020|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=10 December 2019|access-date=10 December 2019|format=PDF}}</ref>

| HDI_rank = 25th

| currency = [[Euro]]{{efn|The [[Spanish peseta|Peseta]] before 2002.}} ([[Euro sign|€]])

| currency_code = EUR

| time_zone = [[Western European Time|WET]] and [[Central European Time|CET]]

| utc_offset = ⁠±0 to +1 <!--Note: Zero-width non-breaking space results in the infobox displaying "UTC" without a specified offset.-->

| DST_note = {{small|Note: most of Spain observes CET/CEST, except the [[Canary Islands]] which observe WET/WEST.}}

| time_zone_DST = [[Western European Summer Time|WEST]] and [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]

| utc_offset_DST = +1 to +2

| date_format = dd/mm/yyyy {{small|([[Common Era|CE]])}}

| drives_on = right

| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Spain|+34]]

| iso3166code = ES

| cctld = [[.es]]{{efn|name=e|The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [[European Union]] member states. Also, the [[.cat]] domain is used in [[Catalonia]], [[.gal]] in [[Galiza|Galicia]] and [[.eus]] in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque-Country]] autonomous regions.}}

| today =  

'''Spain'''<!--Per WP:LEAD: Do not include pronunciations for names of foreign countries whose pronunciations are well known in English.--> ({{lang-es|España|links=no}}, {{IPA-es|esˈpaɲa||Es-España.ogg|help=no}}), formally the '''Kingdom of Spain'''<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain|title=Spain &#124; Facts, Culture, History, & Points of Interest|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> ({{lang-es|Reino de España|links=no}}),{{efn|name=a}}{{efn|name=b}} is a country in [[Southwestern Europe]] with some pockets of territory in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], offshore in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and across the [[Strait of Gibraltar]].<ref name="auto"/> Its continental European territory is situated on the [[Iberian Peninsula]], and its insular territory includes the [[Balearic Islands]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], several [[plazas de soberanía|small islands]] in the [[Alboran Sea]] and the [[Canary Islands]] in the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish territory also includes the African [[Enclave and exclave#Semi-enclaves and semi-exclaves|semi-exclaves]] of [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]] and [[Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera|Peñon de Vélez]] across the Strait of Gibraltar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/08/53630/spanish-military-arrest-four-moroccans-after-they-tried-to-hoist-moroccan-flag-in-badis-island/ |title=Spanish Military Arrest Four Moroccans after they Tried to Hoist Moroccan Flag in Badis Island |last=News |first=Morocco World |date=29 August 2012 |website=Morocco World News |language=en-US |access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref>{{efn|See [[list of transcontinental countries]].}} The country's [[Peninsular Spain|mainland]] is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the north by [[France]], [[Andorra]] and the [[Bay of Biscay]]; and to the west by [[Portugal]] and the Atlantic Ocean.

With an area of {{convert|505990|km2|abbr=on}}, Spain is the largest country in [[Southern Europe]], the second-largest country in [[Western Europe]] and the [[European Union]], and the [[List of European countries by area|fourth-largest country by area]] on the [[Europe|European continent]]. With a population exceeding 47.3 million, Spain is the [[List of European countries by population|sixth-most populous]] country in Europe<!--i.e. not including Turkey, as most of its population resides in Asia-->, and the [[Member state of the European Union#List|fourth-most populous]] country in the European Union. Spain's capital and largest city is [[Madrid]]; other major [[List of metropolitan areas in Spain|urban areas]] include [[Barcelona]], [[Valencia]], [[Seville]], [[Zaragoza]], [[Málaga]], [[Murcia]], [[Palma de Mallorca]], [[Las Palmas De Gran Canaria|Las Palmas de Gran Canaria]] and [[Bilbao]].

[[Anatomically modern human]]s first arrived in the Iberian Peninsula around 42,000 years ago.<ref name="Lillios2019">{{cite book|author=Katina T. Lillios|title=The Archaeology of the Iberian Peninsula: From the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ofe3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65|date=5 December 2019|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-11334-3|page=65}}</ref> The first cultures and peoples that developed in current Spanish territory were Pre-Roman peoples such as the ancient [[Iberians]], [[Celts]], [[Celtiberians]], [[Vascones]], [[Turdetani]] and [[Occitans]]. Later, foreign Mediterranean peoples such as the [[Phoenicians]] and ancient [[Greeks]] developed coastal trading colonies, and the [[Carthaginians]] briefly controlled part of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline. From the year 218 BC, with the taking of the city of [[Empúries|Ampurias]], the [[Roman Hispania|Roman colonization of Hispania]] began and, with the exception of the Atlantic cornice, they quickly controlled the territory of present-day Spain. The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] had driven the Carthaginians out of the Iberian peninsula by 206 BC, and divided it into two administrative provinces, ''[[Hispania Ulterior]]'' and ''[[Hispania Citerior]]''.<ref name="Flower2014">{{cite book|author=Josiah Osgood|editor=Harriet I. Flower|title=The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Republic|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7SOjAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA305|date=23 June 2014|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-03224-8|pages=305–306|chapter=The Rise of Empire in the West (264–50. B.C.)}}</ref><ref name="BlaggMillett2016">{{cite book|author=Simon Keay|editor1=T. F. C. Blagg|editor2=Martin Millett|title=The Early Roman Empire in the West|chapter=Coastal Communities of Hispania Citerior|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CPMmDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT132|date=31 December 2016|publisher=Oxbow Books|isbn=978-1-78570-383-6|page=132}}</ref> The Romans laid the foundations for modern Spanish culture and identity, and was the birthplace of important Roman emperors such as [[Trajan]], [[Hadrian]] or [[Theodosius I]].

Spain remained under Roman rule until [[Fall of the Western Roman Empire|the collapse of the Western Roman Empire]] in the fourth century, which ushered in [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] tribal confederations from Central and Northern Europe. During this period, present-day Spain was divided between different Germanic powers, including the [[Suevi]], [[Alans]], [[Vandals]] and [[Visigoths]], the latter maintaining an alliance with [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] via ''[[foedus]]'', while part of Southern Spain belonged to the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Eventually, the Visigoths emerged as the dominant faction by the fifth century, with the [[Visigothic Kingdom]] spanning the vast majority of the Iberian Peninsula, and established its capital in the actual city of [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]]. The creation of the code of laws ''[[Liber Iudiciorum]]'' by the King [[Recceswinth]] during the Visigothic period deeply influenced the structural and legal bases of Spain and the survival of [[Roman Law]] after the fall of the Roman Empire.

In the early eighth century, the Visigothic Kingdom was invaded by the [[Umayyad Caliphate]], ushering in over 700 years of Muslim rule in Southern Iberia. During this period, [[Al-Andalus]] became a major economic and intellectual center, with the city of [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]] being among the largest and richest in Europe. Several Christian kingdoms emerged in the northern periphery of Iberia, chief among them [[Kingdom of León|León]], [[Kingdom of Castile|Castile]], [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragón]], [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portugal]], and [[Kingdom of Navarre|Navarre]]. Over the next seven centuries, an intermittent southward expansion of these kingdoms—metahistorically framed as a reconquest, or {{lang|es|[[Reconquista]]}}—culminated with the Christian seizure of the last Muslim polity, the [[Emirate of Granada|Nasrid Kingdom of Granada]], and the control of all Iberia by the Christian kingdoms in 1492. That same year, [[Christopher Columbus]] arrived in the [[New World]] on behalf of the [[Catholic Monarchs]], whose dynastic union of the [[Crown of Castile]] and the [[Crown of Aragon]] is usually considered the emergent Spain as a unified country. During the centuries after the Reconquista, the Christian kings of Spain persecuted and [[expulsion of the Moriscos|expelled]] ethnic and religious minorities such as [[Jews]] and [[Muslims]] through the [[Spanish Inquisition]].

From the 16th until the early 19th century, Spain ruled [[Spanish Empire|one of the largest empires in history]], which was among the first [[List of largest empires|global empires]]; its immense cultural and linguistic legacy includes over 570 million [[Hispanophone]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cervantes.es/sobre_instituto_cervantes/prensa/2017/noticias/Presentaci%C3%B3n-Anuario-2017.htm|title=572 millones de personas hablan español, cinco millones más que hace un año, y aumentarán a 754 millones a mediados de siglo|website=www.cervantes.es}}</ref> making Spanish the world's [[List of languages by number of native speakers|second-most spoken native language]]. Spain hosts the world's [[List of World Heritage Sites in Spain|third-largest]] number of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]].

Spain is a [[secular state|secular]] [[parliamentary democracy]] and a [[constitutional monarchy]],<ref name="Constitucion1978">{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=1&fin=9&tipo=2|title=La Constitución española de 1978. Título preliminar.|publisher=Página oficial del Congreso de los Diputados|access-date=30 September 2017|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027035711/http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=1&fin=9&tipo=2|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> with King [[Felipe VI]] as [[head of state]]. It is a highly [[developed country]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whitehouse|first1=Mark|title=Number of the Week: $10.2 Trillion in Global Borrowing|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/11/06/number-of-the-week-102-trillion-in-global-borrowing/|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=6 November 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920064345/https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/11/06/number-of-the-week-102-trillion-in-global-borrowing/|archive-date=20 September 2017}}</ref> and a [[high income country]], with the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourteenth-largest economy by nominal GDP]]<!--14th largest economy as from 2014, and 13th largest during the period 2013-2011--> and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|sixteenth-largest by PPP]]. Spain has one of the longest [[life expectancy|life expectancies]] in the world.<ref name="PadrónMoreno2020">{{cite book|author1=Thais Guerrero Padrón|author2=María Isabel Ribes Moreno|title=Social Security Law in Spain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_moPEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT165|date=20 November 2020|publisher=Wolters Kluwer|isbn=978-94-035-2611-9|page=165}}</ref> Spain is a member of the [[United Nations]] (UN), the [[European Union]] (EU), the [[Eurozone]], the [[Council of Europe]] (CoE), the [[Organization of Ibero-American States]] (OEI), the [[Union for the Mediterranean]], the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO), the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD), [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), the [[Schengen Area]], the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and many other international organisations. While not an official member, Spain has a "Permanent Invitation" to the [[G20]] summits, participating in every summit, which makes it a ''de facto'' member of the group.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Henley|first1=Peter H.|last2=Blokker|first2=Niels M.|title=The Group of 20: A Short Legal Anatomy |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MelbJIL/2013/18.pdf |journal=Melbourne Journal of International Law |volume=14|pages=568|access-date=23 October 2018 |quote=Spain’s peculiar but seemingly secure position within the G20 also appears to have facilitated their greater participation in the G20s work: Spain is the only outreach participant to have made policy commitments comparable to those of G20 members proper at summits since Seoul. Spain therefore appears to have become a de facto member of the G20.}}</ref>

== Etymology == <!--Linked-->

The origins of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] name ''[[Hispania]]'', and the modern ''España'', are uncertain, although the Phoenicians and Carthaginians referred to the region as ''Spania'', therefore the most widely accepted etymology is a [[Levant]]-[[Phoenician language|Phoenician]] one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.es/espana/20140829/abci-donde-procede-palabra-espana-201408281811.html|title="I-span-ya", el misterioso origen de la palabra España|last=ABC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113170715/http://www.abc.es/espana/20140829/abci-donde-procede-palabra-espana-201408281811.html|archive-date=13 November 2016}}</ref> There have been a number of accounts and hypotheses of its origin:

[[File:The Lady of Elche, once polychrome stone bust discovered by chance in 1897 at L'Alcúdia, believed to be a piece of Iberian sculpture from the 4th century BC, National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid (20098349590).jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Lady of Elche]], possibly depicting [[Tanit]], from [[Carthaginian Iberia]], 4th century BC]]

The [[Renaissance]] scholar [[Antonio de Nebrija]] proposed that the word ''Hispania'' evolved from the [[Iberian language|Iberian]] word ''[[Hispalis]]'', meaning "city of the western world".

{{ILL|Jesús Luis Cunchillos|es}} argued that the root of the term ''span'' is the [[Phoenician language|Phoenician]] word ''spy'', meaning "to forge metals". Therefore, ''i-spn-ya'' would mean "the land where metals are forged".<ref>#Linch, John (director), Fernández Castro, María Cruz (del segundo tomo), Historia de España, El País, volumen II, La península Ibérica en época prerromana, p. 40. Dossier. La etimología de España; ¿tierra de conejos?, {{ISBN|978-84-9815-764-2}}</ref> It may be a derivation of the Phoenician ''I-Shpania'', meaning "island of rabbits", "land of rabbits" or "edge", a reference to Spain's location at the end of the Mediterranean; Roman coins struck in the region from the reign of [[Hadrian]] show a female figure with a rabbit at her feet,<ref name=burke>{{cite book|last = Burke|first = Ulick Ralph|title = A History of Spain from the Earliest Times to the Death of Ferdinand the Catholic, Volume 1|publisher=Longmans, Green & Co|year = 1895 |location = London|page = 12|hdl = 2027/hvd.fl29jg?urlappend=%3Bseq=36}}</ref> and [[Strabo]] called it the "land of the rabbits".<ref name="Spain"/> The word in question (compare modern Hebrew ''Shafan'') actually means "[[Hyrax]]", possibly due to Phoenicians confusing the two animals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/news/staff-blog/rabbits-fish-and-mice-but-no-rock-hyrax/|title=Rabbits, fish and mice, but no rock hyrax |website=Understanding Animal Research}}</ref>

''Hispania'' may derive from the poetic use of the term ''[[Hesperia (mythology)|Hesperia]]'', reflecting the [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] perception of Italy as a "western land" or "land of the setting sun" (''Hesperia'', ''Ἑσπερία'' in [[Greek language|Greek]]) and Spain, being still further west, as ''Hesperia ultima''.<ref name=anthon>{{cite book|last = Anthon

|first = Charles|title = A system of ancient and mediæval geography for the use of schools and colleges|publisher=Harper & Brothers

|year = 1850|location = New York|page = [https://archive.org/details/asystemancienta03anthgoog/page/n28 14]|url = https://archive.org/details/asystemancienta03anthgoog}}</ref>

There is the claim that "Hispania" derives from the [[Basque language|Basque]] word ''Ezpanna'' meaning "edge" or "border", another reference to the fact that the Iberian Peninsula constitutes the southwest corner of the European continent.<ref name=anthon />

Two 15th-century Spanish Jewish scholars, [[Isaac Abravanel|Don Isaac Abravanel]] and [[Solomon ibn Verga]], gave an explanation now considered folkloric. Both men wrote in two different published works that the first Jews to reach Spain were brought by ship by Phiros who was confederate with the king of Babylon when he laid siege to Jerusalem. Phiros was a [[Greeks|Grecian]] by birth, but who had been given a kingdom in Spain. Phiros became related by marriage to Espan, the nephew of king Heracles, who also ruled over a kingdom in Spain. Heracles later renounced his throne in preference for his native Greece, leaving his kingdom to his nephew, Espan, from whom the country of ''España'' (Spain) took its name. Based upon their testimonies, this eponym would have already been in use in Spain by c. 350 BC.<ref>Abrabanel, ''Commentary on the First Prophets'' (''Pirush Al Nevi'im Rishonim''), end of II Kings, pp. 680–681, Jerusalem 1955 (Hebrew). See also Shelomo (also spelled Sholomo, Solomon or Salomón) ibn Verga, ''Shevet Yehudah'', pp. 6b–7a, Lemberg 1846 (Hebrew)</ref>

== History ==

{{Main|History of Spain}}

[[File:AltamiraBison.jpg|thumb|Reproduction of the [[Altamira Cave]] paintings,<ref name="Science2012">{{cite journal|last1=Pike|first1=A. W. G.|last2=Hoffmann|first2=D. L.|last3=Garcia-Diez|first3=M.|last4=Pettitt|first4=P. B.|last5=Alcolea|first5=J.|last6=De Balbin|first6=R.|last7=Gonzalez-Sainz|first7=C.|last8=de las Heras|first8=C.|last9=Lasheras|first9=J. A.|last10=Montes|first10=R.|last11=Zilhao|first11=J.|title=U-Series Dating of Paleolithic Art in 11 Caves in Spain|journal=Science|volume=336|issue=6087|year=2012|pages=1409–1413|issn=0036-8075|doi=10.1126/science.1219957|pmid=22700921|bibcode=2012Sci...336.1409P|s2cid=7807664}}</ref> in [[Cantabria]]]]

Iberia enters written records as a land populated largely by the [[Iberians]], [[Basques]] and [[Celts]]. Early on its coastal areas were settled by [[Phoenicians]] who founded Western Europe's most ancient cities [[Cádiz]] and [[Málaga]]. Phoenician influence expanded as much of the Peninsula was eventually incorporated into the [[Carthaginian Empire]], becoming a major theatre of the [[Punic Wars]] against the expanding [[Roman Empire]]. After an [[Roman conquest of Hispania|arduous conquest]], the peninsula came fully under [[Hispania|Roman rule]]. During the early Middle Ages it came under [[Visigothic Kingdom|Visigothic]] rule, and then much of it was conquered by [[Muslim]] invaders from [[North Africa]]. In a [[Reconquista|process that took centuries]], the small Christian kingdoms in the north gradually regained control of the peninsula. The last Muslim state [[Fall of Granada|fell in 1492]], the same year Columbus reached the Americas. A [[Spanish Empire|global empire]] began which saw Spain become the strongest kingdom in Europe, the leading world power for one and a half centuries, and the largest overseas empire for three centuries.

Continued wars and other problems eventually led to a diminished status. The [[Peninsular War|Napoleonic conflict in Spain]] led to chaos, triggering independence movements that tore apart most of the empire and left the country politically unstable. Spain suffered a devastating [[Spanish Civil War|civil war]] in the 1930s and then came under the rule of an [[Francoist Spain|authoritarian government]], which oversaw a period of stagnation that was followed by a surge in the growth of the economy. Eventually, democracy was [[Spanish transition to democracy|restored]] in the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Spain joined the European Union, experiencing a cultural renaissance and steady economic growth until the beginning of the 21st century, that started a new globalised world with economic and ecological challenges.

=== Prehistory and pre-Roman peoples ===

Archaeological research at [[Archaeological Site of Atapuerca|Atapuerca]] indicates the Iberian Peninsula was populated by [[hominid]]s 1.2&nbsp;million years ago.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6256356.stm|title='First west Europe tooth' found|publisher=BBC|date=30 June 2007|access-date=9 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021003923/http://encarta.msn.com/text_761575057___0/Spain.html|archive-date=21 October 2009}}</ref> In [[Atapuerca Mountains|Atapuerca]] fossils have been found of the earliest known [[hominins]] in Europe, the [[Homo antecessor]]. Modern humans first arrived in Iberia, from the north on foot, about 35,000 years ago.<ref>Typical [[Aurignacian]] items were found in Cantabria (Morín, El Pendo, [[Cave of El Castillo|El Castillo]]), the Basque Country (Santimamiñe) and Catalonia. The radiocarbon datations give the following dates: 32,425 and 29,515 BP. {{Failed verification|date=January 2016}}[</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2016}} The best known artefacts of these prehistoric human settlements are the famous paintings in the [[Altamira (cave)|Altamira cave]] of Cantabria in northern Iberia, which were created from 35,600 to 13,500 [[Before Common Era|BCE]] by [[Cro-Magnon]].<ref name="Science2012" /><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bernaldo de Quirós Guidolti|first1=Federico|last2=Cabrera Valdés|first2=Victoria|journal=Complutum|volume=5|year=1994|title= Cronología del arte paleolítico|url= http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=164330&orden=1&info=link|access-date=17 November 2012|issn= 1131-6993|pages= 265–276|format= PDF}}</ref> Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as one of several major refugia from which northern Europe was repopulated following the end of the [[Quaternary glaciation|last ice age]].

The largest groups inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula before the Roman conquest were the [[Iberians]] and the [[Celts]]. The Iberians inhabited the Mediterranean side of the peninsula, from the northeast to the southeast. The Celts inhabited much of the inner and Atlantic sides of the peninsula, from the northwest to the southwest. [[Basque people|Basques]] occupied the western area of the Pyrenees mountain range and adjacent areas, the Phoenician-influenced [[Tartessos|Tartessians]] culture flourished in the southwest and the [[Lusitanians]] and [[Vettones]] occupied areas in the central west. Several cities were founded along the coast by [[Phoenicia]]ns, and trading outposts and colonies were established by [[Greek colonies|Greeks]] in the East. Eventually, Phoenician-[[Carthaginians]] expanded inland towards the meseta; however, due to the bellicose inland tribes, the Carthaginians got settled in the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula.

=== Roman Hispania and the Visigothic Kingdom ===

[[File:Teatro de Mérida, España, 2017 18.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Roman Theatre (Mérida)|Roman Theatre]] in [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]]]]

During the [[Second Punic War]], roughly between 210 and 205&nbsp;BC the expanding [[Roman Republic]] captured Carthaginian trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast. Although it took the Romans nearly two centuries to complete the [[Roman conquest of the Iberian peninsula|conquest of the Iberian Peninsula]], they retained control of it for over six centuries. Roman rule was bound together by law, language, and the [[Roman road]].<ref name="hispania">{{cite web |last=Payne |first=Stanley G. |title = A History of Spain and Portugal; Ch. 1 Ancient Hispania |publisher=The Library of Iberian Resources Online |year=1973 |url=http://libro.uca.edu/payne1/spainport1.htm |access-date=9 August 2008}}</ref>

The cultures of the Celtic and Iberian populations were gradually [[Romanization of Hispania|Romanised]] (Latinised) at different rates depending on what part of [[Hispania Baetica|Hispania]] they lived in, with local leaders being admitted into the Roman aristocratic class.{{efn|The ''[[latifundia]]'' (sing., ''latifundium''), large estates controlled by the aristocracy, were superimposed on the existing Iberian landholding system.}}<ref name="country">{{cite web |last1=Rinehart |first1=Robert |last2=Seeley |first2=Jo Ann Browning |title=A Country Study: Spain. Chapter 1 – Hispania |publisher=Library of Congress Country Series |year=1998 |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+es0014) |access-date=9 August 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922143456/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+es0014%29 |archive-date=22 September 2008 }}</ref> Hispania served as a granary for the Roman market, and its harbours exported gold, [[wool]], [[olive oil]], and wine. Agricultural production increased with the introduction of irrigation projects, some of which remain in use. Emperors [[Hadrian]], [[Trajan]], [[Theodosius I]], and the philosopher [[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]] were born in Hispania.{{efn|The poets [[Martial]], [[Quintilian]] and [[Lucan]] were also born in Hispania.}} Christianity was introduced into Hispania in the 1st century AD and it became popular in the cities in the 2nd century AD.<ref name="country" /> Most of Spain's present languages and religion, and the basis of its laws, originate from this period.<ref name="hispania" />

[[File:Concil Toled.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Reccared I]] and bishops during [[Councils of Toledo|Council III of Toledo]], 589. [[Codex Vigilanus]], fol. 145, [[Real Biblioteca de San Lorenzo de El Escorial|Biblioteca del Escorial]]]]

The weakening of the Western Roman Empire's jurisdiction in Hispania began in 409, when the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[Suebi]] and [[Vandals]], together with the [[Sarmatian]] [[Alans]] entered the peninsula at the invitation of a Roman usurper. These tribes had crossed the [[Rhine]] in early 407 and ravaged [[Gaul]]. The Suebi established a kingdom in what is today modern [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and northern [[Portugal]] whereas the Vandals established themselves in southern Spain by 420 before crossing over to North Africa in 429 and [[Battle of Carthage (439)|taking]] Carthage in 439. As the western empire disintegrated, the social and economic base became greatly simplified: but even in modified form, the successor regimes maintained many of the institutions and laws of the late empire, including Christianity and assimilation to the evolving Roman culture.

[[File:Corona de (29049230050).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|[[Votive crown]] of [[Reccesuinth]] from the [[Treasure of Guarrazar]]]]

The [[Byzantine]]s established an occidental province, [[Spania]], in the south, with the intention of reviving Roman rule throughout Iberia. Eventually, however, Hispania was reunited under [[Visigothic Kingdom|Visigothic rule]]. These [[Visigoths]], or Western Goths, after [[Sack of Rome (410)|sacking Rome]] under the leadership of [[Alaric I|Alaric]] (410), turned towards the [[Iberian Peninsula]], with [[Athaulf]] for their leader, and occupied the northeastern portion. [[Wallia]] extended his rule over most of the peninsula, keeping the Suebians shut up in Galicia. [[Theodoric I]] took part, with the Romans and Franks, in the [[Battle of the Catalaunian Plains]], where [[Attila]] was routed. [[Euric]] (466), who put an end to the last remnants of Roman power in the peninsula, may be considered the first monarch of Spain, though the Suebians still maintained their independence in Galicia. Euric was also the first king to give written laws to the Visigoths. In the following reigns the Catholic kings of France assumed the role of protectors of the Hispano-Roman Catholics against the Arianism of the Visigoths, and in the [[Franco-Visigothic Wars|wars]] which ensued [[Alaric II]] and [[Amalaric]] lost their lives.

[[Athanagild]], having risen against King [[Agila]], called in the Byzantines and, in payment for the succour they gave him, ceded to them the maritime places of the southeast (554). [[Liuvigild]] restored the political unity of the peninsula, subduing the Suebians, but the religious divisions of the country, reaching even the royal family, brought on a civil war. [[St. Hermengild]], the king's son, putting himself at the head of the Catholics, was defeated and taken prisoner, and suffered martyrdom for rejecting communion with the Arians. [[Recared]], son of Liuvigild and brother of St. Hermengild, added religious unity to the political unity achieved by his father, accepting the Catholic faith in the [[Third Council of Toledo]] (589). The religious unity established by this council was the basis of that fusion of Goths with Hispano-Romans which produced the Spanish nation. [[Sisebut]] and [[Suintila]] completed the expulsion of the Byzantines from Spain.<ref name=Spain>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Spain}}</ref>

Intermarriage between Visigoths and Hispano-Romans was prohibited, though in practice it could not be entirely prevented and was eventually legalised by Liuvigild.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire: Volume 1, Portugal: From Beginnings to 1807 |date=2009 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-71764-0}}</ref> The Spanish-Gothic scholars such as [[Braulio of Zaragoza]] and [[Isidore of Seville]] played an important role in keeping the classical [[Greco-Roman world|Greek and Roman culture]]. Isidore was one of the most influential clerics and philosophers in the [[Middle Ages]] in Europe, and his theories were also vital to the conversion of the Visigothic Kingdom from an [[Arianism|Arian]] domain to a Catholic one in the [[Councils of Toledo]]. Isidore created the first western [[Etymologiae|encyclopedia]] which had a huge impact during the Middle Ages.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Marcolongo|first1=Andrea|title=La lengua de los dioses: Nueve razones para amar el griego|date=2017|publisher=Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial España|isbn=978-84-306-1887-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdosDwAAQBAJ|language=el}}</ref>

[[File:Mort de Roland.jpg|thumb|left|The death of the [[Franks|Frankish]] leader [[Roland]] defeated by a [[Basque people|Basque]] and [[Muslim]]-[[Mulwallad]] ([[Banu Qasi]]) alliance at the [[Battle of Roncevaux Pass (778)]] originated the [[Kingdom of Navarre]] led by [[Íñigo Arista of Pamplona|Íñigo Arista]].]]

In the 8th century, nearly all of the Iberian Peninsula was [[Umayyad conquest of Hispania|conquered]] (711–718) by largely [[Moorish]] [[Muslim]] armies from North Africa. These conquests were part of the expansion of the [[Umayyad Caliphate]]. Only a small area in the mountainous north-west of the peninsula managed to resist the initial invasion.<!--See next section on the Reconquista: citation not needed here--> Legend has it that [[Julian, Count of Ceuta|Count Julian]], the governor of Ceuta, in revenge for the violation of his daughter, [[Florinda la Cava|Florinda]], by King [[Roderic]], invited the Muslims and opened to them the gates of the peninsula.

Under [[Sharia|Islamic law]], Christians and [[Jews]] were given the subordinate status of [[dhimmi]]. This status permitted Christians and Jews to practice their religions as ''[[People of the Book]]'' but they were required to pay a special tax and had legal and social rights inferior to those of Muslims.<ref>{{cite book|author=H. Patrick Glenn|title=Legal Traditions of the World|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2007|pages=218–219|quote=Dhimma provides rights of residence in return for taxes.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Bernard|title=The Jews of Islam|location=Princeton|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=1984|isbn=978-0-691-00807-3|page=62|quote=Dhimmi have fewer legal and social rights than Muslims, but more rights than other non-Muslims.}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"

|-

! Island !! Population (2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Población por islas y sexo(2910)|url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=2910|access-date=27 February 2021|website=INE|language=es}}</ref>)

 

 

Mainland Spain is a [[mountainous]] country, dominated by high [[plateau]]s and mountain chains. After the Pyrenees, the main mountain ranges are the [[Cantabrian Mountains|Cordillera Cantábrica]] (Cantabrian Range), [[Sistema Ibérico]] (Iberian System), [[Sistema Central]] (Central System), [[Montes de Toledo]], [[Sierra Morena]] and the [[Sistema Bético]] (Baetic System) whose highest peak, the {{convert|3478|m|ft|adj=mid|abbr=off|-high}} [[Mulhacén]], located in [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], is the highest elevation in the Iberian Peninsula. The highest point in Spain is the [[Teide]], a {{convert|3718|m|ft|adj=on}} active [[volcano]] in the Canary Islands. The [[Meseta Central]] (often translated as "Inner Plateau") is a vast plateau in the heart of peninsular Spain.

 

 

 

[[File:Bolnuevo-sierra-moreras.jpg|thumb|The southeasternmost end of the Iberian peninsula features an arid climate.]]

<!--[[File:Official Köppen climate classification of Spain maded by AEMET.png|thumb|right|Official climatic map of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] maded by [[AEMET]]]]-->

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain is organisationally structured as a so-called ''Estado de las Autonomías'' ("State of Autonomies"); it is one of the most [[decentralised]] countries in Europe, along with Switzerland, Germany and Belgium;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/06/18/catalonia.vote/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Catalonians vote for more autonomy|date=18 June 2006|access-date=13 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604012034/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/06/18/catalonia.vote/index.html|archive-date=4 June 2008}} See also: {{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,2340,en_2649_201185_34578361_1_1_1_1,00.html|title=Economic Survey: Spain 2005|access-date=13 August 2008|publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417005653/http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,2340,en_2649_201185_34578361_1_1_1_1,00.html|archive-date=17 April 2008}} and {{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/topics/spain?folder=Profile-FactSheet|title=Country Briefings: Spain|access-date=9 August 2008|work=The Economist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014000013/http://www.economist.com/topics/spain?folder=Profile-FactSheet|archive-date=14 October 2012}} and {{cite web|url=http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/Swiss%20Expertise/Muralt.pdf|title=Swiss Experience With Decentralized Government|access-date=13 August 2008|publisher=The World Bank|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819191608/http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/Swiss%20Expertise/Muralt.pdf|archive-date=19 August 2008}}</ref> for example, all autonomous communities have their own elected parliaments, governments, [[Public Administration of Spain|public administrations]], budgets, and resources. Health and education systems among others are managed by the Spanish communities, and in addition, the Basque Country and Navarre also manage their own public finances based on [[fuero|foral]] provisions. In Catalonia, the Basque Country, Navarre and the Canary Islands, a full-fledged autonomous police corps replaces some of the State police functions (see ''[[Mossos d'Esquadra]]'', ''[[Ertzaintza]]'', ''[[Policía Foral]]/Foruzaingoa'' and ''[[Policía Canaria]]'').

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<!--Do not add the Civil Guard. According to the Spanish Constitution: "The mission of the Armed Forces, comprising the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, is to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain and to defend its territorial integrity and the constitutional order"-->

 

 

According to [[Amnesty International]] (AI), government investigations of alleged police abuses are often lengthy and punishments were light.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/spain/report-spain Spain 2015/2016] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808081615/https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/spain/report-spain/ |date=8 August 2016 }} Amnesty International. Retrieved 22 June 2016.</ref> Violence against women was a problem, which the Government took steps to address.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://justiciadegenero.com/en/analysis-of-8-years-of-gender-violence-law-in-spain/|title=Analysis of 8 years of Gender Violence Law in Spain {{!}} Gender violence and justice|date=4 March 2015|publisher=justiciadegenero.com|access-date=9 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185333/http://justiciadegenero.com/en/analysis-of-8-years-of-gender-violence-law-in-spain/|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/11/25/inenglish/1448449401_599926.html|title=The successes and failures of Spain's fight against domestic abuse|last=Rincón|first=Reyes|date=25 November 2015|work=EL PAÍS|access-date=9 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525190421/http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/11/25/inenglish/1448449401_599926.html|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2005 the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]'s [[quality of life]] survey placed Spain among the top 10 in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf |title=The Economist Intelligence Unit's quality-of-life index|publisher=The Economist Intelligence Unit|page=4 |access-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802135752/http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2012 }}</ref> In 2013 the same survey (now called the "Where-to-be-born index"), ranked Spain 28th in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/news/21566430-where-be-born-2013-lottery-life|title=The lottery of life|work=The Economist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720232712/http://www.economist.com/news/21566430-where-be-born-2013-lottery-life|archive-date=20 July 2014}}</ref>

 

In 2010, the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque]] city of [[Bilbao]] was awarded with the [[Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/laureate_bilbao.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228204059/http://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/laureate_bilbao.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2012|title=Prize Laureates|publisher=leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg}}</ref> and its mayor at the time, [[Iñaki Azkuna]], was awarded the [[World Mayor]] Prize in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html|title=World Mayor: The 2012 results|publisher=worldmayor.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111083758/http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html|archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> The Basque capital city of [[Vitoria-Gasteiz]] received the [[European Green Capital Award]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2012-vitoria-gasteiz/index.html|title=European Green Capital|publisher=Europa (web portal)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218030957/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2012-vitoria-gasteiz/index.html|archive-date=18 December 2013}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

Crop areas were farmed in two highly diverse manners. Areas relying on non-irrigated cultivation (''secano''), which made up 85% of the entire crop area, depended solely on rainfall as a source of water. They included the humid regions of the north and the northwest, as well as vast arid zones that had not been irrigated. The much more productive regions devoted to irrigated cultivation (''regadío'') accounted for 3 million hectares in 1986, and the government hoped that this area would eventually double, as it already had doubled since 1950. Particularly noteworthy was the development in [[Province of Almería|Almería]]—one of the most arid and desolate provinces of Spain—of winter crops of various fruits and vegetables for export to Europe.

 

[[File:Viñedos en Briñas.jpg|thumb|A [[vineyard]] in [[Rioja (wine)|Rioja]]]]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain has the most extensive high-speed rail network in Europe, and the second-most extensive in the world after China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.raileurope.com/high-speed-rail-news/the-need-for-speed-high-speed-rail-in-europe-do-you-speak-spanish |title=The Need for Speed–High Speed Rail in Europe: Do You Speak Spanish? Europe on Track |publisher=Blog.raileurope.com |access-date=1 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202103102/http://blog.raileurope.com/high-speed-rail-news/the-need-for-speed-high-speed-rail-in-europe-do-you-speak-spanish |archive-date=2 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2010/11/17/spain-speeds-ahead/ |title=Spain has developed Europe's largest high-speed rail network &#124; Olive Press Newspaper |publisher=Theolivepress.es |access-date=1 November 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210093331/http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2010/11/17/spain-speeds-ahead/ |archive-date=10 December 2011 |date=17 November 2010 }}</ref> As of 2019, Spain has a total of over {{convert|3400|km|2|abbr=on}} of high-speed tracks<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/espana/eh18-19/otras/Paginas/infraestructuras.aspx|title=La Moncloa. 19/11/2019. Transporte y Vivienda [España/España Hoy 2018-2019/Otras políticas]|website=www.lamoncloa.gob.es|language=es|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref> linking [[Málaga]], [[Seville]], Madrid, [[Barcelona]], [[Valencia]] and [[Valladolid]], with the trains operated at commercial speeds up to {{convert|310|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lara Galera|first=Antonio L.|date=2015|title=El AVE Madrid-Barcelona, una obra de mérito|url=http://ropdigital.ciccp.es/pdf/publico/2015/2015_octubre_3569_07.pdf|journal=Revista de Obras Públicas|issue=3569|pages=57|issn=0034-8619}}</ref> On average, the Spanish high-speed train is the fastest one in the world, followed by the Japanese [[Shinkansen|bullet train]] and the French [[TGV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/mundodinero/2010/11/09/economia/1289304399.html|title=El AVE español, el más veloz del mundo y el segundo en puntualidad|work=El Mundo|location=Spain|date=10 November 2010|access-date=5 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109012118/http://www.elmundo.es/mundodinero/2010/11/09/economia/1289304399.html|archive-date=9 November 2011}}</ref> Regarding punctuality, it is second in the world (98.5% on-time arrival) after the Japanese Shinkansen (99%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railpro.co.uk/magazine/?idArticles=34 |title=Spain powers ahead with high-speed rail |publisher=railpro.co.uk |date=January 2010 |access-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721092807/http://www.railpro.co.uk/magazine/?idArticles=34 |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> Should the aims of the ambitious [[AVE]] programme (Spanish high speed trains) be met, by 2020 Spain will have {{convert|7000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of high-speed trains linking almost all provincial cities to Madrid in less than three hours and Barcelona within four hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

{{See also|List of Spanish autonomous communities by population}}

In 2019, the population of Spain officially reached 47&nbsp;million people, as recorded by the ''Padrón municipal'' (Spain's Municipal Register).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=%2Ft20/e260&file=inebase&L=1|publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística (National Statistics Institute)|title=Population Figures|access-date=13 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524050305/http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=%2Ft20%2Fe260&file=inebase&L=1|archive-date=24 May 2008}}</ref> Spain's population density, at 91/km² (235/sq mi), is lower than that of most Western European countries and its distribution across the country is very unequal. With the exception of the region surrounding the capital, Madrid, the most populated areas lie around the coast. The population of Spain has risen 2 1/2 times since 1900, when it stood at 18.6&nbsp;million, principally due to the spectacular demographic boom in the 1960s and early 1970s.<ref>Joseph Harrison, David Corkill (2004). "''Spain: a modern European economy''". Ashgate Publishing. p. 23. {{ISBN|0-7546-0145-5}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: "''Áreas urbanas +50''", [[Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Spain)|Ministry of Public Works and Transport]] (2013)<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Spain)|Ministry of Public Works and Transport]] |title=Áreas urbanas +50 |year=2013 |url=http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM.CP.Web/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826234241/http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM.CP.Web/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW013 |archive-date=26 August 2014 }}</ref>

| 1 || [[Madrid]] || [[Community of Madrid|Madrid]] || 6,052,247 || style="text-align:left;"| 5.4 – 6.5 m<ref name="Demographia">{{cite web|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|title=World Urban Areas: Population & Density|publisher=[[Wendell Cox|Demographia]]|access-date=10 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805030244/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|archive-date=5 August 2011}}</ref><ref>United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, [https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup2007/2007WUP_Highlights_web.pdf World Urbanization Prospects (2007 revision)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185336/http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup2007/2007WUP_Highlights_web.pdf |date=25 May 2017 }}, (United Nations, 2008), Table A.12. Data for 2007.</ref>

| 2 || [[Barcelona]] || [[Catalonia]] || 5,030,679 || style="text-align:left;"| {{nowrap|4.2 – 5.1 m<ref name="Demographia" /><ref>United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, [http://esa.un.org/wup2009/unup/index.asp?panel=2 World Urbanization Prospects (2009 revision)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425020103/http://esa.un.org/wup2009/unup/index.asp?panel=2 |date=25 April 2010 }}, (United Nations, 2010), Table A.12. Data for 2007.</ref>}}

| 3 || [[Valencia]] || [[Valencian Community|Valencia]] || 1,551,585 || style="text-align:left;"| 1.5 – 2.3 m<ref>{{cite book|author=OECD|author-link=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|title=OECD Territorial Reviews Competitive Cities in the Global Economy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kBsfY-Pe2Q4C|series=Table 1.1|year=2006|publisher=OECD Publishing|isbn=978-92-64-02708-4}}</ref>

| 4 || [[Seville]] || [[Andalusia]] || 1,294,867 || style="text-align:left;"| 1.2 – 1.3 m

| 5 || [[Málaga]] || [[Andalusia]] || 953,251 || style="background:silver;"|

| 6 || [[Bilbao]] || [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] || 910,578 || style="background:silver;"|

| 7 || [[Oviedo]]–[[Gijón]]–[[Avilés]] || [[Asturias]] || 835,053 || style="background:silver;"|

| 8 || [[Zaragoza]] || [[Aragon]] || 746,152 || style="background:silver;"|

| 9 || [[Alicante]]–[[Elche]] || [[Valencian Community|Valencia]] || 698,662 || style="background:silver;"|

| 10 || [[Murcia]] || [[Region of Murcia|Murcia]] || 643,854 || style="background:silver;"|

=== Peoples ===

 

The [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]], in its second article, generically recognises contemporary entities—'''[[nationalities and regions of Spain|nationalities]]'' and regions'—{{efn|name=Nationalities|The term 'nationality' ({{Lang-es|nacionalidad|link=no}}) was chosen carefully in order to avoid the more politically charged term 'nation'.}} within the context of the Spanish nation.

 

Spain has been described as a ''de facto'' [[plurinationalism|plurinational state]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/10056|title=Rival nationalisms in a plurinational state: Spain, Catalonia and the Basque Country|publisher=Oxford University Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185738/http://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/10056|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/555054.pdf|title=España, una nación de naciones|publisher=University of Navarre|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185727/https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/555054.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> The identity of Spain rather accrues of an overlap of different territorial and ethnolinguistic identities than of a sole Spanish identity. In some cases some of the territorial identities may conflict with the dominant Spanish culture. Distinct traditional identities within Spain include the [[Basque people|Basques]], [[Catalan people|Catalans]], [[Galician people|Galicians]], [[Andalusians]] and [[Valencian people|Valencians]],{{failed verification|date=June 2021}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1996/08/24/opinion/840837607_850215.html|title=Nacionalidades históricas|access-date=9 May 2016|work=El País|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428110601/http://elpais.com/diario/1996/08/24/opinion/840837607_850215.html|archive-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> although to some extent all of the 17 autonomous communities may claim a distinct local identity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

=== Works cited ===

*{{cite book|author=Gates, David|title=The Spanish Ulcer: A History of the Peninsular War|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0-306-81083-1}}

 

 

{{Sister project links|b=no|voy=Spain}}

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