Spaniards

Spaniards are people from Spain, a country on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The term can describe either citizens of Spain or those who originate from its regions, and it encompasses a wide range of ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. Spain is a constitutional monarchy with a decentralized political system consisting of 17 autonomous communities, each with its own traditions and, in some cases, official languages.

Spanish, or Castilian, is the nation’s predominant language and is spoken nationwide. Several regional languages have co-official status in their communities, including Catalan, Galician, and Basque, among others. Regional identities—such as Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Andalusian—coexist with a broader Spanish national identity.

Demographically, Spaniards include long-standing regional populations and immigrant communities from Europe, Africa, and the Americas, contributing to cultural diversity and social change. Spain’s population lives in urban centers and rural areas across a landscape of cultural variety and regional differences.

Historically, the modern Spanish state formed through the dynastic union and territorial consolidation that culminated in the Kingdom of Spain in the late medieval period. The country later built a global empire, endured a civil war and dictatorship in the 20th century, and transitioned to democracy with the 1978 constitution. Spanish culture has produced notable contributions in literature, art, architecture, music, cuisine, and sports.

Spaniards also form significant diaspora communities, particularly in Latin America and other regions, reflecting historical ties and contemporary migration patterns. The term thus encompasses a diverse, multilingual, and historically rich population.