spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It borders Portugal and France, Andorra, and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar; it includes the Balearic and Canary Islands and several small enclaves. The capital is Madrid. The population is about 47 million.

Spain has a constitutional monarchy with King Felipe VI and a prime minister who heads the government. It features a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. The country is a member of the European Union and the eurozone. Its economy is developed and diverse, with important contributions from services, manufacturing, industry, and tourism. It remains a major economy in Europe, with significant regional variation in wealth and employment. The country is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, each with its own degree of self-government over areas such as education, health, and culture.

History covers ancient Iberia under Roman and later Moorish rule, the unification of the kingdoms in the 15th century, and a global imperial era in the 16th and 17th centuries. The modern era includes a 20th-century civil war, a dictatorship under Franco, and a transition to democracy after 1975. Spain joined the European Union in 1986.

Language and culture: Spanish (Castilian) is the national language, with co-official languages in various regions, such as Catalan, Galician, and Basque. Spain has a rich artistic and literary heritage and a diverse culinary scene. Tourism draws visitors to historic cities, beaches, and natural parks. UNESCO World Heritage sites include the Alhambra in Granada and the works of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona.