
Spain's powerful
world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded
command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the
mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall
behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power.
Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through
a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th
century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international
community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing concerns are Basque
Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in
unemployment. LOCATION:
Southwestern Europe, bordering
the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and
Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France CLIMATE: Temperate;
clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along
coast; cloudy, cold
winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast BORDERS:
Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km,
Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco
(Melilla) 9.6 km The
glorious sunshine in which the country basks has long made
it a mecca for sun seekers from chillier climates. There
is far more to Spain, however, than bronzing, beer and beaches.
It is soaked in the historical pageantry of empire and conquistadors
and has a fantastic artistic legacy in the shape of painters
like Goya, Picasso, Dali and Velazquez. Don Quijote by Cervantes
is one of the world’s greatest works of fiction. The
sophisticated, elegant and exciting cities of Barcelona,
Sevilla and Valencia are well worth a visit. Take in a bullfight,
see a fiesta, dine late into the night as is the Spanish
custom, enjoy glasses of Rioja accompanied by the great Spanish
invention tapas. These are small savoury dishes served up
with your drink to tide you over until the late evening meal.
Sun-kissed, spirited and stylish, Spain will charm you time
and again.