Property frontiers

Spain: Country Guide

Spain - general country guide

Sample

Map

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

Summary Data

summary data
Total Area (km²)	504,782
Land (km²)	499,542
Water (km²)	5,240
Population	40,491,051
Population Density (/km²)	81
Capital	Madrid
Religion (%)	Roman Catholic 94% Other 6%
Time	GMT+1
Climate	Largely diverse, categorised into 3 areas: Madrid and inland areas have a Continental Mediterranean climate Adalusian plains to the Pyrenees have a Mediterranean climate Galicia and the Bay of Biscay have an Oceanic climate

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

Geography

Spain occupies 80% of the Iberian Peninsula, the remaining 20% of which is made up of Portugal. In the north, Spain borders France and Andorra, with the Pyrenees as a natural frontier. Additionally the Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, in the Mediterranean Sea, Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean close to the Moroccan coast, and Ceuta and Melilla, located in northern Africa, are all Spanish territory. There are five big mountain ranges crossing the country, and about 50% of the country is located at an elevated plain. Landscapes are extremely varied, some almost desert-like and others green. Coast wise, longer stretches are found in the east along the Mediterranean Sea from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar whilst in the west, the majority of the Iberian Peninsula's western coast is occupied by Portugal along the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea.

Government

Spain was previously a dictatorship but transformed from the rigid regime into a democratic Government in 1975. The movement caused tension amongst the Basque Country, in the north of Spain.

The chief of state has been King Juan Carlos I since November 22, 1975. The President of Government is José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, elected on the 14th March 2004. The First Vice President and Minister of Presidency is María Teresa Fernández de la Vega and the Second Vice President and Minister of Economy and Finance is Pedro Solbes, both were also elected on the 14th March 2004.

Language

Five different languages are spoken in Spain, Galician – Portuguese, Spanish, Basque, Catalan and Occitan. Spanish is the main language spoken throughout the whole of the country. Galician is the own language of Galicia and is considered part of the same linguistic unity as Portuguese. Basque has an unknown origin and is the pre-Roman language of the country spoken in the North of Spain, in the Basque Country. Aranes is spoken in the Pyrenees and was a very important language during the middle ages because of its literature.

Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%

Electricity

220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two-pin standard European type.

Passports/Visa

British citizens must hold a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is required for a maximum stay of three months for those holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, or British Subject with right of abode in the UK. South Africans should apply in advance for a Schengen visa to enter Spain. Passports should be valid for at least three months beyond the expiry date of the visa.

United States citizens, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians and Irish nationals require a passport valid for the period of intended stay and a return ticket or proof of onward travel. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in principal, to travel freely within the borders. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward ticket. All visitors may be asked for proof of financial means for their stay in Spain.

Passport/Visa Information

Spanish Embassy in the UK
39 Chesham Place

London

SW1X 8SB

UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5555

Fax: (020) 7259 5392
Website: www.mae.es

Spanish Consulate in the UK
20 Draycott Place

London

SW3 2RZ

UK
Tel: (020) 7589 8989
Website: www.conspalon.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.30am-12.00pm (closed Spanish national holidays; visa information by appointment only).

Airports and Airlines

There are currently 37 airports across Spain and information on the majority of them can be found at www.aena.es. Information on travelling to individual airports and also available travel options whilst at the airport can be found from ShuttleDirect.com.

Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD)

Location: 12 km northeast of Madrid
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)
Contacts: 28042, Madrid, Spain
Tel: 902 404 704
Email: clientesmad@aena.es
Website: www.aena.es
Terminals: 4
Transfer between terminals: A free bus shuttle runs between the terminals
Transfer to the city: The Madrid Metro Line connects the airport to the city centre. There are regular bus services to Madrid centre. Taxi ranks are outside the airport but passengers should make sure the meter is turned on at the beginning of the journey and should not accept offers of taxis within the terminal buildings.
Car rental: Avis, Europcar, Hertz and other companies are available
Facilities: banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, post office, Wireless Internet access available in VIP lounges and restaurant areas in all terminals. There are more than 30 restaurants, cafés and bars, over 100 shops, duty-free, lost luggage, nurseries, pharmacies, First Aid, a playground, a chapel and good quality disabled access.
Parking: Long and short term parking is available with shuttle services running from car parks to all terminals.

Standard of Living

The standard of living in Spain is high and with the hot weather and picturesque settings, it's not surprising that many Britons choose to retire here. The transport system is adequate with good bus and rail links, there are also many international schools which will appeal to buyers with children. The healthcare is also of an acceptable standard amongst European countries. If you pay social security then health care is either free or a very low cost, but like many other health care systems there is a waiting list to see specialists. There are many jobs available to foreigners but a lot are seasonal. Anyone planning to stay in Spain indefinitely must apply for a residency card within fifteen days of arrival.

Principal commercial centres and towns

Over 15 million people live in Spain's major cities accounting for over 38 % of the country's whole population. Spain's capital, Madrid, and Barcelona are the only two cities with populations of more than one million people. Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and Malaga have populations of over 500,000.