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Facts About Spain: Spain at a glance

Spanish Geography

Most of Spain’s national territory is located on the Iberian Peninsula, that Spain shares with Portugal and Andorra, The Iberian peninsula is situated in the southwest corner of Europe. However Spain also comprises the Canary Islands and the Balearics, a few smaller islands, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa. With a surface area of 506,030 square kilometers, Spain is among the fifty largest countries in the world. The mainland territories occupies an area of 493,514 square kilometers; The Balearic Islands, 4,992 square kilometers; The Canary Islands, 7,492 square kilometers; and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, 32 square kilometers.

Spanish Population and Imigration

According to data from Spanish Statistical Office (INE) relating to the municipal registers, the Spanish population is around 46 million. The resident foreign population represents about 10% of the total population.

The Foreign Population in Spain by Autonomous Region

The autonomous regions with the highest proportion of foreign citizens are the Balearic Islands (where 15.9% of the population is non Spanish), Madrid (13.1%), Valencia (12.4%), Murcia (12.4%) and Catalonia (11.3%). By contrast, the regions with the smallest proportion of non-Spanish nationals are Extremadura (2.3%), Asturias (2.5%) and Galicia (2.5%).

Short Facts about Spain

Official name: Reino de España - The Kingdom of Spain

Capital of Spain: Madrid

Largest cities in Spain: Madrid 5.9 million inhabitants, Barcelona 5.3 million inhabitants, Valencia 1.6 million inhabitants.

Population: 46 million.

Density: 88,39 inhabitants per square kilometre.

Size: 506,030 square meters. Spain is the second largest country in Europe and among the fifty largest countries in the world.

Highest Point: Pico de Teide in Tenerife 3,719 m.

Tourism: Over 53 million tourists visits Spain each year, Spain is the second most visited country in the world.

Political Structure: Parliamentary monarchy (since 1978).

Time zone: +1 GMT, Except Canary Islands +2 GMT.

Currency: The introduction of the Euro in 2002 replaced the former Spanish Peseta.

Economy size: Eighth largest economy worldwide with a Gross Domestic Product just over 1 trillion Euros.

Labor force: approximately 20 million.

Gross Domestic Product per Capita: €27,767 per year.

Religion: Approximately 90% of the Spanish population are Catholics.

Measures in Spain: Weight is measured in kilograms, distances measured by the metric system, temperature measured in degrees Celsius.

Electricity: 220volts.

Emergency numbers: All emergency numbers in Spain are toll-free. General emergency number is 112. Ambulance 061. Fire service 080. National police 091. Municipal police 092. Civil guard 062.

Telephone country code: (00)34

Opening hours: In smaller cities the siesta is still traditional, but in capitals and tourist regions it becomes more usual to keep open all day. Most stores in small cities in Spain open around 10am and close around 2pm for a little siesta, then they open again around 5pm until 9pm. Where tourism is frequent the shops keep open much later, especially in peek season in summer and some shops are open until midnight or even later.

Banking hours: In Spain banks are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm and also Saturdays in winter. 

Language: Spanish. Catalan, Valencian, Gallego and Euskera are also official independent languages spoken in Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and The Basque Country.