SPAIN: Information, Facts, Spain Map

Spain Information and Map

Spain is highly developed and stable democracy with modern economy. Spain is a member of the European Union. The administrative divisions of Spain are 19 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma): Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencian, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country).
Plus three small Spanish possessions are located off the coast of Morocco: Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera

Spain Maps can be found here

 Facts:

Area: total: 504,782 sq km; water: 5,240 sq km
Border countries: 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
Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Government type: parliametary monarchy.
Population: 40,217,413 (July 2003 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.16% (2003 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%

Entry Requirements:
Citizens of most EU countries (and of Norway and Iceland) need only a valid national identity card to enter Spain for up to six months. Since Britain has no identity card system, however, British citizens have to take a passport. US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to ninety days, but this must be for tourism purposes only and not for work or study. Visa requirements do change and it is always advisable to check the current situation before leaving home

To stay longer, EU nationals (and citizens of Norway and Iceland) can apply for a permiso de residencia (EU residence permit) once in Spain. A temporary residency permit is valid for up to a year, and you'll need an extension after that (valid for up to five years). Applications need to be made at the Oficina de Extranjeros in the main cities or at the police station nearest to where you'll be taking up residency. You'll either need to produce proof that you have sufficient funds (officially around € 30 a day) to be able to support yourself without working – easiest done by keeping bank exchange forms every time you change money – or you'll need to have a contract of employment (contrato de trabajo) or become self-employed (for example as a teacher), which involves registering at the tax office.

Safety And Security:
Spain shares with the rest of the world an increased threat of international terrorist incidents. The Spanish government is vigorously engaged in combating terrorism at home and abroad and has been able to avert many terrorist activities; however, the ETA terrorist organization remains active in Spain. Foreign tourists have not been the specific targets of ETA attacks, which have been directed against the police, military, local politicians, and other Spanish government targets. However, in December 2002, ETA reiterated its intention to target Spanish tourist areas, advising that foreign nationals could be among the victims. Since 2000, ETA attacks have resulted in over two dozen fatalities and numerous injuries. In 2001 and 2002, ETA attacks included a number of car-bomb incidents, some occurring in areas frequented by tourists, including the Madrid and Malaga airports. While there were no tourist fatalities from these incidents, there have been a number of injuries. Foreign tourists traveling to Spain should remain vigilant, exercise caution, monitor local developments, and avoid demonstrations and other potentially violent situations.

FROM: http://travel.yahoo.com/ and CIA Factbook