There is nothing like trying to explain something to someone to get you researching facts! Again, the discussion last night was around Spain, and at times it felt like I was on Mastermind - specialist subject, Spain. I would not have done very well!

It is embarrassing really how little I know about the country that I now call home, so when I got back from watching Man Utd beat Arsenal (yeah!!!!) I hit the old Internet to develop my knowledge further.

Here are a few facts that I came across that you may (or may not) find useful, or indeed know already!

* Full name: Kingdom of Spain
* Population: 44.2 million (UN 2007)
* Capital: Madrid
* Area: 505,988 sq km (195,363 sq miles)
* Major languages: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan and its variant Valencian, Gallego (Galician), Euskera (Basque)
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 84 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents
* Main exports: Transport equipment, agricultural products
* GNI per capita: US $25,360 (World Bank, 2006)
* Internet domain: .es (.cat for Catalonia)
* International dialling code: +34

Although at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, Spain was internationally isolated under General Franco’s 36-year dictatorship which ended in 1975.

After Franco’s death Spain made the transition to a democratic state and built a successful economy, with King Juan Carlos as head of state. BBC

An Overview of Spain

The constitution of 1978 enshrines respect for linguistic and cultural diversity within a united Spain. The country is divided into 17 regions which all have their own directly elected authorities.

Giralda bell tower, Seville cathedral
The Giralda, Seville: Remnant of a mosque that once stood on the site
The level of autonomy afforded to each region is far from uniform. For example, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia have special status with their own language and other rights.

Andalucia, Navarre, Valencia and the Canaries in turn have more extensive powers than some other regions. Asturias and Aragon have taken steps to consolidate language rights.

In 2006 a Catalan referendum backed by the central government gave the region greater autonomy.

The Catalans won nation status within Spain and the region’s parliament gained extra powers in taxation and judicial matters. The country’s regional picture is a complex and evolving one.

One of Spain’s most serious domestic issues has been tension in the northern Basque region. The Basque separatist group Eta is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of more than 800 people since it carried out its first killing in 1968.

Eta declared a ceasefire in March 2006 saying it wished to see the start of a democratic process for the Basque region. The move divided opinion in Spain.

Tentative moves to negotiate a lasting peace were dealt a blow when Eta carried out a deadly bomb attack at Madrid’s international airport at the end of the year.

On 6 June 2007 Eta announced the end of its ceasefire, saying that “minimum conditions for continuing negotiations do not exist.”

Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and its territory includes the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and two North African enclaves.

From Velazquez in the seventeenth century, through Goya straddling the eighteenth and nineteenth, to Picasso in the twentieth, Spain has the proudest of traditions in art.

Flamenco music and dance are widely admired around the world while Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote is one of the most popular ever written.

Cinema is much loved and the films of directors such as Pedro Almodovar attract huge audiences.

Via BBC

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar

Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.