4. Spain is the 2 rd largest country in Western Europe after France, is located in southwestern Europe and comprises about 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Its national capital is Madrid . The Straits of Gibraltar , at its narrowest extent, separate Spain and Morocco by only 8.1 mi. Spain is comprised of 17 autonomous communities which are divided into 50 provinces . These provinces are further subdivided into 8,112 municipalities Its total area is 194,897 sq mi of which 192,874 sq mi (98.96%) is land and 2,023 sq mi (1.04%) is water. Spain’s Total Coastline: 3,084.49 miles. The Atlantic coast is 441 miles long. Total land border is 1,191.7 mi. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa ( Ceuta and Melilla ), that border Morocco. Furthermore, the town of Llivia is a Spanish exclave situated inside French territory. SPAIN
5. Mainland Spain's highest point ( Mulhacen at 11,461 feet ) stands in the Sierra Nevada. Topography of Spain The most important topographical feature of Spain is the great, almost treeless, central plateau, called the Meseta Central , sloping generally downwards from north to south and from east to west, and with an average elevation of about 2,000 ft above sea level. The tableland is divided into northern and southern sections by irregular mountain ranges (sierras). Between many of the mountains are narrow valleys, drained by rapid rivers. The country is drained by an estimated 1,500 rivers ( mostly small ). The longest and most important rivers include the Douro ( Duero ), Ebro, Jucar, Tagus ( Tejo ), Guadiana and Guadalquivir The coastal plain is narrow, rarely as much as 20 miles wide and, in many areas, broken by mountains that descend to the sea to form rocky headlands, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. These deeply indented coastal areas include countless bays and coves, and most have sandy beaches. In the far northwest, along the Bay of Biscay, rugged cliffs front the coastline.
7. Land use: Ariable Land: 30% Permanent Crops: 9% Permanent Pastures: 21% Forests and Woodland: 32% Other: 8% Spain Fauna The Spanish fauna includes the wolf, lynx, wildcat, fox, wild boar, wild goat, deer, and hare. Among the more famous domesticated animals are the bulls for bullfighting. Birdlife is abundant, with varieties of birds of prey. Insect life abounds. Mountain streams and lakes team with fish such as barbel, tench, & trout. Land Utilization in Spain
11. Trade In Spanish Society Much of the culture in Spain revolved around trade, It was the main source of income to the government and the people. The use of gold and silver from the Spanish American mines were used to pay for the But more importantly food and perishable items are what kept the economy going for the people.
12. Religion When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ruled Spain in the 1400s and 1500s, they decreed that all Spaniards must become Roman Catholics. People who practiced other religions, such as Islam or Judaism, where forced to change religions. If they did not, they were killed or exiled from Spain. Today, almost 97 percent of Spain´s population is Roman Catholic, although Muslims and Jews in the country now practice their religions freely. Roman Catholicism is one of the oldest denominations of Christianity. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Son of God.
