| Area Total | 505,370 sq 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 |
| Natural Resources | coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land |
| Imports | Germany 14.2%, France 11.9%, China 6.9%, Italy 6.8%, Netherlands 5.1%, UK 4% (2017) – machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semi-finished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments |
| Exports | France 15.1%, Germany 11.3%, Italy 7.8%, Portugal 7.1%, UK 6.9%, US 4.4% (2017) – Exports – machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods |
| Government | parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 49.3 million (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Spanish 86.4%, Morocco 1.8%, Romania 1.3%, other 10.5% (2018 est.) |
| Language | Castilian Spanish (official nationwide) 74%, Catalan (official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as Valencian)) 17%, Galician (official in Galicia) 7%, Basque (official in the Basque Country and in the Basquespeaking area of Navarre) 2%, Aranese (official in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d’Aran) along with Catalan, <5,000 speakers) |
News about Spain
- IN STATS: Is Spain really that 'cheap' anymore?by The Local Spain on August 6, 2026
Many foreigners cite Spain’s comparatively low cost of living as one of the major factors for moving here. But is it still a very affordable place to live? We crunch the data to see how much more expensive Spain has become in recent years.
- EXPLAINED: The rules for setting up a surf school in Spainby The Local Spain on August 6, 2026
Surfing may not be the first sport you think of when you think of Spain, but it is popular, particularly along the north coast and in the Canary Islands. If you have dreams of setting up a surf school in Spain, here's what you need to know.
- Why doing official processes on a Mac in Spain gives so many problemsby The Local Spain on August 6, 2026
Could some online administrative processes in Spain actually be more prone to system errors because you're using a Mac or iOS instead of Windows or Android? The evidence suggests so, so here are some potential solutions.
- Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Thursdayby The Local Spain on August 6, 2026
One of Britain's most wanted arrested in Madrid, Spanish government ally urges Spain not to co-host 2030 World Cup, phone companies brace for data traffic jams during total eclipse and more news on Thursday August 6th.
- Spain mulls what to do about child migrants after Ceuta mass crossingby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
The leader of Spain's north African territory of Ceuta on Wednesday said the number of children left there after last week's rush of migrants was "unsustainable", pleading for government aid.
- LISTED: Ten activities for a hot summer's day in Valenciaby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
If staying indoors next to the fan doesn't enter your plans on a scorching day in Valencia, we've got a list of activities that will keep you cool and entertained at the same time in the eastern Spanish city.
- Spain's Navarre to turn monasteries and military barracks into housingby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
The northern region of Navarre has come up with an innovative new plan to help solve its housing crisis - transform abandoned historical buildings into new shared housing complexes.
- 'Like the end of the world': The foreign eclipse chasers flocking to Spainby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
People from all over the world will flock to northern Spain next week in the hope of witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a total solar eclipse.
- Dozens presumed dead as two migrants rescued after 15 days adrift off Spain's Balearicsby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
Two migrants were rescued on Tuesday after spending two weeks adrift in the Mediterranean trying to reach Spain's Balearic Islands, authorities said, adding they were searching for 27 others who survivors said had accompanied them.
- Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesdayby The Local Spain on August 5, 2026
Spain's heatwaves cause highest energy consumption since 2008, Iberia to schedule special eclipse flight, summer 2026 on track to be hottest in history and more news from Spain this Wednesday August 5th.
- Migrant rush to Spain's Ceuta: 72,000 crossed, 2,000 remain and 77 diedby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Spain's Interior Ministry on Tuesday updated its figures for the unprecedented rush of migrants to Ceuta last week, revising up both the number of people who illegally crossed into its North African enclave and those who drowned trying.
- Barcelona airport sees four more flights cancelled on third strike dayby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
The total number of cancelled flights at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport surpassed 40 on the third day of an indefinite strike by ground handling staff which Spanish authorities have estimated could affect two million passengers this summer.
- Explained: What Italy's Schengen suspension with Spain means for travellersby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Following recent events in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Italy has chosen to temporarily suspend Schengen rules with Spain - here's what it means for travellers and how long reimposed border controls will last.
- Morocco says it warned Spain of migration court ruling that incited mass crossingby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Morocco warned Spain several days in advance that a recent Spanish court ruling stating that migrants arriving by sea would not face immediate removal was going to create "a problem," a senior Moroccan official claims.
- Were the US and Israel involved in migrant rush to Spain's Ceuta?by The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Witnesses and experts have suggested that an easing of controls by Morocco in the border area of Ceuta contributed to the recent mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave. Others are pointing the finger at American and Israeli involvement.
- 'Not about politics': Spain's World Cup winner Torres says of Trump-style capby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Spanish striker Ferran Torres has said that his MAGA-inspired 'Make Spain Great Again' cap, which he wore during Spain's recent World Cup celebrations, was not a political move and "just to have fun".
- Spain's PM caught out by migrant crisis after weathering wildfiresby The Local Spain on August 4, 2026
Just when Pedro Sánchez thought he had weathered domestic pressure over Spain's wild blazes, a shock migrant crisis left him facing political fire from Europe and the United States.
- EU nations patch things up after Ceuta migration discordby The Local Spain on August 3, 2026
Spain and fellow EU nations moved to bury the hatchet Tuesday after a mass influx of migrants into the North African enclave of Ceuta laid bare fault lines on migration within the 27-nation bloc.
- What are the rules for reserving a spot at the beach in Spain?by The Local Spain on July 31, 2025
The early bird catches the sun lounger, many British and German tourists would have us believe. But is it actually allowed to reserve a place on the beach or at the hotel pool with your towels and umbrellas in Spain?
- What's closed and what stays open during August in Spain?by The Local Spain on July 24, 2024
It’s common knowledge that Spain goes on holiday in August, city centres empty out as everyone heads for the slightly cooler coastal or mountainous areas, but which businesses close completely and which will continue open?
- In photos: Easter in Spain under the coronavirus lockdownby El País (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on April 9, 2020
Reuters photographer Jon Nazca has traveled to Ronda in the southern Spanish city of Málaga to compare this year’s empty streets to the festivities seen in 2019 and 2018
- Catalan premier announces snap election amid dispute over role as deputyby Camilo S. Baquero (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 29, 2020
In a surprise institutional statement, Quim Torra said the date will not be set until the regional budget is passed in parliament
- El Rotoby El Roto (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 29, 2020
El Roto cartoon, January 29, 2020
- Spaniard in Wuhan faces tough choice: Stay with husband or evacuateby Jaime Santirso (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 29, 2020
Spain is planning to repatriate citizens who are trapped in the Chinese city due to a coronavirus outbreak, but for Dácil Sánchez that means leaving her partner behind
- Deià: The Spanish village with more tourist accommodation than residentsby Juan Antonio Bauzá (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 29, 2020
The picturesque spot in Mallorca is home to just over 600 people, but the high number of visitors in the summer is putting a strain on resources
- Spain trying to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan along with French, British nationalsby Pablo Linde, Agencies (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 28, 2020
China has recommended that foreigners stay put in the quarantined city, but added that it will not prevent them from leaving
- Jailed Catalan leader speaks in parliament on Article 155: “It did nothing to stop us”by Pere Ríos, Camilo S. Baquero (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 28, 2020
Oriol Junqueras, who is serving a 13-year sentence for his role in the 2017 breakaway bid, appeared at an investigation commission into the suspension of the Catalan government’s regional powers
- Catalan premier challenges regional parliament by refusing to give up seatby Pere Ríos, Camilo S. Baquero (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 28, 2020
Quim Torra got his Together for Catalonia party to abstain from the day’s voting after the speaker warned him that his own vote would not be counted
- Spanish dentist caught secretly filming colleague undress given three yearsby J. J. Gálvez (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 28, 2020
The female employee discovered a pen drive that had been used to record her when she got changed at the Madrid clinic where she worked. The victim has also won compensation
- Civil Guard colonel slams actions of Mossos chief during independence driveby J. J. Gálvez (In English Section | EL PAÍS) on January 27, 2020
Diego Pérez de los Cobos tells court he would have removed Josep Lluís Trapero from his role as head of the regional police force for his leadership in 2017
































