Currency

The official currency is the euro.

Visa, Passport and Customs

Spain is part of the Schengen zone. Entry requirement for non European Union members includes a passport and a visa. Visa requirement includes a return ticket, medical insurance, completed application form, statement of account and a power of attorney for minors (children). Visa is issued within 3-10 working days.

Time

It is 2hours behind Moscow time.

Geography

Spain is located in southwestern Europe and comprises about 84 percent of the Iberian Peninsula. Its total area is 504,782 km2 of which 499,542 is land and 5,240 km2 is water,and the Atlantic coast is 710 km long. The Pyrenees mountain range, extends 435 km (270 mi) from the Mediterranean to the Bay of Biscay. In the extreme south of Spain lie the Straits of Gibraltar, which separate Spain and the rest of Europe from Morocco in north Africa; at its narrowest extent, Spain and Morocco are separated by only 13 km.

Off the Iberian Peninsula there are several other Spanish areas: the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands to the southwest, 108 km off northwest Africa. The main rivers of Spain flow west and south to the Atlantic Ocean.

Tourist Attraction

Madrid is the center of the Queen Sofia Palace of Buen Retiro and the Royal Tapestry Factory. The tower of the temple of San Pedro el Viejo, Plaza Mayor, the area of Villa and City Hall, the Royal Palace and its surrounding gardens have cultural and historical significance. Some os spanish Art Galleries and Museums are El Prado, Cason del Buen Retiro, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Modern Art. Spring in Madrid is a grand celebration of the patron saint – St. Isidro. Bullfighting is also one of the main attractions of Spain. In Barcelona are Gothic Quarter with the ancient cathedral, the Sagrada Familia (‘Holy Family’), the Palace and Park Guell, Pedrera, a museum of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, a museum of Catalan art, Columbus Monument, and a big amusement park ‘Port Aventura’. Andalucía is the region in Spain, where the fine extant monuments are located: the medieval fortress and the Arab tower XI century, cathedrals and ancient settlements in the Andalusian Mountains. Andalusia is the birthplace of flamenco. In the city of Sevilla (the capital of Andalusia) is an ancient Arab fortress of the Alcazar, the Arab mosque minaret of the XII century Giralda. Ronda is the cradle of Spanish bullfighting. In Valencia are the famous Serrano and Quart towers, square-ensemble de la Virgin to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin etc. Beautiful beaches are located throughout the 500 km long coast of the province of Valencia.

History

The history of Spain spans from prehistoric Iberia, through the rise and fall of a global empire, to the recent history of Spain as a member of the European Union.

Modern humans entered the Iberian Peninsula about 32,000 years ago. Different populations and cultures followed over the millennia, including the Iberians, the Tartessians, Celts and Celtiberians, Phoenicians,Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Suebi and Visigoths. In 711, the Moors, a Berber and Arab army, invaded and conquered nearly the entire peninsula. During the next 750 years, independent Muslim states were established, and the entire area of Muslim control became known as Al-Andalus. Meanwhile the Christiankingdoms in the north began the long and slow recovery of the peninsula, a process called the Reconquista, which was concluded in 1492 with the fall of Granada.

The Kingdom of Spain was created in 1492 with the unification of the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon. In this year also was the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World, beginning the development of the Spanish Empire. The Inquisition was established and Jews and Muslims who refused to convert were expelled from the country.

For the next three centuries Spain was the most important colonial power in the world. It was the most powerful state in Europe and the foremost global power during the 16th century and the greater part of the 17th century. Spanish literature and fine arts, scholarship and philosophy flourished during this time. Spain established a vast empire in the Americas, stretching from California to Patagonia, and colonies in the western Pacific. Financed in part by the riches pouring in from its colonies, Spain became embroiled in the religiously charged wars and intrigues of Europe, including, for example, obtaining and losing possessions in today’s Netherlands, Italy, France, and Germany, and engaging in wars with France, England, Sweden, and the Ottomans in the Mediterranean Sea and northern Africa. Spain’s European wars, however, led to economic damage, and the latter part of the 17th century saw a gradual decline of power under an increasingly neglectful and inept Habsburg regime. The decline culminated in the War of Spanish Succession, which ended with the relegation of Spain from the position of a leading western power, to that of a secondary one, although it remained (with Russia) the leading colonial power.

Climate

Southern Spain is the ideal holiday region, having the warmest weather on mainland Europe, even during the winter months. The southern and eastern coast of Spain has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, while the west Atlantic coast is cooler in summer and very wet in winter. Inland the climate is temperate and the capital Madrid, which site on a plateau, can be very cold in winter.

Cuisine

Spanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country’s deep maritime roots. Spain’s extensive history with many cultural influences has led to an array of unique cuisines with literally thousands of recipes and flavors. It is also renowned for its health benefits and fresh ingredients.

Entertainment

Entertainment in Spain is as divergent and dramatic as the land itself standing alone from the rest of the Europe. Marked by the underlying passion of Spanish people for color, vigor and carousing, entertainment in Spain can be the most ecstatic experience for tourists. Spain offers a wide range of entertainment options like popular cultural activities including concerts, dance performances, numerous nightclubs, cinemas, theme parks, theatres and its very own bullfight. Entertainment in Spain will definitely liven up your spirit and make your trip to this vibrant country unforgettable.

Religion

About 99% of the populations are Catholics.

Banks and Shops

Banks are open from about 8:30 to 14:00 from Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 8;30 to13:00.Foreign can also be exchanged in hotels and currency exchange offices (cambios). ATMs are widespread. ATMs are mostly located outside of banks, Metro stations and in large supermarkets. The most common credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere: in shops, restaurants, gas stations, bars, etc.

Population

Spain has 46,157,822 inhabitants according to 2008 census. Its population density is lower than that of most Western European countries. With the exception of the capital, Madrid, the most populous regions lie around the coast.

Language

Spanish is the official language. But there are robust regional languages figuring prominently in a series of regions: Galician, Basque etc.

Transportation

Intercity Rail: The Spanish rail network is operated by a state owned company called Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (RENFE). They operate a wide range of services and fares. Their fastest trains, the AVE, are among Europe’s best with their slowest travelling about the same speed as a bus.
The RENFE provides a service to all major cities, although it doesn’t run to many small towns, and is supplemented by networks such as the FFCC city lines in Barcelona and private railways.

There are also a huge variety of local, short-distance trains called tranvía (also a tram). Suburban commuter trains (cercanías) are second class only and stop at all stations.

Buses: The local bus services in Spanish cities run from around 06:00 until between 22:00 and midnight, when a more expensive night system comes into operation. Most buses don’t have a lot of seats, opting instead for maximum standing room. Urban buses are quite slow although some major cities provide dedicated bus lanes.

Most towns have a bus terminal. Keep in mind that when waiting at a bus stop, the bus may not always stop for you unless you indicate you wish it to.

Taxis: You should only use taxis that display a special licence. They are of a very high standard as they are governed by strict legislation. They display a green light when they are free (libre). They can be flagged down or found at a taxi rank and are metered but have a set price for certain journeys. Tipping is a customary 5-10%.

Metro: There are metro lines in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. They offer the fastest way to get around these cities and are unsurprisingly crowded during rush hours. Special tickets are available including a cheap day return, a metrocard allowing three / five days unlimited use, and weekly and monthly passes. A map (plano del metro) showing the lines in different colours can be obtained from the ticket offices or from the area guides on this site.