Spain

In brief

Spain is a country in Southern Europe. Its capital is Madrid. With 49.4 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 32nd in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 505,992 km². It shares land borders with Andorra, France, Morocco and Portugal.

GDP per capita stands at $38,627 (2025), 31st in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 83.9 years (2024). 81% of the population lives in cities.

History of Spain

After the Iberians, the Romans made the peninsula the province of Hispania, and the Visigoths later settled there. From 711 much of the land became al-Andalus, under Muslim rule. The “Reconquista” ended in 1492 with the fall of Granada, the same year as Columbus’s first voyage, which opened a vast colonial empire. In the 20th century the Civil War (1936-1939) led to Franco’s dictatorship until 1975. The 1978 constitution set up a parliamentary monarchy, and Spain joined the European Community in 1986.

Geography of Spain

Spain covers most of the Iberian Peninsula, around a high central plateau, the Meseta, ringed by mountains including the Pyrenees in the north. It also includes the Balearic and Canary Islands and two cities in Africa, Ceuta and Melilla. Mount Teide (3,715 m), in the Canaries, is its highest point.

Map of Spain

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Flag of Spain

The flag of Spain is red and yellow. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Red53%
• Yellow46%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Red, yellow, red, with the yellow band twice as wide. Created in 1785 under Charles III for the navy, it was meant to be seen from afar at sea. The arms show the Pillars of Hercules and the motto “Plus Ultra”, “further beyond”.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Spain” and “Flag of Spain”.

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Fact file

Economy and society