- Spain is the fourth largest European country, after Russia, Ukraine and France, and has a land area of approximately 505,990 square kilometres.
- The official name of Spain is the Kingdom of Spain, and its capital city is Madrid.
- Spain has a population of approximately 47 million people, making it the sixth-largest country in Europe by population.
- Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese.
- Spain is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes art, music, and literature. Famous Spanish artists include Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Francisco Goya.
- Spain is a popular tourist destination, with over eighty-two million visitors in 2019. Some of its most famous attractions include the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, and the Prado Museum in Madrid.
- Spain is home to many world-famous festivals and celebrations, including the burning of effigies in Valencia and the La Tomatina tomato-throwing festival in Buñol.
- Spain produces over half of the world’s olive oil, with over 300 million olive trees covering over two million hectares of land.
- Spain is famous for its food, which includes dishes such as paella, tortilla Española, and gazpacho.
- Spain has a diverse landscape, ranging from the Pyrenees mountains in the north to the beaches of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts in the south. It also includes the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, which are popular tourist destinations.
- Spain has the highest number of bars per capita in the world.
- The Spanish national anthem has no lyrics.
- The oldest restaurant in the world is in Madrid, Spain, and has been operating continuously since 1725.
- Spanish astronaut Michael López-Alegría holds the record for the most spacewalks by a non-American and non-Russian astronaut.
- The Spanish city of Cádiz is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe.
- The Spanish Royal Palace in Madrid is the largest palace in Europe by floor area.
- The first modern novel, “Don Quixote,” was written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes.
- The world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ is located in Spain, in the city of Alicante.
- The tradition of flamenco music and dance originated in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia.
- Spain has the second-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites after Italy.
- Spain has more than 8,000 beaches, including some of the most popular in Europe.
- The Basque language, spoken in the northern region of Spain, is one of the oldest languages in Europe.
- The world’s first circumnavigation of the globe was completed by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
- Spain is the world’s leading producer of clementines.
- The Valencia region of Spain is the birthplace of paella, one of the country’s most famous dishes.
- Spain has a tradition of bullfighting, which has been controversial and has faced opposition in recent years.
- The most expensive property for sale in Spain is a villa located in Marbella, which is priced at over €50 million.
- The Spanish property market is popular with international buyers, with British, French, and German buyers making up the largest group of foreign buyers.
- Spain offers a Golden Visa program, which grants residency to non-EU nationals who invest in Spanish property.
- Spain has a high number of second homes, with many foreigners owning a holiday home in the country.
- Spanish property is generally cheaper than property in other European countries, making it a popular choice for those looking for a holiday home or retirement property.
- Spanish properties are often designed with outdoor living in mind, with many homes featuring large terraces and gardens.
- Spain has set a goal to achieve 74% of renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030.
- In 2020, renewable energy accounted for 49.3% of Spain’s electricity generation.
- Wind energy is the most important renewable energy source in Spain, accounting for over 20% of the country’s electricity production.
- Spain is home to the world’s largest solar power plant, the 500 MW Núñez de Balboa Solar Park.
- The country also has a significant hydroelectric power capacity, with over 17 GW of installed capacity.
- Spain is home to one of the world’s first commercial-scale tidal power plants, located in the region of Galicia.
- The Spanish government offers incentives for the development of renewable energy, including feed-in tariffs and tax incentives.
- The Spanish renewable energy sector employs over 100,000 people.
- Spain is a leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, with several CSP plants in operation across the country, and many homes with PV solar panel installations.
- Spain is a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and is committed to transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
