Spain is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Mediterranean Sea neighbors Spain to the South and East; with France, Andorra and Bay of Biscay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal to the northwest. The territory of Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Llívia is a Spanish exclave situated inside French territory. Spain covers a total land area of 504,030 square kilometers and is also the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, after France. Spain boasts a population of over 46 million people. Spain’s capital is Madrid, a city with a population of 3.4 million people.

Spain has three climatic zones, Mediterranean climate dominant in the peninsula, the semiarid climate on the South-eastern and oceanic climate in northern quarter. The best months to visit Spain are April and October.

Spain’s official language is Spanish. Other recognized regional languages are Aranese, Basque, Catalan/Valencian and Galician.

Spain’s official currency is the Euro (EUR). Spain has a strong capitalist mixed economy which is the twelfth largest in the world and the fifth largest in the European Union.

There are numerous attractive sites to visit in Spain. A good place to begin is the Alhambra in Granada, an absolutely incredible fortified palace occupying a large portion of the city center. For Skiing lovers, the legendary Sierra Navada Mountains are an exciting place to be. Also, experience  Barcelona’s  Antoni Gaudi designed Parc Guell, a huge park with numerous buildings and sculptures well known for its broken tile style and elegant organic curves. Drive through the Andalucian mountains, see Ronda,the oldest bull ring that is perched at the top of a huge cliff with a magnificent bridge spanning the gorge between the old and new towns.

Click Here For Entry/Exit Requirements and Local Embassy Information from The U.S. Department of State