Summary

Did you know that Spanish is the world's second-most spoken native language, with Mandarin Chinese taking the first spot? Spanish is spoken daily in 21 nations. It's no surprise that Spain was the world's most powerful nation during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Power struggles and weak kings eventually led to its decline.

Today, Spain serves as a powerful gateway to the European Union, North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. With a capitalist mixed economy, Spain has the 4th largest economy in the EU and the 14th largest worldwide. Its convenient geographic location, beautiful coastlines, vibrant culture, and Mediterranean climate make it a popular tourist destination. In fact, Spain was the second most visited country in the world in 2017, with around 82 million visitors.

Madrid, Spain's capital city, has a population of around 6.7 million people, making it the most populated city in the country and the second-largest city in the European Union. Spain shares borders with France, Andorra, Portugal, and Gibraltar. It is a mountainous country with the Pyrenees mountain range separating it from France.

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy with the king as head of state and an elected prime minister running the government. It has been a member of the European Union since 1986 and uses the Euro as its national currency. Barcelona, the second most famous and populated city in Spain, is known for its rivalry with Madrid, especially in football.

Real Madrid CF and Barcelona FC are two of the most successful and richest football clubs in the world. Their matches, known as "El Clasico," are watched by around 100 million fans worldwide. Bullfighting, while controversial, remains popular in Spain. Spaniards are known for their love of family and friends, gathering socially to eat, drink, dance, and sing. Contrary to popular belief, most Spanish people do not take siestas anymore due to work commitments. Instead, they embrace the motto "Viva España" or "Long Live Spain" and celebrate their vibrant culture.