COUNTRY INFORMATION
Official name
Kingdom of Spain
Capital
Madrid
Coordinates
40°24’ N, 3°41’ W
Location
Spain is located in south western Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering France on the north-east, Portugal on the west, the Bay of Biscay on the north, Mediterranean Sea on the east and Atlantic Ocean on the south-west.
Area
Total area: 504 782 sq km
Land area: 499 542 sq km
Water area: 5 240 sq km
Land boundaries
1 917 km
Coastline
4 964 km
Administrative division
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities.
Political system
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. King is the chief of state. The monarchy is hereditary. President of the Government is the head of Government. Ministers are designated by the President. National Assembly (Las Cortes Generales) consists of the Senate (Senado) and Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados) and is elected every four years.
Population
40 491 052
Ethnic groups
Castilian 73%, Catalonian 18%, Galician 6%, Basque 2%
Religions
Catholic 94%, other 6%