DIVING SPAIN INTRODUCTION

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%