DESCRIBING TOWN

SPAIN
IRENE SULINSIA/ INTERMEDIATE 4
 TERITORY AREA
At 504,782 km2 (194,897 sq mi), Spain is the world's 51st-largest country. It is some
47,000 km2 (18,000 sq mi) smaller than France and 81,000 km2 (31,000 sq mi) larger
than the U.S. state of California. The Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands) is the highest
peak of Spain and the third largest volcano in the world from its base. Spain lies
between latitudes 26° and 44° N, and longitudes 19° W and 5° E. El Sardinero beach,
in Santander (Cantabria)
On the west, Spain borders Portugal; on the south, it borders Gibraltar (a
British overseas territory) and Morocco, through its exclaves in North Africa (Ceuta,
Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera). On the northeast, along the Pyrenees
mountain range, it borders France and the tiny principality of Andorra.
Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the
Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and a number of uninhabited islands on the
Mediterranean side of the Strait of Gibraltar, known as Plazas de soberanía, such as
the Chafarine islands, the isle of Alborán, Alhucemas, and the tiny Isla Perejil. Along
the Pyrenees in Catalonia, a small exclave town called Llívia is surrounded by
France. The little Pheasant Island in the River Bidasoa is a Spanish-French
condominium.
Mainland Spain is dominated by high plateaus and mountain ranges, such as the
Sierra Nevada. Running from these heights are several major rivers such as the
Tagus, the Ebro, the Duero, the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir. Alluvial plains are
found along the coast, the largest of which is that of the Guadalquivir in Andalusi
 CLIMATE
Climatic areas of Spain (except Canary Islands). Due to Spain's geographical situation and
orographic conditions, we can find three main climatic zones[45][46] within subtropical
climate:
The Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa, Csb), characterized by
dry and warm summers. It occurs mainly in the north-east, north-west and south coast -
especially in the region of Catalonia and Andalusia. Typical mediterranean climate
occurs mainly in the coast of Catalonia.
The Semiarid climate (Köppen climate classification: Bsh, Bsk), located in southeastern
and central quarter of the country, especially in the region of Murcia and Castile-La
Mancha. In contrary to the Mediterranean climate, the dry season extends beyond the
summer.
The Oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb), , located in north quarter of
the country, especially in the region of Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country and partly
Galicia. In contrary to the Mediterranean climate, winter and summer temperatures
are influenced by the ocean, and have no seasonal drought. In the coastal strip
near the Basque Country, the Asturias, and in some highlands, we find essentially a
"southern" nuance (sometimes called "Aquitanian"), which differs from the
typical type by hotter summers (average July temperature of 21 °C (69.8 °F) in
Santander). Nevertheless, Northwest Spain is often affected by forest fires due to the
summer drought.[47]
Considering the entire nation, we can find other sub-types like the alpine climate in the
Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, also a Humid subtropical climate and semiarid subtropical
climate in the Canary Islands.
The rain in Spain does not fall mainly in the plain. It falls mainly in the northern
mountains.[48]
 TOURISM SITE
During the last four decades the Spanish tourism industry has grown
to become the second biggest in the world, worth approximately
40 billion Euros, about 5% of GDP, in 2006. [85][93] Today, the
climate of Spain, historical and cultural monuments and its
geographic position together with its facilities make tourism one of
Spain's main national industries and a large source of stable
employment and development. The Spanish hotel star rating system
has requirements much more demanding than other European
countries, so at a given rating Spanish accommodations worth higher.
[94]
CUSCO CATHEDRAL
SPAIN PLAZA
ALCAZAR PALACE
ROYAL PALACE
 TRANSPORTATION
The Spanish road system is mainly centralized, with 6 highways connecting Madrid to
the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia, West Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia.
Additionally, there are highways along the Atlantic ( Ferrol to Vigo), Cantabrian (
Oviedo to San Sebastián) and Mediterranean (Girona to Cádiz) coasts.
Spain currently has a total of 1272 km of high speed train linking Málaga, Seville,
Madrid, Barcelona and Valladolid, reaching speeds up to 300 km/h (187 mph). Should
the aims of the ambitious AVE program (Spanish high speed trains) be met, by 2020
Spain will have 7000 km (4300 mi) of high-speed trains linking almost all provincial
cities to Madrid in less than 3 hours and Barcelona within 4 hours.
The busiest airport in Spain is the airport of Madrid (Barajas), with 50.8 million
passengers in 2008, being the world's 11th busiest airport. The airport of Barcelona
(El Prat) is also important, with 30 million passengers in 2008. Other airports are
located in Gran Canaria, Málaga, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca, Alicante and Bilbao.
Spain aims to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2014 as part of the
government's plan to save energy and boost energy efficiency.[98] The Minister of
Industry Miguel Sebastian said that "the electric vehicle is the future and the engine
of an industrial revolution.
 MUSIC
Spanish music is often considered abroad to be synonymous with flamenco, a West
Andalusian musical genre, which, contrary to popular belief, is not widespread outside that
region. Various regional styles of folk music abound in Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Castile,
the Basque Country, Galicia and Asturias. Pop, rock, hip hop and heavy metal are also
popular.
Spanish bagpipers or gaiteros, in Celanova (Ourense)
In the field of classical music, Spain has produced a number of noted composers such as
Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla and Enrique Granados and singers and performers such as
Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Alicia de Larrocha, Alfredo Kraus,
Pablo Casals, Ricardo Viñes, José Iturbi, Pablo de Sarasate, Jordi Savall and Teresa
Berganza. In Spain there are over forty professional orchestras, including the Orquestra
Simfònica de Barcelona, Orquesta Nacional de España and the Orquesta Sinfónica
de Madrid. Major opera houses include the Teatro Real,the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro
Arriaga and the El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
Thousands of music fans also travel to Spain each year for internationally recognised
summer music festivals Sonar which often features the top up and coming pop and techno
acts, and Benicasim which tends to feature alternative rock and dance acts .[140] Both
festivals mark Spain as an international music presence and reflect the tastes of young
people in the country.
The musical instrument originating in Spain most popular is undoubtedly the guitar.[141]
Also typical of the northern bands of bagpipers (gaiteros), mainly in Galicia and the
Principality of Asturias.
 SPORTS
 Sport in Spain has been dominated by football since the early 20th century.
Real Madrid C.F. and F.C. Barcelona are two of the most successful football
clubs in the world. The country's national football team won the
UEFA European Football Championship in 1964 and 2008 and the
FIFA World Cup in 2010.
 Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling and, lately, Formula One
are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all these
disciplines. Today, Spain is a major world sports powerhouse, especially
since the 1992 Summer Olympics that were hosted in Barcelona, which
stimulated a great deal of interest in sports in the country. The tourism
industry has led to an improvement in sports infrastructure, especially for
water sports, golf and skiing.
 Rafael Nadal is the leading Spanish tennis player and has won several
Grand Slam titles including the Wimbledon 2010 men's singles. In north
Spain, the game of pelota is very popular. Alberto Contador is the leading
Spanish cyclist and has won several Grand Tour titles including three
Tour de France titles.
 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious (
Roman Catholic), national and regional observances. Each
municipality is allowed to declare a maximum of 14 public
holidays per year; up to nine of these are chosen by the
national government and at least two are chosen locally.[144]
Spain's National Day (Fiesta Nacional de España) is 12
October, the anniversary of the Discovery of America and
commemorate Our Lady of the Pillar feast, patroness of Aragón
and throughout Spain.
CORDOBA MOSQUE
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia