Country Facts And Traveller Information
The Kingdom of Spain occupies 80% of the Iberian Peninsular, the other 20% given to Portugal which lies immediately to the west of Spain. The Spanish mainland is home to approximately 40 million people, and covers over 500,000 sq km of land, half of which is composed of vast, elevated tablelands known as the mesetas, and five major mountain ranges are distributed across the country, making it the highest European country after Switzerland. Geographically, Spain's diversity of landscape is profound, ranging from virtual desert in the southern Andalucian regions to green wetlands in northern Galicia. There are vast tracts of hot, sierra wilderness with rugged stretches of coastline between sandy beaches, and the snow-capped Pyrenees at the north-east border with France means that Spain has a unique and comprehensive collection of terrains and natural environments.
The climate in Spain is generally cooler in the north, but its high summer temperatures mean that coastal regions are busiest from June to September, with visitors from not only abroad but from the inland towns and cities where the heat can be unbearable. Holiday accommodation in Spain is plentiful across the whole of the country - from a northerly cottage in the Pyrenees to a southerly bed and breakfast or villa in the Costa del Sol, you'll be able to find the right location where you can enjoy a relaxing vacation just about anywhere. Spain is a holiday destination for people of all ages and at any time of the year, depending on whether you seek hot beaches or cool mountains, but the north can be very wet during winter with snowfall in the Pyrenean regions.
Spain is culturally rich with many fine examples of Roman ruins, ornate Islamic palaces and Gothic cathedrals scattered across the entire country, with medieval castles nestling amongst the cottages and farmhouses of almost every village. Madrid, the capital, houses some splendid art museums and its architectural magnitude and cosmopolitan attitude makes it one of Spain's most decadent and best visited cities. Barcelona has emerged as another dynamic city at the cutting edge of style, fashion and the arts. Cuisine is an important element of Spanish culture, influenced by Latin-American cooking with many regional variations on the better known paella, gazpacho and tapas. Countrywide, dinner is traditionally eaten between 1.30 and 4.00, and is often a time for family or friends to enjoy a meal together, leaving plenty of time for a siesta before taking advantage of Spain's colourful city night life!
Cantabria is a region of Spain known for its sea-faring traditions, green landscape and prehistoric relics laying testimony to the oldest inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsular, most important of which are the cave paintings at Altamira. Its northern situation and breathtaking mountain scenery make this an idyllic spot for a holiday without the sizzling temperatures of the southern Andalucian region, famous for its sparkling, azure coast, white hill towns and spectacular Moorish monuments. Andalucia consists of eight provinces, including Almeria and Seville, all with their own individual cultures and traditions, and a mountainous backdrop to make this one of Spain's most beautiful areas, although a villa rental in Denia, holiday apartment in Moraira or any of the villas in Javea will give you the chance to discover the outstanding natural beauty of Alicante on the south-eastern coast of Spain.
Rent an apartment in the Costa del Sol and you'll be spoilt for choice in a region that stretches east along Spain's southernmost coast and is home to some of the most popular resorts in Iberia - its Mediterranean climate, glorious sandy beaches and quality selection of holiday accommodation attracts many tourists from all over the world. Bed and breakfasts or an apartment in the Costa Blanca, also along the eastern coast, can offer much of the same, with many situated in idyllic locations near the tranquil, turquoise waters and pure white sand beaches unique to this area of Andalucia. So, whether you'd rather choose a villa in the Costa Blanca to an apartment in Barcelona, the holiday culture and opportunities of Spain are in a league of their own and are as diverse and fascinating as the many different regions in which they can be found, and depending on your idea of the perfect vacation away from it all, it can be achieved in this magnificent sunshine corner of Europe.
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