About Spain
Spain is the kind of place where you can enjoy both a good holiday and a degree program. But what is there to know more about Spain? Well, Spain is home to some of the best universities worldwide, including famous business schools and student life is always entertaining.
In addition, Spain is one of the top options for international students due to its low living costs and tuition fees; within Spanish universities, tuition fees are the same for both EU and non-EU students.
Spain was once a number of separate kingdoms with different languages - which were unified in the 15th century after the marriage of two Catholic monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. These kingdoms became the basis for many of the different regions in modern Spain. Today, there are 17 autonomous regions (15 on the mainland and the Balearic and Canary Islands), and two autonomous enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
The population of just under 47 million is the sixth largest in Europe - with more than three-quarters living in urban areas. Around six million people live in Madrid and five million in Barcelona - both cities have more inhabitants than the entire populations of Ireland or New Zealand.
The United Nations projects that Spain will be the world's oldest country by 2050 - with 40 percent of the population aged over 60. The next time you use a stapler, thank the Spanish - the first known stapler was made in the 18th century in the Basque country for the French King Louis XV - and every single staple was engraved with the royal emblem. Spain has also given the world the mop and bucket (1956), the forerunner of the modern cigarette (17th century) and the astronaut's space suit (1935).
- The Kingdom of Spain, as it's officially known, is the second largest country in the EU - with an area of 505,955 square kilometers.
- Spain covers about 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal.
- Believe it or not, Madrid if one of the most visited place & Tourist Destination.
- In 2016 Spain was the third most visited country in the world, recording 75.3 million tourists which marked the fourth consecutive year of record-beating numbers.
- Spain is a preferred study destination for many students from the EU who wish to taste a bit of such an interesting culture.
- The Kingdom of Spain has a rich history, provides enchanting experiences whether in large cities the countryside, or the beach.
Spain produces over half of the world's olive oil - more than some 1.5 million tons, and almost all of it comes from the southern region of Andalusia. It's also the third largest wine producer after France and Italy, making 3.3 million tones (metric tons) in 2013.
Spain was the first country in the world where wind power was the greatest source of electricity. Red Eléctrica de España, operators of Spain's electricity system, revealed that in 2013 wind turbines generated over just under 54,000 gigawatt hours of electricity - a fifth of the nation's usage.
You can enjoy a meal in the oldest restaurant in the world in Spain's capital, Madrid - although other restaurants claim they are older, the title has been awarded by Guinness World Records to Restaurante Botín, which has been open since 1725. The signature dish? Cochinillos asado (roast suckling pig).
Spain is the country of fiestas, with hundreds of festivals taking place throughout the year - the oldest, Romería de Nuesra Señora de le Cabeza, has been held for over 800 years and the Fiesta de los Patios was even awarded UNESCO World heritage status in 2013. Be chased by bulls during the festival of San Fermin, throw overripe tomatoes during La Tomatina or watch while huge ninots (statues) are burnt during Las Fallas.
The Mediterranean climate, characterised by warm/hot and dry summers, is dominant in the peninsula. It has two varieties: Csa and Csb according to the Köppen climate classification.