Western Europe.

Mainland Spain/Balearics: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

505,988 sq km (195,363 sq miles); includes Spanish North Africa.

44.1 million (official figures, 2005).

87.15 per sq km.

Madrid. Population: 5.5 million (2005).

Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and is bordered to the north by the Pyrenees, which separate Spain from France. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera), 193km (120 miles) southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are part of Spain, as are the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the north African mainland. With the exception of Switzerland, mainland Spain is the highest and most mountainous country in Europe, with an average height of 610m (2000ft). The Pyrenees stretch roughly 400km (249 miles) from the Basque Country in the west to the Mediterranean Sea; at times the peaks rise to over 1524m (5000ft), the highest point being 3404m (11,169ft). The main physical feature of Spain is the vast central plateau, or Meseta, divided by several chains of sierras. The higher northern area includes Castille and León, the southern section comprises Castile/La Mancha and Extremadura. In the south, the plateau drops abruptly at the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the valley of Guadalquivir. Southeast of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, part of the Betic Cordillera, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean, rising to 3481m (11,420ft) and the highest point on the Spanish peninsula (the Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canaries is the highest peak in Spain). The Mediterranean coastal area reaches from the French frontier in the northeast down to the Straits of Gibraltar, the narrow strip of water linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic and separating Spain from North Africa.

The 1978 constitution created a bicameral parliament (Cortes), divided into the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, which holds legislative power. The 350-strong Congress is elected every four years by proportional representation, while the 202 senators are chosen by direct election. There are also 17 autonomous regions, the Governments of which are elected every four years.

Parliamentary Monarchy since 1978. Head of State: King Juan Carlos I since 1975. Head of Government: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero since 2004. Recent history: Spain’s right-of-centre Popular Party (PP) won a clear majority in Parliament in 2000 and was comfortably ahead in the polls before the 2004 general elections. Three days before the elections, however, devastating terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in Madrid killed 191 people and threw the political situation into turmoil. Unexpectedly, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party won the election and formed a minority Government under new Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. In April, Zapatero was sworn in, and he immediately ordered Spanish troops to be withdrawn from Iraq. One of Spain's most serious domestic issues continues to be tension in the northern Basque region. The Supreme Court finally approved a government request for a permanent ban on the Basque separatist party Batasuna in March 2003, despite the party's persistent denial that it is terrorist group ETA's political wing. In May 2005, the government offered peace talks with ETA on condition that the group disarms.

Spanish (Castillian), Catalan (in the northeast), Galician (in the northwest) and Basque (in the north).

There is no official religion, but the majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Spanish life has undergone rapid change in recent years and many of the stricter religious customs are giving way to more modern ways, particularly in the cities and among women. Nonetheless, many old customs, manners and traditions have not faded and hospitality, chivalry and courtesy remain important. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home. If invited to a private home, a small gift is appreciated. Flowers are only sent for special celebrations. Conservative casual wear is widely acceptable. Some hotels and restaurants encourage men to wear jackets. A black tie is only necessary for very formal occasions and is usually specified if required. Outside resorts, scanty beachwear should be confined to beach or poolside. The evening meal is taken late, generally 2100-2200. The Spanish have two family names; in conversation only the first should be used. A new law banning smoking in offices, shops, schools, hospitals, cultural centres and on public transport was introduced on 1 January 2006.

220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use.