Spain was once a majestic colonial country. Brave sailors set out from its shores to conquer uncharted territories. She was fabulously rich, and the fame of the exploits of her seafarers thundered far beyond the borders of the country. Now Spain is going through not the best of its times. Majestic squares never cease to amaze tourists, and castles and cathedrals are still waiting for their visitors. What is it - a country in the west of Europe? What do we know about her?
General information
The country is located on the continent in the most southwestern corner. In addition to the mainland, the Balearic, Pitius and Canary Islands belong to Spain. Spain has a predominantly mountainous area. The area of plateaus occupies a third of its entire territory. Simply put, the borders are surrounded by low mountains, and in the middle, on a plateau, are densely populated cities.
The area of Spain (km2) is 504,645 together with the island part. The capital is Madrid. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula, and therefore it is washed by the waters of the oceans from almost all sides. In the north and west it is the Atlantic Ocean, in the south andeast - the Mediterranean Sea. The area of Spain is so large that it ranks 51st in the world.
What to expect in Spain?
The country of Spain is rich in resorts. The area of the coastal part of the state is occupied by snow-white beaches and luxurious hotels. Indeed, most Europeans associate this country with a great opportunity to soak up the sun during their holidays.
At the same time there is something to see in Spain. The square in the center of Madrid, bearing the name of the country, the cathedrals of Barcelona, the grace of Valencia. Do the names of these cities mean anything to you? Well, it's time to tell you about the main attractions of the kingdom.
Barcelona
For a long time, Barcelona was the center of life for all Spanish high society. It is a city of contrasts and unforgettable emotions. Attractions are around every corner. What are the creations of the great Gaudi. Dancing houses, unique architecture that you will not see anywhere else in the world.
One of the most famous creations of Gaudí in Barcelona is Casa Batlló. It fascinates with its forms, as if bending in front of passers-by in a deep curtsey, offering to come in and enjoy the unusual interior.
There are many gothic creations in Barcelona. There is even a whole Gothic quarter. Be sure to visit the Cathedral. All of Spain is proud of him. The area where you can contemplate the greatness of the temple is named after St. Jaume (Jacob).
Another unique Gothic creation is the Sagrada Familia, or Sagrada Familia.
Valencia
Though the cityvery old and beautiful, it has only recently become a center of tourist pilgrimage. Of course, there are many medieval temples here, which attract with their unusual history. The attention of tourists is attracted by more modern buildings. Among them is the Prince Felipe Science Museum. The building itself is made in a very unusual style: in the form of rectangular vaults, based on five columns. In the middle is a very informative interactive Natural History Museum.
Valencia is home to the largest Oceanographic Center. Almost all existing species of flora and fauna are collected under the domes in the form of a flower. They are divided into separate eco-groups, each has a separate petal.
And for a snack - the Mestalla Stadium, where the legendary Valencia football team has been training since 1923.
Madrid
Majestic Madrid is the capital of Spain. This is a unique beautiful city that has preserved the spirit of the colonial kingdom. Arriving here, do not rush to queue for museums or cathedrals. Wander the narrow cobbled streets and breathe in the air filled with adventure. Plunge into the sweet bliss of the past, dream up and imagine a spectacular flamenco festival. Madrid keeps hundreds of secrets, and to unravel them all, you need to feel the spirit of a temperamental country.
What is the largest area in Spain, you ask? And at the same time the most famous? Of course, Plaza de España. Original, isn't it? Apparently, the architects did not bother with the names too much. She is located inthe very center of Madrid. Another one with the same name is located in Barcelona.
Having enjoyed the city enough, go to explore its main sights. First of all, these are the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum and Atocha Station.
If you like bright events - your way lies on the Plaza Mayor. All of Spain is in it. The square is the center of various recreational activities. In the Middle Ages, there was a market here, a place for bullfighting and burning at the stake. Now the whole territory is filled with small cozy cafes. On weekends and holidays, you can get to the flamenco festival or watch a real bullfight. In the evenings, musicians and itinerant artists perform here.
Tenerife
The Spaniards themselves call Tenerife "heaven on Earth". This is a unique piece of nature, inhabited by unprecedented animals and rare plant species. Here you can relax in the bosom of nature, completely abandoning all the frills of city life. Tourists are offered to soak up the beautiful beaches, visit parks and reserves. The first on this list is the Teide Wildlife Park. It is located in the crater of a volcano, which is already unique. This is all of Spain. The area of the park is so large that you can spend the whole day here.
Don't give up on a trip to the "Jungle". This is the name of the park located in the south of the resort. The territory is inhabited by tigers and cougars, monkeys and exotic birds of prey.
You will definitely like the Canary Islands, because this is a unique place with unforgettable nature.
Mallorca
And finally, another pride of Spain - Mallorca. It combines all the charms of a chic resort and a place where you can go with an excursion program. Over the years, Mallorca has been home to many cultures that have left behind a huge legacy. Here, on the same street, you can find an Arab residential quarter, a Gothic cathedral and a Baroque palace.
So, we briefly examined almost the entire area of the country. Spain, an ancient country with its own traditions, is rich in sights. Whatever city you go to, wherever your guide takes you - everywhere you will find something amazing and exciting.
