Spain was once a majestic colonial country. From its shores brave sailors set off to conquer uncharted territories. She was fabulously rich, and the glory of the exploits of her sailors boomed far beyond the borders of the country. Now Spain is not going through its best times. The majestic squares do not cease to amaze tourists, and castles and cathedrals are still waiting for their visitors. What country is she in the west of Europe? What do we know about her?
general information
The country is located on the continent in the very southwestern corner. In addition to the mainland, the citizenship of Spain belongs to the Balearic, Pitius and Canary Islands. It has predominantly highland Spain. The area of the 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 along with the island part. The capital is Madrid. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula, and therefore it is washed from almost all sides by the waters of the oceans. In the north and west it is the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east - the Mediterranean Sea. The area of Spain is so large that it occupies 51st place in the world.
What to expect in Spain?
Spain is rich in resorts. The coastal part of the state is occupied by white beaches and luxury 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. A 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 tell you nothing? Well, it's time to tell you about the main attractions of the kingdom.
Barcelona
Barcelona has long been the center of life for all of Spanish high society. It is a city of contrasts and unforgettable emotions. Attractions are here on every corner. What are the creations of the great Gaudi? Dancing houses, unique architecture that you will not see anywhere in the world.
One of the most famous creations of Gaudi in Barcelona is Casa Batlló. He fascinates with his forms, as if bending before passers-by in a deep curtsy, 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 Spain is proud of him. The area where you can contemplate the greatness of the temple is named after St. Haume (Jacob).
Another unique Gothic creation is the Sagrada Familia, or Sagrada Familia.
Valencia
Although the city is very old and beautiful, it has only recently become a tourist pilgrimage center. Of course, there are many medieval temples that attract with their unusual history. The attention of tourists is drawn to more modern buildings. Among them is the Prince Felipe Museum of Science. The building itself is made in a very unusual style: in the form of rectangular vaults resting on five columns. In the middle is a very informative interactive Museum of Natural History.
In Valencia is 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, for each a separate petal is highlighted.
And for a snack - the Mestalla stadium, where the legendary football team Valencia has been training since 1923.
Madrid
Majestic Madrid is the capital of Spain. This is a unique beautiful city that has retained the spirit of the colonial kingdom. Arriving here, do not rush to queue up for museums or cathedrals. Take a walk along the narrow cobbled streets, breathe in the air saturated with adventures. Immerse yourself in the sweet bliss of the past, dream up and imagine a spectacular flamenco festival. Madrid has hundreds of secrets, and in order to solve them all, you need to feel the spirit of a temperamental country.
You ask, what is the largest square in Spain? And at the same time the most famous? Of course, the area of Spain. Original, isn't it? Apparently, the architects did not bother too much with the names. It is located in the very center of Madrid. Another, with the same name, is located in Barcelona.
After enjoying the city, go to discover its main attractions. First of all, it is the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum and Atocha Station.
If you like bright events - your path lies on the Plaza Mayor. It has all of Spain. The square is the center of various recreational activities. In the Middle Ages there was a market, the venue 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 traveling artists perform here.
Tenerife
The Spaniards themselves call Tenerife "paradise on Earth." This is a unique piece of nature, inhabited by unprecedented animals and rare plant species. Here you can relax in the lap of nature, completely abandoning all the pleasures of city life. Tourists are offered to soak up the beautiful beaches, visit parks and reserves. Teide Wildlife Park is the first on this list. 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 all day here.
Do not refuse a trip to the "Jungle". This is the name of the park located in the south of the resort. On the territory live tigers and cougars, monkeys and exotic birds of prey.
You will surely like the Canaries, because this is a unique place with an unforgettable nature.
Majorca
And finally, another pride of Spain - Mallorca. It combines all the charms of a chic resort and places where you can go with an excursion program. For many years, representatives of many cultures lived in Mallorca, who could not help but leave behind a huge heritage. Here, on one 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. In whatever city you go, wherever the guide takes you, everywhere you will find something amazing and exciting.