Changes

{{Country

{{Country

|name          =''Spain''

|name          =''Reino de España''

|map         =Spain rel82.jpg

|map         =Spain rel82.jpg

|map2          =Spain location.png

|map2          =Spain location.png

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         = [[Mariano Rajoy]] (Since December 2011)

|pm         =Pedro Sánchez

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         = 195,364  sq mi

|pop         = 48,563,476

|pop-basis = 2016

|area         =195,364  sq mi

|gdp         = $1.407 trillion

|pop         =46,750,000 (2020)

|gdp-year = 2014

|pop-basis =  

|gdp-pc         = $30,278

|gdp         =$1,400,000,000,000 (2020)

|currency = [[Euro]]   

|gdp-year =

|gdp-pc         =$29,947 (2020)

|currency =[[Euro]]   

|idd =

|idd =

|tld            =.es

|tld            =.es

}}

}}

'''Spain''' (Spanish: ''España''), officially the '''Kingdom of Spain''' (Spanish: ''Reino de España'') is a country located on the [[Iberian Peninsula]] in southwestern Europe, bordered by [[Portugal]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[west]], [[Gibraltar]] to the [[south]], the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the east, and [[France]] and [[Andorra]] to the [[north]]. The Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla also border [[Morocco]]. Spain is a member of both [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]], and a strong [[United States of America|U.S.]] ally.  

'''Spain''' (Spanish: ''España''), officially the '''Kingdom of Spain''' (Spanish: ''Reino de España'') is a country located on the [[Iberian Peninsula]] in southwestern Europe, bordered by [[Portugal]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[west]], [[Gibraltar]] to the [[south]], the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the east, and [[France]] and [[Andorra]] to the [[north]]. The Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla also border [[Morocco]] in Africa. Spain is a member of both [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]], and a [[United States of America|U.S.]] ally.  

==People==

==People==

[[File:People of Spain.jpg|left|240px]]

[[File:People of Spain.jpg|left|240px]]

Spain's [[population density]], lower than that of most European countries, is roughly equivalent to [[New England]]'s. In recent years, following a longstanding pattern in the rest of Europe, [[rural]] populations are moving to [[cities]]. [[Urban]] areas are also experiencing a significant increase in [[immigrant]] populations, chiefly from [[North Africa]], [[America (continent)|America]], and [[Eastern Europe]]. Distinct ethnic groups within Spain include the Basques, Catalans, and Galicians. They compromise 91% of the population, 8% are Eastern European immigrants and North Africans number roughly 1%.

Spain's [[population density]], lower than that of most European countries, is roughly equivalent to [[New England]]'s. In recent years, following a longstanding pattern in the rest of Europe, [[rural]] populations are moving to [[cities]]. [[Urban]] areas are also experiencing a significant increase in [[immigrant]] populations, chiefly from [[North Africa]], [[America (continent)|America]], and [[Eastern Europe]]. Distinct ethnic groups within Spain include the Basques, Catalans, and Galicians. They compromise 91% of the population, 8% are Eastern European immigrants and North Africans number roughly 1%.

Spain has no official [[religion]]. The constitution of 1978 disestablished the [[Roman Catholic Church]] as the official state religion, while recognizing the role it plays in Spanish society. More than 70% of the population is at least nominally Catholic. Among the remaining population, there are about 1.2 million evangelical Christians and other Protestants (2006 est.), 1 million Muslims (2006 est.) and 48,000 Jews (2006 est.).  

Spain has no official [[religion]]. The constitution of 1978 disestablished the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] as the official state religion, while recognizing the role it plays in Spanish society. More than 70% of the population is at least nominally Catholic. Among the remaining population, there are about 1.2 million evangelical Christians and other Protestants (2006 est.), 1 million Muslims (2006 est.) and 48,000 Jews (2006 est.).  

====Educational system====  

====Educational system====  

[[File:Francisco Franco.jpg|thumb|left|Francisco Franco.]]

[[File:Francisco Franco.jpg|thumb|left|Francisco Franco.]]

Parliamentary democracy was restored following the death of General [[Francisco Franco]] in 1975, who had ruled since the end of the civil war in 1939. The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy, with the prime minister responsible to the bicameral Cortes (Congress of Deputies and Senate) elected every 4 years. On February 23, 1981, rebel pro-Franco elements among the security forces seized the Cortes and tried to impose a military-backed government. However, the great majority of the military forces remained loyal to King [[Juan Carlos]], who used his personal authority to put down the bloodless coup attempt.  

Parliamentary democracy was restored following the death of General [[Francisco Franco]] in 1975, who had ruled since the end of the civil war in 1939. [[Luis Carrero Blanco]], was designed by Franco to be the successor as the Head of Government, while [[Juan Carlos]] was designed as King and therefore, Head of State. In 1973 Carrero Blanco was assassinated by the terrorist organization [[ETA]] by blowing out his car after he attended Holy Mass, investigations claim that it happened with the help of the [[CIA]]<ref>[https://theobjective.com/espana/pais-vasco/2023-04-01/cia-espias-pnv-asesinato-carrero/ La CIA, los espías del PNV y el asesinato de Carrero Blanco]</ref><ref>[https://www.amazon.es/%C2%A1Fue-CIA-est%C3%BApidos-cumplirse-aniversario/dp/8419074446 ¡Fue la CIA, estúpidos!: A punto de cumplirse su 48 aniversario: La muerte de Carrero Blanco cambió la historia de España, 2021, Amadeo Martínez Inglés]</ref> by commandment of [[Kissinger]],<ref>[https://www.elotropais.com/index.php/reportajes-estenumero-42/313-kissinger-en-el-asesinato-de-carrero-n-59 Kissinger en el asesinato de Carrero (nº 59)]</ref> since Carrero Blanco wanted Spain to have Nuclear Weapons, maintain its system without a liberal democracy and to not join NATO, after the assassination, the destiny of Spain was changed forever.

 

The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy, with the prime minister responsible to the bicameral Cortes (Congress of Deputies and Senate) elected every 4 years. On February 23, 1981, rebel pro-Franco elements among the security forces seized the Cortes and tried to impose a military-backed government. However, the great majority of the military forces remained loyal to King [[Juan Carlos]], who used his personal authority to put down the bloodless coup attempt. The CIA shaped Spain as a liberal democracy with the help of King Juan Carlos who changed the political system that he was supposed to continue.

In October 1982, the Spanish [[Socialist]] Workers Party (PSOE), led by [[Felipe Gonzalez]], swept both the Congress of Deputies and Senate, winning an absolute majority. Gonzalez and the PSOE ruled for the next 13 years. During that period, Spain joined the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ([[NATO]]) and the [[European Community]].

In October 1982, the Spanish [[Socialist]] Workers Party (PSOE), led by [[Felipe Gonzalez]], swept both the Congress of Deputies and Senate, winning an absolute majority. Gonzalez and the PSOE ruled for the next 13 years. During that period, Spain joined the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ([[NATO]]) and the [[European Community]].

In March 1996, [[Jose Maria Aznar]]'s Popular Party (PP) won a plurality of votes. Aznar moved to decentralize powers to the regions and liberalize the [[economy]], with a program of privatization, labor market reform, and measures designed to increase [[competition]] in selected markets. During Aznar's first term, Spain fully integrated into European institutions, qualifying for the European Monetary Union. During this period, Spain participated, along with the [[United States]] and other NATO allies, in military operations in the former [[Yugoslavia]]. President Aznar and the PP won reelection in March 2000, obtaining absolute majorities in both houses of parliament.  

In March 1996, [[Jose Maria Aznar]]'s Popular Party (PP) won a plurality of votes. Aznar moved to decentralize powers to the regions and liberalize the [[economy]], with a program of privatization, labor market reform, and measures designed to increase [[competition]] in selected markets. During Aznar's first term, Spain fully integrated into European institutions, qualifying for the European Monetary Union. During this period, Spain participated, along with the [[United States]] and other NATO allies, in military operations in the former [[Yugoslavia]]. Prime Minister Aznar and the PP won reelection in March 2000, obtaining absolute majorities in both houses of parliament.  

[[Image:Cantabria Santoña.jpg|thumb|240px|Santoña, Cantabria.]]

[[Image:Cantabria Santoña.jpg|thumb|240px|Santoña, Cantabria.]]

After the [[terrorist]] attacks on the U.S. on [[September 11, 2001]], President Aznar became a key ally in the [[war on terror|fight against terrorism]]. Spain backed the military action against the [[Taliban]] in [[Afghanistan]] and took a leadership role within the [[European Union]] ([[EU]]) in pushing for increased international cooperation on terrorism. The Aznar government, with a rotating seat on the [[UN Security Council]], supported the intervention in [[Iraq]].  

After the [[terrorist]] attacks on the U.S. on [[September 11, 2001]], Prime Minister Aznar became a key ally in the [[war on terror|fight against terrorism]]. Spain backed the military action against the [[Taliban]] in [[Afghanistan]] and took a leadership role within the [[European Union]] ([[EU]]) in pushing for increased international cooperation on terrorism. The Aznar government, with a rotating seat on the [[UN Security Council]], supported the intervention in [[Iraq]].  

Spanish parliamentary elections on March 14, 2004 came only three days after a devastating terrorist attack on Madrid commuter rail lines that killed 191 and wounded over 1,400. With large voter turnout, PSOE won the election and its leader, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, took office on April 17, 2004. Carrying out campaign promises, the Zapatero government immediately withdrew Spanish forces from Iraq but has continued to support Iraq reconstruction efforts. The Zapatero government has supported coalition efforts in [[Afghanistan]], including maintaining troop support for 2004 and 2005 elections, supported reconstruction efforts in [[Haiti]], sent troops to UNIFIL in [[Lebanon]], and cooperated on counterterrorism issues and many other issues of importance to the U.S.  

Spanish parliamentary elections on March 14, 2004 came only three days after a devastating terrorist attack on Madrid commuter rail lines that killed 191 and wounded over 1,400. With large voter turnout, PSOE won the election and its leader, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, took office on April 17, 2004. Carrying out campaign promises, the Zapatero government immediately withdrew Spanish forces from Iraq but has continued to support Iraq reconstruction efforts. The Zapatero government has supported coalition efforts in [[Afghanistan]], including maintaining troop support for 2004 and 2005 elections, supported reconstruction efforts in [[Haiti]], sent troops to UNIFIL in [[Lebanon]], and cooperated on counterterrorism issues and many other issues of importance to the U.S.  

In 2005, the Spanish Parliament approved a [[same-sex marriage]] bill.  

In 2005, the Spanish parliament approved a [[same-sex marriage]] bill.

 

 

On November 20, 2011, the PP won a majority in the Congress, and its leader Mariano Rajoy Brey took office as prime minister on December 21.  

In November 20, 2011, Mariano Rajoy Brey, from the Popular Party (PP), won the elections, and took office on December 20.

In June 2014 King Juan Carlos stepped down. As a result of it his son, Felipe VI is the king of Spain.<ref>http://online.wsj.com/articles/spanish-king-juan-carlos-to-abdicate-prime-minister-says-1401699434</ref>

 

The subsequent general election, held on December 20, 2015, had an uncertain result, with both the PP and the PSOE falling well short of a majority. Rajoy formed a caretaker government, but negotiations among the four leading parties failed to reach an agreement. A snap election held on June 26, 2016, resulted in a better result for Rajoy's PP but it was still short of a majority. The king gave Rajoy the mandate to form a government, but there was no clear path to a majority coalition or a minority government with outside support. Finally, after [[Pedro Sánchez]] was ousted as its leader, the PSOE agreed that enough of its deputies would abstain to allow Rajoy to win approval on October 26 to lead a new government with the support of the [[Citizens (Spanish political party)|Citizens]] and several minor regional parties.

 

The second Rajoy government lasted until June 1, 2018, when, amid numerous accusations of corruption in the PP, it lost a vote of no confidence. Pedro Sánchez, who had again become leader of the PSOE, formed a minority government with support of the left-wing [[Unidos Podemos]] alliance and minor parties. In 2019 two general elections were held in which the political party [[Vox (Spain)|Vox]] gained seats in the Parliament. The party is the representative of Spanish Conservatism with its leader [[Santiago Abascal]].

 

In 2023 Pedro Sánchez perpetuated himself in the government by obtaining the votes of separatist parties, after losing the majority of the vote in the general election. Mass patriot protests erupt in what was called [[National November]].

===Local Government===  

===Local Government===  

===Principal government officials===  

===Principal government officials===  

*Chief of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces—King Felipe VI

*Chief of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces—King Felipe VI

*President of the Government (Prime Minister)-- [[Mariano Rajoy|Mariano Rajoy Brey]]  

*President of the Government (Prime Minister)—[[Pedro Sánchez]]  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Miguel Angel Moratinos  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Miguel Angel Moratinos  

*Ambassador to the United States—Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza

*Ambassador to the United States—Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza

Spain has been successful in managing its relations with its two European neighbors, France and Portugal. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the EU has helped ease some of their periodic trade frictions by putting these into an EU context. Franco-Spanish bilateral cooperation is enhanced by joint action against Basque ETA terrorism. Ties with the United Kingdom are generally good, although the question of [[Gibraltar]] remains a sensitive issue.

Spain has been successful in managing its relations with its two European neighbors, France and Portugal. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the EU has helped ease some of their periodic trade frictions by putting these into an EU context. Franco-Spanish bilateral cooperation is enhanced by joint action against Basque ETA terrorism. Ties with the United Kingdom are generally good, although the question of [[Gibraltar]] remains a sensitive issue.

==Economy==

==Economy==

[[File:El Escorial Spain.jpg|thumb|left|320px|El Escorial, an important touristic site.]]

[[File:El Escorial Spain.jpg|thumb|left|320px|El Escorial, an important touristic site.]]

Spain's accession to the European Community—now European Union (EU) -- in January 1986 required the country to open its [[economy]] to [[trade]] and [[investment]], modernize its industrial base, improve [[infrastructure]], and revise economic legislation to conform to EU guidelines. In doing so, Spain increased [[gross domestic product]] ([[GDP]]) growth, reduced the national [[debt to GDP ratio]], reduced [[unemployment]] from 23% in 1986 to 8.47% in first quarter 2007, and reduced [[inflation]] to under 3%. The fundamental challenges remaining for Spain include decreasing unemployment further, reforming labor laws lowering inflation, and raising per capita GDP.  

Spain's accession to the European Community—now European Union (EU) -- in January 1986 required the country to open its [[economy]] to [[trade]] and [[investment]], modernize its industrial base, improve [[infrastructure]], and revise economic legislation to conform to EU guidelines. In doing so, Spain increased [[gross domestic product]] ([[GDP]]) growth, reduced the national [[debt to GDP ratio]], reduced [[unemployment]] from 23% in 1986 to 8.47% in first quarter 2007, and reduced [[inflation]] to under 3%. The fundamental challenges remaining for Spain include decreasing unemployment further, reforming labor laws lowering inflation, and raising per capita GDP. Spain is currently the thirteenth-largest economy in the world.

Following peak growth years in the late 1980s, the Spanish economy entered into recession in mid-1992. The economy recovered during the first Aznar administration (1996-2000), driven by a return of consumer confidence and increased private consumption, although growth has slowed in recent years. Unemployment remains a problem at 8.47% (2007, first quarter), but this still represents a significant improvement from previous levels. Devaluations of the peseta during the 1990s made Spanish exports more competitive, but the strength of the euro since its adoption has raised recent concerns that Spanish exports are being priced out of the range of foreign buyers.

Following peak growth years in the late 1980s, the Spanish economy entered into recession in mid-1992. The economy recovered during the first Aznar administration (1996-2000), driven by a return of consumer confidence and increased private consumption, although growth has slowed in recent years. Unemployment remains a problem at 8.47% (2007, first quarter), but this still represents a significant improvement from previous levels. Devaluations of the peseta during the 1990s made Spanish exports more competitive, but the strength of the euro since its adoption has raised recent concerns that Spanish exports are being priced out of the range of foreign buyers.

==History==

==History==

[[File:Testamento Isabel la Catolica PDWC.jpg|thumb|Will of Isabel I, Queen of Castile.]]

[[File:Testamento Isabel la Catolica PDWC.jpg|thumb|Will of Isabel I, Queen of Castile.]]

See [[History of Spain]]

 

They learned to write and to enrich their native languages. They enriched the Castilian languague by turning it into [[Spanish]], into a universal language. it was in the enveloping forge of those times that those peoples, freed from the most powerful tribes, chose to belong to that new way of seeing and feeling life, to the civilization of Jesus, "the good God", as the first indigenous people who freed themselves from the bloodthirsty despotism of the [[Aztecs]] and other tribes called him.

 

In those three centuries, the Spanish Catholic Monarchy, which was never called the Spanish Empire, because the faith unified in its diversities all the peoples that belonged to it, managed to maintain an impossible enterprise in a very long period of time, which can only be understood as a miracle germinated in a will of steel. The unity of these peoples by means of a Crown that represented a leap in their development and a spiritual elevation, fused in their souls the ''ethos'' and the ''tellus'', the being of their souls with their land, gave them the final meaning to their lives, consolidated the ''pathos'' that is the understanding with the other. If there is an aboriginal philosophy, it is an heir of Greece and Spain, which had integrated them into the world.

 

To be Spanish meant for them to understand what it means to be owners of their lands and builders of their destinies. One day, the mists of revolution intrude into that spiritual clarity that was in their lives, and with it they lose all their rights. From being owners of their lands they become permanent exiles, thus losing all dominion in the full sense of the word. They no longer have dominion over their lives. That is why the indigenous people of southern Chile said to [[Charles Darwin]] a few years after the secession of Hispanic America: "You see us as poor now, but it was not like that when we had our king".

 

 

In Asia they traded with the Spanish Currency, until the Empire disappeared and was replaced by the [[Pound|British Pound]] that took the Asian market and we with poverty disguised as freedom. Most of the Indians were loyal royalists, because they trusted more in their kingdom-to-kingdom pacts than in the promises of the criollos.<ref name=Lons>[http://comunidadhispanista.com/ Patricio Lons]</ref><ref>Suereños a las Armas, 2019, Ángelo Guiñez Jarpa</ref>

 

[[Image:Sorolla The Jota (Aragon ).jpg|thumb|left|The Jota (Aragon) by [[Joaquín Sorolla]]]]

[[Image:Sorolla The Jota (Aragon ).jpg|thumb|left|The Jota (Aragon) by [[Joaquín Sorolla]]]]

==The leisure activities==

==The leisure activities==

The so-called national sport of Spain is the [[bullfighting]], although real national sport is Soccer.

The so-called national sport of Spain is the [[bullfighting]], although real national sport is Soccer (''Fútbol'').

[[File:Goya Jovellanos 1798.jpg|200px|center|Melchor de Jovellanos by [[Francisco de Goya]], 1798.]]

[[File:Goya Jovellanos 1798.jpg|200px|center|Melchor de Jovellanos by [[Francisco de Goya]], 1798.]]

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Spanish Still Life Painting]]

*[[Spanish Still Life Painting]]

*[[Spanish Golden Age]]

*[[Spanish Golden Age]]

[[File:Zurbarán La defensa de Cádiz.jpg|thumb|left|[[Francisco de Zurbarán]], La defensa de Cádiz, 1634.]]

[[File:Zurbarán La defensa de Cádiz.jpg|thumb|left|[[Francisco de Zurbarán]], La defensa de Cádiz, 1634.]]