2007, the national poll of Spain estimated that there are more than 45.2 million people living in the country. Because of the influx of immigrants making their way into Spain from Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and North Africa, this population number is on the rise. Its population is distributed evenly across the entire country, which helps Spain lay claim to having one of the lowest population densities of anywhere else in Western Europe.

The landscape of Spain is largely rural, being made up of large and extensive plateaus and an abundance of vast mountain ranges. The country is the second highest nation in Europe, beaten by only Switzerland, home to the Swiss Alps. Spain’s highest point is Mulhacen in Sierra Nevada, measuring 11,414 feet. This is the third highest point in the entirety of Europe.

Not only Spain is very mountainous, but it is also home to a vast coastline with many beautiful beaches. Taking these factors into consideration, Spain’s climate becomes very diverse from one region to another. The North coast of Spain has a cooler ocean climate, often called “Green Spain” because of this. The Southern and Eastern regions of Spain share the Mediterranean climate, and have hot, dry summers, and moist, cool winters. The mainland of Spain has a climate somewhere in the middle, having frosty and dry winters, and very warm summers.

Spain has the fifth largest economy out of the whole of Europe, and unlike much of the rest of the European Union, has avoided a drastic economic drop. Between 2000 and 2005, Spain was singly responsible for creating 50 per cent of the new jobs available within the European Union. 2007 saw the third year in a row where Spain beat the rest of the EU in terms of economic growth.

Spain is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Europe, because of its large amount of fascinating and wonderful places for tourists to visit. Some of these include the Royal Palace of Madrid, where any enthusiastic architect would be taken aback by the beautiful and classic Baroque architecture. The Sierra Nevada mountain range and its fresh mountain air boasts the privilege of being the only skiing location within the Mediterranean area. Not to mention the abundance of beaches that cover the coast of Spain, most of these being traps for the sun loving travellers who venture to Spain.

No matter what one’s tastes or preferences, Spain and its variety of climates and locations is bound to have something to suit any taste.