Spain - your trip to Spain: map, visa, photo, cities, resorts. The capital of Spain is Madrid or Barcelona? Spain full official name

Brief information about the country

Date of foundation

Official language

Spanish

Form of government

Parliamentary monarchy

Territory

504,782 km² (51st in the world)

Population

47,370,542 people (26th in the world)

Timezone

CET (UTC+1, summer UTC+2)

Largest cities

Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville

$1.536 trillion (13th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

A colorful, cheerful, sunny country located in southwest Europe. It occupies approximately 85% of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is home to many cities whose history goes back thousands of years, works of architectural art and pristine beaches, which attract travelers from different parts of the world to this fertile land. The heights of the Pyrenees, Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains do not leave lovers of active recreation indifferent: ski resorts with equipped slopes and magnificent landscapes welcome hundreds and thousands of vacationers every year. The country of flamenco and bullfighting, as it is also called, is visited annually by an average of 30 million tourists. The Canary and Balearic Islands can be called a real paradise for a beach holiday.

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And galis. Reino de España, cat. Regne d "Espanya, Bask. Espainiako Erresuma, Ox. Reialme d" Espanha) - a state in southwestern Europe with its capital in the city of Madrid. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. According to one version, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician expression “i-shpanim” - “shore of rabbits”. Occupies 4/5 of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary and Balearic Islands with a total area of ​​504,782 km² (together with small sovereign territories on the African coast, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla), being the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France. The average surface altitude of Spain is 650 meters above sea level. The country is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.

Physiographic characteristics

Relief

The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located 300 kilometers from the sea. The dominant role in the relief is played by systems of mountain ranges and high-mountain plateaus.

Plateaus and mountains make up about 90 percent of its territory. Almost half of the country's surface is occupied by the vast Meseta plateau, the highest in Europe - with an average height of 660 meters. It is distinguished by alternating plateaus, folded-block ridges and mountain basins. The Cordillera Central divides the Meseta into two parts: northern and southern.

The Pyrenees are several parallel ridges stretching from west to east for 450 kilometers. This is one of the most inaccessible mountainous countries in Europe. Although their average height is not very high (just over 2500 meters), they have only a few conveniently located passes. All passes are at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Therefore, only four railways go from Spain to France: two of them bypass the Pyrenees along the coast from the north-west and south-east, and two more railways cross the Pyrenees in the sections Aerbe - Oloron - Sainte-Marie and Ripoll - Prades, through a tunnel system. The widest and highest part of the mountains is the central one. Here is their main peak - Aneto Peak, reaching 3405 meters.

From the northeast, the Meseta is adjacent to the Iberian Mountains system, the maximum height (Mont Cayo peak) is 2313 meters.

Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountains stretch the low Catalan Mountains, the southern slopes of which drop off into the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan Mountains (average heights 900-1200 meters, peak - Mount Caro, 1447 meters) run for 400 kilometers almost parallel to the Mediterranean coast and actually separate the Aragonese plateau from it. The areas of coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia north of Cape Palos to the French border are highly fertile.

The entire southeast of the Iberian Peninsula is occupied by the Cordillera Betica, which is a system of massifs and ridges. Its crystalline axis is the Sierra Nevada mountains. In height they are second only to the Alps in Europe. Their summit, Mount Mulacén, reaching 3,478 meters, is the highest point in peninsular Spain. However, the highest mountain peak in Spain is located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) - the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 meters.

Most of Spain's territory is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level. It is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland.

The only large lowland - the Andalusian - is located in the south of the country. In the northeast of Spain in the river valley. The Ebro is the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main rivers of Spain (and the only navigable one in the lower reaches) flows through the Andalusian lowland - Guadalquivir. The remaining rivers, including the largest: Tagus and Duero, the lower reaches of which are located in neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are characterized by sharp seasonal fluctuations in level and rapids.

Large areas of the country suffer from water shortages. Related to this is the problem of erosion - millions of tons of topsoil are blown away every year.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures usually drop below zero only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, temperatures rise to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to the southern coast). On the northern coast the temperature is not so high - about 25 degrees Celsius.

Spain is characterized by very deep internal climatic differences, and it can only conditionally be entirely attributed to the Mediterranean climatic region. These differences are manifested both in temperature and in annual amounts and precipitation patterns.

On extreme northwest The climate is mild and humid with little temperature variation throughout the year and high rainfall. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather with drizzling rains, almost without frost and snow prevails. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in northwestern France. Summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures rarely below 16 degrees Celsius. Annual precipitation exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm.

Completely different conditions in internal parts countries - on the plateau of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. These areas are influenced by the plateau-basin topography, significant altitude and local continental air. They are characterized by relatively low precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations between seasons. In Old Castile and the Aragonese plain there are quite cold winters with frosts and strong, sharp winds; Summers are hot and fairly dry, although maximum precipitation occurs during this season of the year. Nueva Castile has a slightly milder climate, with warmer winters but also low rainfall. Agriculture in all these areas requires artificial irrigation.

The soil

In northwestern Spain, brown forest soil is developed on the coastal plains and windward slopes of the mountains. The interior regions of the country - Old and New Castile, the Iberian Mountains and the Aragonese Plateau - are characterized by brown soil; in the driest treeless areas there is thin carbonate gray-brown soil with areas of salt marshes in relief depressions. Gray soils are developed in the arid landscapes of Murcia. They are non-gypsum-bearing and non-saline; when irrigated, they produce high yields of fruit and other crops. The heavy clay barros soil on the flat ancient alluvial plains is distinguished, especially favorable for the cultivation of rice.

Flora and fauna

The variety of climatic conditions - from humid in the north to arid in the south - determines the heterogeneity of the flora and vegetation of Spain. The north shows similarities with Central Europe, and the south with Africa. Traces of forest vegetation in Murcia, La Mancha and Granada indicate that in the past a significant part of the territory of Spain was afforested, but now forests and woodlands occupy only 30% of the country's area, with only 5% being full-fledged closed stands.

Evergreen oak forests grow in the north-west of the country. Mountain forests have more deciduous oak species, along with beech, ash, birch and chestnut, which is typical of Central Europe. In the interior of Spain, small tracts of dry evergreen forests, dominated by oak, interspersed with pine forests and shrubs, have been preserved in some places. In the driest areas of New Castile, the Aragonese plateau and Murcia, fragments of semi-deserts (usually on salt marshes) are found.

In those areas of Southern Spain where there is more rainfall, especially along the coast, typical Mediterranean shrub-herbaceous communities of the garrigue and tomillara type are present. Garrigue is characterized by the participation of local species of gorse and cornflowers, while tomillara is characterized by the presence of aromatic Lamiaceae (shrub species of thyme, rosemary, etc.), as well as cistus. A special variety of garrigue consists of scattered thickets of the dwarf fan palm, very characteristic of Andalusia, as well as communities dominated by tall alpha grass, or esparto, a hardy xerophyte that produces strong fiber.

Central European and African connections are evident in the fauna of Spain. Among European species, two varieties of brown bear (the large Asturian and smaller, black, found in the Pyrenees), lynx, wolf, fox, and wildcat deserve mention. There are deer, hares, squirrels and moles. The imperial eagle is found in Spain and North Africa, and the blue magpie, found on the Iberian Peninsula, has also been found in East Asia. On both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar there are genets, Egyptian mongooses and one species of chameleon.

Minerals

Minerals of Spain: The subsoil of Spain is replete with minerals. Particularly significant are the reserves of metal ores, the deposits of which are associated with the outcrops of the folded base of the Meseta or with volcanic rocks of mountain structures. Along the northwestern edge of the Meseta, within the Gallic massif, there are tin, tungsten and uranium ores in Caledonian and Proterozoic granite intrusions. A strip of lead-zinc-silver deposits stretches along the southern outskirts of Meseta. There is also a large deposit of mercury of global importance - Almaden. Iron ores are found in the north and south of Spain. They are confined to the structures of the Mesozoic and Alpine magmatic cycles. These are well-known deposits in the Bilbao region on the northern slope of the Biscay Mountains and in Almeria on the southern slope of the Beta Cordillera. In the north, in the Carboniferous deposits that fill the foothill depression of the Asturian Mountains, there is the largest coal basin in the country. In addition, there are small deposits of coal on the southern slope of the mountains and in some other areas. The Cenozoic sediments of intermountain and intramountain depressions contain strata of salts and brown coal. Significant reserves of potassium salts are located within the Ebro Plain.

It is worth noting, however, that most of the mineral deposits in the country are very modest in size and are quite depleted, like many deposits in other European regions, which makes Spain dependent on the import of minerals, mainly from North Africa.

Economy

Airports in Spain are subordinated to the public organization Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena)), which in turn is subordinate to the Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento de España). According to the Catalan Autonomy Law of 2006, three Catalan airports were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Generalitat of Catalonia, which manages them jointly with the public organization Aerocat. With 50.8 million passengers in 2008, Madrid Airport (Barajas) is one of the busiest airports in the world. Barcelona Airport (El Prat) served 30 million passengers in 2008. Less busy airports are in Gran Canaria, Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca, Alicante and Bilbao.

Spanish airlines are: Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Air Pullmantur, Binter Canarias, Iberia LAE, Iberworld, Islas Airways, Spanair, Vueling Airlines.

Spain aims to have a million electric vehicles by 2014 as part of the government's plan to save energy and improve the environment.

Light industry

Food industry

In the food industry, winemaking stands out (Spain is second only to France and Italy in the production of grape wines in Europe), the production of vegetable oil (1.7 million tons in 1996; Spain is the world leader in the production of olive oil (about 0.5 million tons per year ), fruits, vegetables and canned fish. Spain is among the top ten global producers of cars, ships, forging equipment and gas compressors, machine tools, petroleum products and chemical goods. Half of industrial production is concentrated in the northeast (Catalonia), the north of the country (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) and in Greater Madrid.

Agriculture

The leading branch of agriculture is crop production (provides over 1/2 of the cost of production). They grow wheat (about 20% of the sown area), barley, corn (in the central and southern regions of the country), rice (on the irrigated lands of the Mediterranean coast; its yield in Spain is one of the highest in the world), potatoes and sugar beets, legumes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables (vegetables occupy 60% of the cultivated area), olives - (the leading place for growing olives in the world) - (Andalusia, Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura), citrus fruits and tobacco. Viticulture - on the Mediterranean coast and in the regions of Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura. In the very south of the country, almonds (the leading export destination in Western Europe), dates and sugar cane (in Europe they grow only in Spain), figs, pomegranates, and cotton are grown.

Fishing

Spain is one of the top ten countries in the world in catching fish and seafood (1.1 million tons in 1996) and processing it, and is a major exporter of fresh fish and canned fish.

The bulk of the fishing takes place off the coast of the Basque Country and Galicia. The most commonly caught fish are sardines, hake, mackerel, anchovies and cod. Every year, 20-25% of the total catch is processed into canned food.

Banking sector

Spanish banks need recapitalization in the amount of 59.3 billion euros, according to the results of stress tests posted on the website of the Spanish central bank. The financial crisis in Spain led to an explosion of separatism. The economic crisis in Spain is gradually beginning to develop into a political one. On the one hand, regions with their extremely weak banks need help from the national government. On the other hand, some territories, in particular Catalonia, believe that without the guiding and guiding hand of Madrid they would feel much better.

The crisis was not limited only to the financial sphere. Property prices fell, which in turn increased unemployment. Spanish construction company Martinsa-Fadesa has declared bankruptcy after failing to refinance its €5.1 billion debt. In the second quarter, property prices in Spain fell by 20%. In the Castile-La Mancha region, approximately 69% of all buildings built in the past three years are still unsold. Deutsche Bank expects a 35 percent fall in property prices in Spain by 2011. Spain's Prime Minister, José Luis Zapatero, blamed the European Central Bank for exacerbating the situation by raising interest rates.

Population

Dynamics of population changes:

• city ​​- 6.5 million people;
• city ​​- 4.5 million people;
• city ​​- 6 million people;
• city ​​- 11.3 million people;
• city ​​- 6.2 million people;
• city ​​- 11.55 million people;
• city ​​- 18.6 million people;
• city ​​- 24.1 million people;
• city ​​- 29.9 million people;
• city ​​- 36.3 million people;
• city ​​- 45.97 million people.

The population of Spain is 46.16 million people (October 2011).

According to genetic research conducted by the University of Leeds in 2008, 20% of the modern population of Spain has Jewish ancestry, and 11% have Arab and Berber ancestry.

Story

On the southwestern coast of Iberia, a culture emerged in the Bronze Age, from which at the end of the 2nd millennium the Tartessian civilization was formed, which traded metal with the Phoenicians. After the depletion of the mines, Tartessus fell into disrepair.

Along the eastern coast of Spain in the 3rd millennium BC. e. Iberian tribes appeared; some hypotheses connect their ancestral home to North Africa. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian. In the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Iberians began to settle in fortified villages in what is now Castile. The Iberians were mainly engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and hunting, and knew how to make tools from copper and bronze. The Iberians used the Paleo-Spanish script created earlier by the Tartessians. The Iberian language was not related to Tartessian.

There is Roman evidence that Ligurians previously lived in Spain, but nothing is known about their existence in the historical period.

In the Late Bronze Age, the culture of the urn fields (a remnant of which in the historical period were probably the Lusitanians) penetrated into Iberia, and at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. Most of Iberia is colonized by Celtic tribes. Some of the Celts who lived in the neighborhood of the Iberians, falling under their influence, created the Celtiberian culture; the Celts who lived in the western part maintained a relatively conservative way of life and were unliterate. The Celts of Iberia became famous as warriors. It was they who invented the double-edged sword, which later became the standard weapon of the Roman army and was used against its own inventors.

XX century

XXI Century

In March 2004, 13 explosions rocked the Atocha train station in Madrid, killing 191 people and injuring 2,050. This terrorist attack was organized by an underground Islamist organization that followed the ideology of Al-Qaeda. The explosions occurred three days before the parliamentary elections and were terrorists' response to the participation of the Spanish military in a military operation in Iraq. Most Spaniards blamed the attacks on the government of Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, which sent Spanish troops to support the US and UK. The Aznar government made this decision unilaterally, without coordinating it with the parliament (Cortes) and despite massive protests from civil society, which demonstrated in thousands of demonstrations against the participation of the Spanish army in the war. In addition, mass public surveys conducted by a government agency indicated that about 80% of the country's population was against Spain's entry into the war. Aznar's People's Party lost the elections on March 14, 2004.

At the beginning of 2004, the new socialist government of José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made a sharp turn in Spanish foreign policy: from supporting the US course to solidarity with most EU countries. After winning the elections on March 14, 2004, the Socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, thus fulfilling an important point in the electoral program of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In the subsequent parliamentary elections held in 2008, the PSOE won again. New parliamentary elections in Spain took place on November 20, 2011.

In 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain. Thus, Spain became the third state in the world, after Holland and Belgium, to recognize the legal equality of marriages regardless of the gender of the spouses. Same-sex marriage is now recognized in many countries, as well as in some US states.

One of the problems of modern Spain is the problem of immigration. Mostly, residents of the Maghreb and Latin American countries come to Spain. At the beginning of the new century, there were an estimated 2.5 million Latin Americans in the EU countries, 800 thousand of whom were in Spain. However, after the terrorist attacks of 2004, the attitude of the Spaniards towards immigrants changed significantly.

Political structure

Administrative division

50 provinces included in 17 autonomous regions. Also within Spain are 2 so-called autonomous cities (ciudades autónomas) in Africa - Ceuta, Melilla and sovereign territories of Spain.

Cities

The largest cities in Spain are:

Culture

Spain is rightfully considered an open-air museum. The vast expanses of this country carefully preserve cultural and historical monuments that have worldwide fame.

The most famous museum in Spain, the Prado Museum, is located in Madrid. Its extensive exhibition cannot be seen in one day. The museum was founded by Isabella of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VII. The Prado has its own branch, located in Cason del Buen Retiro and storing unique collections of Spanish painting and sculpture of the 19th century, as well as works by English and French painters. The museum itself presents large exhibitions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art. The Prado owes its name to the Prado de San Jeronimo alley, where it is located, laid out during the Age of Enlightenment. Currently, the Prado Museum's holdings include 6,000 paintings, more than 400 sculptures, as well as numerous jewelry, including royal and religious collections. Over the course of several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings.

It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed under Charles I, known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad character and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes its priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by his gloomy worldview; it is not surprising that the ruler was a fan of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre, pessimistic fantasy. Philip initially purchased Bosch's paintings for Escorial, the ancestral castle of the Spanish kings. It was only in the 19th century that the paintings were moved to the Prado Museum. Now here you can see such masterpieces of the Dutch master as “The Garden of Delights” and “The Hay Wain”. Currently, in the museum you can enjoy not only paintings and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to “revive” famous paintings. The first such staging was dedicated to the paintings of Velazquez and was a huge success with the public.

There are many more unique museums and galleries in Spain: the Picasso Museum and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, located in Barcelona, ​​the National Sculpture Museum in Valladolid, the El Greco Museum in Toledo, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca.

Spanish cuisine

Sport

The main sport in Spain has been football since the beginning of the 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorsports and, more recently, Formula One are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all of these disciplines. Today Spain is a leading world sports power; the development of sports in the country was particularly stimulated by the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 2008, Spain won the European Football Championship, and in 2010, they won the FIFA World Cup. In 2012, Spain won the European Football Championship over Italy with a score of 4:0.
In general, in the 2000s, the Spanish national teams won the World and European Championships in almost all team sports: football, basketball, water polo, field hockey, roller hockey, handball, volleyball and the Davis Cup in tennis.

It is also worth noting that the Real Madrid football club is officially recognized as the best club in the world of the 20th century.

Armed forces

The new doctrine 1/2004 declares terrorism to be the main enemy of Spain (both external and internal). It is noted that from now on, Spanish troops will be able to take part in international peacekeeping actions directly approved by the UN or, as was the case in Kosovo, enjoying the obvious support of the world community. In addition, participation in hostilities will require permission from the Spanish Parliament.

In the new military doctrine, the role of the General Defense Staff JEMAD, headed by General Felix Sanz, has been increased. At the end of October 2004, he made a statement about the need to “balance” the unequal relations between Spain and the United States, formed after 1953, when Spain and the United States signed a military defense cooperation agreement, under which the United States received the right to use several large military bases in Spain.

In 2001, Spain abolished conscription and switched to a completely professional army.

Spain has no laws prohibiting openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the armed forces. On March 4, 2009, Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacón (the first woman to hold this post) issued a decree repealing a previous law that prohibited transgender people from serving in the armed forces.

Spanish foreign policy

The preamble of the Spanish Constitution proclaims its readiness to “cooperate in strengthening peaceful relations and cooperation with all countries of the world.” Currently, Spain's foreign policy is mainly based on three directions: Europe (especially the EU), the Ibero-American direction, and the Mediterranean countries.

Today Spain has diplomatic relations with all UN countries. More recently, Spain has relations with Bhutan (since October 2010), South Sudan (after its independence from Sudan in July 2011) and the state of Karibati (since September 2011).

On April 12, 1994, the “Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain” was signed. Currently, bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain have an extensive legal framework: the basis for interaction in various areas is formed by more than 50 treaties, agreements, protocols and other documents.

Morocco

Morocco occupies one of the key places in Spanish foreign policy, for which the Moroccan Kingdom is the most important African partner, if only due to its territorial proximity. The main directions of Spanish policy in Morocco are: issues related to the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the unresolved problem with Western Sahara, problems of illegal migration, issues of stopping drug smuggling, etc.

Relations between Spain and the Maghreb countries began to develop most actively after the Socialist Party came to power in Spain in 1982.

Under the government of the People's Party, led by Prime Minister J. M. Aznar, who were in power from 1996 to 2004, relations could not be called good and were characterized rather by instability, in particular the conflict around the island of Perejil (Leila) occupies a prominent place. in 2002.

The Socialists, who returned to power in April 2004 under the leadership of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, were determined to improve relations with their neighbors and especially with Morocco. After the meeting between Mohamed VI and Juan Carlos in 2005, relations between the two monarchs improved markedly. The conflict in Western Sahara, which arose quite a long time ago, has always had an adverse impact on relations between the two countries. After the failed quadripartite conference, Morocco authorized the Green March on Western Sahara in 1975 with the goal of "cleansing" Western Sahara from Spain. The result was an agreement between Spain, Mauritania and Morocco to transfer temporary control of the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.

An important component of relations between the two countries are close economic ties. In 1995, the Moroccan government decides to put everything on foreign investors, the most important of which are Spain and France.

Peacekeeping missions

The Spanish armed forces, consisting of 3,000 people, took part in 5 peacekeeping missions of the EU, NATO, and the UN. These missions are: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; KFOR in Kosovo; FINUL to Lebanon and the UN mission to Darfur (Chad).

Various questions

Transport in Spain

The length of roads is 328,000 km. Car park - more than 19 million cars. 90% of passenger and 79% of cargo transportation is carried out by road. The length of railways is 14,589 km. About 6.5% of all ground transport cargo and 6% of passengers are transported.

About 300 vessels with a total displacement of 1.511 million tons are involved in maritime transport. Vessels flying Spanish flags transport over 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 seaports control almost 93% of all traffic.

Air transport takes the leading place. Of the 42 airports, 34 provide regular flights. 56 million passengers pass through Madrid International Airport every year. The airport in Barcelona serves about 30 million passengers annually.

Education in Spain

Spain has a system of compulsory free secondary education from 6 to 16 years of age. About 70% study in public schools, 96.5% study in state universities.

The largest universities in the country: Autonomous University of Madrid, Complutense (in Madrid), Barcelona Central and Autonomous, Santiago de Compostea, Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Media in Spain

Spain has a well-developed media network. 137 newspapers and about 1000 magazines are published. The most read daily newspapers: Pais, Mundo, Vanguardia, ABC, Periodico, Marka. Magazines for women "Patrones", Labores del HOGAR, Moda.

The leading radio stations are SER, COPE, Radio Nacional de España (RNE). The international department of Spanish National Radio, known as Radio Exterior de España, broadcasts in Spanish and six foreign languages. The Russian service for Spanish foreign broadcasting has been operating (with a short break) since the times of Franco, but is less known than similar broadcasters in Russian from the USA, Germany, and France.

The largest TV channels: TVE (covers the entire country), private studios Telesinko and Antena 3, as well as the 24-hour news channel Canal 24 Horas, broadcasting all over the world. Autonomous communities have their own regional television, broadcasting also in national languages.

Siesta in Spain

Crime in Spain

In recent years, the proportion of immigrants among Spanish offenders has gradually increased. This is due to increased immigration to Spain (including illegal) from African countries, as well as from Latin America. Among the latter, two gangs from the Dominican Republic were especially active: Dominicans Don't Play ("Dominicans don't joke") and Trinitarios ("Trinitarians" - named after the underground organization "La Trinitaria", which fought for the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1838 ) .

Real estate market in Spain

The average cost per square meter in Spain for the 1st trimester of 2011 is 1777.6 euros (1793.8 euros - new construction; 1764.8 euros - second-hand). Highest prices (in €/m²): San Sebastian - 3762.3; San Cugat del Valles - 3282.6; Getcho - 3224.3; Barcelona - 3103.5; Pozuelo de Alarcon - 2964.0; Madrid - 2921.0.

The main real estate in Spain are villas, apartments and apartments. At the moment, buying real estate in Spain has become more profitable, since on August 20, 2011, the Spanish government temporarily changed the tax - VAT on the purchase of new housing from 8% to 4%.

Telecommunications in Spain

In astronomy

The asteroid (804) Spain, discovered on March 20, 1915 by Spanish astronomer José Comas Sola at the Fabre Observatory in Barcelona, ​​is named after Spain. It was the first asteroid discovered from Spain.

see also

Madrid is the modern capital of Spain, a dynamic city. Lovers of historical treasures will find amazing royal palaces and residences in Madrid, squares where the main historical events and holidays took place, and churches.

Madrid – European Capital of Culture, a visit to the Prado Museum is a must on the program of any educated visitor to the city. As well, however, as a visit to the main Retiro park. In addition to famous monuments, the streets, squares and squares of Madrid are filled with original and unusual sculptural compositions of a modern style.

Sights of Madrid Photos

Spain and its capital Madrid are associated with the words:

• Bullfighting – the sounds of the “paso doble”, the elongated figure of a bullfighter like a slender figurine and the last throw of the bull – the moment of truth.
• Flamenco - guitar rhythm, screaming singing, a frantic burst of heel shots and palm strikes.
• Lorca. His poems embodied the essence of the Spanish character.
• Fiesta is a holiday.
• Siesta is an afternoon rest.
• Real Madrid is a football club.

Direct tickets from Moscow to Madrid

Puerta del Sol - the central square of Madrid

Puerta del Sol– the central square of Madrid is elliptical in shape. Madrid is the center of Spain. Therefore, this is where the zero kilometer of Spain is located. All roads in the country lead from here. The square is decorated with two monuments: the monument to Charles III and the bronze sculpture “Little Bear and the Strawberry Tree”. Residents here love to make appointments. The oldest post office building (1761) is located in Puerta del Sol. It is decorated with a clock. Madrid residents love to celebrate the New Year here!

Plaza Mayor also claims to be the main city square. Buildings with balconies, located in the form of a quadrangle, enclose the square in their arms, and through arches in the buildings are its nine gates. In the center of the square there is a bronze equestrian sculpture of the Spanish King Philip III on a granite pedestal. Plaza Mayor is the commercial and cultural center of Madrid. Restaurants, bars, cafes, numerous souvenir shops, street artists and musicians entertain tourists in the capital.

Ancient Egyptian Temple of Debod built over 2200 years ago. It was given to Spain by Egypt for its assistance in saving the Abu Simbel Temple. It is located in a beautiful park in Madrid near Plaza de España (entrance to the Temple is free). From here you have an excellent view of the panoramas of Madrid, the Royal Palace, and the Casa de Campo park.

Royal Palace- the main symbol of the city and the most beautiful landmark of Madrid. Here is the Royal Arsenal and a collection of medieval weapons. The magnificent façade of the palace, 130 meters long, with 240 balconies and 870 windows, soars to a height of 33 meters. The amazing architecture, rich interior decoration of the 30 rooms and halls of the palace, its 44 staircases will surprise tourists on excursions, which are held daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for days of official ceremonies).

The Royal Palace in Madrid is a must-see landmark in Spain! The Royal Palace in Madrid is the residence of the kings of Spain. It is worth noting that the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, visits it only on the days of official ceremonies, and does not permanently live in these royal apartments. In the palace, tourists can expect luxurious interiors, magnificent crystal chandeliers, collections of weapons and porcelain, Flemish tapestries and a unique collection of Stradivarius violins. Local guides will tell you about the famous “secrets of the Madrid Palace”.

Fountain of Cibeles - Madrid, Spain

Cibeles Fountain- the second symbol of Madrid, flaunting on the square of the same name. The center of the composition is the image of the goddess of fertility of the earth, Cibeles, riding on a chariot, carried by two lions. The fountain was designed in 1777 under King Charles III by sculptor V. Rodriguez. Today it is surrounded by majestic buildings: the Palacio de Buenavista, the Palacio de Linares, the Palace of Communications - the main Post Office and the Bank of Spain.

Prado Museum in the Spanish capital it is the pride of the country. Some tourists believe that the Prado Museum is the fashion house of the famous Italian clothing brand. It's time to explain that the Prado Museum in Madrid is a collection of the best paintings of the late Renaissance and modern times. The Prado Museum in Madrid is a museum of “Great Names”. World-famous works by Albrecht Durer, Rubens, Diego Velazquez, El Greco, Goya, Titian, Hieronymus Bosch, Raphael and other masters of painting are exhibited here. 7,600 paintings, 8,000 drawings and thousands of sculptures make up the collection of the Prado Museum. The word "prado" is translated from Spanish as "meadow". In the 19th century, the place where the museum is located today was not located in the city center, but on its outskirts. On Sunday, admission to the Prado Museum is free.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is another landmark of Spanish Madrid and an art gallery. This rich collection was collected by the German baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (a major industrialist). The patron bought masterpieces from American collectors during the Great Depression and returned them to Europe. This collection ended up in Spain thanks to Carmen Cervera (the baron's wife).
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum has a unique collection of paintings by painters of the Dutch, English and German schools, and Italian primitivists. There are also works by Rembrandt, Kazimir Malevich, Pablo Picasso, Durer and Titian.

Reina Sofia Museum– one of the modern museums in the world. Here are collections of modern paintings and works by famous artists Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris. The most famous painting is “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso, 1937.

Circulo de Bellas Artes– original building and cultural center. Its squares host exhibitions, theatrical performances and concerts. But its main attraction is the huge roof terrace, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of Madrid.

Madrid landmark - Retiro Park

The main park of Madrid is the Retiro Park. This well-kept park spreads over an area of ​​12 hectares. Sculptural compositions, ponds and landscape design of the park leave unforgettable impressions for a long time. Here you can relax, ride a boat, lie on the lawn, watch puppet shows and listen to music. Of particular interest in the Retiro Park is Crystal Palace. This iconic building (Pavilion - Greenhouse) was built at the end of the 19th century for the World Exhibition. Here is one of the three fountains of the park - Fallen Angel fountain. The park is decorated with a majestic structure - King Alphonse memorialXII. The high stele-pedestal, which is crowned with an equestrian sculpture of King Alfonso XII, seems to float above the beautiful colonnade, which frames the monument at the back like an amphitheater, and the lake in front of it.

Falling Skyscrapers (Gateway of Europe) appeared in Plaza de Castilla in 1996. The glazed twin towers are 115 meters high, tilted vertically at an angle of 15 degrees to each other - the third symbol of Madrid.

San Miguel Market is the most famous conventional food market in Madrid. Now it is a giant market-restaurant of exclusive delicacies and tapas bars, consisting of 33 shops, and also a favorite meeting place for Spaniards. It is also open at night.

La Latino- the oldest district of Madrid. During the day you can wander the narrow streets, admiring the architectural heritage of the past, and at night there is a wide selection of bars and tablaos. The most famous club-bar in the area is Cardomomo, where you can enjoy the Flamenco Show and taste national cuisine.

High quality professional Flamenco Show is a fusion of fiery flamenco, soulful national Spanish vocals, guitar rhythm, heartbeats, heels and palms with modern plasticity.

• This is a dance. It came from the gypsies. Dance professionals will lead you into their mysterious world of emotional, passionate and unbridled art of looking! True flamenco is when the fantastic rhythm merges with the magnificent grace of the dancer, and the magical power emanating from him brings the audience to a state of nirvana. The dance combines the tenderness of a girl and the brutal rock of a woman, and everything is subordinated to one thing - the conquest of a man!
• This is singing. This is the melody of naked feeling! At the beginning there is a drawn-out and seething singing, which is saturated with pain, passion and feelings of the singer, and then the singer himself becomes a melody of delight.
• This is a guitar: chaotic, virtuoso in the hands of a maestro, bewitching in Spanish!

Madrid - the capital of Spanish Fashion.
Madrid is famous for its popular shopping areas: Barrio de Salamanca, Mercado de Fuencarral, Chueca.
Barcelona also has shopping areas: Las Ramblas, Paseo de Gracia, Plaza de Cataluna, Avenida Diagonal.
These two metropolises in Spain are among the top three absolute leaders in boutique shopping in Europe in terms of the concentration of retail outlets in large commercial centers and leading world trends, as well as in terms of safety and the presence of convenient public transport links nearby.

Madrid Warner Park in June 2014, it expanded and added another highlight to its entertainment mosaic - Warner Beach. Warner Beach is the sixth themed area of ​​Warner Park. This is a unique new attraction - the Water Park. The park-beach is located inside an already existing large park and attracts tourists to “water procedures” that help them survive the hot Spanish summer with the help of tunnels, slides, and themed children’s pools with animated characters. The operating hours of this recreation area (unlike the other five year-round ones) are seasonal: from the beginning of June to the end of September.

Cost of living in Madrid

Bloodless Bullfight for tourists in Spain

Spain has the Alhambra, Goya, flamenco, Montserrat, but the main thing is bullfighting. Spanish bullfight is a deeply national and at the same time promoted throughout the world “brand”.

A small and fragile, but endowed with intelligence, a man fights with the uncontrollable force of nature. Even in a bloody bullfight, a person did not always emerge victorious, because back in the 19th century, every 25th fight ended in the death of the matador, since the bull had remarkable physical strength on its side.

In the 21st century, bloody bullfighting is banned: humane treatment of animals has prevailed. The first ban on this bullfight was announced in 1991 in the Canary Islands. In 2008, television broadcasts of bullfights were stopped. On June 28, 2010, the Catalan Parliament also decided to ban it.

Today, the Catalans are showing the public an old tradition in a new way: humane bullfighting, where the bull is not killed. It can be viewed, for example, in Catalonia, in Alpha de Carles estate.

"Good" bullfight is a beautiful show where humans and animals delight the audience. In the arena, as before, the main irritant is the red cloak of the matador. The bullfighter contrasts the animal with his agility, agility, flexibility, intelligence and desire to win! The highlight of the show is the gracefulness of dodging the bull! The modern matador, like the ancient Greek Theseus, jumps over the animal, holding on to its horns like handrails. It's very spectacular! But watch out, bullfighter: the bull does not give up! It’s not for nothing that they say that bulls are very stubborn, but this is the “trick” of the fight! That's why it's impressive!

Alcala in Spain

If you come to Spain on holiday, do not forget to visit the outskirts of Madrid - the small town of Alcala.

Alcala is the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes— the creator of a character who fights windmills. Be sure to take a tour of the university, named after the creator of Don Quixote, and the house-museum of Miguel de Cervantes, where he completed the first part of the world-famous novel Don Quixote in 1603-1606. On the second floor, in the office of the Spanish writer, a copy of the first edition of his book is carefully kept.

The Comedy Theater of Alcala is the oldest operating theater in the world, more than 400 years old. The Cervantes-era theater preserves its shrine - an ancient stone floor covered with a modern glass floor, as well as a secret box room for important people.

Monument "Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panzo"- a meeting place for lovers on a bench and an entourage for excellent photographs of travelers from all over the world from beautiful Spain!

Spain is a sovereign state in southwestern Europe, a member of the European Union. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. The territory is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. The capital is the city of Madrid.

Map of Spain

general information

The official name of the country The Kingdom of Spain

Capital- Madrid.

State structure
Form of government - Constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king, who, on the proposal of the prime minister, approves the members of the cabinet. Spain is divided into 52 provinces, united into 17 autonomous regions

Location
Spain is a country in southwestern Europe that occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain borders in the west with Portugal (border length 1214 km), in the north with France (623 km) and Andorra (65 km), in the south with Gibraltar (1.2 km). Spain is washed in the east and south by the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the north by the Bay of Biscay (Cantabrian Sea). There are more than two thousand beaches on the coast of Spain.
The total area of ​​Spain is 504,782 km2 (land area - 499,400 km2). The total length of the border is 1903.2 km, the length of the coastline is 4964 km.

Climate
In Spain there are three types of climate: temperate maritime in the northwest and north; Mediterranean in the south and the Mediterranean coast; arid continental climate in the interior of the country.
Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-280. The average annual temperature of almost the entire Spanish territory ranges between 14 and 19 °C above zero. Average January temperatures range from 8 - 10 °C in the northern and middle parts to 10 - 12 °C in the southern part. Average temperatures in July - the hottest month - reach 18 - 20 ° C in the coastal regions of the northwest and north of the country and 26 ° C in the Mediterranean coastal regions.
The best time for tourism is from late spring to early autumn.

Population
The population of Spain, as of 2008, is 46.06 million people. Approximately 9% of the population are emigrants. Urban population - 76%. Population density is 79.7 people/km 2 .

Official language
The official language is Spanish. In some areas and provinces, people speak ancient local languages, for example in Catalonia, the Basque Country, etc.

Currency

Spain is a member of the European Union, the official currency of the country is the euro (€), equal to 100 cents. You can exchange currency at banks, ATMs, exchange offices, hotels and travel agencies. Most banks are open Mon-Fri. from 8.30 to 14.30, on Saturday from 8.30 to 13.00, exchange offices from 8.30 to 19.00 (some until 20.00), ATMs are open around the clock.

The highest rate for currency exchange in banks, exchange offices at airports, train stations, shops, etc. the rate will be less favorable.

It is also worth remembering that most banks charge a commission for the exchange service; when withdrawing money from an ATM, there will also be a commission.

Time
The time is 3 hours behind Moscow.

Important information

Visa

When crossing the border, citizens of the Russian Federation must have an entry permit (visa) issued at the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Moscow.

The visa is issued individually in the traveler’s passport; to obtain a visa, you must have two blank pages in the passport.

In accordance with the rules for issuing visas established by the Consulate General of Spain in Russia, the Pegas Touristik company issues visas only for citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

Customs regulations

The import of items for personal use (personal jewelry, cameras, video cameras, cell phones, musical instruments, etc.) is not limited, however, if a customs officer suspects that the item is being imported for sale in Spain, he may require you to fill out a declaration and make a cash deposit, which will be returned upon departure from Spain upon presentation of the declaration and the item itself.

Spanish customs officers will issue, upon request, receipts certifying that the item has been brought into Spain. Per person, duty-free import is allowed: up to 1 liter of spirits (alcohol content more than 22%) or up to 2 liters of fortified wines and liqueurs (alcohol content less than 22%), 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, 500 g of coffee, 100 g of tea, up to 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette, goods and personal items.

The import of currency into Spain is not limited. If you plan to make a cash purchase in excess of €5,000, you will need official confirmation of the legality of bringing money into the country. The export of currency is also not limited, but when exporting an amount exceeding €10,000, a declaration must be filled out.

Sharp objects (nail scissors, penknives, etc.) can only be carried in checked luggage.

Prohibited for import:

• drugs and narcotic preparations,
• medical drugs,
• firearms,
• ammunition,
• explosives,
• pornography,
• plants,
• animals and birds,
• food products without vacuum packaging,
• poultry meat from Asian countries
• products containing meat and milk,
• chocolate candies.

The ban on the import of meat and dairy products does not apply to baby food and dietary food necessary for people with chronic diseases (in this case, the products must be carefully packaged).

Helpful information

Emergency services

• National Police - 091
• Local police - 092
• Fire service - 080
• Ambulance - 061
• Red Cross - 22-22-22.

The shops

Shops are open from 10 to 20 hours, break from 14 to 17 hours, some shops and private shops are open until 22 hours. Bakeries and bars open from 8am. There are no breaks in hypermarkets and department stores, but they are usually closed on Sundays. Markets are only open in the mornings. In resort areas, most shops are open on Sundays. Payment for purchases can be made either in cash or by credit cards.

It is best to make purchases in large cities - Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, etc. These cities have many boutiques and fashion stores, usually located in the city center. Prices in stores are no higher than in supermarkets, and sometimes even lower. You can find almost everything in the markets, from groceries to antiques.

As a souvenir of Spain, you can bring famous pottery (the Costa Dorada is especially famous for it), leather goods, guitars, traditional Spanish fans, items embroidered with gold and silver thread on velvet, olives and olive oil, wine and much more.

Transport

Spain has a widely developed transport infrastructure, which includes an extensive network of roads, railways, air and water communications. The length of roads is 328,000 km, and railways - 14,589 km. Air transport takes the leading place. Of the 42 airports, 34 provide regular flights.

The most convenient way to move around Spain is within the country, because... Almost all large and resort cities have bus stations. Intercity buses are equipped with air conditioning, video equipment and, in most cases, toilets. It is customary to pay for travel directly on the bus, but you can save money by purchasing a reusable ticket.

Railway trains are divided into several categories, depending on speed and comfort. You can buy a ticket at railway stations and train stations, or at travel agencies. There you can also get detailed information about train schedules and ticket prices.

It is more convenient to get around the city by taxi. You can pick up a car in the parking lot, order it by phone, or call it from a hotel, cafe or restaurant. Taxis are usually identified by a light sign with the inscription taxi. Each taxi has a meter, the cost of the trip will depend on its readings. At night, on holidays and on weekends, an increased rate applies.

In Madrid and Barcelona, ​​perhaps the most convenient transport is the metro. This is the fastest and cheapest form of transport. Tickets are sold at ticket offices or vending machines at stations.

Car rental

A person who is 21 years old and has an international driving license and a credit card can rent a car. In some cases, they may ask for a passport. Class A and B cars are issued for cash, and in addition to the deposit, the entire rental amount for the entire period is taken in advance. You can order a car either at the rental office or through the administrator at the hotel where you live. In addition, you can order a car from Russia by ordering it from an international car rental agency in advance. Tariffs from local rental companies are usually lower than those set by well-known international ones. When renting a car for long periods, a discount may be provided.

There are several types of roads in Spain: state highways (sign N), expressways (sign A) and municipal roads (sign C). On Spanish highways there is an SOS phone every 5 km from which you can call emergency services.

Police phone number: 091. The maximum permitted speed in populated areas is 50 km/h, on highways - 120 km/h. We recommend observing the speed limit, because... Fines for speeding are quite high in Spain. Fines are paid on the spot. When traveling by car, you must have with you a driver's license valid in Spain, a vehicle passport and an insurance card.

Telephone

To make calls to Russia you should dial:

• 007 (Russian code) - (city code) - (telephone number).
• The telephone code for Spain is 34.
• Canary Islands dialing code: +34 (922).

Tips

In Spain, the service is included in the prices and amounts to 10-15% of the cost of the service. If you liked the service, you can add another 5% of the amount. If a tip is not included in the bill, it is customary to leave it on the table. It is customary to leave tips for waiters, maids and porters in hotels, taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. Maids and porters are given approximately 1-2 euros, taxi drivers are given an average of 5-10%.

Precautionary measures

It is better to leave valuables and documents in the hotel safe. It is advisable to make photocopies of important documents (passports, tickets, etc.) and store them separately from the originals. Money and documents should be kept in different places. If your credit card is stolen or lost, you must immediately call the bank and block the account. In crowded places (airports, train stations, squares, etc.), keep an eye on your belongings, do not show the contents of your wallets in public, and do not give things to strangers for safekeeping. In case of theft or other illegal actions against you, contact the police.

In case of difficult situations (problems with the police, loss of your passport, etc.), contact the Russian Consulate. An employee on duty works around the clock. When detained by the police, do not sign any documents, do not answer questions, do not give up your documents, and do not succumb to provocations or create conflict situations. Request a call from a representative of the consulate or host company.

Russian Embassy in Madrid:
Address: c.Velazquez, 155, Madrid, 28002, Spain
Phone: 91 562 22 64, 91 411 08 07
Fax: 91 562 97 12
Embassy opening hours: 9.00 - 14.00, 16.00 - 19.00
Email: [email protected]

BARCELONA

Barcelona is the second most populous city in Spain and is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia. There is an international airport and a metro here. Barcelona is a port city and is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, the port of Barcelona is one of the largest in the entire Mediterranean, and the city beaches stretch for as much as 5 km.

Barcelona experienced periods of greatest prosperity during the Middle Ages, when it achieved the status of a prosperous center of Mediterranean trade, and also in the 19th century, marked by intense economic and demographic development. This stage culminated in the holding of the World Exhibitions in 1888 and 1929, which largely determined the current appearance of the city. In 1992, Barcelona was chosen to host the Olympic Games.

Barcelona is also proud of its rich historical, architectural and artistic heritage. Monuments of architectural art, buildings of historical significance and modern buildings coexist in an unusually harmonious manner in the city. In 1929, the Barcelona Cathedral was declared a Monument of History and Art of National Importance. In the labyrinth of narrow streets surrounding the Cathedral and forming the historical center of the city, known as the Gothic Quarter, you can find a large number of buildings of unique beauty and significance.

In the wide square of Plaza Sant Jaume rise, opposite each other, the City Hall of Barcelona - with its magnificent Salo de Sainte ("Halle of the Hundred") and the Assembly Hall - and the Palace of the Generalitat (Palau de la Generalitat), with the Hall of St. George and the inner the courtyard Pati dels Taronges ("Patio of Orange Trees"). In Barcelona you can see the creations of the greatest architect of the modernist era, Antonio Gaudi - the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the La Pedrera building, and Casa Batllo.

The city also has numerous museums, among which the Picasso Museum and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia are especially famous. The Picasso Museum is popular among tourists and is one of the most visited in Barcelona and has a rich collection. The Ball Museum was created in 1963 on the basis of a collection donated to the city by Jaume Sabater, a personal friend of the artist, and subsequently replenished with works donated by both Picasso himself and members of his family.

The central square of Barcelona is Plaça Catalunya. This is where the famous Ramblas originates, which attracts many tourists traveling around Barcelona every day. This is a pedestrian boulevard along the central alley of which there are flower, zoological and newspaper kiosks, in the lower part of the boulevard there are street vendors, pantomime artists, artists who draw portraits from life or photographs of everyone. Here you can buy various souvenirs.

The Palace of Catalan Music, located next to Via Laetana, was designed by the architect Domènech i Montaner. This building is considered the ultimate manifestation of modernism and incorporates many elements of this style.

On Barcelona's waterfront, in the Portal de la Pau ("Gateway of the World") square, stands a monument to Christopher Columbus, reminding us of the navigator's arrival in Barcelona after the discovery of America. Very close by are Drassanas (14th century), the best preserved of all Gothic shipyards, and nearby is part of the fortress wall from the same era. From here, in the Middle Ages, ships were launched that took part in the most famous naval battles. Nowadays the shipyard building houses the Maritime Museum, where you can see magnificent ships of the 14th-15th centuries. Barcelona is home to the largest aquarium in Europe, where you can see 11,000 marine animals from more than 450 different species.

The longest avenue passes through the entire city - Avenida Diagonal, the length of which is 14 km. There are two streets around the city: Upper and Lower, with the help of which you can get into it from any direction without entering the center.

You can see an amazingly beautiful spectacle by visiting the singing fountains located on the slope of Montjuic Mountain. There is also an observation deck on the mountain, which offers panoramic views of Barcelona. If you want to enjoy an amazing panorama of the city, you are offered a tour on the Teleferic funicular, which departs from Montjuic Mountain. Another way to get acquainted with the city is to take a trip on a double-decker Bus Turistic bus, where you will be offered headphones with audio recordings of the excursion program in 10 different languages, including Russian. You can also explore the city by bicycle, there are rental places in the city on almost every corner.

Barcelona is also home to countless shops, restaurants, and cafes. For grocery shopping, you can visit the popular market “La Boqueria” (or “Mercat de Sant Josep”), which is a striking example of 18th-century architecture. In the city center on Plaza Catalunya there is a large shopping center "El Corte Ingles", where on 9 floors you will find a wide selection of goods: clothing, accessories, children's goods, food and much more. In the suburbs of Barcelona there is a place called “La Roca Village”, where there are more than 100 outlets (discount stores) of all famous brands: Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, L’Occitane, Burberry, Cacharel, Puma and many others.

For sports fans in Barcelona, ​​it is recommended to visit the famous Camp Nou football stadium, as well as the Olympic Stadium, which was reconstructed to host the Olympic Games in 1992. Formula 1 races are also held here once a year, which attract a considerable number of tourists .

What can you bring from Barcelona? Spanish cuisine is very tasty. For your friends and family, you can bring local jamon ham, chorizo ​​sausage, salchichon sausage, and various seafood. The production of quite tasty wine and olive oil is widespread in Spain. Among local sweets you can buy Spanish halva.

COSTA BRAVA

Costa Brava, which means “Wild Coast”, is a strip of Mediterranean coast in the north-east of Catalonia in Spain, the province of Girona. It extends 160 km from the city of Blanes to the border with France. The relief of the Costa Brava consists of inaccessible cliffs and rocks covered with Pyrenean pines and firs, which alternate with magnificent coves and bays with beaches of white sand and pebbles. In addition to the picturesque topography, the Costa Brava amazes guests with the extraordinary wealth of Mediterranean vegetation: thanks to the numerous streams flowing from the slopes of the Pyrenees Mountains, the land here is extremely fertile, and the low mountains and hills delight the eye with an abundance of mixed coniferous and deciduous forests that reach out to the sea.

The resort is known for its ancient towns, markets and magnificent beaches. The average annual temperature on the Costa Brava is 16°C.
The history of the coast goes back more than 2000 years. Here you can see ancient ruins, remnants of Greek and Roman civilizations. The population of the coast is about 6.5 million people. These are mainly Catalans who speak Catalan.

Arriving in the Costa Brava, it is worth visiting the town of Lloret de Mar, where there are many bars and discos, as well as the famous Marineland water park. For those who prefer walking through historical places to noisy entertainment, there is also something to see. The Church of Sant Roma, which was built in 1552 in the Gothic style. During the Civil War, the church was badly damaged, and today only the Chapel of St. Sacramento and the Baptistery give an idea of ​​what Sant Roma was like before. The Chapel of Santa Cristina is located 3.5 km from the center of Lloret de Mar. The first document that mentions the temple is dated 1376.

In 1764, work began on expanding the temple, which was completed in 1772. The work was carried out with donations from the residents of Lloret, and those who were unable to help financially took a direct part in the construction of the temple. The monument to Dona Marinera (the fisherman's wife) is located on a cliff at the end of Lloret beach. In 1966, the city commissioned the artist Ernest Maragala for this statue, which would become one of the symbols of the city. The bronze sculpture depicts a woman looking out to sea, greeting or seeing someone off. It is believed that if a person looks into the sea, just like a sculpture, and at the same time touches its leg with his hand, then his wishes, which he is thinking about at the moment, will certainly come true. In addition, in the city you can visit and see the Castle on the Beach, the Sardana Monument, the Sant Joan Castle, the Angel Monument and much more.

Costa Brava is famous for its wines and liqueurs, which are relatively inexpensive here. You can buy ceramic and leather goods and tablecloths as souvenirs on the coast. In many cities, fairs are organized every week, where you can buy clothes, souvenirs or fruits and much more.
From any coastal town you can easily get to Barcelona, ​​Girona, Figueres
The most famous resorts are Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Tossa de Mar and Playa de Aro.

Costa del Maresme

Costa del Maresme is part of the Balearic Sea coast south of the Costa Brava, located in Catalonia, province of Barcelona. The Costa del Maresme resort area stretches from Tordera and Malgrat de Mar in the north to the town of Montgat, 15 km from Barcelona in the south. This area is known for its magnificent beaches, developed infrastructure and mild Mediterranean climate.

North of Malgrat de Mar, the Costa del Maresme becomes the Costa Brava, so both coasts are often referred to as the Costa Brava. The Costa del Maresme has traditionally been the site of fishing and peasant settlements, whose inhabitants were engaged in growing grapes. The bulk of the fishing industry is based in Arenys de Mar, which is the first fishing port on the Costa del Maresme. Since the mid-20th century, summer residences of wealthy Barcelona residents, as well as several hotels, began to appear on the shore. Since the mid-80s of the 20th century, as part of the development of tourism in Spain, significant funds have been invested in the construction and reconstruction of the coastal towns of the Costa del Maresme. This led to the transformation of the Costa del Marsme into a major resort and tourist center. The main activity of this region is agriculture, primarily the cultivation of vineyards, as well as the textile industry.

Resort cities

Malgrat de Mar
Malgrat de Mar is a coastal village located in the northern part of the Maresme district, on the border of the provinces of Barcelona and Girona. The wide beach strip, stretching for 4.5 km, is divided into three zones: Astillero Beach, Central Beach (marked with the Blue Flag) and La Conca Beach. The main activities in the city are industry and agriculture.

Malgrat de Mar has two large natural parks: the Castel Park and the Francesc Macia Park. The Castel Park is located on a hill from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the village. Francesc Macia Park is one of the largest parks in the region, covering an area of ​​more than 40,000 m². An international music festival is held here in October. Over the course of three weeks, more than 20 choirs and musical groups from various European countries take part in this festival.

Among the cultural and historical monuments in Malgrat de Mar are the Church of Sant Nicolau de Bari, the municipal library, buildings built in the modernist style, such as the Town Hall and the Ca l’Arnau music school. The city center has many shops, cafes and restaurants.

Santa Susanna

Santa Susanna is a seaside town located in the center of the Maresme district, province of Barcelona. The main source of income for the city is agriculture, which flourishes here thanks to favorable natural conditions. Santa Susanna has the largest number of observation towers, intended to protect against frequent attacks by pirates dating back to the 15th-18th centuries.

For active recreation, the city has a Marine Center, offering tourists a variety of water sports: sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, water skiing, motor sports, kayaking and others.

Pineda de Mar
Pineda de Mar is a seaside town located 56 km from Barcelona, ​​part of the Maresme district. With a long sandy beach, Pineda de Mar offers a wide range of hotels and services. Along the promenade, located in front of the beach, there is a chain of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The historical center of the city has completely preserved its characteristics. Here you can see the Church of Santa Maria, dating back to the 16th century, the restored Can Jalpi Palace of the 15th-16th centuries, the defensive towers of Mas Castellar and Santa Anna, and in the Plaza de Catalunya you can see the most interesting buildings and palaces of the 18th - 19th centuries. Also in Pineda de Mar are the remains of the Roman aqueduct Can Cua.

The liveliest centers of city life are the Plaza de les Melies and the Paseo Maritimo promenade, where city festivals are held and the city's most popular bars and restaurants are located.

Calella
Calella - located 50 km from Barcelona, ​​near the Montnegre nature reserve. It has three magnificent beaches: Garbi beach, La Platja Gran beach and La Platja de Les Roques beach - marked with a blue flag.

The city hosts a large number of cultural, folklore events and holidays, among which are: Carnival, photography and cinema festival, Catalan rose exhibition, children's entertainment, international days of folklore of Catalonia and others.

Calella has many large natural areas, including the Dalmau Park, located in the city center, and the Manuel Puigvert alley, designed by the modernist architect Jeroni Martorell.

One of the city's most attractive features is its commercial activities. Throughout the year, Calella has commercial offers from more than 800 shops. One of the popular trading places is the Saturday open-air market, located in front of the municipal market building. In local restaurants and bars you can taste both Mediterranean cuisine and dishes from different parts of the world. Calella is also interesting from a cultural and historical point of view. The Municipal Archives Museum of Josep Maria Bage contains all kinds of samples and collections of decorative stones from the 17th and 20th centuries; textile machines and samples of materials produced in the city; archaeological materials from excavations of Roman ruins and historical documents. A curious element is the Barri pharmacy with all the equipment and laboratories of the 19th century, as well as the Lluis Gallart Garcia art gallery, where you can see examples of more than 200 paintings by the masters of Calella, with paintings and drawings of exceptional beauty, painted using various techniques. There is also a Cultural Gallery in the city, which reflects the history of Calella. Collections of ancient tools, paintings, photographs and other items related in one way or another to Calella.

The proximity to the sea and the presence of a nautical club allows you to practice various water sports: water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing.

COSTA DORADA

The Costa Dorada (translated from Spanish as “golden coast”) is a stretch of coastline of the Balearic Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea) in southeastern Spain, stretching 200 km from Vilanova i la Geltrú in the north to the city located in the Ebro River delta Alcanar in the south. The Costa Dorada covers the entire coast of the province of Tarragona. The topography of the Costa Dorada consists of long and gently sloping sandy beaches, which makes this coast popular with tourists. The beaches on the Costa Dorada are mostly long, wide, with fine golden sand and clear water. Among the large number of sandy beaches there are picturesque bays and bays, and unique rock formations. The Mediterranean coast is well protected from winds and cyclones from the north and west, first by the Pyrenees and then by the Catalan Mountains.

Thanks to its unique geographical features and mild Mediterranean climate, this place is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are all conditions for practicing water sports such as windsurfing, surfing, water skiing, and for playing tennis or golf. On the coast there are many modern hotels of various levels, health centers and entertainment facilities. The Costa Dorada is home to many fortresses and military structures built during wars and which are the cultural heritage of Spain, and the cities are home to many beautiful churches, monasteries and monuments through which you can trace the history of the country. Nature lovers will also not be disappointed - in the Ebro River Delta there is a unique nature reserve.

One of the main tourist attractions of the Costa Dorada is the Port Aventura amusement park in the city of Salou. Port Aventura is the second largest amusement park in Europe, its area is 115 hectares. The park consists of five thematic zones with attractions for both adults and children, each of which reflects the history of one of the five world cultures.

Port Aventura hosts more than a hundred unique theatrical performances every day, and more than 70 restaurants and eateries with a menu of traditional dishes will help you discover the world through taste.

Despite the fact that the Costa Dorada is one of the centers of mass tourism, here you can find many cities that have retained their originality. The center of the Costa Dorada is the city of Tarragona, and the most popular resort is Salou. Other popular tourist destinations are Sitges, La Pineda and Cambrils.

Cambrils- a seaside town located in the resort area of ​​the Costa Dorada and part of the province of Tarragona. In this hospitable town, new traditions brought from abroad and other parts of Spain are surprisingly intertwined with the roots of local culture. You can get acquainted with the history of the city in the museum “Moulis des Tres Eres”. One of the famous attractions of the city is the protective port, built in the middle of the 20th century, and of particular cultural interest are also the fisherman's park, the 17th century port tower, which served to repel pirate attacks, buildings from the Roman Empire dating back to the 1st century. BC. and VI century. AD, Vilafortuny Castle, port quarter and old town.

Sandy golden beaches, marked with the Blue Flag, stretch for 9 km. Along the beaches there is a sea promenade, along which you can walk or ride a bike. Also in Cambrils, tourists will be able to fully explore culinary traditions. The city is considered the culinary capital of the Costa Dorada. Fresh fish, the best olive oil and other premium quality products are used to prepare exquisite and original dishes. Here you can taste typical dishes of traditional Cambril cuisine in the best restaurants specializing in fish and seafood. In addition to good cuisine, all restaurants offer a wide selection of wines and champagnes, as well as fresh pastries, able to satisfy even the most discerning taste.

Groceries, souvenirs, household goods, accessories, antiques, folk crafts - all this can be purchased in local stores all year round. Most of the shops are concentrated in the narrow streets of the picturesque old town, as well as in the area of ​​​​the sea promenade and port, a favorite walking place for residents and guests of Cambrils. Once a week, trading stalls of a mobile market open in the old town, where you can find anything you want, including local agricultural products, such as high-quality olive oil "Siurana", which is considered one of the best in the world.

Salou

Salou is the tourist capital of the Costa Dorada, which is part of the province of Tarragona. The main attraction of the city is the famous amusement park Port Aventura - the second largest amusement park in Europe, with an area of ​​115 hectares. The park consists of five thematic zones with attractions, each of which reflects the history of one of the five world cultures.

The mild Mediterranean climate, golden sandy beaches and long holiday season (from May to November) attract a large number of tourists to Salou. Active recreation enthusiasts will find a water sports center, a municipal football field, an indoor swimming pool, a sports center and a go-kart track in Salou. For those who prefer entertainment, Salou has many restaurants, bars and all kinds of clubs, many of which are open at night. The busiest street in Salou is Carlos Buigas Street, which is lined with numerous shops, discos and restaurants. The city is recognized as one of the best shopping and gastronomic resorts on the Costa Dorada. Salou has a wide network of shops offering all kinds of goods, both Spanish and imported.

One of Salou's most picturesque attractions is the Salou Promenade, located right along the coastline of Llevant Beach, the largest beach in the city, along with Platja de Ponent, Platja dels Capellans, Platja Llarga and Cala Crancs. The beaches have the European Blue Flag, which is an indicator of the cleanliness and safety of the beaches. The most popular promenade in the city is Avenue Jaime I. Today the avenue bears the name of King Jaime I, who conquered the Balearic Islands and the kingdom of Valencia. In the center of the alley there is a monument to this king, and at the end there is a charming illuminated fountain, shining at night with multi-colored jets and cascades. From the city port you can take exciting walks along the coast on tourist boats, departing daily to Tarragona, Cambrils and other nearby resort centers.

10-12 km from Salou there are attractions such as the city of Tarragona, founded by the Romans, with a rich historical past, and the city of Reus, where you can visit the museum of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

La Pineda
La Pineda is a resort town located on the Costa Dorada. There is a promenade along the sand and pebble beach, stretching for 4 km, and along the streets there are many local cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. This city is home to one of the famous water parks “Aquopolis” and a dolphinarium.

In La Pineda there are hotels of different star ratings, offering various types of services that will satisfy even the most demanding vacationers. In the evening you can go to a restaurant or go to the Pacha disco. The close location of the city of Salou (about 5-7 minutes drive) makes it easy to visit entertainment in this city. You can get to Salou by bus or taxi. In the immediate vicinity of La Pineda there is the famous Port Aventura amusement park - a real world of adventure and unforgettable musical performances, which will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults.

In July and August, the city hosts entertainment events for children and their parents: an open-air movie screening is organized in the Pinar del Perruquet park, and clowns, dolls and magicians entertain children in the city square. The park also hosts music and dance performances. At the end of July, the main summer festival is held here - the St. Jaume Festival, which is a mixture of traditions, culture, music and dance. A variety of festive events organized on the streets and squares of the city include concerts, dances, shows for children, fireworks, open-air cinema, etc.

Canary Islands - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria(Gran-Canaria Spanish) is the third largest island of the Canary archipelago. From afar, the island looks like a large mountain, in the center of which rises Pico de Las Nieves, its height is 2 thousand meters. The entire island is dotted with deep ravines stretching from the top of the peak to the ocean coast. The capital of the island, Las Palmas, is located in the northeast. It is the largest city in the Canary Islands and every four years it replaces Santa Cruz de Tenerife as the capital of the Canary Islands.
The climate of Gran Canaria is tropical trade wind, moderately dry and hot. The comfortable climate of Gran Canaria is determined by the ocean, the cold Canary Current and the proximity of Africa. The climate is also influenced by the mountain range that divides the island of Gran Canaria into south and north. In one day you can travel around the entire island, visiting different microclimatic zones. The south coast of Gran Canaria is sunny and hot, but there may be snow on the mountain top. The maximum temperature in August and June reaches 30°C. These are the hottest months in the Canary Islands. In April, May, September and October, the air temperature does not fall below 27°C.

Among the resorts of the island of Gran Canaria, Maspalomas stands out especially. This is the most popular and most famous resort on the island. Maspalomas is able to satisfy the needs of any tourist. From almost every hotel you can get to the fashionable promenade, where the calm atmosphere encourages a quiet walk and solitude. The resort has a huge number of various restaurants and bars offering dishes for every taste.
Puerto Rico. A small tourist town in the southwest of the island, located in a valley surrounded by gardens. Puerto Rico has long been famous for attracting lovers of sea sports. There are also a huge number of different shopping centers and a lot of entertainment, and the nightlife is in full swing until the morning.

Puerto de Mogán.
Port Mogan is considered the best tourist town in Gran Canaria. It is built in the style of folk architecture and combines the port and the typical character of a fishing village. The houses, located along the cliff sides, are built based on local traditions: white walls and straight shapes and colored windows and doors. Puerto Mogán is so quiet and calm that it is the best place for couples who want to be alone. Only here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and the crazy pace.

San Augustine- a quiet town with hotels on the first line and a good beach of gray sand. It is believed that San Agustin has the best private medical clinics in the Canary Islands and one of the largest thalassotherapy centers in Europe. This resort may be of interest to those tourists who find Playa del Inglés too crowded. This tourist town is perfect for a leisurely beach holiday

Playa del Inglés- a place for those who are not tired of life. After all, life is in full swing here both day and night. Playa del Inglés has several times more hotels and apartments than the rest of the coastal resorts combined. On the resort’s three-kilometer beach of the same name there is the Anexo II shopping center, where you can dine at one of the many restaurants and buy all sorts of small things; next to it there are water activities. On the island you can not only relax on magnificent beaches, but also take exciting trips to local attractions. These include botanical gardens, historical complexes, and traditional villages and settlements. The Botanical Garden of Jardín Canario is one of the main natural attractions of Gran Canaria. The garden is located near the settlement of Tafira. There are more than 5,000 species of plants found in the local nature. Bandama Peak. This is a volcanic crater, the diameter of which reaches one kilometer and the depth of more than two hundred meters. From the top of the crater there is an amazing view of the capital of Gran Canaria and the central part of the island.

Artenara- a mountain village located at an altitude of 1270 m above sea level. Artenara is one of the oldest villages on the island and is an architectural phenomenon: most of the old houses here are built into the rocks and yet equipped with all modern amenities. Of particular interest is the village church of La Ermita de la Cuevita, built in a mountain cave.

Cueva Pintada. This archaeological complex is the largest in the Canary archipelago. The Cueva Pintada cave is located in the archaeological park and consists of six interconnecting caves, decorated with drawings of the primitive people who lived in these places.

MAJORCA

Mallorca (Mallorca, Mallorca) is the largest island of the Balearic archipelago and the largest island of Spain. The wonderful climate and beautiful nature have contributed to the great popularity of Mallorca among both ordinary tourists and world celebrities, some of them, such as Michael Schumacher, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, even bought homes here. Of all the regions of Spain, Mallorca is considered the region with the highest standard of living. As on all the Balearic Islands, the number of sunny days a year is more than 300. The warmest time is from July to August, the temperature rises above 30 degrees, but the sea wind Embat does not allow you to feel the sweltering heat.
Mallorca is considered the most environmentally friendly resort in Spain; there are about forty protected areas, and the island is protected by the state.

Mallorca has a very varied terrain. The north-west and east are occupied by mountains, the highest point is Puig Major, 1445 meters, however this place is located in a protected military zone and tourists are not allowed there. The neighboring peak is slightly lower, this is Puig Massanella, 1352 meters, entry is open here for tourists. There are 13 railway tunnels running through this mountain range (Serra de Tramuntana). The central part is a large plain, gradually turning into the rather rocky northern part of the island with steep cliffs and beautiful bays along the coast. There are a lot of windmills on the flat part, which are the official symbol of Mallorca. In the eastern part of the island there are the so-called Dragon Caves - unique caves with a beautiful underground lake Martel. They provide tourists with a rare opportunity to listen to live music concerts.

The island has a lot of entertainment for almost every taste. There are several water parks (Aqualand, Western Park), Marineland (rumor has it that the world's first dolphin show took place here), adventure parks (La Reserva, Jungle Park), many national parks and reserves, various shows (among them there are even knight tournaments). Tourists can also engage in various sports: windsurfing, diving, cycling, sailing, fishing, horse-drawn racing and even just hiking, but golf is a particular focus. Mallorca has more than 20 golf courses and is home to the famous professional competitions Open de Baleares and the Mallorcan Grand Prix. Tourists fly to Mallorca's Son Sant Joan airport; in the summer, this airport becomes one of the busiest in Europe.

Throughout its history, Mallorca has been repeatedly conquered by different peoples, the culture of each of which has left an indelible imprint on the island and its attractions. The island is home to the summer residence of the Spanish royal family, which was originally an Arab fortress and Spanish treasury. From time to time, tourists have the opportunity to participate in official ceremonies.

Canary Islands - Tenerife

Tenerife Island- the largest among the islands of the Canary archipelago. Since the middle of the last century, it has become one of the most popular resorts in Europe, and this love is fully justified - such a unique climate and natural beauty cannot be found anywhere else. The name of the island can be translated as “white”, presumably it was so named because of the snow-covered peak of the Teide volcano towering above it. The island is divided by a mountain range into two parts: southern and northern. The climate in the south of the island is dry, practically without precipitation, sunny and warm with minimal differences in average daily and average annual temperatures. In the north it is cooler, there is high humidity, and the air temperature is 2-5 degrees lower than in the south. But this is compensated by lush vegetation and landscapes of incredible beauty. The island of Tenerife is the only resort in Europe where you can swim all year round, but this mainly applies to its southern part.

All beaches on the island are municipal and therefore free. One of the most famous beaches of the island is Playa de Las Teresitas, located near the capital. Its main difference from most of the island's beaches is the white sand brought here from the Sahara Desert. Almost all beaches are covered with black volcanic sand, which is believed to have healing properties. There are especially many black beaches in Puerto de la Cruz. The coast of the resorts of Las Americas and Los Cristianos is a continuous chain of beaches; the most popular beach in this area is Playa de la Vista, with imported golden sand
One of the most famous and popular resorts is Las Americas. The city was created specifically for tourists; it is located on the coast an hour’s drive from the capital. Las Americas has everything that tourists need for a comfortable stay: many bars, restaurants, discos and nightclubs; hotels for every taste and budget. The second most popular resort is Los Cristianos. This resort is aimed at a more relaxed family vacation, which is why it is popular among European tourists of retirement age. Puerto de la Cruz is one of the first resorts on the island; now it has become a business center; those who are oppressed by the regularity and tranquility of the resorts come here to relax. And most often, tourists come here for the purpose of shopping and sightseeing.

El Medano- another famous resort. It is located far from other resorts and has its own specifics. El Medano is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and divers. Costa Adeje. The southwestern part of the island of Tenerife is notable for the fact that it is here that Costa Adeje is located, the resort is a continuation of Las Americas, and is extremely popular in Europe. This is facilitated by an atmosphere of silence and comfort. Everything here is created for the convenience of tourists. Hotels with a high level of service, comfort, a wide network of shops and entertainment venues. In addition, there is a huge number of small shops to suit all tastes and budgets. The resort also has very developed sea and water sports. Playa Paraiso is a small resort area in the southwest of Tenerife. “Paradise Beach” - this is how the name of this place is translated into Russian - is located in a rather secluded place, at a distance of 12 km from the center of tourist life in the south of the island - the resort of Las Americas.

In fact, the central part of Playa Paraiso consists of four multi-storey and outwardly very similar hotels on the ocean coast, the names of which contain the word “Paraiso”. Along the highway crossing the resort territory there are shops, cafes and restaurants. The rocky coast is not suitable for swimming, so tourists prefer to sunbathe either by the pools, or go to the beaches of Las Americas, which can be reached by regular bus (20-30 minutes) or car (10 minutes).

The capital of the island of Tenerife, and one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands, is Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The city primarily has a developed service sector. Santa Cruz is positioned as a shopper's paradise; the central part of the city has many popular shops among visitors to the island. The city has a developed network of bus routes, and there is also a tram line to La Laguna. Santa Cruz is home to the largest seaport of the Canary Islands, and the second largest in all of Spain. Despite its rich history, the city cannot boast of an abundance of historical attractions. Among the architectural monuments of the city is the Palacio (Cabildo) Insular - the seat of the government of Tenerife; Palacio Carta Palace (1742, now a bank), the Church of St. Francis (17th century) in the Baroque style; Church of Pilar (18th century) with a painted vault.

IBIZA Island

The island of Ibiza is part of the Balearic archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is not too small and has enough variety to not get boring, and not too big; so after just a few days of relaxation you will feel at home there.

Since ancient times, the island has attracted conquerors and pirates. The history of the first settlements (Carthaginians) on it dates back to the 7th century BC. The Carthaginians were replaced by the Romans, then the Arabs, the Visigoths and finally the Catalans. Each of these peoples left a mark on the history and culture of the island. Ibiza is popular not only among Western youth, but also among most of the world's elite: artists of all genres, film and music stars, top DJs, models, millionaires, journalists, politicians and businessmen.

The coast of Ibiza is indented with countless rocky coves, and among the greenery of the rural areas, the dazzling white houses of small resort villages are scattered everywhere.
The small island has everything to please every taste of vacationers: landscaped and wild beaches, hotels of various categories, luxury villas, campsites, tennis courts and golf courses, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, boutiques and hippie markets, an ancient fortress, narrow cobbled streets, wonderful landscapes, fantastic nature, pine trees, cacti and palm trees.

Ibiza has 58 beaches to suit every taste and color: fully equipped with a wide range of services, completely wild, beaches for water sports, as well as quiet and cozy ones - for a peaceful sleep after a stormy night at the club.
Ibiza is the most fashionable European resort, distinguished by its specific atmosphere, people, nature and, of course, unique megaclubs (discos), which are rightfully considered one of the best not only in Europe, but also in the world.

As night falls, the island turns into one continuous holiday. A motley crowd of vacationers moves along the embankments and central streets of the cities of Ibiza and San Antonio, mixed with dancers from nightclubs dressed in carnival costumes, transvestites, drag-queens, etc. Ibiza nightlife is a unique combination of European youth clubbing and traditional Spanish nightlife.

The area of ​​Playa d'en Bossa, one of the main tourist centers of the island, has its own atmosphere. It is here that the legendary club "Space", famous for its "after-parties", is located. From the area of ​​Playa d'en Bossa, by two o'clock in the morning, people move into mega -clubs known for their foam parties, which attract up to 10,000 people every night (Amnesia, Privilege). The night celebration in Ibiza does not end even in the morning: “After-parties” begin at 6 am and last until 3 pm. Then the “movement” continues in music bars and right on the beach.
Every summer, the most famous DJs in Europe and the world come to the island: D. Morales, Sa$ha, Carl Cox, etc., and in winter, DJs from the best clubs in Ibiza perform in the most famous discos around the world.

Are you going to Spain for vacation, work or even to move for permanent residence? An overview of the country, everything anyone visiting Spain needs to know to get the most out of Spanish hospitality. Photos and maps included

Spain is one of the most beautiful and alluring countries in the world. Probably almost everyone associates it primarily with sunny beaches and warm, warm sea. This is the birthplace of paella, bullfighting, castanets and flamenco. The country, with its rich history and culture, has been one of the cultural centers of Europe for many millennia.

Spain itself is a special country; to summarize it both geographically and culturally becomes an impossible task. Millions of people visit Spain and often, having been here once, they return again. Indeed, Spain currently has many modern resorts. An interesting fact is that Spain is the second highest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland.

Spain is constantly ranked among the four world tourist destinations and this is not surprising because it does not leave anyone indifferent

general information

Geographical position

Spain(officially the Kingdom of Spain) - located in Southwestern Europe, with an area of ​​504,782 km², due to which it is among the fifty largest countries in the world. Most of Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula, the remaining 12,500 km² are islands, plus 32 km² are the sovereign cities of Ceuta and Melilla, located on the African coast.

Capital, cities

Emergency contact: Tate:(+34)-670-848-773 - 24-hour emergency phone number for Russian citizens – only in case of emergency situations (in case of threat to life, health and loss of documents).

Working hours: from Monday to Friday (from 9:00 to 14:00 // from 16:00 to 19:00)

Traditional cuisine

Probably many people know that some of the most famous and sought-after chefs around the world come from Spain. In the Basque country and Catalonia itself there are restaurants that you need to book not a week or even a month in advance, but a year in advance. This suggests that Spanish cuisine is so tasty and varied that it is definitely worth trying.

Now let's take a closer look at the most popular and traditional Spanish dishes. It would probably be right if we start the list of traditional Spanish cuisine with Paella. This dish has been mentioned since the mid-19th century; it is believed that it originated on the shores of Lake Albufera, so in order to try paella, we recommend that you go to Valencia. The main ingredients are rabbit and chicken, although the seafood version is considered more traditional in coastal areas.

The next dish will be relevant if you are tired of walking under the scorching sun and want to have something light to eat. An excellent option would be chilled Gazpacho. This dish is very popular in the southern region of Spain, Andalusia. Gazpacho contains quite a lot of ingredients, but at the same time they are so simple that most likely you will appreciate this dish and order it more than once.

If you can’t imagine your life without meat, don’t be upset; Spain has prepared a huge gift for you. When you enter any bar, not to mention restaurants, you will always see dry-cured pork ham or Ham in front of you.

There are two types of jamon:

• jamon serano;
• Jamon Iberico (more expensive).

They differ in the methods and duration of preparation, and most importantly, in the breed of pigs. At your request, one of the bar waiters cuts the ham into juicy pieces so that you can fully enjoy the taste of jamon and feel Spain from the inside.

Spain produces up to 4 million hams every year

Of course, Spanish cuisine is not limited to paella, gazpacho and jamon. As a rule, region to region has its own unique dishes.

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