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Spain: Quick Facts

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Last updated
Spain approves housing measures after huge protests. Their duration may depend on election result • Nov. 12, 2026, 7:47 AM ET (AP)
Housing protests sweep Madrid and Barcelona after Spain’s workers strike, with clashes erupting • Nov. 11, 2026, 5:20 PM ET (AP)
Spain holds state funeral for 69 killed in high-speed rail crash • Nov. 10, 2026, 3:31 PM ET (AP)
Explosive device kills a police officer in northern Spain • Nov. 10, 2026, 8:37 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Reino de España • Kingdom of Spain • España
Head Of Government Prime Minister: Pedro Sánchez
Capital Madrid
Population (2026 est.) 49,752,000
Currency Exchange Rate 1 USD equals 0.902 euro
Head Of State King: Felipe VI
Form Of Government constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (Senate [2661]; Congress of Deputies [350])
Official Language Castilian Spanish2
Official Religion none
Official Name Reino de España (Kingdom of Spain)
Total Area (Sq Km) 505,983
Total Area (Sq Mi) 195,361
Monetary Unit euro (€)
Population Rank (2026) 31
Population Projection 2030 47,083,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 254.7
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 98.3
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 81.8% • Rural: (2024) 18.2%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2024) 81.4 years • Female: (2024) 86.5 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 1,638,781
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 33,550
1Includes 58 indirectly elected seats. 2The constitution states that “Castilian is the Spanish official language of the State,” but that “all other Spanish languages (including Euskera [Basque], Catalan, and Galician) will also be official in the corresponding autonomous communities.”

Did You Know?

  • Spain's national anthem has no lyrics.
  • According to Spanish legend, when children lose a baby tooth, a mouse will exchange it for presents.
  • The Spanish town Bunol hosts an annual tomato-throwing festival called "La Tomatina".
  • Spain officially remained neutral during World War I and World War II.
  • A Spanish New Year's tradition, eating twelve green grapes at midnight, is thought to bring good luck.

Photos and Videos

Spain
Political map of Spain showing regional boundaries, major cities, and neighboring countries including Portugal, France, and Andorra. The map also features the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa, and a locator inset highlighting Spain's position in southwestern Europe.
Granada: Alhambra
Map highlighting Spain in southwestern Europe, shown in tan with its capital Madrid labeled. Surrounding countries and regions include Portugal to the west, France to the northeast, Morocco to the south across the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Neighboring bodies of water, such as the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, are also labeled.
Andalusia, Spain
Alcazar of Toledo
The stone Alcala Gate monument in Madrid, Spain, features five arches and classical statues on top, with red flowers planted at its base.
Barcelona: Torre Agbar
Christopher Columbus's fleet
Ibiza
The art of making Spanish tapas
How did Spain become a colonial power in America?
Experience the scenic landscapes and landmarks of Catalonia, Spain
The future of solar power: Multi-junction solar cells
Discover Columbus's voyage to America and the majestic cathedrals and basilicas bear witness to the spread of Catholicism in the South
National anthem of Spain
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
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Hugo Grotius
Dutch statesman and scholar
Francisco Franco in military uniform and cap, looking slightly to the side in an undated black and white portrait.
Francisco Franco
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Christopher Columbus
Isabella I
queen of Spain
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Spanish conquistador
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro
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José de San Martín
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Portrait of Philip II, King of Spain, shown in ornate armor with one hand resting on a helmet, painted in the manner of Sir Anthony More against a dark background.
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king of Spain and Portugal
The Great Condé, engraving by Robert Nanteuil, 1662
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French general and prince
Gilt and polychrome relief by Alonso de Mena showing Ferdinand II on the left and Isabella on the right, both with hands raised in prayer, framed by ornate gold trim.
Ferdinand II
king of Spain
Pedro Sánchez, Spanish prime minister
Pedro Sánchez
prime minister of Spain
Mariano Rajoy
Mariano Rajoy
prime minister of Spain
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd duke de Alba, oil painting by Sir Antony More, 1549; in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3 duque de Alba
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Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
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Cardinal Jiménez de Cisneros
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros
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Charles III
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Related Places

Map showing the countries of Europe with national capitals and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea.
Europe
continent
Madrid
Madrid
national capital, Spain
Barcelona, Catalonia
Catalonia
autonomous community and historic region, Spain
Barcelona
Barcelona
Spain
Andalusia, Spain
Andalusia
region, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
Sevilla
Spain
Aragon, Spain
Aragon
region, Spain
People walk across the large stone plaza in front of the ornate twin-towered Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.
Galicia
region, Spain
Valencia: Tower of Santa Catalina
Valencia
autonomous area, Spain
El Golfo lagoon, Canary Islands, Spain
Canary Islands
islands, Spain
Asturias
Asturias
region, Spain
Navarra: Javier Castle
Navarra
autonomous area, Spain
Valencia
Valencia
Spain
A rocky outcrop rises from green hills in the Pyrenees, with a small church visible at the lower right and misty mountains in the background.
Basque Country
region, Spain
Alcázar (fortress), Toledo, Spain.
Toledo
Spain

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