Spain is located in the extreme southwest of Europe. The Balearic and Pityusic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean belong to it. It shares borders with France, Andorra, and Portugal. About 2/3 of the territory of Spain takes a massive elevated plateau Meseta surrounded by high mountains. Large ranges of the Central Cordilleras tower in its central areas. To the south rises the Montes de Toledo. In the south-east of Spain stretch fold mountains Cordilleras Penibaetics. State system: a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. Official language: Spanish. Currency is Euro. Spain is a diverse and multi-faceted country; even officially it is divided into autonomous regions. Catalonia which for many years has not lost hopes to secede from the country is known for its capital city Barcelona, with its beaches and Gaudi architecture. South region, Andalusia is considered the most ‘Spanish’ Spain. Here, you can see bullfighting banned in Catalonia, flamenco and original ancient Spanish cities with a history: Seville, Granada and Malaga. Valencia is famous for its sandy beaches most extensive in the country as well as authentic paella where the beans are added. Well, in the Basque Country, it is certainly worth to visit Bilbao with its museums and restaurants, beach-surfer San Sebastian and the small port towns on the coast where tourists rarely get other. Beaches are the wealth of Spain. This country could boast countless beaches of all types – sand, pebble, rocky, and even from the volcanic black sand. Seaside areas are both on the mainland and in the island of Spain. All beaches in the country are municipal and free, access to them is unlimited. Spain is not just sea and sun, but also mountains and snow. In the country, there are places with a variety of conditions for ski holidays. The most famous ski resorts are located on the border with France in the Pyrenees. They are divided into the Catalan, and Aragon Pyrenees. Catalan resorts are famous for spectacular scenery with mountain rivers and lakes. The most famous are La Molina, Port del Comte and Baqueira Beret. The highest ski resort in Spain is Sierra Nevada. It is located in the south of the country just an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean Sea. Here was the World Cup in alpine skiing and riding conditions correspond to the highest international standards. Winter resorts are available around Madrid and Barcelona too. Spain is one of the world’s shopping centres: there are lots of shops of known brands.

Mainland Spain is a storehouse of excursion wealth. Guests who came to conquer the peaks of the Sierra Nevada will have a direct route to day trips to Granada, Cordoba and Seville. But vacationers in the north of the country, in addition to the ‘standard’ Barcelona can go to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most significant cities of medieval Christianity and just very beautiful place.

List of Spain attractions

• Temple of the Sagrada Familia
• Mount Tibidabo
• Monastery of Montserrat
• The mountain fortress of Montjuic
• Magic Fountain of Montjuic
• Port Aventura Theme Park

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The city is located in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula and is a multinational millionaire city. Madrid is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a huge cultural and artistic heritage. There are so organically combined modern business centres and medieval architecture, the best night clubs in Europe, the largest outlets, beautiful parks and, of course, a lot of museums. It is not only economic but also cultural centre attractive for long history since the reign of the Arabs, and the capital’s attractions of Spain are dazzling. Culture and the appearance of Madrid reflect its history as a royal city, the centre of the Spanish Empire. Royal Palace, wide areas and monumental buildings which were built by monarchs, abnormally huge cathedrals and churches – Madrid is full of all this. Just as of medieval buildings. Although today the city is as cosmopolitan as Berlin or London, and full of energy. The Puerta del Sol with three statues and ancient House of Mail is considered to be centre of Madrid and a whole Spain. Central square Plaza Mayor framed by colonnades served in the Middle Ages as a market site, the venue for bullfighting and the burning at the stake. In the centre of the square stands the equestrian statue of Felipe III. On the east side of the Plaza Mayor is the Plaza de la Provincia where the Palace of Santa Cruz is situated which now houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain. However, the main palace in Madrid is, certainly, the Royal vaguely reminiscent of Versailles. Built in the style of classical baroque with surrounding columns and combining the granite and white stone in architecture, it is perhaps the main attraction of the city. The number of museums and galleries in the Spanish capital is great as well: in addition to the National Prado Museum which masterpieces can list every self-respecting fan of Goya or Bosch, other art collections are noteworthy. For example, the avant-garde Queen Sofia Art Centre or the famous Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. These three collections are considered to be the ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ in Madrid which you simply must visit. Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia, Spain’s largest seaport. The city is located on the Mediterranean coast in north-eastern part of the country. Barcelona is the second city of Spain after Madrid in terms of population. Barcelona, beautiful in its elegant and bold features is the main symbol and the capital of Catalonia, a real jewel of tourist Spain. Rich history, the magnificent sights, delicious cuisine and unique atmosphere make the journey to Barcelona vivid and memorable. The city impregnated with the spirit of liberty, carelessness and freedom, simply can not remain you indifferent. This is perhaps the most industrial city in Spain playing a major role in the industrial and economic sectors of the entire Mediterranean region. Catalonia Square without a doubt could be called the heart of the city – the old and new areas of Barcelona meet just here. From this beautiful area originates the famous Las Ramblas Boulevard dissecting the Old Town in half and going straight to the coast, the Old Port and the Barceloneta quarter. To the north of Plaza Catalonia is Eshample, a modern area built on an interesting scheme (the streets are crossed at right angles). In this area, by the way, one of the main attractions of Barcelona is located – the amazing Sagrada Familia cathedral the author of which is the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. In the upper part of town, a little further of the Eshample district, the famous Park Güell is situated – another creation of this great architect. Barcelona is not in vain considered to be the cultural capital of Spain – here, for example, lived and worked such great personalities like Picasso, Antoni Gaudi and Salvador Dali. A variety of styles, eras and genres are mixed here in the magical cocktail that captures the imagination. The number of attractions in Barcelona is so great that to see everything in a short time is simply not possible. The main are La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic Hill, Barcelona Cathedral.