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Spain Information
Adapted from CIA World Factbook
Background
Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th
centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to
England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile
and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall
behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and
political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars
I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war
(1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following
the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and
rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in
1986), have given Spain one of the most dynamic economies
in Europe and made it a global champion of freedom.
Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and
Liberty (ETA) terrorism and relatively high unemployment.
Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean
Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest
of France
Climate
Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters
and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional
strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known
as mistral
French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal
temperature variation
Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade
winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June
to October); vulnerable to devasting cyclones (hurricanes)
every eight years on average
Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation;
cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November
to April)
Languages
Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician
7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally
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