Spain’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches attract thousands of visitors to the Iberian Peninsula every year. Bordering the Bay of Biscay to the north, the North Atlantic on the southwest, and the Mediterranean and the Balearic to the south; Spain has no shortage of turquoise water and fine sand beaches. Spain shares land borders with Portugal to its west, and Andorra and France to its east along the Pyrenees Mountains. Spain also borders Gibraltar on its south, and Morocco, through its cities in North Africa (Ceuta and Melilla).

There are ten main natural regions in Spain, of which the Meseta Central is the largest. The majority of mainland Spain consists of this high plateau which is dissected by several mountain ranges.  The mean altitude of Spain is approximately 600 metres, with the highest point being 3719 metres (Pico de Teide in Tenerife). Other regions on the peninsula include the  Cordillera Cantabrica, the Iberico region, the Penibetico region, the Pyrenees,  the Andalusia plain, the Ebro Basin, the coastal plains, the Balearic Islands and the Canaries. Spain’s varied landscape consists of everything from mountains, beaches, plateaus, river valleys to sun-baked deserts.

Spain’s diverse geography plays a role in the overall climate of the country which is typically classified as Mediterranean. Moderate winters and warm summers are common around the southern coastal areas and the central areas of Spain. The Northern Atlantic coast is slightly colder, and the mountainous areas of Spain have a more alpine climate with snow common in the winters.

The capital of Spain is Madrid, which is a vibrant city rich with history and cultural heritage. Most provinces in Spain have their own capital, and different traditions are noticed throughout. Spanish is the national language, although variations can be noticed in the mother tongue when travelling through the countryside. The pre-dominant religion in the country is Roman Catholic, although smaller groups are found throughout.

Spain is both a modern and a traditional country, appealing to people from all over the world. It is a member of the European Union, and adopted the euro as their primary currency several years ago. Spain has the eight largest economy in the world, and has been attracting investors and companies from many of the European countries. The southern coast of Spain has become an increasingly popular place for both tourists and investors looking at buying a second home. The diverse landscapes, activities, traditions, cuisine and real estate options that the country has to offer have made it the attractive place that it is today.