What associations do we have with the word Spain? Bullfighting, Carmen, Don Quixote de La Mancha. What else? The Inquisition, Christopher Columbus, the Civil War, and the International Brigades. More? Rioja, ham, paella. More? Flamenco, seaside vacations, profitable real estate purchases...

Spain is the fourth-largest country in Europe by area, after Russia, Ukraine, and France. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east. It is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. The Pyrenees, which give the entire peninsula its name, separate Spain from the rest of Europe. In the northwest, along the coast of the Bay of Biscay, stretch the Cantabrian Mountains, and in the south, the Cordillera mountain range rises right down to the sea. Here in the Cordillera, on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, some fifty kilometers from the beaches of the Costa del Sol, skiers ski in winter—and that's the latitude of Antalya and Tunisia.

Spain is one of the warmest countries in Europe. On the Mediterranean coast, the average annual temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. In the northwest, in Galicia, it is humid and cool. In the south, in Andalusia, it is dry. Incidentally, Andalusia, with its Mediterranean coastline, the Costa del Sol, is one of the sunniest places on the planet, with 340 days of sunshine a year.

Here are some more associations with the word Spain: Goya, Picasso, Salvador Dali.

Spain ranks 13th in the world by GDP—it's not a poor country. Things would have been even better if not for the dramatic events of the mid-20th century. Civil War between communists and fascists, victory General Franco, the establishment of a dictatorship, and the country's subsequent isolation. In the 50s, Spain experienced an economic boom. Unfortunately, its economy suffers from a lack of energy resources. Periodic increases in global hydrocarbon prices trigger a severe crisis in Spain. This was the case in the late 70s, and it continues to be the case today. Despite its relatively high level of development, the country remains a member of the EU.

Here are some more associations: tenor José Carreras, architect Antoni Gaudi, poet García Lorca.

Spain is a largely agricultural country. It ranks third in Europe for wine production and first in olive production. Sixty percent of Spain's agricultural land is devoted to vegetable production. The country is rich in mineral resources. However, these reserves are largely depleted, as the first deposits were first mined in the second millennium BC.

Spain is one of the world's largest tourism destinations, with over 60 million foreign visitors annually. Tourism is a significant source of the country's income, generating over €3 billion annually.

Spain has excellent roads, mostly free, with occasional toll sections. Railway communication Convenient and inexpensive. Several low-cost airlines fly within the country.

And here are some more cinematic associations: Pedro Almodóvar, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem.

Spain has a population of 46 million, according to the 2009 census. That same year, the number of foreigners who purchased property on the Spanish coast exceeded 10 million. It's a typical Northern European story: a German, Englishman, or Scandinavian, upon retiring, buys a very reasonable apartment near Alicante or Malaga, so they can spend the winter half of the year under the blessed Spanish sun. A Russian story, also becoming typical, is that a resident of a large city sells the apartment in a residential area inherited from his grandmother and buys a similar one in Spain, intending to rent out his own apartment and, with the proceeds, settle into the life of an average European under the blessed Spanish sun. It's worth mentioning that, in response to the crisis that began in 2008, the Spanish government reduced the property purchase tax from 8 to 4 percent.

And here are some more associations: Hemingway, "Fiesta", bullfighting in Pamplona...

Spain was in the center historical events since ancient times. Prehistoric human settlements on its territory date back to the Paleolithic period. The ancient Phoenicians, the ancient Greeks, and the ancient Romans successively tried to make it their colony. The great Julius Caesar began his career as viceroy of Spain. From here, the great Hannibal set out on elephants into the Second Punic War. The Vandals, who captured the country after the fall of the Roman Empire and fought for control with the Byzantine Empire, invited Arab and Berber tribes (Moors) from Africa for help in 711. Spain appealed so much to the Moors that, having captured almost the entire country, they could not drive them out for over 700 years! In 1492, the year when this was finally achieved, Columbus discovered America, thus laying the foundation the golden age of SpainIn the 16th century, the country was a major colonial power, owning almost half of Europe. Over the next three hundred years, it lost almost everything due to its exorbitant ambitions and love of luxury. In the mid-20th century, during civil war, became a springboard for the clash of not only Spanish, but also world extremes right and far-left forces...

Does anyone still remember: Grenada, Grenada, my Grenada!

Today's Spain consists of 50 provinces, grouped into 17 regions. The largest cities of Spain are Madrid, BarcelonaValencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Malaga. Toledo was once the capital of Spain – still one of the most beautiful and interesting in Europe. In 1561, after the disparate Spanish regions were united under Castile rule, the capital, to avoid offending anyone, was moved to the inconspicuous town of Madrid, which turned out to be closest to the geographic center of Spain. In Madrid, a city of millions today, in the main square, you can still see and even step on the sign marking the very center of the Spanish part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy. Since 1975, the country has been ruled by King Juan Carlos.

Spain is a traditional Catholic country. 90 percent of the country's population is Catholic. It was once the land of the Jesuits and the Inquisition. Meanwhile, modern Spain has become the fourth country in the world to recognize same-sex marriage.

The official language, known worldwide as Spanish, is Castilian, the language spoken in the central regions of the country. In Barcelona and throughout Catalonia, Catalan is spoken. In the Basque Country, Basque is spoken. In Galicia, Galician is spoken. Catalans and Basques generally do not consider themselves Spanish and dream of separating into separate states.

Here are some more associations: football club Real Madrid, tennis player Rafael Nadal, racing driver Fernando Alonso. 

Spain is multifaceted. Spain is distinctive. Spain is welcoming and courageous. It is a country of rich history, generous sunshine, beautiful people, healthy food, and good wine.

Come to Spain. It's impossible not to love it!