Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay, and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco. Madrid is capital and the largest city in the country. There are three main climatic zones the Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry and warm summers dominant in the peninsula, the semiarid climate located in the southeastern quarter of the country, especially in the region of Murcia and in the Ebro valley. In contrast with the Mediterranean climate, the dry season extends beyond the summer and the oceanic climate located in north quarter of the country, especially in the region of Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria and partly Galicia. In contrary to the Mediterranean climate, winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean, and have no seasonal drought. Spain is rich with famous buildings and landmarks like the Sagrada Família Temple in Barcelona, the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, El Escorial which is historical residence of the king of Spain and many more. During the last four decades the Spanish tourism industry has grown to become the second biggest in the world.