Spain Country Profile

Index

1. Executive Summary

2. Geography

3. History

4. Political Environment

a. Spanish Socialist Workers Party

b. Popular Party

c. Nationalist groups

5. Economy

6. Analysis

7. Map - from CIA factbook

8. Economic Figures - from www.un.com

9. Bibliography

Executive Summary

Spain is a country in Southwestern Europe and a prominent member of the European Union. Unlike most of Europe who is going through a rough economic period right now, Spain is one of the few countries that have been experiencing an economic growth in that same period. This is a promising fact for any company that is looking to expand or do business with any nation in the European union. That, coupled with the fact that they are using the euro proves to be another factor in the decision-making process regarding Spain.

Geography

Spain is located in Southwest Europe, southwest of France, bordering Portugal, the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean, and the Pyrenees mountains. Spain has a land area of 492,503 square kilometers. The terrain is mostly flat to desiccated plateaus with the Pyrenees Mountains to the north. Natural resources include coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, and arable land. Natural hazards include periodic droughts, while other current environmental issues include air and water pollution, water quality and quantity, deforestation and desertification. (CIA Factbook)

Spain's climate is continental with hot, dry summers and rather harsh, cold winters. Maritime climate prevails in northern part of country, with relatively mild winters, warm summers, and generally abundant rainfall spread throughout year. The south and east coasts usually experience a Mediterranean climate, characterized by irregular, inadequate rainfall, mostly in autumn and winter (Library of Congress).

History

"1100 BC. Phoenician traders establish colony at Cбdiz in southern Iberia.

228 BC. Carthaginians occupy southern and eastern Iberia.

218-220 BC. Romans defeat Carthage in Second Punic War and occupy Iberian Peninsula.

74. Inhabitants of Iberia are granted full Roman citizenship.

409. Visigoths occupy Iberian Peninsula.

711. Combined Arab and Berber force from northern Africa cross Strait of Gibraltar to occupy Iberian Peninsula.

756. Independent Emirate is established in Iberia, with Cуrdoba as its capital.

913. Having re-taken territories in northern Spain, Christians establish capital in Leуn.

1013. Powerful Caliphate of Cуrdoba breaks up due to internal strife; Moorish Spain split into small feuding kingdoms.

1212. Decisive Christian victory at battle of Navas de Tolosa spells the beginning of the end of Moorish rule in Spain.

1492. King Fernando and Queen Isabel's army capture Granada after a long siege, the final defeat of the Moors in Spain. Jews are forced to convert to Christianity; those who refuse are expelled from Spain. Christopher Columbus sets sail on his voyage of discovery.

1702-14. War of Spanish Succession. Bourbon dynasty accedes to Spanish throne.

1808-14. Peninsular War. Spaniards rise against Napoleon's occupying force. Combination of guerilla tactics and support from Wellington's army end in French defeat.

1898. Spanish American War. Spain loses Cuba and Philippines.

1931. Spanish king is forced to abdicate. Spain becomes a republic.

1936-39. Spanish Civil War. Bloody conflict ends with General Franco's victory. Dictatorship established.

1975. Franco dies; Juan Carlos de Borbуn is proclaimed king. Spain becomes constitutional monarchy. Democracy would bring membership of the European Community.

1982. Spain joins NATO, becoming a member of a mainstream European organization.

1995. Spain joins the European Community.

2004. Islamic terrorists strike the Atocha train station in Madrid with bombs, killing nearly 300 and precipitating a change in government." (Spain-info.com)

Political Environment

Spain's government is based on the 1978 constitution. The "Bicameral Cortes (parliament): the Senate has 259 members, 208 directly elected and 51 appointed as regional representatives, but with little influence; the Congress of Deputies has 350 members, elected from closed party lists in individual constituencies." (Economist) Head of state is King Juan Carlos, who appoints a president to head a council of ministers that are in charge of the national government. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of the Spanish socialist workers party was elected president in 2004. There are three main political parties in Spain, they are:

The Spanish Socialist Workers Party- This party was first elected to power in 1982 and won the next three general elections as well. They governed in a broad fashion focusing on economics on social policy. The party was damaged by a series of corruption scandals, which lead to their demise in 1996. They elected a new leader in 2000, Josй Luis Rodrнguez Zapatero. There are two wings within the party based on economic policy, liberal and interventionist; their differences have been reason for failure in reform. There are deep roots of anti-clericalism and anti-Americanism in the party. These have been reasons for the party's clash with the Roman Catholic Church and the US (Economist).

The Popular Party- emerged as a main opposition to Spanish Socialist Workers Party in the 1980s under the name "the Popular Alliance."