Country Information : Spain
 Spain is located at the Iberian Peninsula, of which it occupies approximately 80% (the remaining 20% is occupied by Portugal), in the southwest of Europe. In the north Spain borders on France and Andorra, with the Pyrenees as a natural frontier. Additionally the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea, Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean close to the Moroccan coast, and Ceuta and Melilla, located in northern Africa, are Spanish territory. Spain is the 3 rd country of Europe in extension and the 5 th in population.
There are five big mountain ranges crossing the country, and about 50% of it is located at an elevated plain. Landscapes are extremely varied, some almost desert-like, others green and fertile, and of course there are the long coasts, in the east along Mediterranean Sea from Pyrenees to Gibraltar, and in the west (the major part of the Iberian Peninsula’s western coast is occupied by Portugal) along the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea. In the Sierra Nevada, both Skiing and bathing on the beach is not uncommon on the same day
It is a well developed country with a good network of rail and roads. The north of the country is filled with lush green countryside and is becoming ever increasingly popular as a summer destination due to the many low cost airlines flying into the popular areas.
Widely known for Flamenco music and dance, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine, Spain has everything to offer. It is one of the cultural centres of Europe, with beautiful cities and towns, offering really old monuments as well as futuristic architecture. Its various regions are all different one to each other, geographically, climatically and even in personality. The cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Seville are an explorers dream with their fantastic architecture and cosmopolitan feel.
The climate can be different in the North of the country to that of the South at certain times of the year, however one thing is certain, during the summer months the North and South are hot and dry. The winters are generally mild with some rain.
Spain is the most popular country for brits buying abroad, mainly due to the weather and the flying time from the UK which takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. The southern regions are the most popular on the Costas, with prices being at their highest. A popular 1 bed apartment can cost from £80k and a three bed villa can cost from £200k. The new developing areas such as the Costa Azahar are becoming ever increasingly popular due to more flights from the low cost airlines and properties being significantly cheaper. The average property price rise was 15% in 2005.
>> Click here to view information about buying a property in Spain << |
