1. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, and Greece

2. SPAIN Population: 40.4 million
More than ¾ of population lives in cities & towns
Life expectancy:
Men – 78 years
Women – 84 years
Ethnicity is historically Mediterranean . . .
BUT recently an influx of immigrants has occurred. From where???

3. Languages in Spain Almost all speak Castilian Spanish.
Regional languages include:
Catalan 17%
Galician 7%
Basque 2% (in Pyrenees)

4. Brief History of Spain
As many as 17 different regions were united by the monarchs, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, in the 15th century to create the Spanish nation.
Spain was once a great empire thanks to the help of financing from these monarchs and the courage of explorers like Christopher Columbus.

5. Spanish Empire
By colonizing the Americas, Spain became one of the richest and most powerful countries of the 16th century. At the height of its power in 1588, the Spanish Empire included the West Indies, Cuba, Florida, Mexico, Central America, much of South America, and the Philippines.
What happened in 1588?
Defeat of Spanish Armada by British..end of Spanish naval authority

6. Regionalism Spain is a “country of different countries.”
Some regions (Catalonia & Basque, in particular) still want independence & threaten to secede!
Basque leaders are troublemakers!

7. Basque protests Valley Fog, Guipuzcoa, Basque Country
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Basque Country
Basque protests
In the village of Axpe, Basque Country, where you can see some of the highest peaks of the Pyrenees

8. Hotels in Barcelona, Catalonia
Montserrat, Catalonia, w/ natural rock formations rising to 4,000 ft.
Hotels in Barcelona, Catalonia
Catalonian countryside
A rural farmhouse in Catalonia

9. Spain’s government is now a Constitutional Monarchy
Hereditary monarch, King Juan Carlos I (since 1975), is head of state but elected officials run the government
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (since 2011).
Parliament = Cortes

10. 94% of Spain is Roman Catholic
When La Sagrada Familia (the Sacred Family) is finished, it will be over 500 feet tall, or 40% of the height of the Sears Tower in Chicago.  The central dome will be 50% taller than these spires, and will be egg-shaped.  It was started in 1882, and at one point, the estimated completion date was to be around 2200. 

11. More views of
La Sagrada Familia

12. Spain’s leading seaport & industrial center
Barcelona
Spain’s leading seaport & industrial center

13. Madrid, capital of Spain
has nearly 5 million people
one of Europe’s leading cultural centers; faces challenges of heavy traffic & air pollution

14. Madrid Plaza de Toros de las Ventas Templo de Debod
Church of Santa Monica

15. Madrid at night

16. Spain was a Founding Member of the EU

17. Spain’s Economy Manufacturing, mining of iron ore, gas & oil
Dry Farming,
irrigation not used
Manufacturing, mining of iron ore, gas & oil
Depends on Tourist Industry, employing 11%
World’s leading producer of olive oil
Dry farming field in summer

18. Culture & Tourism Running of the Bulls Parade of Giants
World’s Largest Tomato Fight
Castellers (Human Towers)

19. Arts
Spanish dances, such as the bolero and flamenco have become popular throughout the world.
Joaquin Cortes, flamenco dancer

20. Famous Spanish Actors
Antonio Banderas
Penelope Cruz