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Spain is located in southwestern Europe, neighboring Portugal on the West and occupying about 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Spain's main part is known as the Meseta, a broad central plateau half a mile above sea level. In the northeast are the broad valley of the Ebro River, the mountainous region of Catalonia, and the hilly coastal plain of Valencia. To the northwest is the Cantabrian Mountains. To the south is the lands of the valley of the Guadalquivir River, over which rises the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The southern portion of the country is desert, an extension of the Sahara. Lined with palm trees, rosemary bushes, and tropical vegetation, the southeastern Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands enjoy a gentle climate, drawing millions of visitors each year, especially from northern Europe. 

Spain’s countryside is quaint, speckled with castles, aqueducts, and ancient ruins, but its cities are resoundingly modern. 

The Andalusian capital of Seville is famed for its musical culture and traditional folkways while the Catalonian capital of Barcelona for its architecture and maritime industry. Madrid has been Spain's capital for hundreds of years, known for its winding streets, its museums and bookstores, and its around-the-clock lifestyle. 

The many cultures that have gone into the making of Spain—those of the Castilians, Catalonians, Lusitanians, Galicians, Basques, Romans, Arabs, Jews, and Roma (Gypsies), among others—are renowned for their varied cuisines, customs, and prolific contributions to the world’s artistic heritage. The country’s Roman conquerors left their language, roads, and monuments, while many of the Roman Empire’s greatest rulers were Spanish, among them Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. The Moors, who ruled over portions of Spain for nearly 800 years, left a legacy of fine architecture, poetry, and science; the Roma contributed the haunting music called the cante jondo (a form of flamenco).

In 1492, the year the last of the Moorish rulers were expelled from Spain, ships under the command of Christopher Columbus reached America. For 300 years afterward, Spanish explorers and conquerors traveled the world, claiming huge territories for the Spanish crown, a succession of Castilian, Aragonese, Habsburg, and Bourbon rulers. For a long time Spain was arguably the richest country in the world. With the steady erosion of its empire throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, however, Spain was all but forgotten in world affairs only to become withdrawn during the four decades of rule by dictator Francisco Franco. Following Franco’s death in 1975, a Bourbon king, Juan Carlos, returned to the throne and established a constitutional monarchy. The country has been ruled since then by a succession of elected governments all devoted to democracy.

Escape to one of the 16 sunny beaches of Málaga! This Andalusian city on the shores of the Mediterranean has a fascinating cultural side and is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

Must See:

• the legendary La Malagueta urban beach
• Pablo Picasso Museum
• the neighbourhood of Pedregalejo and try the typical grilled sardines on skewers.
• Muelle 1, a port promenade full of shops and restaurants that is perfect for a sunset stroll to La Farola, a lighthouse that is a symbol of the city.
• the pedestrian street Marqués de Larios, a busy thoroughfare decorated with flowers.
•  Málaga Roman Theatre
• Alcazaba fortress
• Soho - the Art District

Despite being very different cities with unique cultures, Madrid and Barcelona also have a things in common, both providing excellent cultural attractions. Madrid is known for its art museums, while Barcelona is better known for its architecture. Both cities also have beautiful Medieval centers, so you can stroll through the enchanting cobbled streets, ending at the famous Plaza Mayor in Madrid or the Gothic cathedral in Barcelona.

Another common characteristic is the excellent dining and nightlife scenes. You can get traditional tapas in either city, though keep in mind that they're different throughout Spain. Madrid has its famed tapas street, Calle de las Huertas, whereas Barcelona's is a bit more spread out, with the El Born district being the go-to place for tapas. 

Madrid is best known for its grand palaces, parks, and museums, such as the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum. For some outdoor fun, El Retiro Park is Madrid's version of New York's Central Park. Centrally located, Madrid also provides a great opportunity to explore nearby regions like Andalusia which is easy to reach with a 2.5-hour train to Seville.

Barcelona is the capital of the independent Catalonia province, with its own language (Catalan), cultural identity, and a long-running campaign for independence. Catalonians are very proud of this identity, which gives Barcelona a distinct character. It's a more quirky and unassuming city than Madrid but attracts far more tourists. Barcelona is an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience city life and beach time, with Gaudí's magical modernista architecture as well as several great beaches.