Geography

Main article: Geography of Spain

At 194,884 mi² (504,782 km²), Spain is the world's 51st-largest
country. It is comparable in size to Turkmenistan, and is somewhat
larger than the U.S. state of California.
On the west, Spain borders Portugal, on the south, it borders Gibraltar
(a British overseas territory) and Morocco, through its cities in North
Africa (Ceuta and Melilla). On the northeast, along the Pyrenees
mountain range, it borders France and the tiny principality of Andorra.
Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the
Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and a number of uninhabited
islands on the Mediterranean side of the strait of Gibraltar, known as
Plazas de soberanía, such as the Chafarine islands, the isle of Alborán,
the "rocks" (peñones) of Vélez and Alhucemas, and the tiny Isla Perejil.
In the northeast along the Pyrenees, a small exclave town called Llívia
in Catalonia is surrounded by French territory.
Mainland Spain is dominated by high plateaus and mountain ranges,
such as the Sierra Nevada. Running from these heights are several
major rivers such as the Tajo, the Ebro, the Duero, the Guadiana and
the Guadalquivir. Alluvial plains are found along the coast, the largest
of which is that of the Guadalquivir in Andalusia.
Due to Spain's geographical situation and orographic conditions, the
climate is extremely diverse; it can be roughly divided in three areas:

• The moderate Continental climate takes place in the inland areas of the Peninsula
(largest city, Madrid).
• The Mediterranean climate region, which roughly extends from the Andalusian
plain along the southern and eastern coasts up to the Pyrenees, on the seaward
side of the mountain ranges that run near the coast (largest city, Barcelona).
• An Oceanic climate takes place in Galicia and the coastal strip by the Bay of
Biscay (largest city, Bilbao). This area is often called Green Spain.

Geography of Spain
Continent
Europe
Region
Southern Europe
Iberian Peninsula
Coordinates
40°00'N 4°00' W
Area
Ranked 50th
504,782 km²
194,897.42 miles²
98.96% land
1.04% water
Coastline
4,964 km (3,084 miles)
Borders
Total land borders:
1917.8 km (1191.67 miles)
Portugal:
1214 km (754.34 miles)
France:
623 km (387.11 miles)
Andorra:
63.7 km (39.58 miles)
Morocco (Melilla):
9.6 km (5.97 miles)
Morocco (Ceuta):
6.3 km (3.91 miles)
Gibraltar:
1.2 km (0.75 miles)
Highest point
Teide (Canary Islands)
3,718 m (12,198 ft)
Mulhacén (Iberian Peninsula)
3,477 m (11,407 ft)
 Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean
0 m (0 ft) (Sea level)
Longest river
Tagus
Largest lake
Lago de Sanabria

Vegetation

Nearly half of Spain is covered by spontaneous vegetation of some sort, but

only a small proportion (largely confined to the mountains) is classified as
dense woodland. Northern Spain has heath and deciduous woodland (oak,
beech). The mountains of the northern Meseta and the Iberian and Baetic
cordilleras carry deciduous Portuguese oak; those of the central Pyrenees, the
Iberian ranges, and the Central Sierras have diverse pine species. The rest,
more than half of Spain, has a Mediterranean vegetation characterized by
evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) and other drought-resistant plants commonly
reduced to scrub status (matorral). An esparto grass (Lygeum spartum) is
found in the steppes of La Mancha and the southeast; the esparto products of
Spain (paper, rope, basketry), however, come from an associated alfa grass
(Stipa tenacissima). Poplar and eucalyptus have become widespread since the
19th century.

Introduction to Spain
Located in southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Portugal and France. The country covers a total area of
505,957 sq km. Spain has 4,964 km of coastline. Besides five other places of
sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco, Spain consists of 17 administrative
regions , 15 of which are on mainland Spain. Spain occupies four-fifths of the
Iberian peninsula and is a land of immense geographical diversity.It offers the tourist
a great deal. Spain's coastline has long since been a magnet for visitors but in recent
years more and more people are spending holiday time, exploring beautiful and
cultural Spain, away from the sea and sand. Spain has everything from lush, green
forests and mountain ranges, through to endless arid plains and long, sandy
beaches.

Climate
Although Spain lies in the temperate zone, its rugged topography gives rise to a
great diversity of climates. What is known as rainy Spain, lies mainly to the north of
the Cantabrian mountains. Here there are mild winters and cool summers with only a
slight variation in temperature. This climate is typical of western Europe. To the
south lies dry Spain which makes up two-thirds of Spain. Here there is scarce rainfall
with almost constant, hot sun. When it does rain it is often heavy with fierce
thunderstorms.

Spain
GEOGRAPHY

Size: Peninsular Spain covers 492,503 square kilometers. Spanish

territory also encompasses the Balearic Islands (Spanish, Islas
Baleares) in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands (Spanish,
Canarias) in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the city enclaves of Ceuta
and Melilla in North Africa.
Topography: Peninsular landmass predominantly a vast highland
plateau--the Meseta Central--surrounded and dissected by mountain
ranges. Major lowland areas include narrow coastal plains, Andalusian
Plain in southwest, and Ebro Basin in northeast. Islands, especially
Canary Islands, mountainous.
Climate: Predominantly continental climate with hot, dry summers
and rather harsh, cold winters. Wide diurnal and seasonal variations in
temperature and low, irregular rainfall. Maritime climate prevails in
northern part of country, characterized by relatively mild winters,
warm but not hot summers, and generally abundant rainfall spread
throughout year. Slight diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature.
Mediterranean climate experienced from Andalusian Plain along south
and east coasts, characterized by irregular, inadequate rainfall, mostly
in autumn and winter.
Data as of December 1988