Spain
Spain hardly needs an introduction, being the second most visited destination in the world in 2007! Obviously the benefits Spain has to offer were discovered long ago, but if you’re looking to buy property in Spain here are some interesting points that you may not be aware of.
Spain’s real estate market is booming, and has been doing so for years. It seems the popularity of this country will never cease. If you’re considering an investment property, even with emerging markets as competition, Spanish property rentals will always be popular so should be a safe bet.
Geography
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in south-west Europe and includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, off the coast of Africa, and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Mainland Spain features some beautiful coastlines and although there has been much development over the past few decades there are still many smaller towns along the coast which have retained their Spanish charm. Inland Spain consists of a large plateau with an average height of between 450 and 900m (1500 and 3000 ft) and right in the centre is the capital city of Madrid. In the north are the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains with some great skiing, and in the south the wide, lowland valley of the Guadalquivir River.
The Costa del Sol
Long, sandy beaches, sheltered coves and marina’s against a backdrop of mountains are what make this coastline so attractive. Combine the sand and scenery with the main towns of the region, Malaga, Marbella and Torremolinos to name a few, and you have the recipe for a great holiday! This area is still a favourite for those buying Spanish property and because the mountain chain here protects much of the coast from the northern winds, there is a warm climate all year round.
Almeria
North, along the coast from the Costa del Sol you’ll find the province of Almeria. Although there are still tourist resorts here, it’s not as busy as the Costa del Sol and has an even more diverse landscape with untouched natural beauty.
The Costa de Almeria enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate throughout the year with an average high of 25 C in the summer and 13 C in the winter, low rainfall and over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year!
Costa Calida
Still further north along the coast you’ll find Costa Calida. Known for its old fishing towns and vegetable garden cities and its beautiful coastline where the mountains meet the sea.
The climate here is similar to that of Almeria.
Cost Blanca
The Costa Blanca stretch of coastline takes in the towns of Alicante and Benidorm though despite these cosmopolitan areas the region still has many rural parts and offers a good mix for visitors.
Along the coast, the climate is mild, year-round with an average of just above 17 C and not much rainfall.
History
Spain has quite a history of being conquered! The Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs all came in succession. Spain found its feet again in the 16th century, becoming the dominant power in Europe, only to lose this standing as a result of the War of the Spanish Succession and the Napoleonic War, then going on to lose much of its empire in the early 19th century. Further troubles distanced Spain from the rest of Europe as Franco came to power with his Fascist dictatorship following the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s, and it wasn’t until his death in 1975 that Spain opened up and started welcoming tourists as it does today.
Spain now has its monarchy back – King Juan Carlos I is the Chief of State and the country is run by the President of the Government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
Cuisine
Local dishes vary depending on the region, but on the coasts seafood plays a major part in any cooking. You are bound to find dozens of variations of Paella, all varying in their ingredients and quality – it’s not necessarily the one with the most ingredients that tastes best!
The same applies to the popular drink, Sangria – the base is red wine, with added fruit juices, soft drinks and fresh fruit, but with no set recipe the flavours can vary greatly.
Amongst others, Spain is also well-known for its hams and wine.
Currency
Once the realm of the Peseta, Spain changed to the Euro in 2002 when it was officially released.
One Euro consists of 100 cents.
Language
The official language is Spanish (or Castilian), but there are variations of this spoken in the different regions of the country, for example: Catalan and Basque.