Summary
Spain is organised into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla. It lies in south-western Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal, and it also includes the Balearic Islands (in the Mediterranean), the Canary Islands (in the Atlantic, off Africa) and the two cities in North Africa.
Its capital is Madrid, in the centre of the country. The relief is very mountainous, with a large central plateau surrounded by mountain ranges, such as the Pyrenees, which separate it from France. Each autonomous community has its own government and powers, and some have their own language, such as Catalan, Galician or Basque.
Key points
- Spain has 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).
- It is on the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal.
- It includes the Balearics, the Canaries and the cities in North Africa.
- Its capital is Madrid, in the centre.
- The Pyrenees separate it from France.
- The interior is a large plateau surrounded by mountains.
- It has its own languages: Catalan, Galician and Basque.