Spain

Spain is 85% of the Iberian peninsula that it shares with Portugal . In 2012 the population of Spain was around 47 million. Spain is the closest country to Africa as they are only 14km apart. Spain is ruled by King Felipe VI. He was crowned King on the 16th of June 2014.

Madrid is the capital city of Spain. It is also the biggest. Other big cities are Barcelona , Valencia

and Sevilla .The Spanish name for Spain is España . It

means the land of rabbits.

There are 3 native animals from Spain: the bull, Iberian lynx and the Spanish imperial eagle. The Iberian lynx is a critically endangered animal . Ten years ago there were only 94 left in the wild. Now thanks to a conservation programme the numbers tripled and now there are 312.

Spain is famous for its lovely beaches . Overall Spain has about 8000km of beach.

Tagus is the longest river in the Iberian peninsula. The total length of Tagus is 1,038 km , in which 716km in Spain. It empties into the Atlantic ocean near Lisbon.

The Rio Tinto river is so polluted by toxic pollution that it has very little or no life in it due to mining.

The Running of the Bull is one of the biggest festivals in the world. It takes place in July in Pamplona. The race track is half a mile on a cobble road. It starts at 8 AM every morning for a week. A race lasts 2-3 minutes . 15 people have died in the last hundred years for running in this race . You must be over 18 to race.

45% of the world’s olive oil comes from Spain. Spain and Portugal also provide most of the world’s corks. Cork trees are grown in the Meseta region in Spain.

WHEN A CHILD LOOSES A TOOTH INSTEAD OF A TOOTHFAIRY THERE IS A MOUSE CALLED RATONCITO PEREZ. HE LEAVES A SURPRISE UNDER THE CHILD’S PILLOW.

Oranges are the main citrus fruit grown in Spain . Spain is Europe’s leading producer. These oranges are consumed fresh but their rind is sometimes used for jams especially bitter marmalades.

Pictures from when I was in Gijón and Oveido, Northern Spain.

The End