Iran & Spain : Trade & Exhibition Information

Description:
Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with its smaller neighbour, Portugal, and is bordered to the northeast by the Pyrenees Mountains, which separate Spain from France. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera), 193km (120 miles) southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are part of Spain, as are the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the North African mainland.

Mainland Spain is the second highest and most mountainous country in Europe, with an average height of 610m (2,000ft). The Pyrenees stretch roughly 400km (249 miles) from the Basque Country's Atlantic coast, eastwards to the Mediterranean Sea. In places the peaks rise to over 1,524m (5,000ft), the highest point being 3,404m (11,169ft). The main physical feature of Spain is the vast central plateau, or Meseta, divided by several chains of sierras. The higher northern area includes Castile and Le?�n, the southern section comprises Castile/La Mancha and Extremadura. In the south, the high plains rise further at the Sierra Morena before falling abruptly at the great valley of The Guadalquivir.

Southeast of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, part of the Betic Cordillera, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean, rising to 3,478m (11,411ft) at the summit of Mulhacen, the highest point on the Spanish peninsula (the Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canaries is the highest peak in Spain at 3,718m (12,198ft). The Mediterranean coast extends 1,660km (1,030 miles) from the French frontier to the Straits of Gibraltar, the narrow strip of water linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic and separating Spain from North Africa.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/259/general_information/Europe/Spain.html

Population

44.7 million (official figure 2006).

language:
The principal language is Spanish (Castilian or castillano). Catalan (in the northeast, with variations spoken in Valencia and The Balearics), Galician (in the northwest) and Basque (in the north, bordering France) are also spoken

Climate:
Spain's climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south. The best months are from April to October, although July and August can be excessively hot throughout the country except the coastal regions. Madrid is best in late spring or autumn. The central plateau can be bitterly cold in winter

Economy - overview:
The economy was subdued until Spain joined the (then) European Community in 1986, since when it has expanded rapidly. Despite decline in agriculture and older sectors, Spain achieved high growth through the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to an expanding service sector which now accounts for most economic output. Spain joined the European Monetary Union at the start of 1999 and the eurozone in 2002. The Spanish economy has slowed somewhat since 2000, and although unemployment has fallen, it remained high at 8.1% in 2006. The annual GDP growth in 2006 was 3.9% while inflation was estimated at 3.5%.
The agricultural sector produces cereals, vegetables, fruit, olive oil and wine. The fishing fleet, although reduced, remains one of the world's largest.
Energy requirements are met by indigenous coal and natural gas, imported oil and a sizeable nuclear power programme. The decline of older manufacturing industries has been offset by rapid expansion in the motor industry, chemicals, electronics, information technology and industrial design.

In the service sector, Spain is the second most-popular destination in the world and has a vast tourism industry, mainly servicing visitors from northern Europe. Financial services, transport, media and telecommunications have also undergone substantial growth.

Economy:
The economy was subdued until Spain joined the (then) European Community in 1986, since when it has expanded rapidly. Despite decline in agriculture and older sectors, Spain achieved high growth through the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to an expanding service sector which now accounts for most economic output. Spain joined the European Monetary Union at the start of 1999 and the eurozone in 2002. The Spanish economy has slowed somewhat since 2000, and although unemployment has fallen, it remained high at 8.1% in 2006. The annual GDP growth in 2006 was 3.9% while inflation was estimated at 3.5%.

The agricultural sector produces cereals, vegetables, fruit, olive oil and wine. The fishing fleet, although reduced, remains one of the world's largest.

Energy requirements are met by indigenous coal and natural gas, imported oil and a sizeable nuclear power programme. The decline of older manufacturing industries has been offset by rapid expansion in the motor industry, chemicals, electronics, information technology and industrial design.

In the service sector, Spain is the second most-popular destination in the world and has a vast tourism industry, mainly servicing visitors from northern Europe. Financial services, transport, media and telecommunications have also undergone substantial growth.

Exports:
Machinery, motor vehicles, food, pharmaceuticals and medicines.

• Main trade partners: France, Germany, Italy, UK and Portugal.

Imports:
Machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semi-finished goods and food.

Currency

(EUR); Spanish peseta (ESP)

GDP

US$1.1 trillion (2006).

Exchange Rate

Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/259/money/Europe/Spain.html

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