Spain country information facts

This is the place to find Spain country information facts such as visa, currancy, business hours etc...

POPULATION: 46.745.807 (approx)

CAPITAL: Madrid.

CURRENCY: Euro.

LANGUAGE: In Spain you find 4 official languages, Spanish ( Castellano) whish is the national language. The other official languages are “Gallego” spoken in Galicia, Basque spoken in the Basque Country and Catalan spoken in Catalunya, which also has similar dialects in Valencia and Balearic Island.

RELIGION: About 73% of the Spanish people self-identify themselves as Catholics, 2 % of other faiths, being made up of Protestants, Muslims and Jews and 22% identify with no religion.

GEOGRAPHY AREA: 504,780 km2 Spain is the fourth largest country in Spain after Russia, Ukraine and France. The area is divided into the Spain mainland, which is basiclly the Iberian peninsula ( except for Portugal, the Balearic Islands consisting of the islands Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Gomera, Fuerteventura and Hierro in the Atlantic Ocean just outside the Morocco coast.

TIME: GMT + 1 hour (Central European Time) 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS (dial toll-free from any phone):

Emergency services Dial: 112

Ambulance/Ambulancia Dial: 061

e service/Bomberos Dial: 080

ional Police/Policia Nacional Dial: 091

Municipal Police/Policia Municipal Dial: 092

TELEPHONE: To make an international call from Spain, dial 00 (+) and the telephone number. To call Spain from abroad, the country code is + 34.

BUSINESS HOURS: The shops are normally open Monday to Saturday from around 9am or 10am until about 2pm. After siesta they reopen from around 5pm until 8pm or 9pm. Large department stores usually stay open all day till 10pm. Almost all shops are closed on Sundays.

BANKS : Open from 8.30am to 2pm from Monday to Friday, hours may vary in summer.

TAXIS: The taxis are cheap compared to other countries in Europe. The are easily identified with a green light on the roof. Some services normally airport servicies my have a fixed price according to the time and type of the day. You will find supplements for number of luggages and highway and other holidays.

INTERNET CONNECTIONS: Internet is now a very commen way to communicate in Spain. In every small town and village you will find an internet cafe. And the price is not expensive.

VISA: There are no need for visas for EU nationals staying three months maximum.

TIPPING: It is normal in Spain to leave some coins when leaving the restaurant. In general the waiters do not expect any additional tips. Nevertheless if you're happy with the service, leave a tip, it will be highly appreciated.