The red and yellow

1. The red and yellow BY: Jackson Hagedorn

2. Land and Weather • Spain occupies most of the Iberian peninsula in Europe. • The famous Pyrences Mountains are in the north. • Much of central Spain is a high plateau surrounded by low coastal plains. • Other important mountain ranges include the Iberians in the central part of the country and the Sierra Nevada in the south. • The Ebro (564 miles or 910 kilometers) is Spain’s longest river. • The northern coasts enjoy a moderate climate with frequent rainfall year-round.

3. History • Civilization on the Iberian peninsula dates to as far back as 2,000 B.C. • Various peoples have migrated to the area over the centuries. • Rome began to exercise its influence around 218 B.C and controlled the entire peninsula by the time of Christ. • In the centuries after the roman empire fell, Spain was ruled first by the Visigoths, Germanic tribes who invaded in the fifth century, and then by the Muslim moors, who invaded from north Africa in 711. • For the next several centuries, Christians fought the Muslim Empire and gradually regained territory.

4. Government • The long-standing royal lineage, after the 35-year hiatus, was once again incorporated into the government after a dying Franco settled on Juan Carlos (now King Juan Carlos) to replace him. • The king is both Spain's Head of State and its Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, as well the highest representative of the Spain in international matters • The most outstanding feature of the government of Spain was the restoration of powers to the regions. The disputes between the regions were the prime reason for the political instability in the country.

5. Population • Spain is on the rise with the adoption of 3 month amnesty program by the Spanish Government that awarded the legal resident's status to immigrants to Spain. The population of Spain records an approximate number of 40 million. Spainin the 20th century saw a huge rise. The boom in the industrial sectors of Spain in 60s and 70s was the responsible factor behind the rise in population. But it was an uneven growth in population. The urban Spain was flooded while many of the Spanish villages witnessed a massive drop in population.

6. Lifestyle • The Spanish are a very open-minded, fun loving people, who are very sociable and always intent on enjoying the outdoors and the sun. Meeting friends and neighbors in the streets and stopping for a chat to catch up on things is nothing out of the ordinary here. • Traditionally businesses closed for a few hours after lunch, to leave time for the all-important siesta, and while such customs still prevail in dreamy provincial towns, shops and businesses in the larger cities will remain open all day. It is quite common for life to begin when the sun goes down, especially in the summer. Restaurants serve dinner much later than they would in other European countries.t this constant interaction would seem unnatural to them.

7. Transportation • Spain boasts an expansive and well-developed network of modern motorways connecting the main cities. Almost all of the national motorways (autovías) radiate out from Madrid. They're free, and many have a parallel alternative toll road that’s usually of better quality and much less crowded. The toll fees aren’t very high. Spain's national railway operator is called RENFE. The railway network consists of a total of 13,000 kilometers of tracks. It covers the entire country and provides transportation between all of the regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Tarjeta Joven (Youth Card) offers discounts for people 12-25 years old.

8. Education • Primary Students study the following subjects: Spanish language, Maths, Conocimiento del Medio (a general knowledge subject which includes biology, history, geography, general and local knowledge and social awareness), Physical Education, Art and Craft and a second language (usually English but in some areas it may be French.) • From age 12 children move on to Secondary school (El Instituto). The Spanish secondary system is modelled loosely on the British comprehensive system and offers complete mixed ability schooling. The first four years are called "la E.S.O." (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria). Children can leave school at 16 or at an earlier age if they complete the exams earlier.