Spain with Its Magnificent Cities, Strong Culture and Colorful Life
The Spanish Kingdom is located on the Iberian Peninsula, on the southwestern side of Europe. Spain also includes the Balear Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
Spain, is the second largest country in Western Europe after France. Spain, the owner of the Unesco Cultural Heritage, is governed by a constitutional monarchy regime organized in the form of parliamentary democracy. It has been member of the EU since 1986 and NATO since 1982.
EU’S 5TH GREAT ECONOMY
Spain, which is the 13th largest economy in the world and 5th in the European Union according to GDP, is a competitive and innovative international center with its young and well educated population. Like other Western European countries, Spain’s economy has entered into a transformation process after the Second World War, in this term the service sector has been increasingly important and the agriculture sector’s has reduced its importance. Last year, Turkey exports to Spain were 7 billion 712 million dollars, imports 5 billion 492 million dollars and bilateral trade volume was 13 billion 204 million dollars. These figures correspond to 22.3% increase in exports, 13.8% decrease in imports and 4.1% increase in bilateral trade compared to 2017. As of the end of 2018, 678 Spanish capital companies operate in our country. Between 2002-2018, the total amount of investment from Spain to our country was 9 billion 304 million dollars.
According to the data of our Madrid Trade Consultancy, there are approximately 85 Turkish businesses operating in Spain. 2002-2018 period, direct investment from Turkey to Spain 185 million dollars.
In 2018, the number of Spanish tourists visiting Turkey increased by 66.75% compared to the previous year and amounted to 178,018.
ONE OF SPAIN’S SYMBOLS IS THE ‘UNFINISHED CHURCH’
The capital city of Spain is Madrid, at the same time the largest city in the country. With its historical buildings, museums and cathedrals, Madrid has a population of 5 million. In the city there is the Almudena Church built in neogothic style, the Palacio Real, which has a library of manuscripts and antique books, the Prado Museum with about 7,000 works which made the 18th century.
The Prado National Museum, which harbors the world’s richest collection of artworks, Calle Mayor, one of the most important arteries of Madrid, Plaza De Cibeles Fountain, which is in the middle of the square devoted to the Goddess Cybele are at the top of the places to be visited. Barcelona, which has become the capital of the Catalan region; It is second city after Madrid with its history, art and unique architecture.The La Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) cathedral, also known as the “unfinished church” by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, is just one of the city’s most important icons. The Catalan Museum of Art, Picasso Museum, Ceramics and Museum of Modern Art are also worth seeing.
