Spain Travel Guide

Are you planning a trip to Spain? You've probably heard stories from friends and relatives of there adventures in this beautiful country. There are some things not to be missed and other places that will appeal to you depending on your tastes. Here is a quick orientation of this amazing country.

First off, make sure you get a good detailed map of Spain so you have a visual reference while you study you plan your tourist itinerary. Make sure you have map of Spain that shows the surrounding countries so you'll have proper orientation. Not only will you be able to see where you'll be visiting but a map will also give you other information. This includes distances between places and the geography of the land including elevation and typography. You'll be able to see where possible mountain retreats are as well as sunny beaches.

Here are some quick facts about Spain. The mainland is located in Western Europe and is large but small in comparison to the U.S.; it is a little more than the size of Oregon. Spain also includes an island chain off the coast of Morocco. The mainland of Spain borders France and Portugal and has a coastline of almost 5,000 kilometers. The lowest point of Spain is along the Atlantic at sea level and the highest (more than 3,700 meters) is in Tenerife at the Pico de Teide in the Canary Islands.

Cities and Regions of Spain

The capital of Spain is Madrid and is located in the center of the country near the Tagus River. It will probably be your first stop in Spain and it is well worth a visit. Don't plan less than three days in the historic and culturally rich city.

Seville is known for its rich Spanish culture as well as being a financial center. It lies in the southwest of the country and is a must see. Other seaside cities that are musts for your tourist itineraries is Barcelona and Cartagena.

The Alicante region is located along the Mediterranean coast and is a popular beach area with visitors from all over Europe. The Straight of Gibraltar is located at the southern tip of Spain and is the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Algeciras is the port city for the straight. Spain is heavily involved in fishing and that can be seen in the north of the country. On the northern coast lies the beautiful cities of A Coruna and Vigo. On the Bay of Biscay are also the cities of Gijon and Santander.

Spain has so much to offer that it will surely be difficult to see all that you want. Use the internet and a good travel guide to determine what cities and sights interest you the most. Make sure you give yourself enough time to see the sights at a relaxing pace so your holiday doesn't become stressful.