Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded
command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and
industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and
Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I
and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second
half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western
international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include
Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in
unemployment.
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North
Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France
Population: 40,341,462 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 2,994,124/female 2,815,456)
15-64
years: 68% (male 13,762,281/female 13,664,762)
65 years and over:
17.6% (male 2,965,859/female 4,138,980) (2005 est.)
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