Spain is divided into seventeen autonomous regions which include the Balearic and Canary Islands. Each region has its own characteristics and the climate varies dramatically between the north and south. The north with its mountains rugged coastline and cooler weather, is virtually untouched by the tourist industry while many southern regions rely on tourism as their main source of income. Food and wine production in the regions are also governed by the climate, with the north providing many dairy products and the south producing some of Spain's main exports including citrus fruits, olives, tomatoes and peppers. Spanish wine production has grown to become a major industry, especially in areas which were not previously renowned for the quality of their wines. Many have adopted new manufacturing processes which have transformed their once localised wines into sought after vintages which are exported worldwide.
Andalucia is in the southeast of Spain and is home to the Costa del Sol one of the most affluent stretches of coast in Spain and the historic Granada & Cordoba.
The Aragon region is home to a diverse range of scenery and temperatures the snow capped Pyrenees mountains in the north and the arid plains in the south.
The Basque Country or Euskadi, is a mountainous region in the north of Spain which stretches into parts of France and has a coastline on the bay of Biscay, the Costa Vasca. .
The Canary Islands
Ibiza is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Med. San Antonio is renowned for its club scene and Ibiza town is a great place for people watching. Not all the resorts are lively
The region of Cantabria is in the north of Spain bordering Asturias, the Basque Country and Castile y Leon. Cantabria has a rugged coastline on the Cantabrian sea.
Castile and Leon as the name implies is a historic region full of castles and other ancient monuments. Castile and Leon is Spain s largest region bordering nine other regions and Portugal.
Castilla La Mancha is another historic region of Spain which is home to some ancient towns including the magnificent Roman city of Toledo, the region's capital.
Extremadura is one of the remotest regions of Spain, it lies between Portugal to the west and Castilla la mancha to the east also borders with Andalucia and Castile and Leon.
Galicia is on the rugged northwest coast of Spain. It is famous for its seafood and for the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, the termination of the pilgrims routes.
La Rioja is Spain's most famous wine producing region. The province of La Rioja is the smallest in Spain. It is divided into two regions Rioja alto and Rioja bajo (high and low)
Madrid is the capital city of Spain the central hub of the country it is home to over three million people. Madrid is crammed full with superb architecture.
