Spain🇪🇸
Spain is a southwestern European country located on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares borders with France, Andorra, Portugal, and Gibraltar, with the relationship with its neighbors being generally peaceful. Renowned for its rich history, Spain is known for iconic traditions such as Flamenco dancing, bullfighting, and the Tomatina tomato fight. Attractions include Madrid's Royal Palace, Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, and Granada's Alhambra Palace. The country's landscape boasts diverse beauty, from the sunny beaches of Costa del Sol to the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada. A visit to Spain is incomplete without indulging in its world-famous cuisine, especially tapas and paella, and participating in local festivals.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid confronting loiterers or pickpockets; instead, alert the local authorities.
- Avoid political discussions or demonstrations, especially relating to regional independence.
- Avoid walking alone at night in isolated or poorly lit areas.
- Avoid exceeding the speed limit while driving, as speeding tickets in Spain can be quite heavy.
- Avoid wearing beachwear in towns or city centers; it’s considered disrespectful.
- Avoid offending religious and cultural sentiments, particularly during religious and local festivals.
- Avoid flashing expensive items in crowded public places to discourage theft.
- Avoid drinking tap water in certain regions of Spain, like the Canary Islands, as it's not recommended for consumption due to its high mineral content.
- Avoid consuming alcohol on the streets; it's generally prohibited unless in designated areas or during particular festivals.
- Avoid hiking alone in the mountains without informing someone about your plans.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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Spain maintains a generally low crime rate. However, non-violent crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching are common in metropolitan areas and tourist destinations like Barcelona and Madrid. Another concern is residential burglaries, particularly in more isolated areas. Tourists are advised to exercise normal precautions.
Terrorism 💣
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Spain, in the past, has experienced terrorism primarily by Basque separatist group ETA, although they declared a formal ceasefire in 2011. More recent threats have been linked to Islamist extremism, including the deadly Barcelona attack in 2017 where a van was driven into pedestrians killing 13 people and injuring many. However, Spain's global terrorism index has been consistently decreasing.
War ⚔️
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Spain is currently not involved in any armed conflicts, thus offering a stable and safe environment. The last significant conflict was the Civil War from 1936 to 1939, which had far-reaching impacts but is now a part of history.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Spain’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to various natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and earthquakes. However, a well-established disaster management system is in place. An instance is the flood in Mallorca in 2019, which caused significant damage.
Medical Care 🏥
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Spain provides high-quality medical care, with one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Public hospitals and private clinics are well-equipped. However, access might be limited in rural areas.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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Tap water in Spain is of high quality and perfectly safe to drink across the whole country. However, taste varies by region due to different water sources and treatment methods.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Spain does not have significant endemic diseases. Standard vaccinations are recommended, but there are no specific health threats for travelers.
Corruption 💸
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Spain faces certain levels of corruption, mainly within political and regional boundaries. High-profile corruption cases, such as the Gurtel Case with it's verdict in 2018, have led to increased transparency and anti-corruption measures.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Spain is generally safe for solo female travelers, although cases of harassment are reported occasionally. The government is actively working against gender violence through legislation and public campaigns.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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Spain is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world, particularly cities like Barcelona and Madrid. However, as with many places, acceptance can sometimes be lower in rural or isolated areas.
Censorship 📺
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Spain does not exercise excessive media censorship. The freedom of press and speech is well-respected. However, there are instances of political tensions influencing media, such as during the Catalonia independence movement.
Public Transportation 🚌
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Spain provides efficient and extensive public transportation, with a high-speed train network connecting major cities, local buses, and metros. Safety standards are high, although, like in any large city, it's advised to be aware of pickpockets.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Spain is generally a safe country for both tourists and locals. Violent crime is scarce, and the most common issues are petty crimes like pickpocketing, especially in crowded tourist areas. It's always recommended to remain vigilant, especially in crowded areas or at night. Natural hazards, like floods and earthquakes, occur infrequently, but general awareness and adherence to safety advisories are advisable. The country has an excellent healthcare system, clean tap water, and adequate safety protocols for women and LGBTQ+ travelers.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Many countries have embassies located in Spain's capital, Madrid. This includes the US Embassy, British Embassy, French Embassy, German Embassy, and Canadian Embassy. For any emergency assistance, visitors are advised to contact their respective embassy or consulate.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
There are no special vaccinations required for Spain besides the routine vaccines like Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis, Varicella, Polio, and influenza shot.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
In Spain, most dangerous animals are found in the wild such as the Iberian wolf, bears in the Pyrenees, or the venomous Viper. However, they avoid human contact. Jellyfish can be an issue on some beaches during the summer months. In general, dangerous encounters are rare.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Spain, as part of the Schengen region, requires a visa for some non-European visitors for stays up to 90 days. Visitors should check exact requirements with their local embassy.
💲 Currency
The currency is the Euro (€). Money can be exchanged at banks, ATMs, or exchange bureaus.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are widely accepted in Spain. However, it's advised to carry some cash for small vendors or rural areas.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Spain offers ample work and travel opportunities with a diverse tourism sector. However, non-EU nationals might require specific work permits.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
Spain, compared to other western European countries, is relatively affordable in terms of travel and living. Costs will vary based on location, with larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona being more expensive.