Spain is located in southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, to the southwest of France. It is separated from France on its northern border by the Pyrenees and it has a western border with Portugal. It also borders the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The autonomous communities of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands also belong to Spain. Mainland Spain is a very mountainous, scenic country, with a vast central plateau, lush forests to the north and many sandy beaches along its 4,964 km coastline.
Spain is a country of great contrast between the old and the new. In many ways it is a modern, advanced country, with good infrastructure and a high standard of living. At the same time, the rich architectural, artistic and cultural legacy of its past are in evidence everywhere, with a Moorish influence in the south of the country, and a medieval and Renaissance heritage in the Madrid region. Spain is characterised by a relatively relaxed pace of life, compared with many other European countries, and the Spanish are renowned for their great enjoyment of lively socializing. Madrid, Barcelona and the tourist centres along the coast are well-known for their very lively nightlife and wide range of bars, clubs and restaurants. Madrid and Barcelona are culturally sophisticated cities, with many galleries, museums and theatres.
Of the Spanish population of around 42 million, around 6% are foreign-born, with the biggest groups of foreigners being immigrant workers from North Africa and South America. British expatriates are the fourth largest group of foreign residents in Spain, and these include retired people, families, and those who commute on a weekly basis to jobs in the UK. Many of the British expatriates have settled in the Balearics and the Canary Islands.
Factors which attract British and other northern European expatriates to Spain include its warm climate, high standard of living at relatively low cost, relatively low house prices, good infrastructure and stable economy. Many expats have opened bars, cafes and other businesses there, especially in the main tourist areas. Expatriates report that the locals make them feel very welcome in Spain, being a friendly, trusting race, and that they enjoy the relaxed approach to life and the family-oriented culture.
People who are employed in Spain often find that the working hours are longer than they are used to, but that they work less hard and there are frequent breaks throughout the day, including the national tradition of the afternoon siesta. Many shops close for several hours during the afternoon, even in the cities, and office workers take long lunch breaks. Salaries are relatively low compared to other European countries.
Expatriates sometimes complain about the slowness of Spanish bureaucracy and services, but these are just one aspect of the more relaxed approach to life that is so attractive to people relocating there. Spain also attracts huge numbers of tourists on package holidays, so expatriates looking for a quiet refuge might consider areas away from the coast.
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