Population

40,077,100

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France

Climate

Because of its large size, Spain’s climate varies tremendously, with the most temperate weather falling between April and October, also known as the high travel season. Generally, Spain’s climate can be characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, which vary with the topography.

The coastal areas tend to be more moderate with rain in spring and fall, and heat haze being common in the summer due to the increased moisture in the air. With winter comes increased rainfall and mild temperatures.

Moving inland, the summers become hotter and drier with temperatures reaching into the 100’s. The winters are chilly with temperatures just above freezing, but feel colder with the usual wet weather that accompanies the season.

In the central plateau, the winter is drier, but can be bitterly cold, with temperatures cooling dramatically at high altitudes.

Moderate rainfall accompanies fall and spring, and the summers tend to be mild, with occasional heat waves that carry the temperatures to the upper 90’s and into the 100’s.