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a kingdom in SW Europe. Including the Balearic and Canary islands, 194,988 sq. mi. (505,019 sq. km).
Capital: Madrid.
Contemporary Examples

There was the train attack in Spain in 2003, and then the London subway bombings in 2005.
How U.S. Cities Can Protect Themselves Against Bombing Attacks Michael O’Hanlon April 16, 2013

Last weekend politicians in Madrid and Brussels moved to try to stabilize Spain before the Greek elections.
Will Greece Leave the Euro Zone? Louise Armitstead June 12, 2012

Even though I live in France, if I want to go to Spain, I head to Contigo, in San Francisco.
Fresh Picks David Lebovitz October 5, 2009

Walk to Gibraltar across the border at La Línea in Spain (74 miles east of Malaga).
Catch Beatles Fever! Ten Essential Travel Destinations for Beatlemaniacs Lonely Planet January 2, 2014

In theory, the Islands were part of the land given to Argentina by Spain upon independence in 1816.
The Never-Ending Falklands War: In Buenos Aires, A Museum’s Selective History Michael Luongo August 29, 2014

Historical Examples

Among the Moors of Spain the use of signet rings was general.
The Arts and Crafts of Older Spain, Volume I (of 3) Leonard Williams

That was a possibility, for he knew that the supply in the possession of Spain was a small one.
A Prisoner of Morro Upton Sinclair

In this letter I shall give an account of the conduct of Spain.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. V (of 12) Various

He did not think his services were appreciated by his king, and he offered them to Spain.
Four Young Explorers Oliver Optic

In Spain, she had only been a subordinate; in France she would have no superior, and would be more mistress of herself.
Political Women, Vol. 2 (of 2) Sutherland Menzies

noun
a kingdom of SW Europe, occupying the Iberian peninsula between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: a leading European power in the 16th century, with many overseas possessions, esp in the New World; became a republic in 1931; under the fascist dictatorship of Franco following the Civil War (1936–39) until his death in 1975; a member of the European Union. It consists chiefly of a central plateau (the Meseta), with the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains in the north and the Sierra Nevada in the south. Official language: Castilian Spanish, with Catalan, Galician, and Basque official regional languages. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: euro. Capital: Madrid. Pop: 47 370 542 (2013 est). Area: 504 748 sq km (194 883 sq miles) Spanish name España

c.1200, from Anglo-French Espayne, from Late Latin Spania, from Latin Hispania (see Spaniard). The usual Old English form was Ispania.

Constitutional monarchy in southwestern Europe, consisting of the Spanish mainland (bordered to the northwest by France and to the west by Portugal), the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Madrid.

Note: During the sixteenth century, Spain was the greatest world power. Its success was based partially on the riches it acquired in the New World (see Latin America and South America).

Note: The destruction of the Spanish Armada, a fleet sent to conquer England in 1588, marked the beginning of the decline of Spanish power.

Note: In the Spanish-American War, the United States defeated Spain, freed Cuba from Spanish colonial rule, and seized a number of former Spanish colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Note: In the Spanish Civil War, conservatives led by General Francisco Franco overthrew the second Spanish Republic.

Note: The Spanish monarchy was fully restored in 1975 after Franco’s death. He had been dictator (see dictatorship) for thirty-six years.

Note: Under King Juan Carlos, Spain has established a political democracy and has been integrated into the European community.

Note: Bullfighting is a popular spectator sport in Spain.

Note: Basque separatists have carried out many acts of terrorism against Spain.

Paul expresses his intention (Rom. 15:24, 28) to visit Spain. There is, however, no evidence that he ever carried it into effect, although some think that he probably did so between his first and second imprisonment. (See TARSHISH.)

see: castles in the air (Spain)