Spain

The militant Basque separatist organization ETA has been waging a terrorist campaign for three decades in its effort to create an independent Basque homeland encompassing parts of northern Spain and southern France. More than 800 people have been killed.

In July, 1997, ETA members kidnapped popular ruling party official Miguel Angel Blanco, then fatally shot him in the head. Blanco's killing sparked anti-ETA sentiment across Spain, even among many Basques.

Other Basque organizations, including the Basque Nationalist Party, do not favor independence, and have regularly condemned ETA violence. The Spanish Government has repeatedly refused to negotiate with ETA, saying it must first renounce terrorism.

Madrid also faces separatist movements in Catalonia, in northeastern Spain.

Land and People | History |
| Travel | Financial | Weather

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population:
39,485,000
Average life span:
75 male, 82 female
Average income ($US):
$14,300
GDP per capita ($US):
$13,349
Literacy rate:
97%

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

Capital:
Madrid
Size:
194,885 square miles (504,750 square km)
Government type:
Constitutional monarchy
Political leaders:
King Juan Carlos
Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar
Religions:
Roman Catholic (99%)
Languages:
Castilian Spanish (official); Catalan; Galician; Basque

HISTORY

FINANCIAL

Monetary unit:
Peseta

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CNN TRAVEL INFORMATION

CNN WEATHER INFORMATION

Forecasts:
--Barcelona
--Bilbao
--Leon
--Pamplona
--Madrid
--Valencia
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