General Facts The Kingdom of Spain is the country located in South-Western Europe occupying 85% of the Pyrenean Peninsula. Together with the Balearian and Canarian Islands, Spain's territory is 504,750 sq. kilometers. Two African coastal cities of Ceuta and Melilla also belong to Spanish territory. The continental Spain borders on Portugal in the west and on France and Andorra in the north. The northern part of Spain is washed by Bay of Biscay, while outermost north- and south-western coasts are washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern and south-eastern parts of the country are washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Spain has three climatic zones: temperate maritime climate (north and north-west) with moderate temperature and lavish precipitations year round, Mediterranean-type (south and Mediterranean coastal areas) with mild and moist winter and dry hot summer, and arid continental climate in the inner parts of Spain with chilly winters and warm dry summers. Catholicism is the main religion in Spain. Around 95% of the Spanish population are Catholics. There's certain part of Protestants, Muslims and followers of Judaism. Spanish is the official language often known as Castille. This Roman language is based mainly on the simplified folk Latin language with certain part of lexicon borrowed from the Moors. The Basque language is widely used in the Basque Country and Navarra, Galician in Galicia, Catalan in Catalonia (Catalunya), Valencian in Valencia (recently been considered a Castille dialect). Real Estate in Spain The main advantage of buying real estate in the Kingdom of Spain is that its constitution guarantees that your house is the sole property of yours regardless of citizenship. Spain's just and thorough legislation regulates all the aspects in real estate of the country including all kinds of real estate operations to ensure maximum safety of buyer's rights. Foreigners are allowed to buy both residential and commercial real estate without any limitations. Properties you buy in Spain will belong just to you and is available for demise. Prices for real estate in Spain are growing constantly. Therefore, investing in Spanish real estate is highly profitable and lucrative. Until recent times, it was possible to speak about cheap Spanish properties, as real estate located in Spanish Mediterranean coast areas, being similar with Cote D'Azur in France, was almost twice cheaper. However, establishment of the European currency changed the situation greatly. Apartments, houses and villas in Spain became popular with people from northern European countries, which increased demand for Spanish properties. In recent years real estate prices increased by over 40% and are still going up. When investing in building construction can bring about 30% of profit, while the initial investment needed may be as low as $300,000. Spain has splendid banking conditions in terms of getting loans and mortgages. Loans are offered for up to 30 years, while annual rates range between 4 – 5 percent (read more detailed information on loan system in Spain in further articles on the topic). Finally, you have to take into account the fact that buying real estate in Spain, you also get a place for magnificent vacationing. To be continued... Search for properties in Spain right here!