About Spain officially Kingdom of Spain, constitutional monarchy (1995 est. pop. 39,404,000), 194,884 sq mi (504,750 sq km), including the Balearic and Canary islands, SW Europe. It consists of the Spanish mainland (190,190 sq mi/492,592 sq km), which occupies the major part of the Iberian Peninsula; of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea; and of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.  Madrid is the nation's capital and largest city. People  The Spanish people display great regional diversity. Separatist tendencies remain particularly strong among the Catalans and the Basques. Castilian is the standard Spanish language, but Catalan (akin to Provençal), Galician (akin to Portuguese), and Basque, unrelated to any other language, are still spoken and written extensively in their respective districts. Roman Catholicism was the official religion until 1978, but its role in Spanish public and private life has declined. Spain had 49 universities in 1998, including those of Navarre, Salamanca, Madrid, and Barcelona. Government Spain has had a constitutional monarchy since 1975. King Juan Carlos I, who became the head of state after Francisco Franco's death, has the ability to ratify laws, dissolve the legislature, and propose candidates for the office of prime minister; he is also head of the armed forces. Spain's bicameral legislature, the Cortes , consists of the chamber of deputies and the senate, both of whose representatives are elected every four years in provincial elections. The legislature's powers include the ability to ratify, repeal, or reform laws and to approve international treaties. Spain's executive branch consists of the president (prime minister), vice presidents, and heads of ministries. Why Murcia ? Murcia can be found in south-eastern Spain between Alicante and Almeria at the heart of the Mediterranean arc, ideally linked by a magnificent motorway and road network. Within short reach are two international airports, San Javier (Murcia) and El Altet (Alicante). Respecting and preserving its history and tradition, Murcia is truly a progressive region with a forward-thinking autonomous government making continuous investments in infrastructure and public services. For example, the new international airport near  (opening 2010) Murcia City, the regional capital, will only increase the attractiveness of this diverse and up-and-coming region with an estimated 1.5 million visitors passing through its gates in the first year. With over 320 days of sunshine a year and 250 kilometres of coastline with numerous sun drenched sandy beaches Murcia has a lot to offer with its mild, short winters and hot dry summers. Enjoying excellent communications with the United Kingdom and the rest of Spain coupled with one of the fastest growing economies the region of Murcia is a dynamic and wonderful opportunity for the investor or simply a great place to make a new life. Murcia also offers better value when compared with more traditional or better known areas, along with excellent sporting and leisure facilities, superb cuisine, beautiful scenery, relaxed lifestyle, lower cost of living and excellent medical care. To select this area is definitely the right choice - now let us help you choose the right property.  *Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.