Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain is a country mostly located on the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. With an area of 505,990 km2, Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and the fourth largest country in the European continent. By population, Spain is the sixth largest in Europe and the fifth in the European Union. Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid; other major urban areas include Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and Bilbao. 

 

The Official and National Language of Spain is Spanish, co-official languages are Basque, Catalan and Galician.

 

It is a member of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the Eurozone, the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), the Union for the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), OSCE, the Schengen Area, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and many other international organizations. Spain has a "permanent invitation" to the G20 summits that occur generally once a year. 

 

In 2017, Spain was the second most visited country in the world, recording 82 million tourists which marked the fifth consecutive year of record-beating numbers.

 

Spain is the country of fiestas, with hundreds of festivals taking place throughout the year. The oldest fiesta, Romería de Nuesra Señora de le Cabeza, has been held for over 800 years and the Fiesta de los Patios was even awarded UNESCO World heritage status in 2013. Be chased by bulls during the festival of San Fermin, throw overripe tomatoes during La Tomatina or watch while huge ninots (statues) are burnt during Las Fallas.

 

Education is compulsory and free for all children aged between 6 and 16 years and is supported by the national government together with the governments of each of the country's 17 autonomous communities. 

 

In Spain, elementary school and middle school are considered basic education. These are Primaria (six years, starting the year you are 6 years old), which is the Spanish equivalent of elementary school and middle school, and Secundaria, or ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, starting the year you are 12), the Spanish equivalent of high school. 

 

At public schools, the language which classes are taught depends on the region. In Catalonia or Valencia, classes are taught in Catalan and Valencian respectively, and in Galicia and Basque Country, Gallego and Basque respectively. Some public schools are bilingual. Classes are taught in Spanish or the regional language in some schools. And English, French or German may be taught as a second language, depending the school. 

 

Schools in Spain can be divided into 3 categories: 

• State schools 

• Privately run schools funded by the State 

• Purely private schools 

Medical programs in Spain take six years to complete, with two years of pre-clinical study focusing on basic medical science study in biology, physics and basic anatomy. After completion of this initial training, you’ll move into clinical study in training hospitals under the supervision of established doctors.

 

On completion of your six year program you can move into a specialist medical area with extra training.