Spain

A major European power that built the first global empire in the 16th century, Spain experienced centuries of relative decline followed by civil war (1936–39), the Franco dictatorship (1939–75), and a successful democratic transition. It joined NATO (1982) and the EEC (1986), becoming one of Europe's largest economies.

• Existed: 1479 CE – present
• Government: Constitutional Monarchy
• Capital: Madrid