Spain has a complex administrative division. But if you want to get to know this country better, explore the map. For example, the country has as many as 50 provinces within its 17 autonomous regions. The names of Spain's regions also include two autonomous cities in Africa. These are Ceuta and Melilla.
Seuta is a small semi-enclave of Spain on the northern coast of Morocco, directly opposite Gibraltar. The enclave is separated from Morocco by the Seuta Border Wall, border structures built in 2001.
Melilla is an autonomous Spanish city and port on the Mediterranean coast of Africa.
There are also Spain's sovereign territories, represented by mostly uninhabited and not very touristy islands like Perejil and Alboran islands and the Peninsula Peñón de Velez de la Gomera on the Moroccan coast.
See the cities of Spain's regions below. Each autonomous region is divided into provinces, usually the main cities of the provinces are the same name as them.
Almost the entire north of the country has a coastline along the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. The northern regions of Spain are represented by autonomous regions:
Galicia, where you can visit the historic cities, the capital, Santiago de Compostela, and the largest city, Vigo.
Asturias with the most interesting cities of Oviedo and Gijon.
Cantabria is San Vicente de la Barquera, Santillana del Mar and many others.
The Basque Country, whose capital is Vitoria-Gasteiz and whose largest city is Bilbao.
Navarra is, of course, Estella, Olite and Pamplona, famous for its bullfights.
Aragon, where every provincial capital is worth a visit, and these are Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel.
Catalonia, which can be called the pearl necklace of the country, because it is home to significant cities such as Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, Terrassa, Sabadell and many others.
The central regions of Spain include:
Castile and Leon, where you should visit ancient Zamora, Leon, Palencia and other cities.
Rioja with its wine town of Aro and capital Logroño.
Madrid (as an autonomous region), the capital of the same name. If you're in Madrid, visit the Prado Museum, Center for the Arts of Queen Sofia.
Valencia is a must visit Alicante, Castellón de la Plana and the city of Valencia. This region has access to the Mediterranean Sea.
Castile-La Mancha with the magnificent UNESCO heritage city of Toledo.
Estremadura, whose historic centers, Mérida, Badajoz and Cáceres, attract the attention of tourists from all over the world.
All the southern regions of Spain have access to the Mediterranean Sea or the North Atlantic Ocean. The southern regions of Spain include:
Andalusia with the ancient cities of Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaena, Málaga and Seville.
Mursia, which is not only a city, but also a province and autonomous community of Spain. There are many museums, and once a year there is the Fest of the Three Cultures and many festivals.
Of course, you can't forget about:
The Balearic Islands with the famous resort islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ivisa (or Ibiza), and Formentera.
Canary Islands, where Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, attracts tourists from all corners of the world. And then there's Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the island of Gran Canaria.
