Spain

Spain is a country on the Iberian Peninsula, in southwestern Europe, bordering Portugal and France. It is a member of the European Economic Community.

It includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Its capital city is Madrid, home to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, housing works of European artists. Segovia has a medieval castle and an intact Roman aqueduct. Catalonia's capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí's whimsical modernist landmarks like the Sagrada Família church.

Overview
Spain is an atypical country in the community. It is in the middle ground between the powerhouses to the north (Germany, France and the Benelux) and the poor relatives (Greece, Ireland and Great Britain). And unlike the Italians, the Spanish are a strongly pro-community country. Spain is the third community country in number of personnel working in the Eurocracy, after France and Germany.

However, its fragmented politics dilutes its comunitari weight in a score directions. The only constant is the anti-french, pro-german attitude shared by most politicians, not only this century, but also the earlier ones. Germany pays well for this support, while France oscillates between reprisals and bribery attempts. As a whole this makes Spain the country that receives the biggest part of EC development subsidies, that are quickly spent in keeping the Spanish economy from collapsing.

In this situation the country has been a score years stuck in position, not going down but unable to better its position in Europe. That has happened also with its population kept stable for the last thirty years, even avoiding most of the Wasting Plague.

The Plague was the cause of the most polemic political measure in Spain in the recent time. Spain changed its immigration laws, one of the most permissive in the world, to block entry of foreigners in the country. Only European citizens can get easily in Spain. Anybody from a "restricted country (the U.S.A. is not yet restricted, although there has been pressure in that direction) cannot even make a pleasure or tourism trip to Spain. The Guardia Civil has free rein when dealing with illegal immigrants, which means that usually deportation is not necessary. Although many European youth prefer the rough and tumble (compared with their home towns) but orderly situation in Spain, most tourists have shifted their interest to its neighbor Portugal, and the touristic trade has suffered.

Most recent history has been a succession of lost opportunities and a turning back to the past. Recently, the chance to recover part of that lost opportunity appeared when Spain had the only orbital massdriver in the Canary Islands, with the project of enlarging the old canarian facilities, to make the ESA independent of Orbital Air's resources and keeping valuable assets in European soil.

Madrid
Once capital of half the world, before London usurped it, and signs of this past glory still remain. Although it is the only peninsular city close to becoming a metropolis, the core of the city has remained unchanged for years. All slums and poorer areas are in the periphery, and the city center is dedicated to cultural centers, museums, government buildings, residences and those two national passions: shopping and carousing. The fact that there are old residences all around the city center gives Southern European cities their peculiar flavor. The streets are crowded by pedestrians and vehicles alike, at all times night and day. The old Spanish tradition of a bar every ten meters and staying up late (really late) get to the most in the "Old Madrid". Although there are a few violent elements, specially ultra nationalist groups and football (soccer) fans (usually the same people), most people are out to have some fun.

With the enormous EC subsidies to keep the economy from collapsing most people have little to do and time to spare, so most people make their most to enjoy life.

Foreigners will notice the limited police presence and security. Most security is concentrated in the accesses to the city, with inconspicuous presence in the city center itself. People will be very friendly to strangers if they are clearly Europeans or Americans (having less prejudice that others) and delighting at attempts to speak Spanish. Africans, specially Arabs, will have a worse time, and may be harassed by radical nationalists.

The lack of a strong government has made Madrid a favored point for European offices of many corporations, helped by the cheap (by EC standards) cost of living. Madrid is considered a preferred assignment, so corporation executives in Madrid will usually perform better than average.

Most large cities are similar to Madrid, without the poorer outlying areas and lesser size. This high lifestyle in the cities is supported by the poverty in the country areas and the EC help. After the partial sinking of Barcelona and Valencia, and the devastation of Bilbao, the main Spanish cities are Seville and Saragossa, together with Barcelona Nova (New Barcelona).

New Barcelona
This place grew from the refugees of Barcelona. It is the most modern city in Spain, and the focus of the strong catalanist pride. Barcelona Nova is packed with environmentally aware archaeologist, architecture integrated with natural formations and carefully-delineated city zones. However, there are certain sections of the city which are still "old Barcelona," and these can be decrepit and dangerous.

Seville
Poorer than other cities, due to the sorry state Andalusia is in, and sometimes it is isolated for days if the airport closes, due to the brigands' control of Sierra Morena.

Saragossa
A middle point between the economic centers of the country, Madrid and Catalonia. Saragossa was strengthened by the victory of Aragonese interests in the Water War, and is a growing industrial center.

Tennerife
The newest Spanish city, merits Special focus. Taking the place of the old Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a city built for and by the mass driver construction in Mount Teide. It is surrounded by the slums of the construction workers and has a glass and metal heart, pumping the EC and corporate blood money. Although ESA is not the only player, is the main one, although Interpol and Netwatch have strong presences, as does the Guardia Civil. Every week there is a supposed attack from Orbital Air, usually from the net. but the work progresses steadily. A proof of the importance of the islands is the presence of the second Spanish LDL, while many EC countries have none.