Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities, each with its own government and parliament. These autonomous communities were created in 1978, after the fall of the Franco dictatorship, as a way to decentralize power and give more autonomy to the country's different regions.
Each autonomous community has its own parliament, president and government, and has the power to legislate in some areas such as education, healthcare and transport. They also have their own police force, and can collect taxes and manage public finances.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the provinces of Spain, including their history, location, and notable features.
1. Andalusia
Andalusia is located in the south of Spain and is the most populous autonomous community in the country. The capital of Andalusia is Seville, and the province is known for its rich cultural heritage, including the Alhambra palace in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba.
To the composition Andalusia includes 8 provinces:
- Almeria
- Cadiz
- Cordoba
- Granada
- Huelva
- Jaén
- Malaga
- Seville
2. Aragon
Aragon is located in the northeast of Spain and borders France and Catalonia. The capital of Aragon is Zaragoza, and the province is known for its historic cities such as Jaca and Teruel, as well as natural parks such as the Pyrenees.
To the region Aragon includes 3 provinces:
3. Asturias
Asturias is located in northern Spain and is known for its rugged coastline and natural beauty. The capital of Asturias is Oviedo, and the province is known for its historic pre-Romanesque architecture and famous cider.
Region Asturias includes 3 provinces:
- Oviedo – the capital of the autonomy
- Gijón – the most populous city and seaport
- Avilés – the main industrial center
4. Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands — a Spanish single-provincial autonomous community consisting of the islands of the Balearic archipelago. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Palma.
The archipelago consists of two groups of islands and numerous islets:
- The Gimnesias Islands include: Mallorca, Menorca, Cabrera
- To the Pitiusas Islands – Ibiza and Formentera
5. Canary Islands
Canary Islands is an autonomous community of Spain located off the coast of Africa. The capital of the Canary Islands is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the province is known for its subtropical climate, beaches, and hiking trails.
6. Cantabria
Cantabria which has only one province - Santander.
It is located in the north of Spain and is known for its coasts, mountains and historic cities. The capital of Cantabria is also Santander, and the province is known for its famous surfing spots and the famous Cabrales cheese.
7. Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla-La Mancha is located in central Spain and is known for its vast plains, historic towns and famous windmills. The capital of Castilla-La Mancha is Toledo, and the province is known for its production of saffron and Manchego cheese.
To the region Castilla-La Mancha includes 5 provinces:
- Toledo
- Cuenca
- Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real)
- Guadalajara
- Albacete
8. Castile and Leon
Castile and Leon is located in north-central Spain and is the largest autonomous community in the country. The capital of Castile and Leon is Valladolid, and the province is known for its historic cities such as Salamanca and Segovia, as well as its famous wines.
To the composition Castile and Leon includes 9 provinces:
- Ávila
- Burgos
- Valladolid
- Leon
- Palencia
- Salamanca
- Zamora
- Segovia (Segovia)
- Soria
9. Catalonia
Catalonia is located in the northeast of Spain and is known for its distinctive culture and language. The capital of Catalonia is Barcelona, and the province is known for its architecture, particularly the works of Antonio Gaudi, and its famous Catalan cuisine.
In the composition Catalonia There are 4 provinces:
- Barcelona
- Girona
- Lleida
- Tarragona
10. Extremadura
Extremadura is located in the west of Spain and is known for its historic cities, natural parks and famous cheeses. The capital of Extremadura is Mérida, and the province is known for its production of Iberico ham and historic Roman ruins.
To the composition Extremadura includes 2 provinces:
- Cáceres in the north
- Badajoz in the south
11. Galicia
Galicia is located in the northwest of Spain and is known for its rugged coastline, historic cities and famous seafood. The capital of Galicia is Santiago de Compostela, and the province is known for its famous wines and traditional bagpipes.
To the composition Galicia includes 4 provinces:
- La Coruña (La Coruña)
- Lugo
- Orense
- Pontevedra
12. La Rioja
La Rioja is located in north-central Spain and is known for its famous wines and historic towns. As well as its production of the Tempranillo grape and its famous Rioja wine.
La Rioja has no provincial division., since this autonomous community was created within a single province, the center of which was the city of Logroño. Logroño automatically became the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja.
13. Madrid
Madrid — the capital of Spain and autonomous community of the same nameThe province is known for its rich cultural heritage, including famous museums such as the Prado and Reina Sofia, as well as a vibrant nightlife and delicious cuisine.
14. Murcia
Murcia is located in the southeast of Spain and is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches. The capital of Murcia is Murcia, and the province is known for its citrus production and famous Murcian dishes.
To the composition Murcia includes 2 provinces:
15. Navarra
Navarra is located in northern Spain and is known for its historic cities and famous wines. The capital of Navarra is Pamplona, and the province is known for its production of Tempranillo grapes and the famous Navarrese cider.
Navarra – a single-provincial Spanish community.
16. Basque Country
The Basque Country is an autonomous community located in northern Spain, known for its distinctive culture and language. The capital of the Basque Country is Vitoria-Gasteiz, and the province is known for its delicious Basque cuisine, including pintxos and its famous cider.
To the composition Basque Country includes 3 provinces:
- Alava (Álava)
- Vizcaya (Bizkaia)
- Gipuzkoa
17. Valencia
Valencia is located in the east of Spain and is known for its beautiful beaches and famous festivals. The capital of Valencia is Valencia, and the province is known for its famous paella and the traditional Fallas festival.
To the composition Valencia includes 3 provinces:
- Castellón
- Valencia
- Alicante
Each province of Spain has its own unique culture, history and traditions, making it an interesting and diverse country to visit. From the coastline and famous surfing spots of Asturias to the warm climate and beautiful beaches of Alicante, Spain has something to offer everyone.