How Big Is Spain? Compare Its Size in Miles, Acres, Kilometers, and More!

Written by Mitchelle Morgan
Updated: June 26, 2023
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The beautiful country of Spain lies in Southwestern Europe. With its fascinating history, gorgeous landscapes, and stunning architecture, Spain is worth exploring.

How Many Acres is Spain?

Spain is one of the most popular countries in Europe. It’s located in the southwestern part of the continent. Spain borders France and touches the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans.

It’s a modern country that covers 125,033,345 acres of land. About 40% of that land falls under cultivation, as the country has a thriving agricultural industry.

How Many Square Miles is Spain?

Spain ranks as the 52nd largest country in the world. In Europe, it’s the 4th largest country covering an area of 195,365 sq. mi. or 505,992 km².

It’s known as a transcontinental country since it has African and European territories. In addition, Spain has the 3rd largest volcano in the world.

How Big is Spain Compared to the United States?

It’s safe to say that the U.S. defeats Spain regarding size. The U.S. covers a massive territory, making it one of the largest countries in the world. Interestingly, Spain can fit in the U.S. 19 times.

CountrySize in AcreageSize in Sq. Mi.Size in Km²
Spain125,033,345195,365505,992
US2.43 billion3,717,7929,629,091

How Big is Spain Compared to Canada?

Canada is a large country in North America. It is 1.876% larger than Spain.

CountrySize in AcreageSize in Sq. Mi.Size in Km²
Spain125,033,345195,365505,992
Canada2.467 billion3,855,1039,984,670

How Big is Spain Compared to France?

France borders Spain to the north. Both countries share a rich history since they’re neighbors. France is larger than Spain by 9%.

CountrySize in AcreageSize in Sq. Mi.Size in Km²
Spain125,033,345195,365505,992
France136.327 million210,020543,940

What Country is the Same Size as Spain?

No country is the same size as Spain. However, some are around the same size and can be useful in comparison. One country that’s close in size to Spain is Thailand.

CountrySize in AcreageSize in Sq. Mi.Size in Km²
Spain125,033,345195,365505,992
Thailand127 million acres198,120513,120

What is Spain Known For?

Spain is one of the most popular countries in Europe. Each year, it receives millions of tourists worldwide eager to visit the sights.

Spain is a beautiful place to visit and live, with a vibrant food scene. Both locals and tourists delight in their favorite foods like tapas, paella, churros, and pintxo.

Walk around and explore the diverse markets. Spain has one of the most vibrant market scenes in Europe. In fact, this is where you’ll find the local favorite dishes made by hand and with love.

Walls and towers of the fortress of the Alhambra at sunset in Granada. Andalusia. Spain.

Alhambra in Spain is a popular place with beautiful architecture.

©high fliers/Shutterstock.com

The markets display both fresh produce and loads of arts and crafts made by the locals. These make great souvenirs of a wonderful trip to Spain. Locals are always open to chat and offer guidance.

Once you depart from the markets, be ready to take in the most spectacular architecture. Spain boasts loads of interesting architecture that draw millions to its streets every year.

Popular Building in Spain

  • Plaza de Espana
  • The Alhambra
  • The Royal Alcazar
  • The Sagrada Familia
  • Valencia Cathedral

Some structures are UNESCO-protected buildings, like the Royal Alcazar. These buildings reveal the rich history of Spain and its people.

Visitors have a blast touring the country’s streets during the day. However, be sure to pack some nightwear. Nightlife in Spain is just as vibrant, especially during the busy summer months.

Frankly, the Spanish people enjoy leaving their homes in the evening when it’s cooler. Afternoons are for siesta. They emerge at around 6.00 pm to walk, shop, and talk.

Animals that Live in Spain

Of course, Spain’s wildlife makes the country even more interesting. Spain has a Mediterranean climate that boosts its biodiversity. Animal lovers will be glad that Spain is home to many amazing creatures. It also has a diverse flora.

Ibex

Spain is home to one of the great ancestors of the domestic goat, the ibex. These stunning creatures are fascinating to observe.

Adult ibex on rock in Spain

Ibex are wild goats found on the hills and mountains of Spain.

©A.Pushkin/Shutterstock.com

Ibexes are big wild goats with massive horns, cloven hoofs, and little beards. Adults have a grayish or brown thick coat that offers maximum warmth. However, the coat is thinner for those living in warmer climates.

Ibexes prefer high areas where they feel safe and can move around easily. Such areas make it hard for predators to attack. So, look for these wild goats high up in the hills and mountains of Spain.

Iberian Wolf

Another interesting animal that calls Spain home is the Iberian wolf. Most folks refer to it as the Spanish wolf.

The Iberian wolf is native to both Portugal and Spain. There are about 2,500 Iberian wolves worldwide, and the numbers in the wild are low. The conflict between man and wolves has long been an issue, with legal and illegal hunting occurring.

Still, this medium-sized predator still exists in Spain, adding to its wildlife population. As carnivores, their main diet is deer and wild boar. They prefer areas in the north with vast land to roam and hunt.

Pilot Whales

Spain is one of the lucky countries to have a vast coastline. The country has access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can see all sorts of marine life, including pilot whales.

Pilot whales belong to the dolphin family and are lovely creatures. Two species exist: the short-finned and the long-finned. In Spain, sighting short-finned pilot whales is possible since they prefer tropical and sub-tropical zones.

Usually, the males are bigger than the females. Adult pilot whales are dark gray and have grayish-white streaks behind their eyes.

Bearded Vulture

Vultures are some of the largest birds in the world. In Europe, the bearded vulture is found in France and Spain. The bird is also found in Africa and Asia.

The bearded vulture prefers areas with a temperate climate. They also enjoy living in high-altitude areas such as mountains. An adult will create a nest made of twigs inside an inland cliff, safe from predators and the elements.

In the wild, bearded vultures feed on all types of animals. They are carnivorous and can eat mammals, birds, and reptiles. Interestingly, bearded vultures even eat the bones of animals.

Brown Bear

The mighty brown bear is present in Spain and different parts of Europe. Also known as a grizzly bear, the brown bear is a fierce predator that inhabits woodlands. It’s also present in other parts of the world, including North America.

Adult brown bears are huge, weighing up to 700 pounds. They can also grow to be up to 8 feet tall. They prefer to hibernate during the long winters in Europe and emerge in spring. Brown bears then spend time roaming and feeding until the next winter arrives.

These bears are omnivores, eating plants and animals. They forage in the wild for fruits, berries, and plants. But they also hunt and scavenge animal carcasses.

Eurasian Beaver

Another wild animal that’s present in Spain is the Eurasian beaver. Beavers are well-known worldwide for their dam construction skills. These industrious creatures portray an enviable work ethic.

Today, the Eurasian beaver thrives in different parts of Europe. However, the species was almost hunted to extinction. Reintroduction in Spain and other parts of the country has seen the beaver make a great comeback.

Beavers are short, stout, and have webbed feet. They also have rounded, short ears, flat tails, and oversized heads. An ability to adapt makes the Eurasian beaver thrive in different habitats. They prefer to live near the water, where their dam-constructing skills come into play.

House Sparrow

Birds like the house sparrow are common in Spain and other parts of Europe. The house sparrow is a social, energetic, and smart bird. They prefer living next to people and have a reputation as an invasive species. Bird lovers can easily attract the house sparrow by putting out feeding boxes.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Balate Dorin


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About the Author

Mitchelle is a content writer who loves nature. She loves writing about animals and plants. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and going for nature walks.

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