The parliamentary hereditary monarchy of Spain occupies the largest part of the Iberian Peninsula and, in addition to the mainland, includes the islands of the Balearic and Canary Islands. The country is traditionally one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe, thanks in part to its magnificent sandy beaches. The capital, Madrid, has a wealth of attractions: The Royal Palace and the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu soccer stadium, which holds more than 80,000 spectators, are just two examples. No less attractive is Barcelona with its legendary Sagrada Família. Seville, Valencia and Málaga also score with an enormous cultural diversity.
