The regions, or autonomous communities as they are called, are both political and administrative units with each region having their own capital (more or less, we’ll get back to those), their own parliament, their own set of laws, election processes and more.
There are various degrees of autonomy in the regions, all in accordance with the negotiated terms in agreements between the regions themselves and the central, federal power in Madrid preceding the constitution of 1978. A constitution of the new, democratic Spain which replaced the decades long dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.
Franco himself took power in 1939 following a civil war that started in 1936 where he, as a consequence, overthrew the second Spanish republic.
Spain consists of 17 different regions, also called autonomous communities. Those include the island regions of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. In addition, there are two autonomous city areas, enclaves named Ceuta and Melilla, located on the coast of the African continent.
We will continue to add pages about the regions of Spain going forward and will include a page for each region with some of the most basic and relevant information about what is going on there and where to find more information. We will provide links to additional useful sources, both public and private so you can find your way there.
Harry B., Find Your Spain!
