The World in Focus series provides a thorough, comprehensive, and up-to-date view of individual countries around the world. Each volume examines a major nation's history, geography, climate, economy, transportation, natural resources, industrial development, and future challenges. Also featured are in-depth treatments of the nation's political, religious, and cultural institutions, as well as a close-up view of the people of the nation, their lifestyles, and their activities while at work, at home, and at play. In addition to the readable and engaging text, each volume contains a time line and numerous full-color photos, maps, charts, graphs, data boxes, and special "Did You Know?" features containing intriguing facts that are bound to encourage readers to continue their search for information.

Spain explores the history, culture, and people of a vital European country that has played an important role in the development of Western civilization. With coastlines along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Spain was among the first nations to send explorers to the "New World" and establish an empire across the sea. Although the countries that it once controlled in the western hemisphere achieved independence from Spain, its influence there remains powerful. At critical times, Spain's location on the Iberian

Peninsula has allowed it to remain independent of European wars; at other times, its location has isolated Spain. Today it is reaching out to other countries and has joined the European Union. As the closest European nation to Africa, it is a bridge for migrating birds and people alike. A producer of much of the world's food, Spain has also become one of the mostpopular tourist destinations in the world.