Spain, in long form, the Kingdom of Spain, is a country of Southern Europe and, according to the definitions, of the West, which occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east, with the exception of the British territory of Gibraltar and the strait of the same name that separates the European continent from Africa. Due to its location, Spanish territory has been the subject of many external influences, often simultaneously, from prehistoric times until the birth of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of inspiration for other regions, especially during the modern era, when it became a colonial empire that left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish-speaking this day.
