Angry Koala
Level 57
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Do you really believe only tourism supports the whole Spanish economy?
First of all about tourism: Spain is a top tourist destination, and earns bllions of Euros thanks to it, millions of Brits, Germans and Dutch people leave their gloomy and dreary weather and depressing places to discover a great culture (architecture, cuisine, history) and places (amazing national parks, idyllic beaches, etc), Spain is the country that have the most ranked UNESCO world heritage sites inside its territory, that only gives you an idea about why Spain is a top destination.
Now if you know a little bit more about this country you would know there is an industry (sadly for the Spaniards mainly located in the "Separatist" regions such as Basque Country, Galicia and Catalonia, these places are actually economically stronger and richer compared to other European regions, with a way lower unemployment rate 2 times lower than the national average). There is also a huge financial center mainly located in Santander, Bilbao and Barcelona. Santander hosts one of the most important Finance companies such as Banco Santander (largest European bank before 2008 and still the largest bank and insurance ijn the Eurozone) moslty operating in Europe and more of all Latin America. You have also Inditex, world's largest clothing retailer and owns brands like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull and Bear, Oysho, Often and Stradivarius. About industry, the Mondragon Corporation Conglomerate is the biggest worldwide worker cooperative (a growing futuristic and democratic economic model for firms and companies, that was initiated partly in Spain).
In terms of education and university, Spain is the top destination for Erasmus students, for Americans, Erasmus is an European program quite popular, that allows any people from the EU (plus Norway, Turkey, Switzerland, well every European nation excepted Russia I think), to have the opportunity to do an exchange program anywhere in these countries quite easily (Europe is not always bad eh), and Spain is the most chosen destination by European students. Some top universities are also located there, mostly private such as the University of Navarre (ironically created by the Opus Dei) ranked in the first 30 top worlwide universities, and one of the best university in term of medical studies.
Last but not least, Spain had a flourishing and thriving economy before the crisis (annual 3-6% of growth in the 90-2000s), their economy suffered greatly because do not forget that Spain was a third world nation before the 80s (trust me about that since I come from a place near the border, Spain was a real shithole, thanks Franco for that), so their relatively young economy had less tools and ressources against financial turmoils coming from America, and I would say the EU bigger achievement was Spain's successful transformation into a developped nation (alongside Ireland).
And this was only in terms of economy, in terms of history, culture, and cultural influence, the reputation of Spain no longer needs to be demonstrated.
Edited 12/22/2015 10:29:21
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