Spain, a land of many mountains, is the second-largest country in western Europe. Spain became a mighty world power in the 1500s, thanks to explorers such as Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés, who set up Spanish colonies in the Americas. Readers will be introduced to Spain's government, which is a parliamentary monarchy, its economy, and its Semana Santa religious festival. Popular with tourists, Spain has been an important member of the European Union since 1986.