Spain

Spanish city Seville came to be a gateway to the New World. Before long, Seville obtained the royal monopoly on trade with the colonies.

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is an exception. The town had fewer than 10,000 inhabitants in 1561 when it suddenly rose to prominence.

Farming in many parts is a family affair relying on traditional, labour-intensive methods but it is becoming increasingly mechanized

As well as its cathedrals and palaces, Spain has a great variety of charming vernacular buildings

Spain has always imported its styles of architecture: Moorish from North Africa, Romanesque and Gothic from France and Renaissance from Italy.