Spain People Profile 2012

The Spanish citizens can be separated into 5 major groups, based on cultural distinctiveness and geographic location. They are the Castilians of central Spain, the Catalans of the northeast, the Galicians of the northwest, the Andalusians of the south, and the Basques in the region of the Pyrenees. The main ancestors of the Spaniards were Iberians, the early inhabitants, and Celts, who came later and intermingled with them. The Visigoths and the Moors are among other ancestral groups.

Language and Religion

Castilian Spanish is the official language of Spain. Three regional languages—Catalan, Galician, and Basque—are also spoken. Most of the people are Roman Catholics, and the church influences nearly all phases of life. Freedom of religion is established by law, and there are small minorities of Protestants, Jews, and Muslims.