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The '''Cylons''' are a [[cybernetic]] [[civilization]] at war with the twelve colonies of humanity in the [[science fiction]] movie and television series ''[[Battlestar Galactica (disambiguation)|Battlestar Galactica]]'', in both the original 1978/1980 series and movie and the new "reimagining" of 2003/2004. The word "Cylon" was minted in the original production and is pronounced as /sīlon/. The word could be a combination of "Cy" for cybernetic/cyborg and the Greek suffix "lon" meaning member/structure/unit (as in "pylon"). It may also be an allusion to the German word Zyklon ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|tsʏkloː]]), which has an "S" sound at the beginning rather than a "Z" sound. It also may be an alteration of the Greek name "Cyclops," as the Centurions are one-eyed robots.
The '''Kingdom of Spain''' or '''Spain''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Galician language|Galician]]: ''Reino de España'' or ''España''; [[Catalan language|Catalan]]: ''Regne d'Espanya''; [[Basque language|Basque]]: ''Espainiako Erresuma'') is a country located in the southwest of [[Europe]]. It shares the [[Iberian Peninsula]] with [[Portugal]], [[Gibraltar]] and [[Andorra]]. To the northeast, along the [[Pyrenees]] mountain range, it borders [[France]] and the tiny [[principality]] of [[Andorra]]. It is adjacent to the [[Balearic Islands]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], the [[Canary Islands]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], the cities of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] in [[north Africa]], and a number of uninhabited islands on the Mediterranean side of the [[strait of Gibraltar]], known as ''[[Plazas de soberanía]]'', such as the [[Islas Chafarinas|Chafarine]] islands, the "rocks" (es: ''peñones'') of [[Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera|Vélez]] and [[Peñón de Alhucemas|Alhucemas]], and the tiny [[Parsley Island]] ([[Disputed territories|disputed]]). Due to the [[Spanish colonisation of the Americas]], the Spanish language remains widely spoken outside of the country, and is the official language of nearly all [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America|South American]] countries.<!--
The nature and origins of Cylons differ greatly between the two ''Galacticas''.
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{{spoiler}}
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{{Infobox Country |
native_name = Reino de España |
common_name = Spain |
image_flag = Spain flag large.png |
image_coat = Escudo de España.png |
image_map = LocationSpain.png |
national_motto = ''[[Plus Ultra]]''<br>([[Latin]]: "Further Beyond") |
national_anthem = ''[[Marcha Real]]'' |
official_languages = [[Spanish language|Spanish]]<sup>1</sup> |
capital = [[Madrid]] |
latd=40|latm=26|latNS=N|longd=3|longm=42|longEW=W|
largest_city = [[Madrid]] |
government_type = [[Parliamentary monarchy]] |
leader_titles = [[Kings of Spain|King]]<br>[[President of the Government of Spain|Pres. of the Gov.]] |
leader_names = [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Juan Carlos I]]<br>[[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero|José Luis Rguez. Zapatero]] |
area = 504,782 |
area_rank = 50th |
area_magnitude = 1 E11 |
percent_water = 1.04% |
population_estimate = 43,209,511 |
population_estimate_year = July 2005 |
population_estimate_rank = 27th |
population_census = 40,847,371 |
population_census_year = 2001 |
population_density = 85 |
population_density_rank = 84th |
GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |
GDP_PPP = $1,026,340 million |
GDP_PPP_rank = 14th |
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $24,803 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 29th |
sovereignty_type = [[Reconquista|Unification]] |
established_events = |
established_dates = [[1492]] |
currency = [[Euro]] (€)<sup>2</sup> |
currency_code = EUR |
time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]<sup>3</sup> |
utc_offset = +1 |
time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] |
utc_offset_DST = +2 |
cctld = [[.es]] |
calling_code = 34 |
footnotes = <sup>1</sup> In some autonomous communities, [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Basque language|Basque]], and [[Galician language|Galician]] are co-official; in the [[Val d'Aran]], the [[Aranese]] dialect of [[Occitan]] is co-official<br><sup>2</sup> Prior to [[1999]]: [[peseta|Spanish Peseta]]<br><sup>3</sup> Except in the Canary Islands, which are in the [[GMT]] time zone ( [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] = +0, [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] = +1 in summer).
}}<!--
==Battlestar Galactica (1978) & Galactica 1980==
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===Cylon models===
In the [[Battlestar Galactica (1978)|1978 Galactica movie and series]] and the [[Galactica 1980|1980 spin-off]], the Cylons were created to serve the reptilian race of the Cylon Alliance. Somehow, just prior to the start of [[The Thousand Yahren War]], the android Cylons made a deal with the mysterious Count Iblis (meaning "Satan" in the [[Arabic language]]) and destroyed their biological masters. Only the higher ranking Cylons retain the physical appearence of their creators.
At the beginning of the series the Cylons are singularly devoted to the destruction of humanity. The war between the two species is stated in the episode "the Lords of Kobol" as being started when the Cylon empire sought to expand into the territory of a species allied with the colonies, so their original intentions may not have been genocidal. This may seem a quixotic mission but is reinforced in the same two part episode when Baltar, the betrayer of humanity, is spared and brought before the new Imperious leader. This leader gives him command of several Basestars and tells him that he wishes Baltar to be a peace envoy sent to seek reconciliation. He states that this is because he is a newer model than the previous leader and has room for wider thinking on the subject of "lesser" species. Baltar takes the position but is clearly confused by the act. There is never peace with the Cylons, but they do drop out of sight for about ten episodes.
-->
== History ==
''Main article: [[History of Spain]]''
Cylon society is composed of five models, four of which have been well-documented:
=== Prehistory ===
The original peoples of the [[Iberian peninsula]] (in the sense that they are not known to have come from elsewhere), consisting of a number of separate tribes, are given the generic name of [[Iberians]]. This may have included the [[Basque people|Basque]]s, the only pre-Celtic people in Iberia surviving to the present day as a separate [[ethnic group]]. The most important culture of this period is that of the city of [[Tartessos]]. Beginning in the [[9th century BC]], [[Celtic]] tribes entered the [[Iberian peninsula]] through the Pyrenees and settled throughout the peninsula, becoming the [[Celt-Iberian]]s.
* '''Imperious Leader''': The leader of the Cylon Alliance and highest Cylon model. The Imperious Leader is an IL-Series Cylon with some extra augmentation, including a third brain and a body shell resembling the reptilian Cylons. One was killed at the Battle of Carillon and another was likely killed during the Battle of Gamoray. The voice of the Imperious Leader is identical to that of [[Count Iblis]] (both were voiced by [[Patrick Macnee]]).
The seafaring [[Phoenicians]], [[Greeks]] and [[Carthaginians]] successively settled along the Mediterranean coast and founded trading colonies there over a period of several centuries.
* '''IL-Series''': Acts as a commander for the military and governor for civilians of the Alliance. They have two brains, a humanoid face and wear shimmering cloaks. They are almost feudal in nature and bicker among themselves frequently. This could be a tactic to help the most skilled IL-Series ascend the throne and receive a third brain. IL-series Cylons have an effete human-sounding voice, unlike the flat mechanical tones of Centurions. They pride themselves on having two brains, as opposed to the single brains of Centurions.
** Lucifer - Baltar's second in command. Presumably led pursuit of the ''Galactica'' after Baltar's capture. (voiced by [[Jonathan Harris]])
** Spectre - Commander on the planet Atilla in ''The Young Lords''. Enemy of Lucifer.
* '''Command Centurion''': Centurions with gold armor. These are the lower commanders for individual military units. At least one, Vulpa of ''Gun on Ice Planet Zero'', has a name. Voices are slightly different (lower pitched) than regular Centurions.
* '''Centurion''': Military androids with silver armor. Basic centurions make up the ground forces and pilots of the Alliance military. Centurions are armed with a powerful [[energy weapon]], often referred to as a blaster rifle. They also have [[bayonet]]s and [[sword]]s for close combat and execution of prisoners. (Although Earth's [[Roman]] [[Centurion]]s commanded a unit of one hundred men, Cylon Centurions form the rank and file of the Cylon forces.)
* '''Android''': A Cylon android was featured on the Halloween episode of Galactica 1980. This model had a superficial human appearance, a condescending/superior attitude toward Centurions, and was believed to be entirely electromechanical.
There is also a unique Cylon with glittering robes, with what looks like a mask attached to its face. They are seen in the Imperious Leader's delegation to Gamoray in ''The Living Legend''. All Cylons from the IL-series on down, typically repeat the phrase "By Your Command" when responding to an order.
Around 1,100 BC Phoenician merchants founded the trading colony of [[Gadir]] or Gades (modern day [[Cádiz]]) near Tartessos. In the 8th century BC the first Greek colonies, such as Emporion (modern [[Empúries]]), were founded along the Mediterranean coast on the East, leaving the south coast to the Phoenicians. The Greeks are responsible for the name Iberia, after the river Iber ([[Ebro]] in Spanish). In the 6th century BC the [[Carthaginians]] arrived in Iberia while struggling with the Greeks for control of the Western Mediterranean. Their most important colony was [[Carthago Nova]] (Latin name of modern day [[Cartagena, Spain|Cartagena]]).
The Cylon Centurions – the type most often depicted in the original ''Battlestar Galactica'' – were strikingly similar to the [[Imperial Stormtroopers]] of ''[[Star Wars]]''. The similarities were noted by many at the time and may have been one of the factors that prompted [[20th Century Fox]]'s lawsuit for copyright infringement against [[Universal Studios]], the owners of ''Battlestar Galactica''.
=== Roman Empire ===
===Cylon spacecraft===
The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] arrived in the Iberian peninsula during the [[Second Punic war]] in the [[2nd century BC]], and annexed it under [[Augustus]] after two centuries of war with the Celtic and Iberian tribes and the Phoenician, Greek and Carthaginian colonies becoming the province of [[Hispania]]. It was divided in [[Hispania Ulterior]] and [[Hispania Citerior]] during the late [[Roman Republic]]; and, during the [[Roman Empire]], [[Hispania Taraconensis]] in the northeast, [[Hispania Baetica]] in the south and [[Lusitania]] in the southwest.
* '''[[Basestar]]''': A large warship mounting two pulsars, many laser turrets, and carrying 300 Raiders.
* '''Cylon Raider''': A heavy fighter with a crew of 3, two pilots and a commander. They are armed with dual-firing weapons.
* '''Cylon Freighter''': A cargo ship referenced in the Battlestar Galactica soundtrack [http://www.lurexlounge.com/bsg/audio.htm]
* '''Cylon Tanker''': A ship for transporting the fuel ''tylium'' [http://www.firedragon.com/~cfleets/gallery/gallery-shipcyl.htm]
===Cylon Government===
Hispania supplied the Roman Empire with food, olive oil, wine and metal. The emperors [[Trajan]], [[Hadrian]] and [[Theodosius I]], the philosopher [[Seneca]] and the poets [[Martial]] and [[Lucan]] were born in Spain. The Spanish Bishops held the Council at Elvira in 306.
Cylons are led by the Imperious Leader, an IL-Series Cylon elevated to a supreme leadership position over all Cylons. The Cylon Empire is also responsible for tributary powers under the aegis of the Cylon Alliance. The Ovions are the only known member of the Cylon Alliance shown onscreen, other than the Cylons themselves. This may be due to the fact that the Cylons rarely maintain alliances for longer than is necessary for efficiency; they regularly turn on and exterminate their living allies when it suits them. Cylon society is almost exclusively military - until the discovery of Gamoray, which the Colonial fleet had targeted for its rich fuel reserves, no civilian Cylon outpost has ever been seen by anyone.
Most of Spain's present languages, religion, and laws originate from this Roman period.
[[Image:Cylon.PNG|150px|thumb|The updated Centurion model]]
=== Muslim Spain ===
==Battlestar Galactica (2003/2004)==
From the 8th to the 15th centuries, the Iberian peninsula was ruled by Muslims who had crossed over from North Africa. Much of Spain's distinctive art originates from this seven-hundred-year period, and many Arabic words made their way into Spanish.
In the 2003 miniseries and 2004 full-length series which [[Battlestar Galactica (2003)|"reimagined" ''Battlestar Galactica'']], the Cylons are fundamentally different. They were created by humans as robotic workers and soldiers; executive producer [[Ronald D. Moore]] has hinted that they were used in wars between the human Colonies. Eventually they gained sentience, rebelled and fought the humans in a major conflict that devastated both sides. An armistice was agreed, following which the Cylons disappeared for over forty years. They returned en masse, launching a sneak attack with [[nuclear weapon]]s which eliminated most of the colonies (similar to the original ''Galactica''). This is the starting point of the 2003 ''Battlestar Galactica'' miniseries.
Another fascinating divergence from the old series is that the Cylons now have a monotheistic religion of their own devising, in contrast to the polytheistic beliefs of the human colonists, who worship a pantheon of gods including Zeus, Artemis, Apollo, and Aphrodite. Despite their artificial origin the Cylons believe they are part of a divine plan, and destroying or decimating humanity is a part of that plan. Cylons do consider themselves to be divinely chosen.
=== Renaissance in Spain ===
Some fans believe that the Cylons actually have a greater plan for mankind and allowed the Galactica fleet to escape the destruction of the Colonies on purpose in order to facilitate this 'plan.' The first season finale also suggests that a union of the Human and Humanoid Cylon species is a goal.
By [[1512]], most of the kingdoms of present-day Spain were politically unified, although not as a modern centralized state. The grandson of Isabel and Fernando, [[Carlos V, Holy Roman Emperor|Carlos I]], extended his crown to other places in [[Europe]] and the rest of the world. The unification of Iberia was complete when Carlos I's son, [[Philip II of Spain|Felipe II]], became King of [[Portugal]] in [[1580]], as well as of the other Iberian Kingdoms (collectively known as "Spain" since this moment).
[[Image:Numbersix2.png|thumb|Number Six.]]
===Cylon models===
Alongside the Cylon Centurions that resemble "walking chrome toasters" (from which they gain the racial epithet of "toaster" from the Colonials), the miniseries also introduces [[humanoid]] Cylons, appearing both externally and internally identical to humans. It is established that there are twelve models of Cylon, with multiple copies of each model in existence. The humanoid Cylons seem to serve as leaders to the lesser types of Cylon. There is no clearly established hierarchy among the humanoid Cylon models, even though individual Cylons are variously placed within certain hierarchies.
The humanoid Cylons look exactly like humans. They are specialized models which are used for infiltration, and the revelation that Cylon infiltrators can perfectly mimic human form, even down to the [[Organ (anatomy)|internal organs]] and [[lymphatic system]], creates a wave of fear and paranoia among the humans. Some Infiltrator-model Cylons are "sleeper" agents, and like the humanoids in [[Ridley Scott]]'s ''[[Blade Runner]]'', they have been implanted with false memories so they think they are human. They can interact with humans very convincingly, even being capable of intimate emotional and sexual relationships, although spines of female humanoid Cylons pulse with a red glow during intercourse. It's also been suggested that Human/Cylon hybrids are also possible.
During the [[16th century]],with Carlos I and Felipe II, Spain became the most powerful European nation, its territory covering most of [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], [[Asia - Pacific]], the Iberian peninsula, southern [[Italy]], [[Germany]], and the [[Low Countries]]. This was later known as the [[Spanish Empire]].
Apparent weaknesses in the Infiltrators include heightened susceptibility to radiation and a perhaps too-close duplication of human frailties, such as fear, jealousy, pride, lust, wrath and zealotry. Their superior strength and endurance is an additional, although likely necessary, deviation from human norms which could "give away" a stealth unit. Boomer's copies shows suspicious endurance on Galactica and Caprica, which is noticed by their human counterparts. The humanoid Cylons are not merely biological clones of humans: they are synthetic bio-chemical machines (hinted to be partially but not completely based on human DNA samples). They have several differences, possessing "silica pathways" or "silica relays" — both terms are used in the miniseries — in the body's nervous system and brain. The exact nature of this network is unclear, but in the second season episode ''Flight of the Phoenix'', the prisoner Valerii uses her network to send a "power down" signal to a Cylon attack group through the Galactica's communication system. "Silica Pathways" may be a remnant mechanical aspect of the Cylons' biomechanical technology. Another difference is the increased vulnerability to radiation of Cylon cellular structures.
It was also the wealthiest nation but the uncontrolled influx of goods and minerals from [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish colonisation of the Americas]] resulted in rampant [[inflation]] and [[economic depression]].
Another defect of the humanoid Cylons is that they are normally not capable of sexual reproduction with other humanoid Cylons. As such, they were limited to asexual reproduction under laboratory conditions. However, a central tenet of the Cylon religion is God's commandment to procreate, "be fruitful and multiply", so the Cylons searched for any way possible for the humanoid Cylons to produce offspring. As a result, the Cylons began a program to create a hybrid Human/Cylon offspring (which was deemed the most feasible way to produce ''some'' form of child of a humanoid Cylon). After the 12 Colonies of Kobol fell to the Cylons, they began keeping the handful of surviving human women as prisoners on breeding farms and artificially impregnating them to produce Cylon offspring. However, this process also met with very little success.
In [[1640]], under [[Felipe IV of Spain|Felipe IV]], the centralist policy of the [[Count-Duke of Olivares]] provoked wars in [[Portugal]] and [[Catalonia]]. Portugal became an independent kingdom again and Catalonia enjoyed some years of French-supported independence but was quickly returned to the Spanish Crown, except [[Rosellon]].
Analyzing their failure, the Cylons theorized that what their breeding experiments had been lacking was love. Thus, they set up the Colonial pilot Lt. Agathon to fall in love and have sex with a "Sharon" copy of humanoid Cylon while he was stranded on Caprica (at the time he was unaware of the existence of humanoid Cylons). The Caprica-Boomer's unborn child is the first Human/Cylon hybrid conceived in love, and as a result it is the only Cylon pregnancy to survive as long as it has (over two months). As a result it is of vital importance to the Cylons, but unfortunately for them the Caprica-Boomer has defected to the Colonials.
A series of long and costly wars and revolts followed in the [[17th century]], beginning a steady decline of Spanish power in Europe. Controversy over succession to the throne consumed the country during the first years of the [[18th century]] (see [[War of the Spanish Succession]]). It was only after this war ended and a new dynasty was installed — the French Bourbons (see [[House of Bourbon]]) — that a centralized Spanish state was established and the first Borbon king [[Philip V of Spain]] in 1707 cancelled the Aragon court and changed the title of king of Castilla and Aragon for the current king of Spain.
Unlike many sci-fi robotic races, including the original Cylons, these re-envisioned Cylons are not ignorant or naive about human emotions, and some even seem to have a mastery of the subject beyond that of the average human. One Cylon on Caprica is heard expressing doubt and apparent regret about the extermination of the humans. Playing mind games with their human enemies appears to be a common tactic of the Cylons, and they often are seen manipulating the emotions of humans in order to destroy or control them, most notably Baltar. The Leoben Conoy model in particular was described by Adama as a master manipulator who mixes lies with truth.
=== French occupation ===
When an infiltrator's body dies, its consciousness is supposedly transmitted to another empty shell of the same model. The process is not perfect, however; the radiation in Ragnar Anchorage stops the first "Leoben Conoy"'s consciousness from transferring, and the second saboteur copy of "Conoy" claims that his actions have been prompted by a fear that the transmission process has a finite range and that he is too far away.
Fans have noted that there are twelve Cylon models and twelve Colonies, which may have significance within the BSG universe.
Spain was occupied by [[Napoleon]] in the early [[1800s]], but the Spaniards rose in arms. After the [[Spanish War of Independence|War of Independence]] ([[1808]]–[[1814]]), a series of revolts and armed conflicts between [[Liberal]]s and supporters of the [[ancien régime]] lasted throughout much of the [[19th century]], complicated by a dispute over dynastic succession by the [[Carlists]] which led to three civil wars. After that, Spain was briefly a [[First Spanish Republic|Republic]], from [[1871]] to [[1873]], a year in which a series of coups reinstalled the [[monarchy]].
The known Cylon models are as follows:
In the meantime, Spain lost all of its colonies in the [[Caribbean]] region and [[Asia-Pacific]] region during the [[19th century]], a trend which ended with the loss of [[Cuba]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Philippines]] and [[Guam]] to the [[United States]] after the [[Spanish-American War]] of [[1898]].
=== 20th century =Centurions====
The new Centurion models have a more streamlined look, retaining the silver appearance, robotic body, helmet-like head and oscillating red bar eye. They are larger, stronger, and more agile than the originals. They also have retractable weapons in their lower arms. This model is the successor to the original Centurion, a replica of which is seen very briefly in the miniseries as an homage to the 1978 series.
The [[20th century]] initially brought little peace; colonisation of [[Western Sahara]], [[Spanish Morocco]] and [[Equatorial Guinea]] was attempted. A period of dictatorial rule ([[1923]]–[[1931]]) ended with the establishment of the [[Second Spanish Republic]]. The Republic offered political autonomy to the [[Basque Country]] and [[Catalonia]] and gave voting rights to women. However, with increasing political polarisation, [[anti-clericalism]] and pressure from all sides, coupled with growing and unchecked political violence, the Republic ended with the outbreak of the [[Spanish Civil War]] in July [[1936]]. Following the victory of the [[nationalist]] forces in [[1939]], General [[Francisco Franco]] ruled a nation exhausted politically and economically.
====Humanoid Cylons====
After [[World War II]], being one of few surviving [[fascist]] regimes in Europe, Spain was politically and economically isolated and was kept out of the [[United Nations]] until [[1955]], when it became strategically important for U.S. president [[Eisenhower]] to establish a military presence in the Iberian peninsula. This opening to Spain was aided by Franco's rabid anti-communism. In the [[1960s]], more than a decade later than other western European countries, Spain began to enjoy economic growth and gradually transformed into a modern [[industrial]] [[economy]] with a thriving [[tourism]] sector. Growth continued well into the [[1970s]], with Franco's government going to great lengths to shield the Spanish people from the effects of the [[oil crisis]].
In the miniseries, Commander Adama discovered a note in his quarters that read "There are 12 models of Cylons." It is unclear whether there are 12 different models of humanoid Cylons or twelve total models, including the mechanical Cylons. There are many copies of each model. The six humanoid models revealed so far include:
* '''"Aaron Doral"''' – Three copies have been shown so far. The first is as a public relations worker for the abortive ''Battlestar Galactica'' museum, who is revealed to be a Cylon in the miniseries and is stranded at Ragnar Anchorage by Adama. The second is a [[suicide bomber]] who narrowly misses killing Adama and Tigh. The third is one of the 'controllers' who monitors the progress of Helo and the duplicate Boomer on Cylon-occupied Caprica, working alongside one of the duplicate Number Sixes.
Upon the death of the [[dictator]] General Franco in November [[1975]], his personally-designated heir [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Prince Juan Carlos]] assumed the position of king and [[head of state]]. With the approval of the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] and the arrival of [[democracy]], the old historic nationalities — [[Basque Country]], [[Catalonia]], [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and [[Andalusia]]— were given far-reaching [[Autonomous Communities of Spain|autonomy]], which was then soon extended to all Spanish regions, resulting in one of the most decentralized territorial organizations in [[Western Europe]]. However, [[ETA]]'s terrorism continues being one of the most important problems facing Spain.
[[Image:Boomernew.jpg|thumb|Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, a Cylon sleeper agent aboard ''Galactica'']]
[[Adolfo Suárez|Adolfo Suárez González]], [[Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo Bustelo]], after an attempted [[coup d'état]] in [[1981]], [[Felipe González|Felipe González Márquez]] (when Spain joined [[NATO]] and [[European Union]]), [[José María Aznar|José María Aznar López]] and [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]], after the [[11 March 2004 Madrid attacks]], have been Presidents of Spain.
* '''[[Sharon Valerii|Lieutenant Junior Grade Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]''' – Numerous copies have been seen although only two have been featured regularly. One was a sleeper agent aboard ''Battlestar Galactica'' who did not know that she was a Cylon, although she suspected it. Another Boomer is fully aware she is a Cylon and accompanies ''Galactica'' crewmember [[Karl Agathon|Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon]] who met her while he was stranded on Cylon-occupied Caprica.
:The Boomer aboard ''Galactica'' performed a number of involuntary actions due to her Cylon programming, including bombing the ships water tanks and shooting [[William Adama|Commander Adama]]. Despite taking these actions, Boomer has no recollection of them after they happen and often seems confused.After the failed assasination attempt, Boomer was thrown in the brig. While being escorted to another cell she was shot and killed by [[Specialist Cally]].
:''See also: [[List of Spanish monarchs]], [[Kings of Spain family tree]]''
:The Boomer on Caprica originally served the other Cylons faithfully, attempting to make Lt. Agathon fall in love with her. However Boomer ended up falling in love with him and the two [[Fertilization|conceived]] a child together. Boomer then effectively [[Defector|defected]] to the humans, helping Helo escape Cylon patrols and to liberate Starbuck from a Cylon breeding facility. Boomer also stole a Cylon Heavy Raider ship which the trio used to return to Galactica. Upon reaching the ''Galactica'' she was immediately incarcerated, as another Boomer had shot Commander Adama. Even in the brig she aided the crew in removing a Cylon computer virus from the ship's systems, then broadcasted another virus to a massive Cylon strike force attacking ''Galactica'', resulting in the destruction of hundreds of Raiders. Since the defection of Caprica-Boomer, a third Boomer has been seen along with Number Six and Aaron Doral (on Cylon-occupied Caprica), discussing the future direction of the Cylon fleet.
== Politics ==
''Main article: [[Politics of Spain]]''
* '''"Leoben Conoy"''' – Two copies have been shown so far, the first claiming to be a smuggler upon being discovered in the munitions depot at Ragnar Anchorage. Adama kills this copy and has the body taken back to the ''Galactica''. The second is an ''agent provocateur'', an apparently unsuccessful saboteur who is captured aboard a passenger ship, claiming to have planted a nuclear warhead somwhere in the fleet. Commander Adama, having spent time with the first copy, knows how dangerous this Cylon model is. Conoy is adept at [[psychology]], mixing lies with truth making him very difficult to believe or to ignore. He is tortured for information by the strong-willed Starbuck on Adama's orders, but the result is the remaining human fleet is even more vunerable to attack. The president [[Laura Roslin]] realizes nothing he says can be trusted and has him thrown out the [[airlock]], but not before Conoy tells her that Adama is a Cylon.
Spain is a [[constitutional monarchy]], with a hereditary [[monarch]] and a bicameral [[parliament]], the ''[[Cortes Generales]]'' or National Assembly. The [[executive branch]] consists of a Council of Ministers presided over by the President of Government (comparable to a [[prime minister]]), proposed by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly following legislative elections.
* '''"Simon"''' – Two copies have been shown so far, both at a Cylon breeding facility on Caprica. Simon appears to be a tall, slender, dark-skinned male with close cropped or balding hair, approximately 35 years old. The first copy posed as a human physician treating Lt. Thrace for a gunshot wound in what was supposedly a hospital on Caprica, but he was also performing invasive tests on her reproductive organs. He accidently revealed himself as a Cylon when he called Lt. Thrace "Starbuck", even though she hadn not told him her callsign. After killing Simon (by jabbing a shard of a broken mirror in his neck), Lt. Thrace encountered another Simon copy while fleeing the breeding facility, before he was killed by Starbuck's rescue party.
The [[legislative branch]] is made up of the Congress of Deputies (''Congreso de los Diputados'') with 350 members, elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms, and a [[Senate]] or ''Senado'' with 259 seats of which 208 are directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to also serve four-year terms.
* '''"D'Anna Biers"''' – Two copies have been shown so far. D'Anna appears to be a woman approximately 36 years old, blonde hair, and the copy on the ''Galactica'' has a regional accent. The first copy poses as a reporter for the Fleet News Service, and is asked by President Roslin and Commander Adama to create a documentary to help the fleet relate to the hard-working staff on the Galactica (after they discover she possesses controversial video footage of a friendly fire incident). With full access to the ship, this D'Anna stumbles across Caprica-Boomer and during an incident with two Cylon Raiders manages to relay a transmission of the documentary back to the other Cylons on Caprica. The Cylon copies viewing the documentary are Doral, Valerii, [[Number Six (Battlestar Galactica)|Six]] and D'Anna. The D'Anna on Caprica speaks with an American accent. The Galactica crew is completely unaware that the Galactica-D'Anna is a Cylon, and she is currently still at large in the Fleet. D'Anna is played by actress [[Lucy_Lawless|Lucy Lawless]]. Her role as the D'Anna on ''Galactica'' is the first time she has used her native [[New Zealand]] accent onscreen in many years.
Spain is, at present, what is called a ''[[State]] of Autonomies'', formally unitary but, in fact, functioning as a [[Federation]] of [[Autonomous Communities of Spain|Autonomous Communities]], each one with different powers (for instance, some have their own educational and health systems, others do not) and laws. There are some problems with this system, since some autonomous governments (especially those dominated by nationalist parties) are seeking a more federalist—or even [[confederation|confederate]]—kind of relationship with Spain, while the Central Government is trying to restrict what some see as excessive autonomy of some autonomous communities (e.g. [[Basque Country]] and [[Catalonia]]).
* '''[[Number Six (Battlestar Galactica)|Number Six]]''' – is a beautiful female model evidently designed for seduction. (The name may be a reference to ''[[The Prisoner]]''). In the first episode she is shown having an affair with Baltar (and possibly others) on Caprica, and she was the Cylon "[[Trojan Horse]]" who built vulnerabilities into the Colonial defense system mainframe, allowing the Cylons to annihilate the Colonies and deactivate the automated systems of the Colonial fleet. One of the series' most effective plot devices is that the Number Six on Galactica can ''only'' be seen by Baltar -- in every episode she appears to torment Baltar in disturbing waking visions, as well as making him 'relive' his last hours with her on Caprica. It is not clear whether she is a product of his incipient madness, as he first thinks, or if (as she claims) she is a projection of a chip that she implanted in his brain, or some other form of mental projection. A brain scan of Baltar in the second season episode ''Final Cut'' revealed no chip. She did appear once on ''Galactica'' in physical form, calling herself "Shelley Godfrey". There are also several copies of Number Six on Caprica including the copy working with the third Doral copy observing Helo and Boomer. The Cylon religion appears to be of central importance to her, she refers to "God" in almost every episode, and part of her mission is evidently to convert Baltar to the religion of the Cylons' "one true god." Another of the Number Six model named "Gina" infiltrated the Battlestar ''Pegasus'' but was later captured by its crew. After being taken prisoner she was tortured and gang-[[rape|raped]] by ''Pegasus'' crewmen on a routine basis. By the time Dr. Baltar examined her, after ''Pegasus'' reunited with ''Galactica'', she was in a catatonic state from the trauma of her abuse. The ''Pegasus'' crew kept her shackled to the ground with cuffs on her hands and feet and a collar, which were all connected by a chain that was bolted to the floor. The ''Pegasus'' crew felt that Cylons aren't people, and never considered this as prisoner abuse because they feel the humanoid Cylons are just machines.
The [[paramilitary]] group [[ETA]] (Basque Homeland and Freedom) is trying to achieve Basque independence through violent means, including bombings and killings of politicians and police. Although the Basque Autonomous government does not condone any kind of violence, their different approaches to the separatist movement are a source of tension between the federal and Basque governments. Besides ETA violence, the conflict in the [[Basque Country]] is also shaped by the refusal of the Spanish state of the right of Basque people to choose freely their political status. Recently, 2 political parties - which in previous elections had received the support of around 10% of the popular vote- have been banned due to their unwillingness to publicly condemn ETA violence. The lack of a constitutional path towards independence has encouraged many Basques to support ETA.
It is interesting to note that, just prior to her death, Galactica-Boomer revealed to Dr. Baltar that eight humanoid Cylons remained alive, hidden within the fleet. Known models and obvious clones would likely not remain hidden long in the present state of security. Starbuck probably gave a description of Simon, but it's possible a copy of him may be hiding in the Fleet. The only other person in the fleet known to be a Cylon is the reporter-copy of D'Anna, however none of the Colonials are aware that she is a Cylon. Additionally, there are occasional implications that Colonel Tigh's wife may be a Cylon: initially presumed dead, she miraculously appears unharmed in the fleet, she was "tested" during a period when Dr. Baltar refused to reveal any true Cylons for fear of being exposed himself (whether her test was even completed is unclear), she repeatedly causes Tigh to make poor judgement calls, frequently in opposition to the President or Commander Adama. Baltar, in one episode, says to number Six that she is "only human," but this doesn't necessarily mean she isn't a cylon
On May 17, 2005, all the parties in the Congress of Deputies, except the PP, passed the Central Government's motion of beginning peace talks with the ETA with no political concessions and only if it gives up all its weapons. PSOE, CiU, ERC, PNV, IU-ICV, CC and the mixt group -BNG, CHA, EA y NB- supported it with a total of 192 votes, while the 147 PP parliamentaris objected.
=== Cylon spacecraft ===
On February 20th 2005, Spain became the first country to allow its people to vote on the European Union constitution that was signed in October 2004. The rules states that if any country rejects the constitution then the constitution will be declared void. The final result was very strongly in affirmation of the constitution, making Spain the first and so far only country to approve the constitution via referendum ([[Hungary]], [[Lithuania]] and [[Slovenia]] approved it before Spain, but they did not hold referenda).
[[Image:Battlestar Galactica 2003 - Basestar.jpg|thumb|300px|Cylon Basestars, one firing missiles (2003 series)]]
Cylon spacecraft in the new series are of a biomechanical design. They are not necessarily Cylons themselves, and there is little indication that they have any intelligence outside the specialized tasks for which they are designed.
* '''Raider''': The new Raider is a biomechanical fighter craft with twin cannon weapons and FTL ([[Faster-than-light]]) capability. Unlike the original Raiders, these are autonomous craft without a separate pilot. It appears to be an oxygen-breathing biomechanical organism housed within a metallic [[exoskeleton]]. In one episode of the 2004 series, the stranded Starbuck finds a downed raider and discovers that once inside its "head" she can control the propulsion and weapons systems by manipulating its biomechanical actuators. Another (Cylon) character describes the Raider as being somewhat like a pet. (Curiously, the "dead" organic tissues of a Raider do not seem to decay or produce foul odors. It may still be alive.)
== Administrative divisions==
* '''Heavy Raider''': A previously unknown Cylon craft, introduced in the last episode of season one, which is capable of transporting squads of Cylon Centurions for boarding actions. It appears to be loosely analogous to a Colonial Raptor transport in this respect. It may not require a pilot, but it has been shown as being controlled by a humanoid Cylon. [[Ronald D. Moore]] confirms this craft's name as "Heavy Raider" in his [[podcast]] for this episode.
Administratively, Spain is divided into 50 [[provinces of Spain|provinces]], grouped into 17 [[autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous communities]] and 2 autonomous cities with high degree of autonomy.
* '''[[Basestar]]''': The Basestar is the primary Cylon capital ship yet identified in the series, outmatching a colonial Battlestar in nearly every tactical respect. Basestars are designed to make hyperlight jumps and equipped to deploy large-scale strikes with high yield nuclear ordnance. They carry at least 250 Raiders on their exterior service pods, and an indeterminate number of additional fighters inside. Although the staggering number of Raiders they can deploy at a moment's notice suggests an enormous crew, it is suspected that much of a Basestar's internal workings may be automated. They are themselves biomechanical entities, with fleshy "hangars" to house Raiders. Basestars are, however, capable of carrying other Cylon models within them.
=== Autonomous communities ===
[[Image:ccaa-spain.png|thumb|400px|Autonomous communities of Spain]]
''Main article: [[Autonomous communities of Spain]]''
Spain consists of 17 autonomous communities (''comunidades autónomas'') and 2 autonomous cities (''ciudades autónomas''; [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]]).
* '''Unknown Large Ship''': In the episode "Pegasus", intelligence imagery from the [[Battlestar Pegasus]] shows a ship much larger than a Basestar which is unlike anything the Colonials have ever seen before. Recon photos of it suggest a [[toroid]]al appearance, but it's exact appearance has not yet been determined. Admiral Cain and Commander Adama have speculated that it might be a Raider factory, or a command ship.
* [[Andalusia]] (''Andalucía'')
* [[Aragon]] (''Aragón'')
* [[Asturias|Principality of Asturias]] (''Principáu d'Asturies'' in [[Asturian language|Asturian]]/''Principado de Asturias'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]])
* [[Balearic Islands]] (''Illes Balears'' in [[Catalan language|Catalan]] / ''Islas Baleares'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]])
* [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] (''Euskadi'' in [[Basque]]/''País Vasco'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]])
* [[Canary Islands]] (''Islas Canarias'')
* [[Cantabria]]
* [[Castile-La Mancha]] (''Castilla-La Mancha'')
* [[Castile-Leon]] (''Castilla y León'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]])
* [[Catalonia]] (''Catalunya'' in [[catalan language|Catalan]]/''Cataluña'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]/ ''Catalunha'' in [[Aranese]])
* [[Extremadura]]
* [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] (''Galicia or Galiza'' in [[Galician]])
* [[La Rioja]]
* [[Madrid (autonomous community)|Madrid]]
* [[Murcia (autonomous community)|Murcia]]
* [[Navarre]] (''Nafarroa'' in [[Basque]]/''Navarra'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]])
* [[Valencia (autonomous community)|Valencia]] (''Comunitat Valenciana'' in [[Valencian dialect|Valencian]] ([[Catalan language|Catalan]]) /''Comunidad Valenciana'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], as official denominations).
*The main Cylon fleet is mentioned as being accompanied by about a dozen various "support ships", of unknown design. Some are probably responsible for mining and refining tylium fuel from asteroids, or constructing tylium mining bases like the one seen in "The Hand of God". Others might be analagous the Colonial support cruisers, which have also been mentioned but never seen on screen.
=== Provinces ===
''Main article: [[Provinces of Spain]]''
==Trivia==
The Spanish kingdom is also divided in 50 [[Provinces|provinces]] (''provincias''). Autonomous communities group provinces (for instance, [[Extremadura]] is made of two provinces: [[Cáceres (province)|Cáceres]] and [[Badajoz (province)|Badajoz]]). The autonomous communities of [[Asturias]], the [[Balearic Islands]], [[Cantabria]], [[La Rioja]], [[Navarre]], [[Murcia]], and [[Madrid]] are each composed of a single province. Traditionally, provinces are usually subdivided into historic regions or ''comarcas'' (''main article: [[Comarcas of Spain]]'').
Sci-fi fans traveling through [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Hartsfield International Airport]] in Atlanta were always quick to note that the automated voice on the trains connecting the passenger concourses to the main terminal was a perfect match for the voice of a Cylon. However, in preparation for the [[1996 Summer Olympics]], the airport was renovated and the Cylon voice was retired in favor of a pre-recorded "human" voice. The voice heard going down the escalator to the trains, however, still reminds them of the robot guarding the path to sanctuary in [[Logan's Run]].
In the [[source code]] of [[Mozilla]] (and its [[Netscape_Navigator|Netscape]] predecessor), the "undetermined" progress bar that slides back and forth -- rather than filling up the bar from left to right -- is referred to as the "Cylon".
=== Places of sovereignty ===
There are also five places of sovereignty (''[[plaza de soberanía|plazas de soberanía]]'') on and off the [[Africa|African]] coast: the cities of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] are administered as autonomous cities, an intermediate status between cities and communities; the islands of the [[Islas Chafarinas]], [[Penon de Alhucemas|Peñón de Alhucemas]], and [[Penon de Velez de la Gomera|Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera]] are under direct Spanish administration.
A Cylon appears in the season 3 episode of [[Futurama]] [[Futurama_%28TV_series_-_season_3%29#Bendin.27_in_the_Wind|Bendin' In The Wind]]. He’s part of the musical duo ''Cylon and Garfunkel'', a parody of [[Simon and Garfunkel]].
The [[Canary islands]], [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], although not officially historic communities, enjoy a special status.
In the opening credits of certain seasons of [[The A-Team]], [[Dirk Benedict]] watches a Cylon walk past (while at the Universal Studios tour), initially expresses concern, and then decides to ignore it. Dirk Benedict played the character Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica series.
== Geography ==
''Main article: [[Geography of Spain]]''
Glen A. Larson produced both the original Battlestar Galactica and [[Knight Rider]]. He incorporated the Cylon scanning moving eye into KITT, and it is speculated in [[fanon]] that [[KITT]]'s electronic brain was originally part of a Cylon that crashed to earth in Galactica: 1980.
[[Image:Sp-map.png|right|Map of Spain]]
Mainland Spain is dominated by high plateaus and mountain ranges such as the [[Pyrenees]] or the [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]]. Running from these heights are several major rivers such as the [[Tajo]], the [[Ebro]], the [[Duero]], the [[Guadiana]] and the [[Guadalquivir]]. Alluvial plains are found along the coast, the largest of which is that of the Guadalquivir in [[Andalusia]], in the east there are alluvial plains with medium rivers like [[Segura]], [[Júcar]] and [[Turia]]. Spain is bound to the east by [[Mediterranean Sea]] (containing the [[Balearic Islands]]), to the north by the [[Bay of Biscay]] and to its west by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], where the [[Canary Islands]] off the [[Africa]]n coast are found.
==External link==
Spain's [[climate]] can be divided in four areas:
*[http://battlestarwiki.org/index.php?title=Cylons "Cylons" at Battlestar Wiki]
*The Mediterranean: mostly temperate in the eastern and southern part of the country; rainy seasons are spring and autumn. Mild summers with pleasant temperatures. ''Hot records'': Murcia 47.2º, Malaga 44.2º, Valencia 42.5º, Alicante 41.4º, Palma of Mallorca 40.6º, Barcelona 39.8º. ''Low records'': Gerona -13.0º, Barcelona -10.0º, Valencia -7.2º, Murcia -6.0º, Alicante -4.6º, Malaga -3.8º.
[[Category:Fictional robots]]
*Inner spain: Very cold winters (frequent snow in the north) and hot summers. ''Hot records'': Sevilla 47.0º, Cordoba 46.6º, Badajoz 45.0º, Albacete and Zaragoza 42.6º, Madrid 42.2º, Burgos 41.8º, Valladolid 40.2º. ''Low records'': Albacete -24.0º, Burgos -22.0º, Salamanca -20.0º, Teruel -19.0º, Madrid -14.8º, Sevilla -5.5º.
[[Category:Battlestar Galactica]]
[[Category:Fictional aliens]]
*Northern Atlantic coast: precipitations mostly on winter, with mild summers (slightly cold). ''Hot records'': Bilbao 42.0º, La Coruña 37.6º, Gijón 36.4º. ''Low records'': Bilbao -8.6º, Oviedo -6.0º, Gijon and La Coruña -4.8º.
[[Category:Fictional alien species]]
[[category:villain races]]
*The Canary Islands: subtropical weather, with mild temperatures (18º to 24º [[celsius]]) throughout the year. ''Hot records'': Santa Cruz de Tenerife 42.6º. ''Low records'': Santa Cruz de Tenerife 8.1º.
===Biggest metropolitan areas===
# [[Madrid]] 5,603,285
# [[Barcelona]] 4,667,136
# [[Valencia]] 1,465,423
# [[Sevilla]] 1,294,081
# [[Malaga]] 1,019,292
''For a more complete list, see [[List of cities in Spain#Biggest cities|List of cities in Spain]]''
===Territorial disputes===
Spain has called for the return of [[Gibraltar]], a tiny [[United Kingdom|British]] possession on its southern coast. It changed hands during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in [[1704]]. The most recent talks dealt with the idea of "total shared sovereignty" over Gibraltar, subject to a constitutional referendum by Gibraltarians, who have expressed opposition to any form of cession to Spain. The talks have been frozen, after the result of a referendum in Gibraltar where 98% of the people opposed them. See [[Gibraltar]] for more information.
[[Morocco]] claims the Spanish enclaves of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] and the uninhabited [[Penon de Velez de la Gomera|Vélez]], [[Penon de Alhucemas|Alhucemas]], [[Islas Chafarinas|Chafarinas]], and [[Isla Perejil|Perejil]] ("Parsley") islands, all on the northern coast of Africa.
== Economy ==
''Main article: [[Economy of Spain]]''
Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 87% that of the four leading [[Western Europe|West Europe]]an economies. The centre-right government of former President [[Aznar]] successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single [[currency]], the [[euro]], on [[1 January]] [[1999]]. The Aznar administration continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and introduced some [[tax]] reforms to that end. [[Unemployment]] fell steadily under the Aznar administration but remains high at 11.7%. Growth of 2.4% in 2003 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy. Incoming President [[Rodríguez Zapatero]], whose party won the election three days after the [[Madrid]] train bombings in March 2004, plans to reduce government intervention in business, combat tax fraud, and support innovation, research and development, but also intends to reintroduce labour market regulations that had been scrapped by the Aznar government. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and reducing unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain over the next few years.
== Languages ==
''Main article: [[Demographics of Spain]]''
The Spanish Constitution, although affirming the sovereignty of the Spanish Nation, recognises historical nationalities.
The Castilian-derived ''[[Spanish language|Spanish]]'' (called both ''Español'' and ''Castellano'' in the language itself) is the official language throughout Spain, but other [[regional language]]s are also spoken. Without mentioning them by name, the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|Spanish Constitution]] recognizes the possibility of regional languages being co-official in their respective autonomous communities. The following languages are co-official with Spanish according to the appropriate [[Autonomy Statute (Spain)|Autonomy Statute]]s.
* [[Catalan language|Catalan]] (''català'') in [[Catalonia]] (''Catalunya''), the [[Balearic Islands]] (''Illes Balears'') and [[Valencia (autonomous community)|Valencia]] (''València'').
* [[Basque language|Basque]] (''euskara'') in [[Basque Country]] (''Euskadi''), and parts of [[Navarre]] (Nafarroa). Basque is not known to be related to any other language.
* [[Galician language|Galician]] (''gallego'') in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] (''Galiza'').
* [[Occitan language|Occitan]] (the [[Aranese]] dialect). Spoken in the Vall d'Aran in Catalonia.
Catalan, Galician, Aranese (Occitan) and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (Castilian) are all descended from [[Latin]] and have their own dialects, some championed as separate languages by their speakers (the [[Valencià]] of [[València]], a dialect of Catalan, is one example).
There are also some other surviving [[Romance languages|Romance]] [[minority language]]s: [[Asturian language|Asturian]], in [[Asturias]] and parts of [[Leon]], [[Zamora]] and [[Salamanca]], and the [[Extremaduran language|Extremaduran]] in [[Caceres]] and [[Salamanca]], both descendents of the historical Astur-Leonese dialect; the [[Aragonese language|Aragonese]] or ''fabla'' in part of [[Aragon]]; the ''fala'', spoken in three villages of Extremadura; and some Portuguese dialectal towns in Extremadura and Castile-Leon. However, unlike Catalan, Galician, and Basque, these do not have any official status.
[[Berber language]] is spoken among Muslims in Ceuta and Melilla.
In the touristic areas of the Mediterranean ''[[costa]]s'' and the islands, German and English are spoken by tourists, foreign residents and tourism workers.
Many linguists claim that most of the Spanish language variants spoken in [[Latin America]] (Mexican, Argentinian, Colombian, Peruvian, etc. variants) descended from the Spanish spoken in southwestern Spain ([[Andalusia]], [[Extremadura]] and Canary Islands).
==Identities==
Spain is considered by some, including a part of Spanish population (aproximately 10% according to the latest surveys), to be a group of nations unified under a single State, much like [[Belgium]], [[Switzerland]] or the [[United Kingdom]]. Despite this, the common history, the common features of the country and the policy of many Spanish governments has led to a "Spanish nationhood" which is the one people identify with Spain internationally.
The [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]], in its second article, recognizes historic entities ("nationalities", not "nations") and regions, inside the unity of the Spanish nation.
But Spain's identity is sometimes, in fact, an overlap of different national identities, some of them even conflicting.
Castile is considered to be by many the "core" of Spain. However, this may just be a reflection of the fact that the Castilian national identity was the first one to be quashed by the Spanish Empire in the revolt of the Communards (''[[comuneros]]''). Today, Castilians generally consider themselves to be Spanish first, with regional identity being of lesser importance.
The opposite is the case of some Galicians, Catalans and Basques, who quite frequently identify primarily with Galicia, Catalonia and the Basque Country first, with Spain only second, or even third, after Europe. For example, according to the last CIS survey, 25% of Basques identify themselves only as Basques; 16.8% of Catalans do so with their autonomous community, and 7% Galicians with Galicia.
The situation is even more confusing, since there are regions with ambiguous identities, like [[Navarre]], [[Valencia]], the [[Balearic Islands]], the [[Canary Islands]], etc. There has been a lot of internal migration ([[rural exodus]]) from regions like Galicia, Andalusia and Extremadura to Madrid, Catalonia, Basque Country and the islands.
Spain was the first European country to become a unified nation, between 1492 (union of [[Castile]] and [[Aragon]]) and 1515 (annexation of [[Navarre]]).Until 1714, Spain was a loose confederation of kingdoms and statelets, under the same king, until King [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]] removed the autonomous status of the Aragonese crown. Navarre and the Basque Country, although, kept a high degree of autonomy within their legal and financial system ([[Fueros]]). Moreover, the creation of a unified state in the 19th and 20th centuries has lead to the present situation, apparently simple, but sometimes extremely confusing. During the [[Second Spanish Republic]] ([[1931]]–[[1936]]), the Basque and Catalan were given limited self-government, which was lost after the [[Spanish Civil War]] ([[1936]]–[[1939]]) and restored in [[1978]] during the [[Spanish transition to democracy|transition to democracy]].
[http://www.cis.es/File/ViewFile.aspx?FileId=1712 Survey of the latest CIS (Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas) survey from which concrete data of this article have been extracted]
===Minority groups===
Since the [[16th century]], the most important minority group in the country have been the [[Gitanos]]. Other historical minorities are [[Merchero]]s (or [[Quinqui]]s) and [[Vaqueiros de alzada]]. The latter, meaning "Mountain cow-breeders" dwell in mountain ranges in the Principality of Asturias and have kept historically apart from the valley dwellers.
The number of [[immigrant]]s or foreign residents has tripled to 3.69 million in less than five years, acoccording the latest figures (2005) of National Statics Institute. They currently make up around 8.4 percent of the total population. The rise of population in Spain in recent years was largely due to them. Nearly half of all immigrants have neither residence nor work permits.
The largest foreign minorities are [[Moroccans]] (365.846), [[Equadorians]] (202.294), [[Colombia]]ns (128.367) and British (121.107), followed by other nationalities, as [[Argentina|Argentinians]], [[Philippines|Filipinos]], [[Germany|Germans]] etc.
== Religion ==
[[Image:1928SpanishStamppeseta-pio11-alfonso13.jpg|thumb|right|240px|1928 Spanish one-peseta postage stamp pairs [[Pope Pius XI]] and [[Alfonso XIII of Spain|Alfonso XIII]]]]
[[Roman Catholic]]ism is, by far, the most popular religion in the country, with four in five Spaniards (80%) self-identifying as Catholics. The next group (one in eight, or 12%) is represented by [[atheism|atheists]] or [[agnosticism|agnostics]]. Minority religions account for one in seventy (1.4%) of all Spaniards.
According to membership [http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_jw.html], the second religion of Spain is the organization of the [[Jehovah's Witness]]es with 103,784 active publishers; there are also many Protestant denominations, all of them with less than 50,000 members, and about 20,000 [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints|Mormon]]s. [[Evangelism]] has been better received among [[Gypsies]] than among the general population; pastors have integrated [[flamenco]] music in their liturgy. Taken together, all self-described "Evangelicals" slightly surpass Jehovah's Witnesses in number.
The recent waves of immigration have led to an increasing number of [[Muslim]]s, who have about 800,000 members. Muslims were forcibly converted in 1492 and then expelled in the 16th century. Since the expulsion of the [[Sephardi]]m in 1492, [[Judaism]] was practically nonexistent until the 19th century. There are also many Spaniards (in Spain and abroad) who claim Jewish ancestry to the [[Conversos]], and still practice certain customs. Spain is believed to have been about 8 percent [[Judaism|Jewish]] on the eve of the [[Spanish Inquisition]].
Over the past thirty years, Spain has become a more secularised society. The number of believers has decreased significantly and for those who believe the degree of accordance and practice to their church is quite diverse.
According to the latest official poll [http://www.cis.es/Catalogo/Estudio.aspx?year=&barometro=&ultimosestudios=&tema=119&estudio=2170&cuestionario=2190&muestra=5485 (CIS, 2002)], 80% of Spaniards self-identify as [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]], 12% as ''non-believer'', and 1% as ''other'' (the remaining 7% declined to state). Of the 1.4% identifying as ''other'', 29% identified as [[Evangelical Christian]], 26% as [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and 3% as Muslim (the rest either mentioned smaller religions or declined to state). According to the same poll, 73% believe in God, 14% don't and 12% are unsure (1% declined to state). Additionally, according to this poll, only 41% believe in [[Heaven]]. 24% of the Spaniards think that the [[Bible]] is just a fable. Only 25% of [[Catholics]] go to church at least once a week.
According to the [[CIA World Factbook]], 94% of Spaniards are Roman Catholic. This is consistent with the Catholic Church's practice to claim all baptized as Catholic regardless of self-identification, and with the CIS poll's finding that 91% to 96% of all parents are remembered as being Catholics. While 80% of Spaniards self-describing as Catholics, 94% report having baptized their children but only 79% being inclined to baptize new children. 90% had a religious wedding.
== Culture ==
''Main article: [[Culture of Spain]]''
* [[List of Spaniards]]
* [[Cuisine of Spain]]
* [[List of Spanish football league teams|Spanish football]]
* [[Spanish literature]]
* [[Bonfires of Saint John]]
* [[Bullfighting]]
* [[Music of Spain]]
== International rankings ==
* [[Reporters without borders]] world-wide press freedom index 2002: Rank 39 out of 139 countries (2 way tie)
* [[The Economist]] Intelligence Unit's worldwide quality-of-life index 2005: Rank 10 out of 111 countries (above countries like the [[United States of America]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[France]])
== Further reading ==
John Hickman and Chris Little, "Seat/Vote Proportionality in Romanian and Spanish Parliamentary Elections", ''Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans'' Volume 2, Number 2, November 2000.
== Miscellaneous topics ==
''Main article: [[List of Spain-related topics]]''
* [[Communications in Spain]]
* [[Transportation in Spain]]
**[[SEAT]] automobile
**[[Biscuter]] automobile
* [[Military of Spain]]
* [[Foreign relations of Spain]]
* [[Tourism in Spain]]
* [[List of cities in Spain]]
* [[List of municipalities in Spain]]
* [[Plaza de soberanía|Places of sovereignty near Morocco]]
* [[List of Spanish birds]]
* [[List of Spanish national parks]]
* [[Spanish nobility]]
== External links ==
{{Commons|Spain}}
{{Wikinews|Spain}}
* [http://www.economist.com/countries/Spain/ Spain]: [[The Economist]] Country Briefings entry (current)
* [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html Spain]: [[CIA World Factbook]] entry (updated January 27, 2005. most of the information as available on January 1, 2004)
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/estoc.html Spain]: US [[Library of Congress Country Studies]] entry (1988)
*{{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.castillosnet.org Spanish Castles (www.castillosnet.org)] The most complete guide of Spanish Castles and military architecture... (in Spanish)
* [http://www.inspain.org Spain for travellers] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Home?Language=en spain.info] Spain Tourist Information
* [http://www.softguides.com/spain Softguide Spain (English/Spanish)]
* [http://es.todalanet.net Todalanet.net Spain]: Searches for web pages from Spain only (in Spanish)
* [http://www.getspain-spain.com Spain Guide]: Provides useful information on Spain and Spanish culture
* [http://www.administracion.es administracion.es] e-government Portal
* [http://www.la-moncloa.es/webIngles/asp/inicio.asp La Moncloa.es] — Official governmental site
* [http://www.mae.es Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores] Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* [http://www.congreso.es/ingles/index.htm Congreso de los Diputados] — Official site of the Congress of Deputies
* [http://www.senado.es/home_i.html El Senado] – Official site of the Senate
* [http://www.casareal.es/casareal/home2i.html Casa Real] – Official site of the Spanish Royal Family
* [http://www.ine.es/inebase/cgi/um?L=0 INEBase] — National Institute of Statistics (Spanish)
* [http://www.explorerspain.com ExplorerSpain] — Spain Tourist Information and regional news.
* [http://www.proel.org/lenguas.html Proel.org] — Languages of Spain
* [http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/spain/ Photographs of Spain]: Barcelona, Girona and Catalonia
* [http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk Spain Maps] — Maps of Spain and its regions
* [http://www.searchandsurvey.co.uk/information-on-spain.htm Information on Spain] — Information On Spain
*[http://www.iberianature.com/ iberianature] a guide to the environment, geography, climate, wildlife, natural history and landscape of Spain
*[http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com Spanish Airport Guide]A Guide to all Airports in Spain
*[http://www.spanish-town-guides.com Spain Guide]A guide to Spain - Including tourist information, maps of Spain and more
*[http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/sp.html CIA World Factbook Spain Entry]
{{MSG:Latinunion}}
{{EU_countries}}
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[[Category:Monarchies]]
[[Category:Spain| ]]
[[Category:European Union member states]]
[[af:Spanje]]
[[ar:إسبانيا]]
[[ast:España]]
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[[bs:Španija]]
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[[cs:Španělsko]]
[[cy:Sbaen]]
[[da:Spanien]]
[[de:Spanien]]
[[et:Hispaania]]
[[es:España]]
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[[eu:Espainia]]
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[[fr:Espagne]]
[[fy:Spanje]]
[[gd:An Spàinn]]
[[gl:España]]
[[ko:에스파냐]]
[[hr:Španjolska]]
[[io:Hispania]]
[[id:Spanyol]]
[[ia:Espania]]
[[is:Spánn]]
[[it:Spagna]]
[[he:ספרד]]
[[ka:ესპანეთი]]
[[la:Hispania]]
[[lv:Spānija]]
[[lt:Ispanija]]
[[li:Spanje]]
[[ht:Espay]]
[[hu:Spanyolország]]
[[mi:Pāniora]]
[[ms:Sepanyol]]
[[zh-min-nan:Se-pan-gâ]]
[[nah:Kaxtillan]]
[[na:Spain]]
[[nl:Spanje]]
[[nds:Spanien]]
[[ja:スペイン]]
[[no:Spania]]
[[oc:Espanha]]
[[pl:Hiszpania]]
[[pt:Espanha]]
[[ro:Spania]]
[[rm:Spagna]]
[[ru:Испания]]
[[se:Spánia]]
[[simple:Spain]]
[[sk:Španielsko]]
[[sl:Španija]]
[[sr:Шпанија]]
[[fi:Espanja]]
[[sv:Spanien]]
[[th:ประเทศสเปน]]
[[tr:İspanya]]
[[uk:Іспанія]]
[[zh:西班牙]]
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