Economic Sectors and Infrastructure in Spain

Trade in Spain

Trade employs over 3 million people in Spain. This activity is traditionally dominated by small neighborhood businesses; however, small shops with two or three workers have lost importance to large surfaces such as supermarkets. Most people now visit these large stores for their shopping, while electronic commerce has experienced significant growth.

Foreign Trade

In recent years, Spain has increased its exports. Imports consist mainly of industrial products. As imports have been more abundant than exports, the Spanish trade balance remains negative. Most trade is conducted with EU countries.

Financial Services

The Spanish financial sector is highly competitive and enjoys international prestige. Banking generates almost all business within this sector. The two most important entities are BSCH and BBVA, which occupy the first and third positions respectively. Spain operates four stock exchanges: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao.

Land Transport

The road and railway networks are radial. They are best and most dense in the most populated and economically active areas. The relief also influences the density and layout of these networks. Efforts are being made to overcome the difficult radial communication model between many regions through the construction of transversal sections, the modernization of the railway, and the creation of a more efficient and safer road network.

Sea Transport

Sea transport serves for the international movement of goods. The largest Spanish port for cargo traffic is the Bay of Algeciras, which is also one of the biggest in Europe. Boats are also used for passenger travel.

Air Transport

Air transport is utilized for passenger travel. Thanks to price reductions, more and more people travel by plane. The Madrid-Barajas Airport is one of the largest in the EU and the world.

Spain as a Tourist Power

Spain constitutes one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. The majority of foreign tourists who visit come from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands are the preferred destinations. Sunshine and good beaches are the major attractions of our country, though other factors, such as good infrastructure, also favor tourism. The traditional Spanish tourism model remains focused on sun and beach.