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Spain History
One of the most important revolutions was the revolution of 1868 that forced Isabel II to renounce the throne, and the First Republic was proclaimed. It lasted just one year because Isabel's son, Alphonse XII, restored the kingdom; at the same time other revolutions took place around the world and this caused the economic crisis of 1920´s.
In the following years the country was under a military dictature until 1930. Then the first municipal elections took place in April 12th, 1931, which meant a triumph for the political left wing and produced that Alphonse XIII left the country. A period of growing political instability that began in 1936, ended with a bloodycivil war (1936-1939).
The Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco controlled the Spanish government until 1975, when Francisco Franco died and the Bourbon monarchy returned, headed by Prince Juan Carlos. After World War II the country was relatively stable, and experienced a rapid economic growth.
The new presidential elections in 1982 had the socialist Felipe Gonzalez as the winner. After the European community formed, Spain became a member in 1986. And after many important events, Spain impressively appeared at the world stage with the Olympic Games of 1992 in Barcelona and the EXPO'92 in Seville.
Nowadays, Spain is a member state of the European Union and the country is a democracy organized with high living standards. The country comprises 17 autonomous communities (Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Islas Baleares, Islas Canarias, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Cataluña, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Community of Madrid, Region of Murcia, País Vasco, Comunidad, Valenciana, and Navarra) and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla); each autonomous community can be divided into provinces and municipalities.
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