There is general concern that Spain，s model of economic growth (based largely on mass tourismtourism n.观光事业， 游览， the construction industry， and manufacturingmanufacturing n.制造业 adj.制造业的 sectors) is faltering and may prove unsustainable over the long term. The first report of the Observatory on Sustainability (Observatorio de Sostenibilidad) - published in 2005 and funded by Spain，s Ministry of the Environment and Alcalá University - reveals that the country，s per capita GDP grew by 25% over the last ten years， while greenhouse gas emissionsemission n.(光、热等的)散发， 发射， 喷射 have risen by 45% since 1990. Although Spain，s population grew by less than 5% between 1990 and 2000， urban areas expanded by no less than 25% over the same period. Meanwhile， Spain，s energy consumptionconsumption n.消费， 消费量， 肺病 has doubled over the last 20 years and is currently rising by 6% per annum. This is particularly worrying for a country whose dependence on imported oil (meeting roughly 80% of Spain，s energy needs) is one of the greatest in the EU. Largescale unsustainable development is clearly visible along Spain，s Mediterranean coast in the form of housing and tourist complexes， which are placing severesevere adj.严厉的， 严格的， 剧烈的， 严重的， 严峻的 strain on local land and water resources.
Visit the Country
If you are looking for a good holiday destination choice or will be conducting business here， then you won，t be disappointeddisappointed adj.失望的 in the facilities available. There are lots of wonderful things to see and do.
Spain is different and provides a variety of fun and fascinationfascination n.魔力， 入迷， 魅力， 迷恋， 强烈爱好 that few countries can match.
If you have visited other countries in Europe， you，ll be pleasantly surprised at how individual Spain is when compared to those lying on the other side of the Pyrenees. You may find yourself wondering if you，ve arrived in another world.
It is full of exciting adventures， an interesting and fascinating past， wonderful nature reserves， beaches， mountains and a plethora of fiestasfiesta n.（西）节日(特指在西班牙和拉丁美洲以游行和舞蹈来庆祝的节日)， 祭典， 圣日， 假日 that await your discovery.
From bullfights to cultural performances， ski resorts to sun tanning， shopping， dining out or adventure sports， it，s all on offer here. The more you travel in Spain， the bigger the country seems to get. There，s cool， green Galicia， hot dry Andalucia and everything in - between. No matter what you，re looking for， Spain has it all， and some.
Besides the mainland peninsula， Spanish possessionspossession n.拥有， 占有， 所有， 着迷， 领土， 领地， 财产(常用复数)， 自制 include the Mediterranean Balearic Islands， the Canary Archipelago (in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa) and the Moroccan coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Travel within and to/from the country is easy； the hotels and resorts of excellent standards， the climate， generally forgiving and the people relaxed and fun loving. It，s a holiday destinationdestination n.目的地， ［计］ 目的文件， 目的单元格 for all seasons and one well worth experiencing.
The following lists what visitors to the area consider to be the very best activities on offer here.
Visit the Alhambra in Granada. This moorish fortified palace is absolutely incredibleincredible adj.（口）难以置信的. The complex is vast and occupies a large portion of the city centre， so make sure you have a whole day to explore it. If you are visiting in the summer though， you are well advised to buy tickets in advance as it，s a very popular attraction.
See some of Frank Gehry，s amazing architecturearchitecture n.建筑， 建筑学体系机构. Whether it is the amazing Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao， the huge copper fish on Barcelona beach or the new conference and convention centre near Malaga Airport， all of Frank Gehry，s pieces are futuristicfuturistic adj.未来派的 masterpieces that deserve your inspection.
Spain oozes art and artists are on almost every corner. However to get a better understanding of the creative flairflair n.才能， 本领 of the country，s residents through the years you simply have to visit one of the following museums or galleries： Don，t miss the the Miró Foundation in Barcelona， see the disturbing images of Goya in Madrid and Picasso，s Guernica at the Reina Sofia， also in Madrid. Visit the busy fishing village of Cadaques and pay a visit to the former hometurnedmuseum of world renownedrenowned adj.有名的， 有声誉的 surrealistsurrealist n.超现实主义者 adj.超现实主义的 painter， Salvador Dali， sited in Portlligat Bay just to the north of the town. These are cultural experiences like no other， and ones even the kid，s will enjoy.
Take part in a local village fiesta. The local fiestas are mostly religious in nature， but that doesn，t mean that they aren，t a lot of fun. The colourful processions are worth it in themselves， and the parties usually go on throughout the night. Join in， be part of the action and experience another side to Spain.
If you are anywhere in southern Spain you simply have to stampstamp n.邮票， 印花， 印， 图章， 标志， 印记， 跺脚， 顿足v.跺(脚)， 顿(足)， 压印 your heals to the Flamenco！ Twenty five years ago it looked like Flamenco dance was on the declinedecline vi.下倾， 下降， 下垂 v.拒绝， 衰落 n.下倾， 下降， 下垂， 斜面， 斜坡， 衰败， 衰落， but it has recently enjoyed a huge surge in popularity， and not just as a tourist attraction. Come on down and join in， make new friends and most of all， enjoy yourself.
When in Barcelona take a stroll stroll along Las Ramblas. This busy street in Barcelona is just for pedestrianspedestrian n.步行者 adj.徒步的， 呆板的， 通俗的 and is lined with outdoor markets， shops， restaurants and cafes. Las Ramblas ends with the Pier and its excellent indoor shopping centre， Sea Life centre and more great restaurants.
Don，t miss the Running of the Bulls. Join in on the celebrationscelebration n.庆祝， 庆典 in Pamplona and see the bulls run.
Go Skiing and sunbathingsunbathe n.日光浴， 太阳灯浴 on the beach in one day. There are a number of spots where this can be achieved. Of the better known ones Malaga and Torremolinos offer this exciting activity in the late spring and are our favoured spots.
Eat tapas！ This has to be one of the best and most uniquely Spanish things to do when here. Sit in a bar in the evening along with the locals (it，s a great way to meet new friends) and eat tapastapas n. （西班牙餐馆的)餐前小吃 while you have a drink.
Go Trekking. Spain，s countryside begs discovery on foot and trekking (walking) gives you an excellent opportunity to do this. You，ll find great locations throughout the country but two of our favourite spots are： the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa. Remember， if travelling with children， walking not only lets the kids use up pent up energy， but it can become an educational discovery trip as well.
