| Name | Kingdom of Spain |
| Status | Decentralized, multi-ethnic state |
| Capital | |
| Monarch | |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential constitutional monarchy |
| Ethnic groups | Castilian • Catalan • Galician • Basque |
| Prime Minister | |
| Historical notes | Composed of several historically distinct regions and kingdoms • Marked by periodic unrest and independence movements • Maintained a significant colonial empire well into the 20th century • Culturally diverse with strong regional identities and languages |
| Official languages | |
| Other major cities |
The Kingdom of Spain is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It is a highly decentralized, multiregional state composed of several distinct territories and ethnic groups, each with their own cultural traditions, political institutions, and levels of autonomy.
Unlike the unified Kingdom of Spain that emerged in our timeline, this version of the country has remained politically fragmented for most of its history. The reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule in the late 15th century did not result in the centralization of power under the Catholic Monarchs of Castile and Aragon.
Instead, the region continued to be divided among a patchwork of semiautonomous kingdoms, principalities, and regional identities. Castile, Aragon, Navarre, Catalonia, Andalusia, and Galicia all maintained varying degrees of self-governance and distinct cultural and linguistic traditions within the broader Spanish dominion.
This fragmentation was further entrenched by the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties, who ruled Spain as a composite monarchy rather than a unitary state. Periodic revolts and independence movements by regional powers like Catalonia, Basque Country, and Portugal also prevented the consolidation of centralized authority in Madrid.
Despite its internal divisions, Spain managed to construct a vast colonial empire spanning the Americas, Caribbean, Philippines, and parts of North Africa during the Age of Exploration. The country's control over these overseas territories remained tenuous at times, with periodic rebellions and nationalist uprisings.
In the 19th century, Spain began to lose many of its colonial possessions, including the former Viceroyalty of New Spain (Mexico), the Captaincy General of Cuba, and the Philippine Islands. However, unlike in our timeline, Spain was able to maintain control over key holdings like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and parts of Morocco well into the 20th century.
The regional diversity and decentralized nature of the Spanish state has profoundly shaped its cultural and political landscape. Each autonomous community, from Catalonia to the Basque Country to the Canary Islands, has developed its own distinct language, customs, and sense of regional identity.
This has led to ongoing tensions and power struggles between the central government in Madrid and various nationalist and separatist movements seeking greater autonomy or even outright independence. Periodic crackdowns, concessions, and negotiations have characterized the complex relationship between Madrid and the regions over the centuries.
Today, Spain is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. While the central government retains control over key policy areas like defense, foreign affairs, and macroeconomic policy, the country's autonomous communities enjoy significant devolved powers in domains like education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.
Economically, Spain has a mixed economy with both state-owned and private enterprises. It remains an important player in global trade, with a diversified industrial and agricultural base. Major industries include automotive manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, and high-tech services.
Culturally, Spain continues to be a mosaic of regional identities, languages, and traditions. The Castilian language and cultural influence coexists alongside the vibrant traditions of Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, and other autonomous communities. This diversity is celebrated as a core part of Spain's national identity, even as it sometimes fuels political tensions.
Spain's unique history, geography, and cultural makeup have made it a complex and multifaceted nation, one that continues to grapple with the legacies of its past while navigating the challenges of the 21st century. Its story remains an intriguing and often turbulent chapter in the broader tapestry of European history.
