International Space Station (ISS). The
first crew began to live in the station in
November 2000.
Space Shuttles
In 1981 the United States launched the
first reusable spacecraft, called a space
shuttle. The main section has wings and
is called the orbiter. Attached to the
orbiter are rockets, fuel tanks, and oxygen
tanks. These boost the craft through
the thickest part of Earth’s atmosphere.
When their fuel is used up, the boosters
fall into the ocean, where they can be
recovered. At the end of a mission, the
orbiter returns to Earth and lands like
an airplane.
The first shuttle missions were successful.
Astronaut Sally Ride became the
first U.S. woman in space on June 18,
1983. But in January 1986 the shuttle
Challenger exploded 73 seconds after
liftoff. All seven crew members were
killed. NASA stopped the shuttle program
to study the cause of the explosion.
The United States returned to space in
September 1988 with the launching of
the shuttle Discovery. The shuttles made
many successful trips. But then in February
2003 the shuttle Columbia broke
apart as it was returning to Earth. The
seven crew members on board were
killed. The shuttle program did not
resume until 2005.
Space Probes
Space probes are vehicles that carry scientific
equipment but no passengers.
Some make one-way voyages into deep
space. Probes are controlled from Earth
by radio. They send back their findings
the same way.
Probes have landed on Mars and Venus
and have flown past Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune. They have collected
information on the planets’ atmospheres,
moons, and ring systems.
#More to explore
Armstrong, Neil • Exploration • Ride,
Sally • Rocket • Satellite
Two robots were sent to the planet Mars in
2003. An artist’s computer drawing provides
an idea of what the robot Opportunity
might look like on the planet.
The space
shuttles are
used to bring
astronauts and
supplies to
and from the
space station.
They also
allow scientists
to conduct
experiments in
outer space.
152 Space Exploration BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Spain
Spain is a large country in western
Europe. It once controlled a huge
empire in the Americas. Spain’s capital is
Madrid.
Geography
Spain takes up most of the Iberian Peninsula,
a block of land in southwestern
Europe. Spain shares borders with Portugal,
France, and Andorra. South of
Spain is Gibraltar, a British colony. The
Mediterranean Sea lies to the east and
southeast. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the
north, northwest, and southwest.
Two groups of islands also belong to
Spain. The Canary Islands are in the
Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Africa.
The Balearic Islands are in the Mediterranean.
In addition, Spain controls the
cities of Ceuta and Melilla in northern
Morocco.
Most of the land is a high plain in the
center of the country. Mountain ranges
surround the plain. The Pyrenees
Mountains form a natural border
between Spain and France. Spain has
many rivers, including the Duero, the
Tagus, and the Ebro.
Most of Spain has hot summers and cool
winters. The south is drier than the
north.
Plants and Animals
Meadows and forests cover northern
Spain. Oak and pine trees grow in the
mountains. Scattered evergreen oaks and
grasses grow in central and southern
Spain.
Spain’s wildlife includes deer, wild boars,
and ibex (a type of wild goat). The
Pyrenees are home to many birds of prey,
including eagles, owls, and buzzards.
The Pyrenees Mountains are a feature of
northeastern Spain.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Spain 153
People
Most of the people of Spain are Spanish.
Roma (or Gypsies) are the largest minority
group. Roman Catholicism is the
main religion. Most people live in cities
or towns.
Most people in Spain speak Castilian,
which is generally called Spanish. People
in the east also speak Catalan. Those in
the northwest also speak Gallego, or
Galician. The Basque people of northern
Spain also speak Euskara, or Basque.
Economy
Spain’s economy depends on services,
manufacturing, and mining. Tourism is
one of the most important service industries.
The country’s manufacturers make
clothing, shoes, food products, chemicals,
metals, machinery, and cars. Spain’s
mines provide coal, zinc, iron ore, lead,
and other minerals.
Farming is a small part of the economy.
Spain’s crops include grains, sugar beets,
olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables. Spain
is also a major producer of wine. Farmers
raise sheep, pigs, cattle, and goats.
Fishing is another source of food.
History
Roman and Muslim Rule
In ancient times many different peoples
from Europe and North Africa settled in
Spain. The Romans ruled the region
from the 200s BC to the AD 400s.
Muslim Arabs invaded in 711. They
quickly captured most of the Iberian
A flamenco dancer whirls in a
ruffled dress. Flamenco is a form
of traditional music and dance
of the Roma (Gypsy) people of
southern Spain.
The Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi
designed many amazing buildings in the
early 1900s. The church of the Holy Family
in Barcelona, Spain, is one of his most
famous buildings. It was still not finished in
the early 21st century.
Facts About
SPAIN
Population
(2008 estimate)
45,661,000
Area
195,363 sq mi
(506,988 sq km)
Capital
