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'''Spain''' is a member state of the European Union as well as the Schengen Agreement.
Spain consists of the 17 ''Comunidades Autónomas''. These are not only administrative destricts; Many of the regions have their own culture, language and some even don’t consider themselves as a part of Spain. For example the dominating language in [[Catalonia]] is Catalan, so be aware of that. Nevertheless, everyone speaks ''castellano'' (Spanish). English is taught at school, but due some droll shyness, lot’s of Spaniards refuse to speak it. For this reason, most travellers learn at least ''un poquito'' (a little bit) of the Spanish language during their stay. The phrase ''Vas a... ?'' (are you going to... ?) is an excellent starting point.
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== Language ==
The Comunidades are not only administrative destricts; many of the regions have their own culture, language and some even don’t consider themselves as a part of Spain. For example the dominating language in [[Catalonia]] is Catalan, so be aware of that. Nevertheless, everyone speaks ''castellano'' (Spanish).
English is taught at school, but due some droll shyness, lots of Spaniards refuse to speak it. For this reason, most travellers learn at least ''un poquito'' (a little bit) of the Spanish language during their stay. The phrase ''Vas a... ?'' (are you going to... ?) is an excellent starting point.
In Spain, hitching isn’t a very common concept and mostly done by foreigners. Though, the thumb will be understood.
== Hitchhiking, ''Autostop'' ==
Sometimes you will have to be patient possibly waiting for over an hour! Once, [[User:Latindane|Latindane]] had to wait 4 hours to get a 300 kilometers ride with lunch included towards [[Madrid]].
When entering the country from [[France]] you should try to get a lift as close to your destination as possible. On the mediteranean side, a good place for this is La Jonquera, one of the biggest truck stops in Europe. You’ll find plenty of international truck drivers all over the country, because Spain is a centre of the fruit industry, exporting their oranges and tomatoes. On the Atlantic side, there is another huge truck stop near Irun.
If you arrive by the ferry from [[Africa]] you should try to get a ride on the ferry or at the port. There are lot’s lots of people from [[Morocco]], who went to visit their families and now return. You’ll see number plates from many other European states.
== Road network ==
The north of Spain has a well developed system of ''autopistas'' and hitching is pretty similar to France or [[Germany]]. These motorways have three lanes in both directions, ''peajes'' (tollgates) and huge rest stops directly at the road. However, waiting at the peajes, isn't allowed and you’ll be sent away by the police. So when hitching between France - and [[Murcia]] or [[Barcelona]] – , [[Zaragoza]] – and Madrid for example it is a good idea to stick to the rest stops and ask the drivers there. Bring water and food, since these ''áreas de servicio'' are really(!) expensive.
However in the more southern regions, the motorways are smaller and the petrol stations usually a bit off the road. But don’t worry and be patient.
== Squatting ==
Despite many houses have been shut down lately, Spain has a very active squatting scene. It’s quite easy to find a place to crash by asking around for a ''casa okupada''.