Regions of Spain: Complete Map & Guide to the 17 Autonomous Communities (2026)
Spain is politically divided into 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas) and two autonomous cities in North Africa (Ceuta and Melilla). Each Spanish region exercises significant self-government with its own regional parliament, healthcare administration, cultural heritage, and in several territories, co-official regional languages (Catalan, Basque, and Galician).
Complete List of Spain's 17 Regions & Autonomous Cities
Spain's administrative structure grants broad autonomy to each community across healthcare (Sanidad), public education, regional infrastructure, and local environmental stewardship.
| Autonomous Community | Capital City | Population | Top Destinations | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andalusia | Seville | 8.6M | Seville, Málaga, Granada | Moorish palaces, Flamenco & Costa del Sol |
| Aragon | Zaragoza | 1.3M | Albarracín, Alcañiz | Mudéjar architecture & Pyrenean canyons |
| Asturias | Oviedo | 1.0M | Oviedo, Gijón | Picos de Europa & cider traditions |
| Balearic Islands | Palma | 1.2M | Palma, Ibiza | Mediterranean coves & Tramuntana |
| Basque Country | Vitoria-Gasteiz | 2.2M | Bilbao, San Sebastián | Pintxos dining & Guggenheim Museum |
| Canary Islands | Santa Cruz / Las Palmas | 2.2M | Tenerife, Gran Canaria | Year-round sunshine & Mount Teide |
| Cantabria | Santander | 585K | Santander, Santillana | Altamira Cave art & green valleys |
| Castile and León | Valladolid | 2.4M | Salamanca, Segovia | Roman Aqueduct & Gothic cathedrals |
| Castile-La Mancha | Toledo | 2.1M | Toledo, Cuenca | Hanging Houses & Quixote windmills |
| Catalonia | Barcelona | 7.9M | Barcelona, Girona | Gaudí Modernisme & Costa Brava |
| Extremadura | Mérida | 1.1M | Cáceres, Zafra | Roman theater & Iberian acorn ham |
| Galicia | Santiago | 2.7M | Santiago, Lugo | Camino de Santiago & Albariño seafood |
| La Rioja | Logroño | 320K | Logroño, Haro | DOCa Rioja red wines & Calle Laurel |
| Madrid | Madrid | 6.9M | Madrid, Alcalá | Capital hub, Prado & royal palaces |
| Murcia | Murcia | 1.5M | Murcia, Cartagena | Costa Cálida & Roman amphitheater |
| Navarre | Pamplona | 665K | Pamplona, Olite | San Fermín & Pyrenean landscapes |
| Valencian Community | Valencia | 5.1M | Valencia, Alicante | City of Arts, Paella & Costa Blanca |
Exploring Spain by Geographic Zones
1. Green Spain (España Verde)
Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country along the northern Atlantic coast. Cooler temperate maritime climate, lush emerald valleys, mountain wilderness, and premier seafood.
2. Mediterranean Coast
Catalonia, Valencian Community, and Murcia. Warm Mediterranean climate, sandy beaches, major international metropolises (Barcelona, Valencia), and coastal expat hubs.
3. Central Heartland & Meseta
Madrid, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, and Extremadura. Continental climate, vast plains, high-speed rail corridors, and historic UNESCO fortified capitals.
4. Southern Spain (Andalusia)
Over 300 days of annual sunshine, iconic whitewashed hill villages, Moorish palace architecture, and diverse coastal stretches (Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz).
Frequently Asked Questions About Spain's Regions
How many regions are there in Spain?
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas) and two autonomous cities located on the North African coast (Ceuta and Melilla). Each community operates with its own elected parliament, regional government, and official capital.
What are the 17 regions of Spain?
The 17 regions of Spain are Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Community of Madrid, Region of Murcia, Navarre, and the Valencian Community.
What is the largest region in Spain?
Castile and León (Castilla y León) is the largest region in Spain by land area, covering roughly 94,222 square kilometers (nearly one-fifth of Spain's total land area). However, if measured by population, Andalusia is the largest region, home to over 8.6 million residents.
Which region in Spain is the best to live or visit?
The best region depends on your lifestyle goals: Andalusia and Valencia offer warm Mediterranean sunshine and affordable coastal living; Madrid and Catalonia provide cosmopolitan career opportunities and cultural life; the Basque Country and Galicia are world-renowned for exceptional gastronomy and cooler green climates.