Spain is located in Southern Europe, bordering on countries such as France, Portugal and Morocco. Spain was one of the most powerful European nations, especially during the colonial era – Spain had strong colonies in Central and South America.

1936 to 1939 saw the Spanish civil war, a very bloody affair that cost around half a million lives. Franco’s fascists seized power and formed a dictatorship that lasted until the death of Franco in 1975, by many historians considered one of the darkest chapters of modern European history.

Spain is famous for brutal conquistadors such as Pizarro and Cortes who were responsible for the destruction of the Inca and Aztec empires. But Spain is also associated with the writer Miguel Cervantes, legendary painters Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, with flamenco music and its football league which is one of the best worldwide.

Keynote speakers on Spain might choose a historical focus, a cultural angle, a political approach, an economic – or a bit of all of the above.