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•► Beautiful Spain

The major lowland regions are the Andalusian Plain in the southwest, the Ebro Basin in the northeast, and the coastal plains. The Andalusian Plain is essentially a wide river valley through which the Río Guadalquivir flows. The river broadens out along its course, reaching its widest point at the Golfo de Cadiz.

Officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España[note 6]),[5] is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.[note 7] Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal.

Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco. Furthermore, the town of Llívia is a Spanish exclave situated inside French territory. With an area of 504,030 square kilometres (194,610 sq mi), it is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France.

Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences since prehistoric times and through to its dawn as a country. Spain emerged as a unified country in the 15th century, following the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs and the completion of the reconquest, or Reconquista, of the Iberian peninsula in 1492. Conversely, it has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 500 million Spanish speakers today, making it the world's second most spoken first language.

Spain is a democracy organised in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy. It is a developed country with the twelfth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards (20th highest Human Development Index), including the tenth-highest quality of life index rating in the world, as of 2005. It is a member of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, OECD, and WTO.

•► Varkala Beach (Kerala) - India

Travel 54 Km north from Thiruvananthapuram the capital of Kerala, and you will come to Varkala Beach. Varkala Beach is a quiet and isolated sandy expanse where you can have a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala. Enjoy the laid back attractions of Varkala Beach while on Kerala beach tours with Kerala Backwater.

Varkala Beach has a number of tourist attractions nearby. The mineral springs near Varkala Beach are considered to have medicinal properties and many people come here to drink and bathe in the water from the mineral springs. The Varkala Beach is also called Papanasam Beach because it is believed that bathing here will wash away all of one's sins. The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple nearby is believed to be between 800 - 2000 years old. A nature cure center located near Varakala Beach is another popular attraction that you can visit on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Varkala Beach is also famous for its landscape. A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold as the sun and sea are tinged with crimson and vermilion. See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Varakala is also a pilgrimage destination. Its Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Ayyappa is visited by many thousands of pilgrims year round. The auspicious new moon day in the month of 'Karkidakam', according to the Malayalam calendar is considered especially holy. Thousands of pilgrims come to Varakala Beach to pray and offer 'Vavu Bali', in honour of their relatives who have departed from this world. Feel the religious ambience of Varakala Beach on Beach Tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwate.

•► Dudhsagar Falls (Karnataka) - India

Dudhsagar Waterfalls-springing from a lofty height of 600m is located on the Goa-Karnataka border. It lies at a distance of 60 km from Panaji and 10 km from Colem Railway Station. The name of this waterfall evolves from the Konkani name for the falls, Dudhsagar meaning ‘sea of milk’. This is because froth is formed due to the speedy surge of water from the majestic heights. The fall looks stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. The Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most interesting falls of India and the largest and highest fall of Goa. Nearby is the Tamdi Surla Temple built by the Kadambas.