But Spain, nevertheless, went on to make history at this World Cup. That the country has reached the final for the first time is thanks largely to the country’s incredible strength in depth.

Travel through Basque country in northern Spain, and you’ll encounter breathtaking coastal vistas, rocky landscapes and tranquil farms. You’ll also meet Basque people, whose history is one of ...

Spain: A History. Oxford University Press, USA, $45 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-19-820619-4. Potent yet palatable, this history of Spain is remarkably seamless--especially considering that it traces the ...