Spain has long been a top holiday destination for Britons and this year the Mediterranean country celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Turespana logo, The Miró Sun.

Commissioned in 1983 by Ignacio Vasallo, general director of Turespana, the Spanish tourism agency, the logo was created by Barcelona-based artist Joan Miró.

The artist, renowned for his abstract style using primary colours, insisted on creating it free of charge for his king and country. Taking inspiration from two existing works, he combined the star and sun from a poster he made in 1967 for a tribute exhibition to Picasso with the word "Spain", taken from a poster he designed to represent Spain in the 1982 World Cup.

One of a kind

As the first work of art to be used as a logo to identify a country, Miró’s sun represents Spain’s values and its many highlights.

First launched in 1984 with the advertising campaign "Spain. Everything under the sun", the logo has been used ever since by Turespana in all of its international campaigns.

It symbolises what makes Spain a must-visit destination far beyond its warm and sunny climate; its art, creativity, hospitality, gastronomy, cheerful people, culture and resourcefulness. Over the years, Spain has used the logo in different campaigns to promote these values, thanks to which it has become the fourth most-visited destination in the world.

Now welcoming more than 80 million visitors a year, many repeating time after time, Spain is popular for its pleasant weather, unique way of life as well as its diverse art, culture and nature.

Artistic draws

With a logo that showcases its creative appeal, Spain is a haven for art lovers. It features an impressive number of Unesco World Heritage sites plus festivals and traditions declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by Unesco. Highlights include the Alhambra in Granada, which shows the splendour of the Nazari period, the last Muslim dynasty in the Iberian peninsula, and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a gothic basilica designed by Gaudi.

In Madrid the Prado Museum features the most complete collection of Spanish painting from the 11th-18th centuries including masterpieces by painters such as El Greco, Velazquez, Goya and Rembrandt.

Lovers of architecture will admire the gothic Cathedral of Toledo and the Aqueduct of Segovia, one of the most important in the Roman world, while visitors keen to immerse themselves in Spanish culture and traditions can watch a flamenco show in a cave in Granada or align their visit with the Fallas festival in Valencia or the Festival de los Patios in Cordoba.

From its art and culture to its progressive gastronomy and adventurous experiences, Spanish tourism may have come a long way in 40 years but the values embodied by The Miró Sun are as strong today as when it was first created. The logo continues to represent a country whose warmth and appeal extend far beyond its climate.