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ABOUT SPAIN
Spain is located on the Iberian peninsula and it is the largest of the three sovereign nations there. Its official name is the Kingdom of Spain and it borders Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, France and Andorra. The territory of Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. There are five mountain ranges crossing the country. The variety of landscapes make it beautiful and adorable; desert-like landscape, some green and fertile, long coasts along the Mediterranean Sea from Pyrenees to Gibraltar, and coasts in the west along the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea.
Spain is divided into 50 provinces that form part of 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 504,750 sq km
Population: 42,700,000
Languages: Castilian Spanish (official language) and Catalonian, Galician, Valenciano, Vasco (official languages in the autonomous communities)
Religion: mostly Roman Catholic
Capital: Madrid
Government: Constitutional Monarchy>
Time: GMT/UTC plus 1 hour
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220V 50 Hz, European plug with two circular metal pins
Dial code: 34
Regions:
- Catalunya is on the nord eastern part of the peninsula. It is the region of a unique culture and a language of its own. Barcelona is its capital city which attracts many tourist with its exceptional beauty and outstanding architectural heritage, museums, cathedral...Costa Brava is an area of natural resorces and beauty, of many tourist places, as well as of fishing villages. Among the most popular tourist centers we must mention: Rose, Sant Pere Pescador, L´Escala, L´Estartit, Begur, Palafrugell, Palamos, Platja d´Aro, S´Agaro, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar and Blanes. Costa Dorada is famous for its beautiful well maintained beaches and tourist centers: Calella de la Costa, Arenys de Mar, Castelldefels, Sitges, Calafell, Torredembarra, Tarragona, Salou, Cambrils, Miami Playa.
- Valencian Community is a region of long beaches and orange groves. Valencia is its capital famous for its fiesta of Saint Joseph, when enormous papier-mache sculptures are set ablaze. Besides this magnificent town of Valencia, another centers like Cullera, Gandia and Oliva are also worthwile visiting. La Costa Azarah boasts with several important tourist centers; Vinaroz, Benicarlo, Peñiscola, Alcoceber, Oropesa and Benicasim. However, la Costa Blanca is the most popular tourist destination in Spain due to its magnificent sandy beaches.
- Balearic Islands are located in the Mediterranean sea and are distinguished by the most exceptional weather conditions. Palma de Mallorca is its capital. All the islands have wonderful scenery, pictoresque landscape, clear waters, forests, beaches...These are the islands; Menorca (an island of history and tradition), Ibiza, Formentera, Cabrera, each with long history, and they all celebrate various festivities.
- Andalucia is an extremely beautiful region of unique culture and tradition, a region with white hill towns, beautiful coast. Its major centers are Seville (with the most spectacular Gothic cathedral), Malaga, Granada (with the most beautiful Moorish monuments) and Cordoba. Some of the best beaches in Spain are located between Cadiz and Tarifa, on the Atlantic, the latter one being the best spot for windsurfing.
- Murcia is one of Spanish major tourist areas. Its major port, Cartagena, has always been important through the centuries, with museum of pre-Roman and Roman collections. There lies La Costa Calida with the temperate climate and sandy beaches. Mar Menor is of special interest. It is part of the Mediterranean and suitable for water sport activities. Important tourist centers are: Santiago de la Ribera, La Manga del Mar Menor, Puerto de Mazarron, Aguilas and Cartagena.
HISTORY
Due to its great location, Spain has always been a target for different civilizations. The Iberian population probably arrived from the north of Africa. They founded a kingdom of high culture in the valley of Guadalquivir river. The Romans left traces in laws, language and customs. Soon after, it experienced the invasions of Visigoths and Muslims; the latter one lasted for almost 800 years. However, this brought progress in science, arts and agriculture, as well as building of palaces, schools, public baths...
That period was followed by the reconquest of Spain by the Christians which led to the golden age when they established the empire in the New World. At that point, Spain was one of the most powerful nations in the world.
1898 marked the end of the Spanish Empire, but not the end of their troubles.
1936 the country was split in two parts; the Republican government on one side and the opposition Nationalists on the other side. The assassination of their opposition leader let to the Civil War. The Nationalists won, and that was the beginning of their economic decay. It was the period of of Franco's dictatorship.
In the early 50s, the country began its recovery. Juan Carlos, the successor of Franco, helped the transition to the democracy. However, they are now facing the problem of the separatist militant group ETA, which is trying to secure an independent Basque homeland.
CLIMATE
There are three types of climate in this area:
- Continental climate – characteristic for the majority of Spain, with the annual rainfall up to 64 centimeters. There are practically two rainy seasons here, spring and autumn. Winter is cold with strong winds, while summer is warm and cloudless.
- Maritime climate – prevails in the northern part of the country, with mild winter, warm summer. It is generally a region of abundant rainfall, specially in autumn. Fog and mist are common here due to the high humidity and winds.
- Mediterranean climate – is characteristic for southern and eastern parts and coasts. Rainfall is rather irregular here, insufficient. This region is marked by hot, dry winds carrying sometimes dust are common in spring. Levante is cooler and blows from the east. Summer is mild with pleasant temperatures in the eastern and northern part, while the southeast coast has warm summers and mild winters, similar to the southern Mediterranean.
The Canary Islands have subtropical weather with mild temperatures all around the year. The climate is generally temperate with clear, hot summers, moderate along the coast and cold winters, partly cloudy along the coast.
GASTRONOMY
Barcelona is well known for its stews made of rice, vegetables, potatoes and noodles, not only that. One can taste their typical regional sausage, then beef, bread, eggs and white beans.
Zarzuela is their fish specialty, made of cuttlefish, mussels and prawn. Some add a lobster too.
For dessert they usually serve Crema Catalana or some other dessert with pine-kernels and raisins.
The region of Catalonia is famous for its red and white wines (Alella, Priorat and Tarragona, Penedés) and its sparkling wine Cava.
The cuisine of Pamplona is rich in variety and has gained an excellent reputation. Their dishes vary from tasty sauces, salmon, trout with cured ham, beans to the famous dishes of lamb and goat, vegetables then, fish prepared in a garlic sauce with paprika, naturally combined with the wines.
Madrid is a real combination of all sorts of dishes, since it has taken various recipes from all the regions. We must not forget their delicious asparagus and a soup of garlic, not to mention lamb and veal. In spite of its location, Madrid is the culinary center of fish of extraordinary quality. All the dishes are well combined with aromatic wines, or one can just try an anisette schnapps.
Seville's cuisine is distinguished by its simplicity and taste. Gazpacho is their famous meal made of vegetables; tomato, cucumber, paprika, garlic, olive oil, and bread, then fried fish, fried egg in a tomato sauce or with mayonnaise, a ragout of bull's tail, snails in a tasty sauce...Manzanilla and Montilla match perfectly with all those dishes.
Valencia is characterized by large quantities of rice produced in this area and it is part of many dishes here as well as of Paella Valenciana,their most famous one which consists of chicken and snails. Paella Marinera consists of rice with saffron, sea food and vegetables, some add chicken as well. Among the refreshments, we must mention Horchata, made of milk of a plant similar to rice and it is served cold.
Malaga, on the other hand, can be distinguished by light, Mediterraneam cuisine; shrimps, fried fish, fish put in marinade first, cold soup of almond cream, garlic and olive oil. They usually serve sweets made of almonds and honey.
Balearic cuisine boasts with more than 600 recipes, among wich the most popular would be mayonnaise. Then spicy sausage, lamb, eggs...
Mallorca cuisine is typical for its clear soups with fish or meat and vegetable sauce. We must also mention Tumbet made of potatoes and egg plants with tomato sauce and peppers, then turkey in almond sauce, pigeon in chestnut sauce...
Ibiza has extraordinary fish recipes, tarlets with meat and vegetables. Their speciality is a herb flavoured liqueur.
Canary Islands combine Spanish recipes with african and latin-american influences, using a lot of fish, fruits and vegetables. Among their speciality, the most famous is Papas Arrugadas made of boiled potatoes and served with sauce of oil, garlic, chili peppers and paprika. Exotic fruits are served for dessert.
CULTURE AND EVENTS
Spain has an extraordinary cultural heritage. It is the fusion of different influences throughout the history; mostly Iberian, Latin, Roman Catholicism and Moorish Islam.
A strong sense of regional identity and distinctiveness has significantly contributed to their cultural development, shown mostly in their language. Apart from the official Spanish language, several regional languages are spoken in Spain; Basque, Catalan, Valencian, Galician, including some local dialects such as Asturian, Aragonese, Aranese and Gascon.
The culture of Spain is varied and quite interesting. It is the country of many events and celebrations, accompanied by music, dance, parades, festivals and shows. Among the most popular events we must mention Flamenco music and dance, Bullfights, Bull Running and La Tomatina.
Great architectural structures can be seen throughout the country, with many structures being the World Heritage Sites. Rich heritage ranges from prehistoric monuments, Roman ruins, decorative buildings, castles and cathedrals to wonderful modern structures.
Spain is a country of many dominant figures in art; Velasquez, Goya, Picasso, Miró, Dalí and other prolific painters. We must not forget the Spanish music and the fact that guitar was invented in Spain, from the Moorish lute. Paco de Lucía is the best known flamenco guitarist in the world. Spain has always been one of the main cultural centers in Europe and has retained reputation of a fascinating country with rich cultural tradition.
When visiting Spain, one can attend various interesting traditional events. Flamenco is the most popular and best known in the world. It's characteristic for the south of the country, in Andalucia. Another famous event is the bullfights in all the parts of the country. However, we must not forget the running of bulls in Pamplona.
Visitors must not miss the festival of dancing and trying the Sherry wine in Seville, held in April, the event that followed Easter week with its procession, Semana Santa. Another religious event is El Rocio, in May.
Las Fallas de San Jose is an outstanding event held in Valencia, in March. It turns into a great party as well as La Tamburrada in San Sebastian, in February.
For those who like bullfights, we suggest they go to Madrid in May for its fiesta San Isidro.
Each region, and each town has its own fiestas and events. However, the carnival is pretty popular in all the parts, specially in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz or Sitges.
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