Spain Information Guide & Facts

 Spain

Full Country Name: The Kingdom of Spain
Area: 504,782 sq km
Population: 40.8 million (according to 2002 census)
Capital City: Madrid
Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque (2%)
Religions: Roman Catholic (97%); Protestant/other 3%
Currency: euro (EUR)

Geography

Spain is the second largest country in the EU (after France), with a total surface area of 197,000 square miles (510,000 square kilometres). In addition to mainland Spain, territory includes two island archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canaries – and two enclaves on the North African coast, bordering Morocco,– Ceuta and Melilla.

Customs and Traditions

Fiestas
Tourists who wish to explore the traditions and popular fiestas can choose from the extensive offering in this country. The wide variety requires making a decision on the location and dates of the visit. 
Spain is a country with deep traditions that are often expressed through their popular fiestas. To experience these events firsthand, visitors may choose from among the many and varied fiestas whose origins and primary purpose are generally religious celebrations, such as Holy Week, with its typical processions. The San Antón fiesta, in January, when pets are taken to be blessed, is another option. Carnival, in February, is a more entertaining option. The streets of many Spanish towns are filled with music, dancing and costumes. Tourists visiting Spain in Autumn can witness the grape harvest celebration, a tradition linked to the cultivation of the land that unites entire families to harvest the grapes. Also, the hog-slaughter, in November, is a ritual that revolves around pigs and the products obtained from them. Pamplona is the site of one of Spain's most international fiestas: the San Fermin celebrations; the San Fermin festivities, an entire week during which tourists from around the world gather to watch people, with their typical white shirts and red neckerchiefs, participate in the traditional running of the bulls. Another example of an international fiesta are the Fallas, which take place in March in the city of Valencia, and during which monuments made of papier maché are made, and then burnt on 19 March in a spectacular offering of fire. The above are just several examples, however, thousands of fiestas of all kinds are staged in Spain almost all year round.

Flamenco
One of the oldest and most-popular cultural traditions in Spain is Flamenco, which, in recent years, has travelled outside of our borders, achieving international prestige. 
It appears that Flamenco is derived from the movements of Egyptian mourners at the funeral rites they attended, while the 'cante jondo' originates in the songs of mineworkers, expressing their woes for the lack of freedom they suffered. Nevertheless, the whys and wherefores of its origin are still debated, and are the subject of numerous interesting studies. Flamenco is more than just song and dance. It is also the aesthetic expression that surrounds it and makes it unique among Spain's cultural traditions. In this sense, the gown with a train (bata de cola) is the authentic outfit for women, while, for men, the use of high-heeled boots allows them to tap and mark the rhythm of the piece. To learn about the world of Flamenco, you must go to the South of Spain, to the autonomous region of Andalusia, where the art manifests itself spontaneously. This is the birthplace of the most important figures in Spanish Flamenco, such as Manolo Caracol, La Niña de los Peines, guitarists like Paco de Lucía or Camarón de la Isla, and more modern dancers, such as Antonio Canales and Joaquín Cortés, whose work has crossed the geographic boundaries of Spain, reaching all of the countries of the world. The 'tablaos' are special settings where visitors can learn about the art of Flamenco live, in any of the many existing styles or 'palos' (fandangos, sevillanas, soleás, bulerías, and so on). You can also choose to attend any one of the many flamenco festivals, such as the one held in Granada in May and June, which is the oldest. Or you could go to Seville's Biennial Festival, Rocío Fair, the April Fair and Festival del Cante de las Minas (song festival in La Unión - Murcia) where you will come across some of the best displays of this art.

Religious Celebrations
Religious fervour in Spain manifests itself in all of its splendour in the cities and towns when they celebrate their fiestas, or during religious celebrations, such as Holy Week. 
Visitors admiring these demonstrations of faith can enjoy passionate displays of colour, sound, light that delight the senses. There are as many expressions of worship and adoration as there are cities and towns. Among the most noteworthy is the Pilgrims' Road to Santiago de Compostela that begins on the French border and continues on to Santiago, where the pilgrims express their passion and religious devotion. In March and April, coinciding with the celebration of Holy Week (Easter) in almost all of Spain, there are diverse fiestas to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week in Seville is a recommended visit, as well as in other regions, such as Albacete, Murcia or the town of Verges (Girona). Visitors should be aware that these celebrations produce great fervour in the population, so it is advisable to show respect towards them.

Places to Visit

Camino de Santiago
Registered in 1993 as a World Heritage Site. This is the route, from the French-Spanish border, which was and still is followed by pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. Along the route there are around 1800 buildings, both religious and secular, of great historical value. The Route played a fundamental role in the cultural exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe during the Middle Ages. It is still testimony to the Christian faith in people of all social classes from all over Europe.

Ruta Vía de la Plata
Since the distant past there has been a route between mountains, valleys and plains, which unites the north and south of Spain, where, in the lower basin of the Guadalquivir, the first great western culture flourished, under the mythical monarchy of Tartessos at the end of the Bronze Age. Thanks to its great mining wealth, the area took on great significance as a producer of precious metals. When the Romans invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 218 BC, they gave great importance to roads to cover the whole territory, with the Vía de la Plata, a road which links Gijón with Seville via Astorga, León, Zamora, Salamanca and Mérida, being one of the most important.

España verde
From the 'rías baixas' of Galicia to the Bay of Biscay, Green Spain travels the north coast of the Iberian Peninsula through four autonomous regions: Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

Ruta del Califato
This route is an adventure of the spirit: from Córdoba to Granada, two upsets of history, two unrepeatable moments, two golden ages. Córdoba, the pinnacle, the blinding light which made the remaining cities of the West pale into insignificance. Granada, the refined terminal mannerism of a whole civilization living its final moments. And between them, the castles, the cities which were first staging posts or markers for a more or less haphazard exchange, and later a camp and a base to lay siege to Granada. This route is not just a lesson in history. It is also aesthetic enjoyment, and pleasure for the senses.

Ruta Washington Irving
This route traces the steps followed in 1829 by the romantic North American writer Washington Irving, who was fascinated by the wealth and exoticism of the Spanish-Muslim civilization. A communications artery established many centuries before, which served as a trade route between the Christian south of the peninsula and the Nazarite kingdom of Granada.

Camino de la lengua castellana
A route to discover the cradle, the light, the silences and the most agitated features of a language, Castilian, which every day caressed more ears in the land.

Caminos de Sefarad
Routes of Sefarad. A journey in time through Jewish Spain

Pirineos
From the Cantabrian Sea to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees mountain chain rises like an immense natural barrier between Spain and the rest of the continent. Its dominions extend along 450 kilometres of peaks reaching 3000 metres high, leafy valleys and picturesque centuries-old towns and villages. A meeting point for a variety of cultures and gateway to the Route to Santiago, the Pyrenees have countless treasures waiting to be discovered in each of the autonomous regions which share them: Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia.

Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad
OUR PAST, OUR FUTURE. Historic cities, cave painting sites, architectural sites, cathedrals, monasteries, mosques, synagogues, modernist buildings... marked out by parks and nature areas, form the largest world collection of World Heritage properties, recognized by UNESCO.

Leisure

In Spain it is easy to have fun. All of the large cities have a varied and original leisure offer that any visitor will discover by taking a walk through the most frequented areas.  
The wide leisure offer in our country is one of the main attractions for the tourists who visit us. The big cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, and so forth, generally boast trendy areas with a heavy concentration of pubs, discos, nightclubs and other similar establishments. Likewise, theatres and cinemas abound and are chosen by many as an alternate form of entertainment. In Madrid, for example, if you wish to go out at night, you should try the areas of Alonso Martínez, Malasaña, Moncloa-Argüelles, Huertas-Santa Ana, Chueca, Orense-Plaza Castilla, amongst others. Valencia is another great meeting point of Spain's leisure offer. The warm climate is favourable to night-time outings and gatherings at the bars' terraces until the early hours of the morning. The most frequented areas are the historic neighbourhood, the beach, Blasco Ibáñez Avenue or Cánovas del Castillo Avenue. Bilbao also offers good nightlife in basically two areas: la calle Pozas, located in the centre, and the area of Santutxu. Ibiza is, by far, the most international of the Spanish leisure locations. Tourists the world over come to the island attracted by the climate, the beaches, the discos, and the unforgettable landscape. There are a wide variety of locales, and tolerance and a mix of cultures are the norm on the whole island. To find entertainment in Seville, simply walk out onto the street. The warm climate, as in Valencia, is ideal for pavement cafés where people gather until late at night. Also, the Flamenco 'tablaos' are an authentic, unique night-time alternative that must not be missed in Seville. Barcelona, meanwhile, has a varied leisure offer which is concentrated in areas such as Las Ramblas, the Olympic Port, the Gracia district and the area of calle Aribau, in el Eixample. In general, nightlife, especially for young people, begins around midnight and carries on until well into the early hours of the morning. However, these are just a few examples, and almost all the towns in Spain have leisure and entertainment areas.

Cuisine

Andalusia, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines
The Romans taught the Andalusians how to cultivate wheat and vines and used the fish from the seas to produce the best "garum" in the empire. The Arabs taught the Andalusians how to grow fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Visigoths left their mark on the art, science, culture and gastronomy of Andalusia.

Aragon, a developing cuisine
The Autonomous Region of Aragon has inherited its rich gastronomy from the different cultures which have passed through the region over the centuries. Aragonese cuisine is based on popular stews which vary in accordance with the area where they are prepared. The Aragonese market garden offers a great variety of fruit, vegetables and pulses, including the thistle and borage, haricot beans, onions from Fuentes, asparagus from the banks of the River Ebro and the oils from Lower Aragon. The fruit grown in Aragon is admired throughout the rest of mainland Spain: pears, apples, cherries, plums, peaches and recently cultivated strawberries, which are as good as the best wild specimens.

Asturias, a natural and culinary paradise
Without a doubt, Asturias is a magnificent natural sea, mountain and country paradise with a very diverse environment. This region has always been isolated and protected from possible invasions and therefore has many deep-routed traditions and rituals. The typical Asturian is friendly and open, always willing to receive outsiders who wish to get to know their land. Its cuisine is based on cider, fabada (bean stew) and cheese, together with shellfish and fish.

The Balearic Islands, a sensory pleasure
The gastronomy from Majorca, Menorca, Eivissa·Ibiza and Formentera is comprised of many delectable and pleasurable dishes. The cuisine takes full advantage of the islands' resources and the many cultures which have passed through the archipelago over the years have left their mark: many different civilisations (Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French, English...).

The Canary Islands, exquisite cuisine under the sun
The Spanish often refer to the Canary Islands as the "Islas Afortunadas" as the shine shines practically throughout the year, their only borders are the sky and the sea, and because their fauna, flora and culture, at time so different to that of mainland Spain, are real treasures. However, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call the visitor to these islands "fortunate"; not only because he can enjoy the sun, sea and environment but also because he has been presented with the opportunity to taste their culinary delights.

Cantabria, Sea and Mountains
The Region of Cantabria is very rich in history, art and natural areas: the sea, valleys with mild and warm micro-climates, fertile pastures... the varied cuisine cleverly combines the products from the sea with those from the pastures and market gardens.

Castilla la Mancha, Quixote cuisine
Located almost in the centre of mainland Spain, Castilla la Mancha and its cuisine is a very appreciated discovery for the traveller. The cuisine of this region is comprised of a great variety of traditional, hearty yet simple dishes which are prepared using elementary ingredients such as bread, meat, vegetables and accompanied by a wide range of wine, sheep's cheese and desserts, transporting the diner back to the era of Don Quixote and his faithful Sancho.

Castilla-Leon, modern cuisine, roasts and much more
Castilla-Leon is the largest of the Spanish Autonomous Regions. It is comprised of nine provinces which share flavours and tastes but conserve their own traditions. Traditions of huge historical and artistic richness which are gastronomically reflected, together with Extremadura and Castilla la Mancha, in its nickname "España del Asado" (Spain of the Roast). Without a doubt, Castilla-Leon is best known for its roast suckling pig and lamb.

Catalonia, maximum expression of culinary character
As with nearly all cultures, Catalonian cooking has great character. Although ultimately Mediterranean, Catalonia has been influenced by various cultures over the centuries: the Greeks, Romans, the Italians and the French have all left their mark on this complex cuisine. Catalonia has absorbed the best of each country and created a culinary package which forms part of the popular wisdom of the region.

The Region of Valencia... the Mediterranean Diet
The cuisine from the Region of Valencia enjoys great prestige at both a national and international level. Its traditional recipes are prepared using natural ingredients such as oil, vegetables, spices, fruit, fresh meat or fish and has come to be known as "the Mediterranean Diet". The incredible variety of rice dishes and desserts is outstanding. All this without forgetting the great variety of fruit which the Region of Valencia produces in abundance. Its traditional soft drinks have also become well-known, such as tiger nut milk ("horchata de chufa"). Its long wine-growing tradition has given rise to a delicious range of wines with their Denominations of Origin, which when added to the local soups comprise some of the most exquisite recipes of Valencian cooking.

Extremadura, a land and cuisine of contrasts
The Extremaduran countryside never ceases to amaze the visitor, with its dry plains, luxuriant pastures, mountains, marshes, meadows and fields.... In each area there are different products, the crops and livestock influencing the local dishes. However, the cooking is almost always simple. One of its main influences over the centuries has been the convents. Yuste, Guadalupe, Alcántara and other refuges gave hospitality to high-ranking noblemen, serving them delicacies which satisfied even the very demanding taste of the emperor Carlos V.

Galicia: Sea and Land
Its cuisine is one of the main tourist attractions of Galicia: the exquisite delicacies of this region are based on the high quality and variety of the local products used in the preparation of dishes. Country, farm and sea products are unique in their characteristics and quality. Furthermore, it cannot be forgotten that one of the main pillars of Galician cooking is the professionalism of its experts. Galician chefs are found world-wide.

Madrid: Culinary Capital.
Historically speaking, Madrid has always had a magnetic effect on the remaining Spanish regions. Over the years this region and the capital of Spain has become a melting pot of people, cultures and gastronomies. Madrid accepts all types of influences from all types of cooking. It does have its own dishes which, although they did not originate in this area, have become "madrileño" over time.

Region of Murcia, the market garden of Spain
The Region of Murcia serves authentic Mediterranean cooking: cereals, vegetables and olive oil are the base of this cuisine, which finds its source of inspiration in the market garden - natural, authentic, tasty and with a character all of its own. The roasts, salted fish, fish and shellfish from the Mar Menor are equally appreciated. However, the Region of Murcia is also well-known for its rice, sausages, preserved foods, nuts, aromatic plants, fruit and confectionery.

Navarre, the taste is found in variety
It is said that taste is found in variety and of all Spanish regions, the Autonomous Region of Navarre has the most varied landscape. Valleys alternate with thick forests, splashing waterfalls and major rivers. The same can be said about its culinary offer and the products which are used change from zone to zone, depending whether the traveller is in the Pyrenees, near a river or in the centre of the region, which is characterised by pastureland and green valleys. However, one thing never changes: Navarre boasts generous landscapes and products, a fact which are reflected in the character of its people, regardless of the area.

The Basque Country, a culinary paradise
With regards food, the Basque Country is probably the most important tourist destination in Spain. A coastal and border region, whose very varied culinary delights are due to the mixture of sea and mountain cultures with modern top-quality cooking. This trend emerged over the last decades with the appearance of the so-called Basque Nouvelle Cuisine. But most importantly, the good food is a reflection of the character of the Basque people, a people devoted to tradition and good food, the centre of any social occasion.

La Rioja, A Culinary Mix
La Rioja is situated on the Camino de Santiago route, it is a land of travellers and exchange, where relationships are formed and culture and customs interchanged. All this is reflected in its gastronomy which, apart from providing the traveller with the opportunity to taste top quality wines, has also been very much influenced by its neighbouring regions, adapting the dishes with that touch of exquisite simplicity so typical from this area.

The Region of Ceuta
At Ceuta, the cold, rocky and wild Atlantic Ocean meets the warm, sandy and calm Mediterranean sea, giving rise to a very interesting variety of fish dishes to satisfy the most demanding tastes: lazy turbot which inhabit deep, sandy waters, silver anchovies which are very similar to those found off the coast of Malaga, cephalopods - especially the very tasty squid, juicy Mediterranean lobster and crayfish which are light in colour and contrast dramatically with the dark, strong-tasting variety from the Atlantic Ocean, where magnificent red mullet, white, almost transparent prawns called "Nadas de Padrón", sole, sea bass, John Dory, grouper, tuna, bonito sword fish from the Straits of Gibraltar, mackerel, which is the origin of the Ceuti nickname (caballa) and many other species breed and are brought to the table fresh out of the sea.

Melilla, Mediterranean food from the east and west
Old Rusadir of the Phoenicians, a trading centre which was Spanish before Navarre had joined the Crown of Castille - one and a half centuries before Rosellon became French and almost three centuries before the United States of America existed - is a cosmopolitan city which was conquered by the Catholic Kings after taking Granada, in order to establish bases on the other side of the Straits of Gibraltar to serve as sentries against any possible invasions from the North African coast