Brief information about Spain. General information Spain country data

Gazpacho, Prado Museum or Sagrada Familia. But even experienced travelers may not know the interesting facts about Spain that are given in the article.

Country and people

• According to one version, the name of the country (España) goes back to the word Hispania, which in Phoenician meant “land of rabbits.”
• Throughout history the territory Spain inhabited by different ethnic groups, including Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs.
• Euskera, spoken in the Basque Country, is one of the oldest languages ​​in the world.
• The Spanish Empire was one of the strongest in the world.
• Spain ceded Gibraltar to Great Britain in 1713.
• Interesting fact about Spain and its history: the country remained neutral in two world wars.

• Spanish is the third most popular language in the world, with approximately 400 million speakers.
• Football is considered the national sport. Spain won its first World Cup victory in 2010.
• The match between the football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona is the main sporting event and can almost completely paralyze the country.
• An interesting fact about the people of Spain is that the country ranks first in the world in organ donation.
• Same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since July 3, 2005.
• There are about 8 thousand kilometers of beaches in Spain.

• One of the interesting facts about the country is that 44 places in Spain are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The country drinks approximately 11.2 liters of alcohol per year, which is almost twice the average. Spain is the third country in the world (and first in Europe) for drinking gin and the first in Europe for cocaine consumption. However, it is one of the European countries with lower suicide rates. However, it is not at all necessary that these interesting facts about Spain have a connection with each other.
• Javier Bardem became the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar for his role in No Country for Old Men.
• Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex (brands Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Zara Home), is the richest person in Spain and the second richest in the world (as of 2016) after Bill Gates. Ortega earns about 2.5 million euros per day.

Cities and provinces

• An interesting fact about the country can be considered the belief that Madrid is the geographical center of the country, and the Puerta del Sol in the capital is the exact center of Madrid or even the entire Iberian Peninsula. However, in fact, this opinion is refuted by new data.
• In 1978, the center of Madrid was thought to be the rear façade of the Prado Museum. Nowadays the intersection of Goya and Serrano streets is considered to be such.

• Regarding the center of the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Puerta del Sol area was considered such in the 18th century; currently it has “moved” to the town of Cerro de los Ángeles, about 10 kilometers south of Madrid. It now houses the 14th-century chapel Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and the Sagrado Corazón monument, built in 1919.
• What can be stated with certainty is that in Puerta del Sol there is a slab of Kilometro Cero, or Km. 0 ("zero kilometer"), the point from which all roads were to be measured. It appeared in the 18th century during the reign of Philip V, after six main roads were built crossing the entire peninsula.
• Another interesting fact about Spain: the Madrid metro is considered the second longest in Europe and the sixth in the world. It is 141 miles long and counting.

• The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest in the country.
• Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain, with about 15 million tourists coming here every year.
• Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Spain and in Europe; it was inhabited by the Phoenicians.
• La Boquería (Mercado de Sant Josep), located in Barcelona, ​​is considered the largest market in Catalonia.
• The most visited attraction in the capital of Catalonia is the Temple of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia), construction has been going on for more than 200 years and is still not finished.

Gastronomy

• Spain is the second country in the world in terms of the number of bars per person. The only country that beats it in this indicator is Cyprus.
• Many bars offer customers free snacks with their drink - tapas, usually olives, nuts and dried fruits or anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil (boquerones en vinagre).
• Spaniards usually have lunch at 2-3 pm and dinner between 9 and 10 pm.
• An interesting fact about the country from the field of gastronomy: tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco and cocoa were imported to Europe through Spain.
• After France and Italy, the kingdom is the third largest wine producer in the world and the first country in the world in terms of vineyard area.
• Although Spain is better known in the world for red wine than white, most wineries produce white wine.

Spain is the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Spain, climate, geography, population and culture.

Spain

Spain is a country in Southwestern Europe. This is one of largest countries European Union, located on the Iberian Peninsula and occupying more than 2/3 of its territory. Spain borders Portugal to the west, France and Andorra to the north, Gibraltar and Morocco to the south. The state consists of 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities and is a constitutional monarchy.

Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The country is famous for its beaches and sea, cuisine and nightlife, special atmosphere and friendliness local residents. It is interesting that by the number of objects World Heritage UNESCO Spain is second only to Italy and China. In addition, it is a country with great geographical and cultural diversity. Here you can find almost everything: from lush meadows and snowy mountains to swamps and deserts.

Useful information about Spain

1. Population - 46.7 million people.
2. Area - 505,370 square kilometers.
3. The official language is Spanish (in some autonomous communities the local dialect is also considered the official language).
4. Currency - euro.
5. Visa - Schengen.
6. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
7. Spain is one of the 30 most developed countries in the world.
8. In Spain, some shops and establishments may be closed during the daytime (siesta). Some restaurants and cafes do not serve dinner before 8-9 pm.
9. Tips are included in the bill. If you liked the food or service, you can set aside 5-10% of the bill.

Geography and nature

Spain occupies 80% of the Iberian Peninsula. It also includes the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and a very tiny part of the North African coast. The Iberian Peninsula is located in the extreme southwest of Europe.

The relief of Spain is extremely diverse. The main role in it is played by mountains and plateaus. The country is one of the most mountainous in Europe. The largest mountain systems: Pyrenees, Cordillera Betica, Iberian, Catalan and Cantabrian mountains. The largest plain is the Andalusian Lowland, located in the south. In the northeast is the Aragonese Plain. The highest peak in continental Spain is Mount Mulacén (3478 and above). The most high peak The country is located on the island of Tenerife - this is the Teide volcano (3718 m).

Tagus River

Largest rivers: Guadalquivir, Tagus, Duero, Ebro. Spain is known for its long coastline. There are several thousand beaches along the coast. Largest resorts: Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Canary and Balearic Islands.

Thanks to geographical features very diverse animal life and vegetable world Spain. The north of the country is similar to Central Europe, and the south resembles North Africa. In the northwest there are broad-leaved forests, in the south there are deserts and semi-deserts, and the coast is characterized by Mediterranean flora.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest, even hottest countries in Europe. Although, thanks to the topography, several climatic zones can be found here. The predominant climate is Mediterranean, which is maritime on the coast and arid in the central part. In most regions of the country, summers are dry and hot, winters are quite warm and humid. IN central regions Frosts are not uncommon in cold weather.

Best time to visit

Best time for visiting Spain - April-May and September-October. July and August are very hot in most areas. During the cold season it can be quite rainy.

Story

In the third millennium BC, the Tartessian civilization existed on the territory of the modern Iberian Peninsula. But already in the second millennium BC. Iberian tribes came here, who later mixed with the Celts. In ancient times the Pyrenees were called Iberia. The Iberians quickly settled throughout Castile and built fortified settlements. Around the same millennium, Phoenician and Greek colonies were founded on the coast.

Interestingly, according to the most common theory, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim”, which translates as “shore of darmans”. The Romans used this word to refer to the territory of the entire peninsula.

In the 3rd century, almost the entire territory of the Iberian Peninsula was subjugated by Carthage. In 206, Carthage lost control of the Pyrenees. From this period, for almost two centuries, the Romans tried to subjugate these lands. The last free tribes were conquered by Rome in 19 BC under Emperor Augustus. Spain was one of the most prosperous and important Roman provinces. The Romans built expensive fortresses here. By the end of the 1st century, more than 300 cities had been founded here, and trade and crafts flourished.

In the 4th-5th century, Germanic tribes penetrated into the territory of Spain, who were soon completely supplanted by the Visigoths. Even earlier, the first Christians appeared here. The Visigoths founded their kingdom here, with their capital in Barcelona and later in Toledo. In the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Justinian tried to return Spain to imperial rule.

In 711, Arabs and Berbers from North Africa, who were later called Moors, came to the territory of the Iberian Peninsula. It is interesting that they were called to help by the Visigoths themselves (or rather, one of their factions). In just a few years, the Moors conquered almost all of the Pyrenees and formed the Umayyad Caliphate. It should be noted that the Arabs were quite merciful, preserving the property of the people, the language and religion of the conquered territories.

Around the same time, the Reconquista movement arose, the goal of which was to liberate the Iberian Peninsula from Muslims. In 718, the Moors were stopped in the mountains of Asturias. By 914, the Kingdom of Asturias included the territories of Galicia and Northern Portugal. After the end of the Umayyad dynasty in 1031, the caliphate collapsed. At the end of the 11th century, Christians captured Toledo and some other cities. In the 12th century, the Spanish Empire was proclaimed, which arose after the unification of Castile and Aragon and existed until 1157. Later, despite the division, the kingdoms fought together against the Moors. By the 13th century, only the emirate of Granada remained on the Iberian Peninsula.

Despite the power of the Castilian kingdom, the country was tormented by unrest and unrest. Dominance belonged to the orders of knights and powerful nobles. In Aragon, on the contrary, there were many concessions to the estates. In 1469, the dynastic marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile contributed to the unification of the two kingdoms. In 1478, the Inquisition was established, which served as the impetus for the persecution of Muslims and Jews. In 1492, Granada was conquered and the Reconquista ended.

In 1519, the Habsburg dynasty comes to power. In the 16th century, Spain became one of the strongest powers in Europe. An absolute monarchy was established as a form of government. The Spanish kingdom captured Portugal and numerous colonies in South and Central America. Already by the mid-16th century, constant wars and high taxes led to economic decline. During this period, the capital of the kingdom was moved from Toledo to Madrid.

At the beginning of the 18th century, with the death of Charles II, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out. As a result, the Bourbon dynasty reigned, and Spain became “pro-French.” In 1808, a popular uprising broke out, which led to the abdication of the king. Subsequently, the French were expelled from the country and the Bourbon restoration took place. In the 19th century, Spain was tormented by unrest and unrest. The state lost all American colonies. In 1931, the monarchy was overthrown and a civil war began, which Franco won. Francisco Franco established a dictatorship that lasted until 1975. This year Juan Carlos I of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty was crowned.

Spain consists of 17 autonomous regions, two so-called autonomous cities and 50 provinces.

Autonomous communities:

• Andalusia
• Aragon
• Asturias
• Balearic Islands
• Basque Country
• Valencia
• Galicia
• Canary Islands
• Cantabria
• Castile - La Mancha
• Castile and Leon
• Catalonia
• Murcia
• Navarre
• Rioja
• Extremadura

Population

The indigenous population of the country are Spaniards (Castilians), Catalans, Basques, Galicians, etc. The official language is Spanish. In autonomies, the language of the ethnic group or dialect is often spoken. Almost 80% of the population professes Christianity, of which 75% are Catholics. Interestingly, the average life expectancy in Spain is one of the highest in the world. She is 83 years old. The Spaniards themselves are quite friendly, open and emotional. They are noisy and temperamental people. They are often unpunctual, a little lazy and irresponsible.

Tips for communicating with Spaniards:

• Spaniards are very patriotic towards their country or autonomy. You should not raise such topics: “is Catalonia Spain”, etc.
• The vast majority of the population is Catholic, so words and actions that may offend the feelings of believers should be avoided.
• Avoid talking about the colonial past and the Franco regime.
• During lunch or dinner, Spaniards do not start eating until all the guests are seated. They also don't leave until everyone has finished eating.
• Close people or good friends hug or kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet. Otherwise, they are limited to a handshake.

Transport

Information about types of transport in Spain.

Largest airports:

• Barcelona
• Palma de Mallorca
• Malaga – Costa del Sol
• Gran Canaria
• Alicante/Elche

Spain has an extensive network high speed trains, which connect the largest cities. Rail service also includes trains long distance and network commuter trains. There are regular bus services between many cities. Largest cities connected by expressways. Highways here have tolls.

Speed ​​limits:

• 120 km/h on motorways and motorways,
• 100 km/h on normal roads,
• 90 km/h on other roads,
• 50 km/h when driving in populated areas.

The blood alcohol level should not exceed 0.5 g/l. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.

Spain is the second country in Europe in terms of the number of visits cruise ships. Main ports of Spain:

• Barcelona
• Palma de Mallorca
• Las Palmas
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Malaga
• Bilbao

Cities of Spain

In Spain there are hundreds of ancient and interesting city. But the most popular are the following:

• - a noisy and vibrant capital that will amaze you with its modernist architecture, wide streets and squares, museums and vibrant nightlife.
• Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Famous sights, masterpieces of modernist architecture and art nouveau by Gaudí are concentrated here.
• Bilbao is a large industrial city.
• Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Western Europe.
• Granada is a stunning city in the south, surrounded by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
• Cordoba is an ancient city with a rich Moorish heritage.
• Toledo is an ancient capital with sights from a variety of periods.
• Seville is the capital of Andalusia and one of the most beautiful cities Spain.
• Valencia is one of largest cities countries. The place where paella was invented.
• Alicante - resort capital east coast and the Costa Blanca region.

In the south of Spain in Andalusia you can find many evidences of antiquity. Cadiz is located here, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe, with remains of a Roman settlement. Nearby is Ronda - beautiful city, located on steep cliffs. The cities of Cordoba and Granada maintain a rich Moorish heritage. Seville, the cultural center of Andalusia and all of Southern Spain, has a dazzling collection of attractions and the largest gothic cathedral in the world.

Crossing north across the La Mancha plains into central Spain, it is worth visiting picturesque Toledo. This ancient Spanish capital and beautiful ancient city is located on a hill. Close to the Portuguese border, Merida has an impressive Roman heritage. If you are interested in relaxation and beaches, then you should go to Alicante, Malaga, the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Popular tourist destinations:

• Costa Blanca - 200 km of coastline, beaches and charming seaside towns.
• Costa Brava is a coast with many seaside resorts.
• Costa del Sol - sunny Beach in the south of Spain.
• Ibiza is one of the Balearic islands, famous for its clubs and discos.
• Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands.
• Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula with ski slopes.
• Tenerife has lush nature, volcanoes and excellent beaches.

Attractions

Historically, Spain has been an important crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, North Africa and Europe. Thus, a fantastic collection of unique attractions can be found here. The country amazes with the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, historical and cultural monuments.

The most famous sights of Spain

• Old town of Toledo.
• Historical center of Salamanca.
• Burgos Cathedral in the city of the same name.
• Moorish heritage of Granada and Cordoba.
• Architectural masterpieces of Gaudi in Barcelona.
• Gothic cathedral in Seville and Mudejar style architecture.
• Rock paintings in the Altamira cave
• The historical centers of the cities of Cuenca, Merida, Caceres, Zaragoza, Avila and Segovia.
• Romanesque churches of Lleida.
• Ancient Roman walls in the town of Lugo.

Famous festivals:

• Feria de Abril is the best fair in the Pyrenees. If you love folklore, flamenco and wine, then you will definitely enjoy this event. Takes place in April-May.
• Fallas is a festival in Valencia.
• Dia de Sant Jordi is a Catalan holiday.

Accommodation

Spain - extremely popular tourist destination, so you need to look for housing in advance. When traveling here during high season, accommodation will cost more. Many cities, even small ones, are focused on tourism. Therefore, it is not a problem to find accommodation for any groups of tourists and financial capabilities.

Kitchen

The Spaniards love to eat, drink wine and are very proud of their cuisine. Spanish cuisine can be described as quite light with lots of vegetables and a huge variety of meat and fish. Interestingly, traditional cuisine does not use many spices but relies entirely on the use of high quality ingredients and their taste. The Spaniards' meals are a little different from ours. Their breakfast is light. Lunch is served at 13.00-15.00. After lunch there is a siesta. Dinner is late.

Traditional food and products: paella, jamon, tapas, Chorizo ​​(spicy sausage), Bocadillo de Calamares (fried squid), Boquerones en vinagre (garlic anchovies), Churros (Spanish donuts), Empanadas Gallegas (meat pies), Fabada asturiana (canned stewed meat), various options gazpacho (soups), Tortilla de patatas (egg omelette with fried potatoes). The main alcoholic drink is wine, which is very popular here good quality. The most popular non-alcoholic drink is coffee.

Brief information about the country

Date of foundation

Official language

Spanish

Form of government

Parliamentary monarchy

Territory

504,782 km² (51st in the world)

Population

47,370,542 people (26th in the world)

Timezone

CET (UTC+1, summer UTC+2)

Largest cities

Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville

$1.536 trillion (13th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

A colorful, cheerful, sunny country located in southwest Europe. It occupies approximately 85% of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is home to many cities whose history goes back thousands of years, works of architectural art and pristine beaches, which attract travelers from different corners peace. The heights of the Pyrenees, Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains will not leave lovers indifferent active rest: ski resorts with equipped trails and magnificent scenery, hundreds and thousands of vacationers are welcomed every year. The country of flamenco and bullfighting, as it is also called, is visited annually by an average of 30 million tourists. A real paradise for beach holiday can be called the Canary and Balearic Islands.

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Spain is a large state in the southwestern part of Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary, Pitius, and Balearic Islands. Territory area - 504,750 sq.m., land area - 499,400 sq.m.

Geographical characteristics

The Kingdom of Spain is located in southern Europe, occupying approximately five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula. The position is isolated, due to the presence of the Pyrenees Mountains. Except for Portugal on the western side.

The territory borders countries such as France, Andorra and Gibraltar to the northwest and south. Approximately 30% of the country is the Meseta plateau massif with the Cordillera Central ranges in the central part. The rest of the territory is occupied by the Pyrenees, which make the center of Spain difficult to access from the mainland.

Nature

Mountains

The main part of the country is occupied by the Meseta plateau with the Central Cordillera. To the north and east are the Iberian, Pyrenean, Cantabrian and Catalan mountains, to the south are the Sierra Morena and Andalusian mountains. Most of The territory is occupied by plains, pastures, the coast is different beautiful beaches and bays...

Rivers and lakes

Numerous rivers flow through the territory and there are lakes with predominantly rainfall origin. This affects the water level - in summer time When humidity is low, rivers and lakes become very shallow, winter time The water level rises greatly.

The following rivers flow through the country: Tagus with a length of 910 km, Duero - 780 km, Guadiana, whose length is 820 km, Guadalquivir with a length of 560 km. The country's lakes are located mainly in mountainous areas; they are not subject to seasonal fluctuations as much as the water resources of the plains...

Seas and oceans surrounding Spain

The special geographical location of Spain makes it attractive to tourists. This is due to the presence of more than 4 thousand km of coastline with luxurious beaches, picturesque cliffs, and quiet, cozy bays. The country is washed in the south and east by warm waters Mediterranean Sea, in the north - by the waters of the Bay of Biscay, and in the southwest - by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean...

Plants and animals of Spain

The flora of Spain is very rich, it has approximately 8 thousand plants, many of which are endemic. But extensive forests have been preserved only in the north of the country, which is associated with active economic activity. The diversity of flora is determined by the climate, mainly broad-leaved forests (ash, chestnuts, elms, beech, oaks), in the mountains there are evergreen coniferous and oak forests, and there are extensive alpine meadows higher up.

Spain is characterized by deciduous forests, including pedunculate and sessile oaks, ash, and hazel. Beech and fir are common in the mountains. Mediterranean areas are rich in plantings of laurel and holm oak. Due to human intervention, many forests have already disappeared or turned into vast pastures, along the edges of which there are sparse forest belts and primary shrubs. This border consists of broom, retama, hawthorn, thorn, and thickets of wild roses.

The richest flora are the North Atlantic slopes of the country and the lowland parts of the Ebro River. The “dry” part of the country is distinguished by Mediterranean types of vegetation - thickets of juniper, myrtle, and cistus.

The fauna is also very diverse; roe deer, wild boars, and deer live in the northern regions; the Pyrenean goat and deer are preserved in the mountains. You can also find in the mountains brown bear, foxes, wolves, lynxes. The country's territory is considered the richest in Europe in terms of bird diversity. In summer, about 25 species of birds of prey live on the territory; in late autumn and early spring, rare species of birds, colonies of flamingos, and geese can be observed on the territory.

Reptiles are found in abundance in Spain - snakes, lizards, chameleons. In the southeast and semi-desert you can find scorpions and tarantulas. In the inland waters and surrounding seas there are salmon, lobsters, as well as tuna, lobsters, crayfish...

Climate of Spain

The climate is distinctly Mediterranean subtropical, winters are mild and rainy, summers are hot and dry. But from northwest to southeast the climate changes sharply, due to the proximity of Africa. The average annual temperature fluctuates between +14/+19°, in winter - up to +4/+5°, in summer average temperature is +29°. The level of precipitation varies for individual regions of the country - in the mountains it reaches 1000 mm per year in winter, in flat areas - 300-500 mm per year...

Resources

Spain is rich in Natural resources, which is due to her geographical location. The Sierra Morena Mountains contain the largest deposits of zinc, lead ores, manganese, and copper pyrite. Iron ore is concentrated in the Basque Country, Leon, Asturias, Almeria, Teruel, Granada, the estimated volume of such ores is approximately 2.5 million tons. Galicia and the northern part of the country are rich in tungsten and tin, the provinces of Salamanca and Cordoba are rich in uranium ores.

In terms of mercury reserves, Spain is in first place; large reserves of cinnabar are located in the river valley. Baldeazaga, province of Ciudad Real. Pyrites are concentrated in southern regions Sierra Morena mountains. Reserves of coal, lingites, and anthracite are concentrated in the northern regions, Galicia, Aragon, and Asturias. But there is very little coking coal, and its overall quality is not high...

Flamenco music and dancing, bullfights, lots of sun and fantastic beaches... In fact, Spain has much more to offer tourists. Spain has been for many centuries cultural center Europe. This country has preserved a large number of monuments from the times of the Celts, Goths, Romans and Moors. Alhambra Palace in Granada, Mezquita Mosque and Cathedral in Cordoba and Royal Palace in Madrid will be no less interesting to tourists than the beaches of the Costa del Sol or, for example, the Costa Dorada.

Geography of Spain

Spain is located on the famous Iberian Peninsula, in southern Europe. In the west, Spain borders with Portugal, in the south with Gibraltar (belongs to Great Britain), and in the north with France and Andorra. IN North Africa Spain borders Morocco (their common border is 13 km). In the south and east, Spain borders the Mediterranean Sea, and in the west and northwest it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain includes the small Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the “Dog Islands” (as the Canary Islands were once called) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, as well as two semi-autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.

The total area of ​​Spain is 505,992 square meters. km, including islands, and the total length of the state border is 1,917 km.

Mainland Spain is a mountainous country dominated by plateaus and mountain ranges. The main mountain systems in Spain are the Pyrenees, Cordillera, Cantabrian Mountains, Catalan Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The highest peak in Spain is the extinct volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife (3,718 m).

Capital of Spain

The capital of Spain is Madrid, which is now home to more than 3.3 million people. Madrid was founded by the Moors in the mid-10th century.

Official language

Spain is a multilingual country. Throughout Spain, the official language is Spanish (aka Castilian).

Other official languages:

• Basque language - widespread in the Basque Country and Navarre;
• Catalan - common in Catalonia, as well as in Valencia and the Balearics;
• Galician - in Galicia.

Religion

About 96% of Spain's population is Catholic, belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. However, only 14% of Spaniards go to church every week (or more often).

In addition, about 1.2 million Protestants and more than 1 million Muslims now live in Spain (many people come from Morocco and Algeria).

State structure

Spain is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the King.

The source of legislative power is the General Cortes, consisting of the Congress of Deputies (350 people are elected to it) and the Senate (258 people).

The main political parties in Spain are the right-wing People's Party, the Spanish Social Workers' Party and the Communist Party of Spain.

Spain consists of 17 communities (regions) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).

Climate and weather

In general, the climate of Spain can be divided into three main climatic zones:

• Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by hot summers and fairly cold winters (central and north-central Spain);
• semi-arid climate (south-eastern Spain, especially Murcia and the Ebro Valley);
• maritime climate (in the north of Spain, especially in Asturias, the Basque Country, Cantabria, and partly in Galicia).

The Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada have an alpine climate, while the Canary Islands have a subtropical climate.

In Spain in January the average air temperature is 0C, and in July - +33C.

Seas and oceans

The Mediterranean Sea washes the coast of Spain in the south and east, and in the west and north-west of the country there is Atlantic Ocean. In the north of Spain there is the large Bay of Biscay.

Average sea temperature in Spain in May:

• Costa Dorado - +17C
• Costa Brava - +17C
• Costa Calida - +17C
• Almeria - +18C
• Costa del Sol - +17C
• Costa Blanca - +17C

Average sea temperature in Spain in August:

• Costa Dorado - +25C
• Costa Brava - +25C
• Costa Calida - +25C
• Almeria - +24C
• Costa del Sol - +23C
• Costa Blanca - +25C

Rivers and lakes

Despite the fact that Spain is a mountainous country, a large number of rivers flow through its territory. The most big rivers in Spain - Tagus (1,007 km), Ebro (910 km), Duero (895 km), Guadiana (657 km) and Guadalquivir (578 km).

According to scientists, there are several hundred lakes in Spain, and more than 440 of them are mountain lakes. The largest lake in Spain is Sanabria, whose area is more than 11 thousand square meters. km.

History of Spain

The ancient Greeks called the indigenous inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (the territory of modern Spain) Iberians. Iberian tribes, according to archaeological finds, came to the Iberian Peninsula from the eastern Mediterranean during the Neolithic period.

Around 1200 BC. Celts appeared in the Pyrenees and began to mix with the Iberian tribes. Then the Phoenicians founded several of their cities in the Pyrenees - Gadir (Cadiz), Malaka (Malaga) and Abdera (Adra). Then the ancient Greeks built their colonies in southern Spain along the Mediterranean coast.

During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, Roman legionaries invaded Spain and conquered most of it. Then Spain came completely under the rule of Ancient Rome.

In 409 AD The Goths invaded the Iberian Peninsula and founded their kingdom there. However, in 711 AD. The Visigoth kingdom fell to the Moors from Africa. In the end, the Moors managed to conquer almost all of Spain. In the 10th century, Andalusia created its own Muslim caliphate.

However, Christians are trying to return the Spanish lands captured by the Moors. This period in Spanish history is known as the Reconquista.

The kingdom of Spain itself was formed in 1469 (this year the wedding of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon took place), but only in 1492 did the last Arab emir flee from Spanish territory (this happened after the fall of Granada).

After Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, Spain received tons of silver and gold from there, thereby becoming one of the most influential and powerful countries of that time.

In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte's troops invaded Spain, but the Spaniards stubbornly resisted them. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, King Ferdinand IV was restored to the Spanish throne.

Due to the economic crisis and political instability in the 19th century, Spain lost almost all of its colonies. In 1895, after the war with the United States, Cuba, the last colony of Spain, was lost.

From 1936 to 1939, Spain continued Civil War, from which the nationalists led by Franco emerged victorious. During World War II, which began in 1939, Spain maintained neutrality, although it sympathized with Germany.

In 1975, Franco died and a constitutional monarchy was created in Spain.

In 1985, Spain was admitted to NATO, and in 1992 it joined the European Union.

Spanish culture

Spanish culture was greatly influenced by the ancient Greeks, as well as the ancient Romans. To this day, a large number of ancient Roman monuments have been preserved in Spain. After Spain was conquered by the Moors in the early 700s, Spanish culture came to be dominated by the Arabs. In general, the entire Middle Ages in Spain was a confrontation between Arab and Christian cultures.

It so happened that the Spaniards showed themselves most noticeably in literature and painting, although, of course, Spain had talented architects, philosophers, doctors and philosophers.

The most famous Spanish writers and poets are Lope de Vega (life years - 1562-1635), Francisco Quevedo y Villegas (1580-1645), Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (life years - 1547-1616), Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658 ), Benito Galdos (1843-1920), and Camilo José Cela (lived 1916-2002).

The most famous Spanish painters are El Greco (life years - 1541-1614), Francisco de Herrera (life years - 1576-1656), Jusepe de Ribera (life years - 1591-1652), Diego Velazquez (life years - 1599-1660) , Alonso Cano (lived 1601-1667), Francisco Goya (lived 1746-1828), and Salvador Dali (lived 1904-1989).

For many of us, Spain is flamenco and bullfighting, which have a long tradition.

The dance and song "flamenco" appeared in the Middle Ages in Andalusia. The emergence of this dance and musical style is associated with the gypsies, but from the end of the 18th century “flamenco” became a traditional Spanish dance.

Nowadays, every two years in Seville, Spain, an international flamenco festival is held, called “Bienal de Flamenco”. This festival attracts thousands of participants and visitors.

Another famous Spanish tradition is bullfighting, a bullfight that was started by the Iberian tribes who lived in the Pyrenees around 3000 centuries. BC. At first, killing a bull was of a ritual nature, but over time, it became a real art. Since the mid-18th century, bullfighting has existed in many Spanish cities.

Nowadays, some Spanish cities host bull running – “encierro”. During these races, bulls try to catch up with people running through the streets. Sometimes bulls succeed. The most famous "encierros" are in Pamplona.

Kitchen

Spanish cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of dishes. This is understandable, because each region of Spain carefully preserves not only its cultural, but also culinary traditions. In general, Spanish cuisine can be classified as Mediterranean cuisine. Two characteristic elements of Spanish cuisine are olive oil and garlic.

In Mediterranean Spain (from Catalonia to Andalusia), seafood is often used for cooking. Cold soups (such as gazpacho) and rice dishes (such as paella) are traditional here.

Inland Spain is characterized by thick, hot soups and stews. Ham and various cheeses are popular here.

For north coast Spain (Atlantic Ocean), including the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia, is characterized by dishes with meat, fish and vegetables.

• Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig);
• Gambas Ajiillo (fried shrimp with garlic and chili);
• Paella (rice dish);
• Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician octopus);
• Jamon Iberico & Chorizo ​​(Iberian ham and spicy sausages);
• Pescado Frito (any fried fish);
• Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes cooked in a spicy sauce);
• Tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelette);
• Queso Manchego (Spanish sheep cheese);
• Gazpacho (this is a traditional cold tomato soup).

It is impossible to imagine sunny Spain without wine. The traditions of winemaking on the Iberian Peninsula were laid down by the ancient Greeks, who founded their colonies there. Nowadays, a large number of different wines are produced in Spain.

In our opinion, the Top 5 best red wines in Spain include:

• Wine Lopez de Heredia
• Bernya (Alicante)
• Vinyes josep - Sola Classic (Priorat)
• Tempranillo - Baron fernand (Valdepeñas)
• Divus - Bodegas Bleda (Jumilla)

Top 5 best white wines in Spain:

1. Xarlel-lo - Clar de Castanyer (Penedés)
2. Amalia - Rubicon (Lanzarote)
3. Wine Mas Plantadera Blanco Roble - Celler Sabate (Priorat)
4. Malvasia semidulce - Bermejo (Lanzarote)
5. el copero (Utiel-Requena)

Sights of Spain

Spain may not rank first in the number of attractions, but there is no doubt that tourists have something to see in this ancient country. The top ten best attractions in Spain, in our opinion, include the following:

Cities and resorts of Spain

The biggest spanish cities– Madrid, Barcelona (1.7 million people), Valencia (850 thousand people), Seville (720 thousand people), Zaragoza (more than 610 thousand people), and Malaga (about 550 thousand people .).

General coastline Spain is about 5 thousand kilometers. This means that Spain has a large number of beautiful beaches with clean water. Despite the fact that most tourists for some reason choose the Costa Blanca and the sunny Costa del Sol, Spain also has beautiful beaches in other resorts.

Top 10 Spanish beaches, in our opinion:

• La Concha Beach – San Sebastian
• Playa de Las Catedrales – Galicia
• Playa del Silencio – Asturias
• Ses Illetes – located on the island of Formentera, Balearic Islands
• Beaches of Sitges – near Barcelona
• Nerja - Costa del Sol, Andalusia
• La Barrosa – this beach is located in Chiclana de la Frontera
• Tarifa - Andalusia
• Gandia – Costa Blanca
• Playa de los Peligros - Santander

When they talk about beach resorts Spain, they immediately remember the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands, and Ibiza Island. But in Spain there is also the Costa Brava, the island of Tenerife, Mallorca, Costa Dorada, Balearic Islands, Costa Blanca, Costa del Maresme, and Costa de la Luz.

Souvenirs/shopping

Returning from Spain, tourists may simply not pick up their suitcases, there may be so many souvenirs in them. Therefore, we advise tourists who have visited Spain to stop at the following best Spanish souvenirs:

• Olive oil, which is the best in the world (the opinions of Italians and Greeks on this matter do not count);
• “Bota” is a bag for storing wine made of leather (such a bag costs about 30 euros);
• Saffron and other spices;
• Funny T-shirts from Kukuxumusu;
• Spanish ham;
• Flamenco CDs;
• Spanish wine;
• Souvenirs of the Spanish national football team;
• Edged weapons from Toledo.

Office hours

Banks are open:
Mon-Fri: 08:30-14.00
Some banks are also open on Saturdays.

Store opening hours:
Mon-Fri: from 09:00 to 13.30 (or 14:00) and from 16:30 (or from 17:00) to 20:00.
Every Saturday, Spanish shops are open until lunchtime.
Large supermarkets are open all day.

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