Spain. Country Spain - information and facts Spain general information about the country

Traveling Latin America - Spain

The name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits” or “coast of hyraxes”.

The capital of Spain is Madrid.

The area of Spain is 504,782 km?.

The population of Spain is 46,162 thousand people.

Location of Spain. Spain is a southern European country. Occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pyrenees Mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest European countries, except for Portugal, located on the western part of the peninsula. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land it borders with Portugal in the west, with France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees Mountains) and the tiny state of Andorra in the northeast, with Gibraltar in the south.

Administrative divisions of Spain. Consists of 17 autonomous regions: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Valencia, Galicia, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Castile-Lamancha, Castile and Leon, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Rioja, Extremadura, which unite 50 provinces, as well as 2 cities (Ceuta and Melilla), located on the northern coast of Africa and are independent administrative units.

Spain's form of government is Constitutional Monarchy.

The head of state of Spain is the King.

The highest legislative body of Spain is the Cortes General (parliament), consisting of two chambers, elected for 4 years.

The highest executive body of Spain is the Government.

Major cities in Spain are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Malaga.

The official language of Spain is Spanish; the use of Catalan, Galician, Basque, Aranese and some other languages of national minorities is legalized.

Religion of Spain. 99% are Catholics.

Ethnic composition of Spain. 72.8% are Spaniards, 16.4% are Catalans, 8.2% are Galicians, 2.3% are Basques.

The currency of Spain is Euro = 100 cents.

Climate of Spain. Most of Spain has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. However, it varies significantly from the northwest to the southeast of the country and depending on the altitude. In addition to a large number of mountain ranges and plateaus, making up 90% of total area territory, climate big influence has its proximity to Africa. The average annual temperature throughout the country fluctuates around + 20°C. In Southern Spain, the average daily temperature is + 26 °C for almost 200 days a year. The most precipitation falls in the north and northwest of the country, while the central and southeastern regions are drier. That is why Spain is conventionally divided into “dry” (annual precipitation up to 500 mm) and “wet” (up to 900 mm per year). Spain is the highest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. The most powerful mountain system is the Pyrenees, main peak of which is Aneto Peak (3404 m).

Flora of Spain. Not counting the flora of the Canary Islands, Spain is home to about 8,000 plant species, many of which are found only in this area. Of the once vast forests, only a small part remains in the north of the country. In “humid” Spain, beech, elm, oak, chestnut, ash, linden, and poplar grow. Higher in the mountains the forests turn into water meadows. The richest vegetation is on the North Atlantic slopes of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Galician Massif - which is why these areas are called “green” Spain. On the plain of the Ebro River at the foot of the mountains, evergreen shrubs and grasses grow, and semi-desert vegetation with a predominance of wormwood and salt marshes is also found. In “dry” Spain, Mediterranean vegetation predominates, evergreen shrubs and subshrubs - maquis, garigues and tomillars. In the far south there are thickets of the low-growing Hamerops palm - the only wild palm in Europe.

Fauna of Spain. Animal world Spain is also very rich and diverse. In the north, the fauna is Central European - many deer, roe deer, and wild boars. IN mountainous areas Red deer and Pyrenean ibex have been preserved. Sport hunting of deer is permitted. Sometimes you can see a brown bear in the Cantabrian and Leon mountains. Among the predators there are a small number of wolves, foxes, and at the mouth of the Guadalquivir - Spanish lynxes. Macaques live near Gibraltar - the only representative of this species of monkey in Europe. Spain rightfully occupies a leading place in Europe in the number of bird species found here. Among them are hawks, eagles, griffins, and falcons. There are a lot of colonies of waterfowl - geese, ducks, herons, flamingos, white storks.
Spain is also home to a large number of species of reptiles - lizards, snakes, chameleons, and in the semi-deserts in the south of the country - tarantulas and scorpions.

In the estuaries and coastal waters of the Atlantic there is a lot of fish - mainly sardines, in smaller quantities - herring, cod, anchovies and various types of shellfish. The Mediterranean Sea is home to tuna, salmon, anchovy, crayfish and lobsters.

Rivers and lakes of Spain. Largest rivers Spain - Tajo, Duero, Ebro, Segura, Guadalquivir, Guadiana. The lakes are small and located mainly in the mountains.

Tags: free travel, travel around latin america, Spain

SPAIN - GENERAL INFORMATION

Territory- 504,750 sq. km. In terms of territory, Spain is the second country in Western Europe after France.

Population- 39.2 million people. National composition: Spaniards, Catalans, Galicians, Basques.

Languages:Spanish (official language - 74% of the population), Catalan (autonomous community of Catalonia - 17%), Galician (autonomous community of Galicia - 7%), Basque (Basque Country - 2%).

Religion- 99% Catholics.

Capital- Madrid.

Largest cities - Madrid (3 million), Barcelona (1.7 million), Seville (714 thousand).

Administrative division - 17 autonomous communities. Under Spanish control there are also 2 territorial enclaves on the coast of Morocco (Ceuta and Melilla) and three groups of islands off the coast of Morocco.

Form of government- a constitutional monarchy.

Head of State - King Juan Carlos.

Currency- Euro.

Banks serve clients on weekdays from 08.15 to 14.00, on Saturday until 13.00, Sunday is a day off. You can also exchange currency at exchange offices, hotels and travel agencies.

Visa regime - Schengen visa.

Time– Moscow minus two hours.

Geography of Spain

Spain is located in southwestern Europe and occupies about 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Also, Spain owns the Balearic and Pitius Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The cities of Ceuta and Melilla (in Morocco) and the islands of Vélez de la Gomera, Alucenas and Chafaranas are under Spanish control. Territory: 504,750 sq. km. Of these: land - 499,400 sq. km., water - 5,350 sq. km. Spain borders France - 623 km, Portugal - 1,214 km, Andorra - 65 km, the English colony of Gibraltar - 1.2 km, Morocco: (Ceuta) - 6.3 km, (Melilla) - 9.6 km. Total length of the border: on the ground - 1,919.1 km, coastline- 4,964 km. The central part of Spain is the Meseta plateau with the Center mountain range. Cordillera. In the north and northeast are the Pyrenees, Cantabrian, Iberian and Catalan mountains, in the south are the Andalusian mountains (Mulacen, 3478 m, the highest point of continental Spain) and the Sierra Morena mountains. Large rivers - Tagus, Duero, Ebro, Guadalquivir, Guadiana. The country is washed in the southeast by the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Spain is located at the intersection of important sea and air routes connecting Europe with the African and American continents. Spain also has a strategic location along the Strait of Gibraltar.

Population of Spain

Spain is considered a single nation, formed on the basis of various historical regions and ethnic groups, the main of which are Catalans (15.6%), Andalusians (15.6%), Castilians (11.1%), Valencians (9.7%) , Galicians (7.4%) and Basques (5.6%).

Most of the population of Spain (99%) are Catholics. The Catholic Church enjoys great influence in the country.

The total population of the country is 39.6 million people; population density - 78.5 people per 1 sq. km; annual population growth - 0.2%; illiteracy rate - 4.6%; life expectancy - 78 years.

Four languages are spoken in Spain: Spanish, Basque, Catalan and Galician. The official and most common language in the country is Spanish.

Climate of Spain

Spain has a Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures in January range from 4-5 °C on the Meseta plateau to 12 °C in the south; in July, respectively, from 23 to 29 °C. Precipitation 300-500 mm, in the mountains of St. 1000 mm per year (mainly in winter).

The Canary archipelago is also Spain, and you can swim on the island of Tenerife all year round. Wherein average temperature air temperature is +22-24°C, and even in August there is no sweltering heat.

Spanish cuisine

Spanish national cuisine is considered one of the best in the world in terms of quality and variety of products. Its peculiarity is the combination of numerous regional cuisines, each of which was influenced by climatic conditions and the way of life of the people of the area. National cuisine can be divided into Catalan, Valencian, Basque, etc. Madrid stands apart. Madrid-style fried meats, cod and rennet (stewed innards, cut into pieces) are equally beloved here, as are the traditional cocido madrileño (pea soup with croutons). But especially popular is Madrid's "calos" - spiced tripe with blood sausage and pepper sauce. You should definitely try at least the classic dishes. The famous Spanish omelette “tortilla”, spicy smoked sausage “chorizo”, serrano ham, sheep cheese “manchego”, delicacy specially smoked ham “jamon”. And, of course, cold gazpacho soup.

Work time

Institutions: 9.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.00 (Monday - Friday).

Shops: 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00 (Monday-Saturday). Large chain department stores: El Corte Ingles 10:00 - 21:00 (Monday-Saturday, without a break). Supermarkets: "Continente, Pryca, Alcampo, Mercadonna 9:00 (10:00) - 20.00 (21.00) Monday - Saturday, without a break. In tourist centers During the holidays, some stores are also open on Sunday.

Museums: from 9.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00 (usually). Some museums are closed on Sunday and Monday.

Telephone
There are telephone booths anywhere in Spain from which you can call anywhere in the world. Telephone sets accept coins of 5, 10, 25, 100 and 500 pesetas. It is more convenient to call Russia from any telephone booth installed on the street or in a bar or restaurant - it is much cheaper than calling from a hotel.

Required telephone numbers:

national police – 091

local police – 092

Red Cross - 22-22-22

urgent health care – 061

fire service – 080

exact time service - 093

Help Desk - 098

Tips
Tipping in Spain is an ancient tradition, practiced in bars and restaurants, taxis, cinemas, and hotels. Please note that a service charge may be included in your bill. Typically, tips are 5-10% in restaurants and taxis.

Useful tips for Spain

When going to Spain you should not count on English language. Learn Spanish words, or at least write them down on paper. A well-chosen list of 30 words will make your life immeasurably easier.
If you do not live in Moscow, a tour with a departure from your city will cost one and a half times more than a tour with a departure from Moscow. It might make sense to fly from Moscow.

If you are faced with a choice of when to go to the coast - in June or in September, keep in mind that the sea in June is noticeably cooler.

Buy and take with you a pocket-sized (so you can carry it with you) Spanish-Russian/Russian-Spanish dictionary. As practice shows, standard phrase books turn out to be practically useless; the ideal option is to know a couple of dozen basic phrases plus a dictionary in case you need to urgently translate a word.

Charter flights tend to be very late. Don't be surprised or worried, just be mentally prepared for the confusion at the airport and the fact that you will have to spend a couple of extra hours there.
The sand on the beaches varies depending on the beach - from coarse and sharp, as, for example, in Lloret de Mar, to very fine.

Popular for its affordable prices, Lloret de Mar is not well suited for family vacation, because it is flooded with young people from all over Europe. If that suits you, Lloret is the place to be, but if you prefer something quieter and cozy places, it's better to choose something else.

The Costa Brava is characterized by a “sheer bottom”, when after taking four or five steps into the sea you plunge headlong. This is not particularly important for adults, but with small children who love to play in shallow water, it is still better to go to another coast.

The talk about the insidious Spanish sun is completely true. Don't neglect protective creams.

To avoid getting your towels dirty with sand on the beach, it is best not to spend money on sunbeds every day, but to buy a couple of mats (it will cost about a little over a euro apiece). You can buy them right there, in nearby shops. It wouldn't hurt to buy a folding sun umbrella either. It's more expensive, about 10 euros, but it's worth it.

If you are traveling on your own, keep in mind that during the season, renting an inexpensive 1*-2* hotel within large cities can be extremely difficult. This is more likely in nearby suburbs.
You can significantly save on city fees public transport, if you buy passes for 10 trips.
Water parks typically open in late May/early June and close by October.
In Tenerife, you can look into the crater of the Teide volcano only with a special, separately obtained permit, which travel agencies forget to warn about.

The exchange commission (if there is one) of a currency, in addition to interest, always has a certain mandatory minimum - for example, 2 euros, so it is more profitable to change a large amount once than several small ones.
If you need to buy beach accessories (swimsuits, towels, slippers), remember that prices for them in Spain are 3 to 7 times lower than in Moscow. For example, swimsuits - 15-20 euros. Luxury beach towels - 5-10 euros. But photographic film in Spain is more expensive - from 4 euros.

Hot tea and coffee are usually offered in hotels only for breakfast. If you are used to drinking tea in the evenings, a small camp boiler will come in handy.

EmbassySpain in Moscow

Moscow, st. Bolshaya Nikolskaya, 50/8. Tel.: +7 (495)2022161, 2022180 / Fax +7 2919171

Square: 504.8 thousand square kilometers

Population size: 46 million people

Capital: Madrid

Currency: Euro

Population: Spain is recognized as a single nation, formed on the basis of various historical regions and ethnic groups, the main of which are:

Catalans (15.6%)
Andalusians (15.6%)
Castilians (11.1%)
Valencians (9.7%)
Galicians (7.4%)
Basque (5.6%)

Approximately 9% of the Spanish population are expats. According to Spanish statistics, due to the extraordinary construction boom that Spain experienced in the period before the global financial crisis, the country's population grew annually by about 1.5%, mainly due to migration growth (more than 10 people for every 1000). Currently, after a slight decline the increase in emigrants, due to the depression in the economy, according to Eurostat, Spain is again becoming a country with which tens of thousands of new residents of other countries want to connect their future lives.

Official language: Spanish; Galician - in Galicia; Catalan - in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencia; Basque - in the Basque Country and in Navarre; Aranese - in Val d'Arana.

Public holidays:

Religion of the country: The main religion is Catholicism. About 95% of Spaniards are Catholics, there are also Protestants, Muslims, and Jews.

Geography of the country: The Kingdom of Spain is a state in southwestern Europe. Occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain consists of several groups of islands, including the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. A significant part of the territory is mountains and highlands, after Switzerland it is the most high country Europe.

In the central part of the country there are plateaus (mainly Meseta) and medium-high mountains (Central Cordillera, Sierra Morena, etc.) In the north and northeast there is a massive chain of the Pyrenees (height up to 3404 m, Aneto peak), Cantabrian, Iberian and Catalan mountains , in the south - the Andalusian mountains with the Sierra Nevada massif (height 3478 m, Mulacene). Highest point Spain - active volcano Teide (3718 m) on the island. Tenerife (Canary Islands). The lowlands (the largest is the Andalusian) are located mainly along the coasts.

Borders with: Portugal in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, with the British possession of Gibraltar in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, with Morocco in the south, France and Andorra in the north.

Washed by the seas: The Atlantic Ocean in the north and west, as well as the Mediterranean Sea in the south and east.

Climate: predominantly subtropical Mediterranean, in the interior - dry and quite hot, near Atlantic coast- temperate oceanic. Winter is mild - the average temperature is from +8°C to +14°C, in mountainous areas it sometimes drops to sub-zero temperatures. Summer is hot - from +23°С to +29°С.

On the Canary Islands the climate is predominantly tropical, the average temperature in winter is +25°C (water +20...+22°C), in summer +26...+28°C (water 22-23°C). The Balearic climate is Mediterranean, less dry than in the continental part of the country. Summer is noticeably cooler than on the mainland - +18...+26°C, the average winter temperature does not fall below +12°C.

The most favorable time for relaxation is the end of spring and the beginning of autumn.

Culture and customs: Spain is a colorful country. Representatives of various nationalities live here; residents of different provinces are not similar to each other, they speak different dialects, because of these differences, your communication in Spain may be difficult. Another feature of communication is a fast pace of speech, gestures and increased emotional loudness, which is not at all associated with the manifestation of any kind of aggression.

The Spaniards are noisy people, but open and friendly. For some, the Spanish temperament will become unusual. A visitor may be shocked by the Spanish peculiarity of starting a conversation with a stranger on the street, “poking” even someone who is higher in status and older in age (this is a feature of the language - the concept of “you” does not exist here), and greeting an acquaintance for a long time and noisily. It is not customary for Spaniards to show offense and frustration. They are serious, gallant, humane, love and appreciate humor, but they tend to be late and unintentionally delay business negotiations, as they like to talk a lot.

Peculiarities of national character are reflected in culture and habits. With music and mysteriously expressive dances, Spain has won the hearts of many people living far beyond the country's borders. Sevillana, flamenco - these Spanish dances have become a vivid illustration of the country's culture, and they are loved not only in Spain. Very popular among the Spaniards is cante jondo - monotonous singing, sardana - a Catalan round dance, fandango - an Andalusian dance performed with endless stamping and tapping of castanets.

Some habits of the Spaniards go hand in hand with their national love of pleasure and intersect with the Spanish temperament... One of the favorite pastimes of the Spaniards is the siesta, a two-hour nap after lunch. During these hours, life in the country comes to a standstill. Other old tradition Spain is a paseo - an evening walk around the city in order to see friends, and also - as a consequence - osio - idle conversation after a walk, invariably on the street.

Perhaps, briefly, the features of this country, the character and habits of its inhabitants can be described as “a combination of incongruous things.” The sparkling passion of dancing, the emotionality of communication - and at the same time a measured, leisurely way of life... Love of pleasure - and a thirst for knowledge, undisguised respect for intellectual abilities... Sincere politeness - an already common (and so annoying) desire among Russians skip the line everywhere. Moreover, skipping the queue among the Spaniards is not considered shameful. And in Spain, it is impossible to see an elderly person standing on public transport - giving up your seat on public transport is highly valued here. A characteristic feature of the Spaniards is the desire to hold the door for the person behind them, and also to let the woman go ahead - this is a matter of course.

The Spaniards love holidays and know how to celebrate them. Holidays are all-Spanish (Constitution Day in December, Christmas and Easter, children's holiday of the Three Kings in January), provincial (fire festival in Valencia, festival of "Romans and Carthaginians" in the province of Murcia, "Moors and Christians" in the province of Alicante, Sevillana in Seville, etc.) and local - urban and even rural. Holidays are often announced non-working days. Holidays, carnivals and festivals in Spain are colorful and fun. You will be very lucky if you get to any of them.

An integral part of the life and culture of Spain, its “soul”, its “calling card”, a bright, hot, passionate symbol of the country is, of course, bullfighting. The roots of this spectacle go back centuries. Ritual games passed with bulls back in Ancient India and on the island of Crete. Bull rituals were common among the ancient Jews, Celts and Phoenicians, who were among the first to colonize the Iberian Peninsula. Modern bullfighting was first held in 1775 in the town of Ronda, near Malaga, where an arena was built by the Equestrian Noble Society. Since then, Ronda has become the “Bullfighting Academy,” and subsequently arenas appeared in Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and Cordoba.

It should be noted that various regions and localities in Spain often have not only dialectical features, but also their own symbolism and heraldry. One or another folklore tradition can be tied to a specific place. For the entire nation, such symbols as the Spanish monarchy and the king are common.

Respect for royal house here is great, and God forbid you start criticizing the ruling royal dynasty in a conversation. By the way, “forbidden” topics in conversation are the topics of death (due to the religiosity of the Spaniards), bullfighting (your amateurism can play a cruel joke on you), religion, football (in local residents a whole system of likes/dislikes has been built, which is extremely difficult for a visitor to understand), money, wealth, wealth/poverty (it is not customary to talk about income levels or complain about poverty), age (you should not discuss the age of not only women, but also men), politicians.

Regarding traditions and customs related to the family, it can be noted that the Spaniards love children - children in Spain are literally the center of the family. It is customary to celebrate birthdays and name days - and the second is often celebrated more colorfully and stormily. Interestingly, a woman does not change her last name when married. Children thus receive a double surname - father and mother. There is a tradition to name the first son after the father, and the daughter after the mother. All sorts of nicknames are also used. A wedding in Spain is organized according to the same principles as in any other European country, but divorce here is a legally complex procedure. It is possible to formalize the divorce only after five years.

National cuisine: it is a Mediterranean blend of garlic, olive oil, tomatoes and green peppers, but with a noticeable influence from Eastern traditions: the almost 800-year presence of the Moors in Spain has left its mark on the culinary scene. Saffron, cumin, coriander, almonds and, of course, rice are essential components of many traditional dishes from the Iberian Peninsula.
It so happens that in the family of the world's great culinary traditions, Spanish national cuisine finds itself in the position of the “poor relative”: it is the least known and surrounded by the greatest number of misconceptions. The most common misconception is to attribute to it the characteristics of Mexican cuisine. In Spain, cooks never overuse red pepper and the monstrous amount of spices that are so characteristic of Mexico. The only thing that makes Spanish cuisine similar to New World cooking is the active use of products of American origin - after all, it was through Spain that peppers and tomatoes, potatoes, corn and chocolate entered Europe.
In addition to history, the geography of the country and its climate have left their mark on the traditions of Spanish cuisine. For example, the long coastline explains the abundance of fish and seafood dishes, such as hake a la basque - hake in green sauce, traditional for the Basque Country, Catalan esquixada salad or a cold appetizer of lightly salted cod with fresh or stewed vegetables. The plateaus of the central part of the country are unsuitable for raising cattle, so beef is less common on the Spanish menu than lamb and game. Cheese is also common, mostly from sheep; of all the Spanish provinces, only La Mancha is known for cheeses made from cow's milk. And, of course, pork is extremely popular. Particularly loved throughout Spain are chorizo sausages with cumin and raw smoked bacon, called “salty ham” (serrano) - in contrast to “sweet” ham (jamon) of a more familiar look and taste. Chorizo is eaten as a separate dish or used in the preparation of something more complex, for example, hudias estofados con chorizo - a thick stew of large beans with these same sausages.
From green and rocky north coast to the hot olive south, from the fertile lands of La Rioja in the upper Ebro, home of excellent grape wines, to the arid plateaus of the central part, the “grain heart” of the country, Spain appears as a mosaic of historical regions. Each of them has its own characteristics, traditions, and culture. Therefore, talking about national cuisine can only be done with a certain stretch: the taste of even such common Spanish dishes as paella (a kind of Spanish pilaf) and tortilla (omelet with potatoes and onions) in Catalonia is not at all the same as, say, in Extremadura.
But Spanish cuisine also has several features that are characteristic of all regions of the country without exception. First of all, it is the simplicity and speed of preparation of even the most complex, at first glance, dishes. Sauces do not overpower the taste of natural ingredients, but only highlight it favorably. The vast majority of appetizers and main courses are prepared in olive oil. Desserts are not particularly popular, and those that are available are also quite simple and are usually made based on milk, eggs and sugar with the addition of cinnamon and lemon. However, each historical region it has its own sweet “zest”: in Catalonia it’s milk cream, in La Mancha it’s honey pestiños cookies with anise and lemon, in Aragon it’s peaches boiled in red wine and served with wine syrup.
Of the traditional dishes found throughout the country (we repeat, their taste can vary, sometimes quite dramatically), in addition to the previously mentioned tortilla and paella, sopa de ajo - garlic soup with croutons - deserves special attention; cocido - a Spanish version of the German eintopf, soup and second in one pot (in the north it is prepared with beans, in the south - with chickpeas), as well as polio al ajillo - chicken in garlic sauce. As a side dish for dishes national cuisine throughout Spain, either escalivada is served - a mixture of fried peppers and eggplants, or potatoes: fries; fried, with spicy tomato sauce; stewed with garlic sauce.
If we talk about regional characteristics, then the north-west of the country, Galicia, is distinguished by the abundance and excellent quality of seafood dishes - octopus, mussels, sea ducks, regular and king shrimps. Only in Galicia, in restaurants and taverns along the coast, can you find freshly caught scallops baked with ham right in their shells. In addition, northwestern Spain is famous for its soups, most notably caldo gallejo, a thick stew with meat, beans, potatoes and grelos (a cabbage-like vegetable). Of the local wines - and it is simply impossible to imagine a Spanish dinner without wine - the most popular are red Ribiero and white Albarino.
In Asturias, fish and seafood are also very common, but gastronomic business card region is considered a casserole with white beans, pork, ham and spicy sausages. In this (but only in this!) respect, Asturias is extremely reminiscent of La Mancha: the cuisine of Don Quixote’s homeland, although not particularly rich and diverse, also gained at least all-Spanish fame thanks to one single dish, namely pisto-manchejo - stew of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet peppers and garlic with salted ham.
But the Basque Country, even in cooking, stands out among all other areas for its “non-Spanishness”. The process of cooking there is elevated to the rank of a high art, requiring long preparation, careful adherence to sophisticated recipes and a very special mental attitude. In addition to a large number of excellent meat dishes, the Basque Country is famous for a variety of fish in salsa verde - a green sauce made from parsley and garlic in fish broth and dry wine.
Restaurants throughout the Basque coast still serve dishes that once formed the basis of the diet of residents of fishing villages: marmitaco - a fish stew of tuna with potatoes and sweet peppers, as well as Biscay-style cod in a sour tomato-carrot marinade. All this is usually washed down with tart white wine. From there, from small villages along the coast of the Bay of Biscay, comes one of the best Spanish marine non-fish blues called "chiperones en su tinta" - a squid mantle stuffed with the tentacles of small octopuses or cuttlefish and stewed in its own ink.

The Ebro Valley, especially Navarre and La Rioja, is known primarily for its extensive hunting grounds and, consequently, for its abundance of game. The cuisine there is varied and, as in the Basque Country, brought to perfection: partridges, quails and pigeons compete with excellent river trout for the “royal” place on the table. Some of the best Spanish wines are also produced there: red ones in La Rioja, rosé and white wines in Navarre, and the rich red Carinena in Aragon. It is impossible to imagine Aragonese cuisine without chilindron - a spicy sauce made from sweet peppers and tomatoes, served with both meat and poultry, as well as without ternasco - kid or lamb roasted whole.
But for the best roast lambs and suckling pigs, you'll have to go to Castile. There, in the very heart of Spain, they prepare a wonderful sopa-castellano - “Castilian soup”, a mixture of strained vegetable and meat broths, to which eggs, pieces of ham and flour dumplings are added. The light red wine “Valdepenas” and the rich bouquet “Rueda” from the south of the province of Valladolid go especially well with the pig.
But the most famous and delicious version of cocido soup is made in Madrid - cocido madrileno. It is usually served in three steps: first, the soup itself (sometimes vermicelli or pasta horns are added to it before serving), then, separately, boiled vegetables and, finally, meat removed from the pot of cochido. Although Madrid is quite far from the sea, Madrid residents love fish and know how to cook it. And the crown of this love, for the sake of which at the beginning of the 20th century. fresh fish from the coast was delivered to the Spanish capital in special relay races - Madrid-style carp (besugo a la madrillena), baked in white wine - a traditional Christmas dinner dish.
Andalusia, in the very south of Spain, has more olive trees than anywhere else in the world. It is not surprising that olives are an indispensable ingredient or decoration for most Andalusian dishes. And the most important local gastronomic attraction is cold gazpacho soup, like our okroshka, which is especially pleasant on a hot summer day. Classic, red Andalusian gazpacho (sometimes called liquid salad) is made from tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, garlic and onions - all pureed - with wine vinegar and olive oil. There is also white gazpacho - after all, such a soup was known in Spain long before the discovery of the New World and the appearance of American tomatoes in Europe.
In this case, crushed almonds give the gazpacho its white color and the required thickness.
The south of the Iberian Peninsula is the homeland of the most famous Spanish dessert wines: sherry, manzanilla and malaga. The best sherry has been produced for the last two centuries in the city of Jerez de la Frontera in the province of Cadiz.
The cuisine of Spain's east coast - Catalonia and the Levant - is "the most Mediterranean" of all; a variety of fish dishes, a lot of vegetables and herbs - everything is generously seasoned with garlic. It is from Catalonia that the traditional Spanish breakfast comes - pan con tomate: a slice of fresh bread, grated with a tomato cut into halves and seasoned with salt, garlic and olive oil.
East Coast Spain is also one of the main wine-growing regions of the country.

Sights, excursions of the country: Almost the entire country is one huge historical Museum open air. Briefly about the most famous:

Madrid

Main attractions: bullfighting, Buen Retiro Palace, Reina Sofia Center, tower of the Temple of San Pedro el Viejo, Plaza Villa, Royal Palace.

Museums: Archaeological Museum, El Prado, Museum of Modern Art.

Every spring, Madrid hosts a festival in honor of the city's patron saint, St. Isidro.

Barcelona

Sights: Sagrada Familia, the largest in Catalonia Cathedral St. Thekla, Gothic Quarter, Casa Mila, Palace Güell, Pablo Picasso Museum, Columbus Monument, Port Aventura amusement park, and Santa Barbara Castle, knight's castles in Costa Blanca, Costa Brava.

Andalusia

Here are ancient monuments: Arabic towers (XI century), medieval fortresses, cathedrals, Andalusian mountain settlements. In the capital of Andalusia, Seville, there is the Arab fortress of the Alcazar, the minaret of the Arab Giralda Mosque (12th century).

Valencia

Where are: famous towers Serrano and Quart, the ensemble square de la Virgen with the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin, the symbol of the city - the Minguelete Tower, the ultra-modern Palace of Music, the pearl of Valencian architecture - the Lonja fish exchange.

Purchases: In mid-summer in Spain, the sales season begins, which usually lasts a couple of months. In each region, sales take place on their own dates, but generally they start on July 1 and end on August 31.

Almost all stores close in the middle of the day for at least three hours. The exception is the large department stores of the El Corte Ingles chain. Standard opening hours are from 10:00 to 13:30, from 17:00 to 20:00. Shops are closed on Sunday. On Saturday, many shops are open until lunchtime.
Spain is a country of bullfighting and flamenco, temperamental beauties and ripe oranges, so souvenirs from Spain are also very unusual.

Bull souvenirs, large and small, hard and soft, made from a variety of materials, can be found everywhere in Spain. There are even toys for children - plush bulls with funny faces.

Flamenco dancers cannot do without castanets. Don't forget to buy a luxurious Spanish scarf and a CD with flamenco music. They also say that castanets are good for calming the nerves.

A fan is an indispensable attribute of the noble Spanish lady. Fans come in a wide variety: priced from 2 to 500 euros, made of paper, plastic, wood, lace, but equally beautiful and colorfully painted with flowers or views of Spain. They have practical applications - you can’t do without them in the hot summer in Spain.

Two countries make brandy - Spain and France: France does it crudely, but Spain does it quite well. Brandy is made in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, which is also the birthplace of sherry. Brandy is a cheap, cheerful and accessible drink: be prepared to shell out 7-10 euros per liter. Other alcoholic drinks you can indulge in in Spain: wine from Rioja, cava (Spanish champagne) from Catalonia and Asturian cider.
Spanish olive oil is the best in the world (despite what the Italians and Greeks say) and Andalusia produces one third of all Spanish oil and a tenth of that consumed in the world. Carrying large bottles home is a bit of a hassle, so you might want to buy a small bottle - you can find a wide selection at every grocery store!

There are two main types of jamon - Jamon Serrano and, usually more expensive, Jamon Iberico. They differ in the method of preparation, the cooking time, and the most significant difference between Jamon Serrano and Jamon Ibérico is the breed of pigs and their diet. Externally, they can be distinguished by the color of the hoof: Serrano has white, Iberico has black. The pigs from which the most expensive Iberico varieties are prepared are fed exclusively on acorns, which is why the price per kilogram can reach up to two hundred euros!

Tips: in cafes and bars they are 15-20 cents, in restaurants they give 5-10% of the order cost, and about the same in a taxi.

For a maid, a hotel employee, a porter - approximately 50-60 cents. The Spaniards themselves, as a rule, during a regular lunch in a restaurant or when ordering a cup of coffee with a bun or a mug of beer with a snack worth 7-10 euros in a bar, do not leave a tip, or leave a few small coins worth 20-30 cents.

But if an extensive “non-standard” lunch or dinner is ordered, then tipping almost always takes place, but only on the condition that you are satisfied.

Customs regulations: import restrictions into Spain: cigarettes (10 packs), alcoholic beverages (2 liters of wine or 1 liter of spirits), coffee (500 g) and tea (100 g). There are no restrictions on the import of photographic film, but if you are bringing a lot of film, it is better to print the boxes. Radio, video and photographic equipment must be declared. A permit to import film equipment must be issued at the consular section of the Spanish Embassy.

The import of foreign currency into Spain is not limited (a declaration is only required if the amount exceeds 500 euros). The export of imported foreign currency is allowed upon declaration in an amount not exceeding 500,000 pesetas in terms of conversion.

The import of drugs, certain medicines, weapons, ammunition and explosives into Spain is prohibited. The export of historical valuables, antiques, jewelry, weapons and ammunition without special permission is prohibited.

There are no restrictions on the export of goods purchased for personal use (with the exception of new cars). For some goods, a volume level has been determined, after which you will have to prove that they are exported for personal use: cigarettes (800 pieces), alcohol (strong up to 10 liters, wine up to 90 liters). Citizens of Russia and a number of CIS countries must declare the goods being transported and pay the required fees and duties on expensive goods. Departure tax by air included in the ticket price.

Helpful information: From 13.00 to 16.00 throughout Spain - siesta. The vast majority of banks, shops and government agencies closed at this time.

The Spaniards are famous for their fiery temperament. As a rule, they are noisy, expressive and passionate; tourists are treated warmly and cordially. The Spanish nation has two all-consuming passions - the love of bullfighting and football.
Smoking in public places has recently been prohibited. In particular, restaurants, bars, hotels, as well as some beaches are prohibited.
In accordance with Spanish laws, the sale of alcohol stops at 22-00.
Hot drinks - tea and coffee - are usually offered in hotels only for breakfast. If you are used to drinking tea in the evenings, take care of a small camp boiler.
There are metro systems in four major Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao.

At present Spain is no more dangerous than any other country. The most serious problems are bag snatching and pickpocketing. Therefore, we advise you not to carry large amounts of money with you. If you intend to make a large purchase, do not put money in a handbag - it can be snatched by motorcyclist thieves passing by. Leave all valuables in the hotel safe.

If you are staying in a hotel, it is more economical to make phone calls from street booths or call centers. Hotels have the right to set extra charges for telephone calls and are happy to use this right.

When making a long-distance car trip in Spain, try to plan your trip in such a way that you will be on the road from 2 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. At this time, the Spaniards are used to having lunch, and most motor tourists (and, most importantly, truck drivers) will eat at roadside restaurants, and you can rush along the almost empty roads.

It is prohibited to photograph police, military and government officials on military bases, military port areas. If you want to take photos of locals, ask permission first.

If you decide to have a snack or drink at unfamiliar city, don’t rush into the first bar or restaurant you come across. If there are no visitors at all, this is a clear sign that something is not quite right with the establishment, and it is not popular with local residents. Possible reasons are food and drink fraud, hygiene problems, and dishonesty in payments to visitors.

In a restaurant, you should round up the amount and add 5-10% to the waiter. The maid should be tipped the day after arrival, a few days later and before departure.

Arriving at a short time to a large Spanish city (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia), it is better to travel around it by public transport than by your own car or taxi. You will be able to spend more time sightseeing in the city than sitting in traffic jams. It is best to use the metro - this will allow you to be as close as possible to the destination of your trip. If you plan to go to several places, it is better to buy a ticket for 10 trips - each trip will cost you almost half the price. You can use a ticket for 10 trips not only on the metro, but also on buses. Public transport operates in much the same way in other large Spanish cities.

If you are stopped by the Highway Patrol and asked to test you for alcohol, do not refuse the test, regardless of whether you have been drinking or not. Even if the test shows that you exceed the permissible alcohol limit, in the worst case you will be subject to administrative punishment. Refusal to check is a criminal act with all the ensuing consequences.

Do not try to find a public toilet in Spanish cities, they practically do not exist, except at train stations and bus stations. Feel free to go to the nearest bar or restaurant. If there are several visitors in the establishment, calmly go deeper into the room and look for the treasured door. If there are practically no visitors, you may have to order something first - a cup of coffee, a glass of beer or a soft drink.

There are no private beaches in Spain; they are all municipal property. Use of the beach is free, but rental of sun loungers and umbrellas is paid.

Banks and currency exchanges: Currency exchange offices in banks: from 9.00 to 14.00, on Saturday - from 9.00 to 12.00, Sunday - closed. On the main streets of Madrid, banks are open 24 hours a day. Be careful when receiving information about the exchange rate, because... very often, posters indicate the rate without taking into account commissions, which are taken from above. Accepted credit cards, a developed network of ATMs.

Visa: Spain is part of the Schengen zone. Tourists need to have a passport and visa with them. To obtain a tourist visa, you must provide a certain list of documents. Registration of a tourist visa usually takes 5-10 working days, the maximum period for making a decision is 3 months.

Telephony:

To call from Spain to Ukraine, you should dial the following numbers: 00 (exit to international line) +38 (Ukraine code) + city code + telephone number.

To call from Ukraine to Spain you must dial sequentially - 8 10 34 -<код города>(index of the corresponding province) -<номер вызываемого абонента>.

Canary Islands code: +34 (922).

Tenerife code (Palma, Hierro and Gomera islands): +22.

Gran Canaria Code ( Fuerteventura Island and Lanzarote): +28.

It is preferable to use Telefonica booths and machines, which are much cheaper than calling from a hotel. To pay, use coins or "Tarjeta telefonica" phone cards, which can be purchased at the hotel or at tobacco shops.

Most cheap option- "prepaid-card" of several types, usually costing up to 10 euros and having a wide range in the cost per minute. The most economical - "Uniti card" - about 40 minutes of conversation with Kiev for 5 euros, the least economical - about 15 minutes for 5 euros.

Useful phone numbers:

National Police - 091.
Local police - 092.
Ambulance - 061.
Telephone Tourist Information"TURESPANYA" - 901-300-600.
Telephone information service for Spain - 003.
Precise time service - 093.
Information about bus traffic, pharmacies on duty, etc. - 098.
Embassy of Ukraine in the country:

Spain, 28043 Madrid,
Ronda de la Abubilla, 52
Phone: + 3491 748 93 60,
Fax: + 3491 388 71 78
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
www.mfa.gov.ua/spain

Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00
Lunch break: 14:00 - 15:00
Days off: Saturday, Sunday

Other countries:

Spain

Traveling Latin America - Spain

The name of the country comes from the Phoenician “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits” or “coast of hyraxes”.

The capital of Spain is Madrid.

The area of Spain is 504,782 km?.

The population of Spain is 46,162 thousand people.

Location of Spain. Spain is a southern European country. Occupies five-sixths of the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pyrenees Mountains are inaccessible and isolate Spain from the rest of European countries, except Portugal, located on the western part of the peninsula. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land it borders with Portugal in the west, with France (along the ridge of the Pyrenees Mountains) and the tiny state of Andorra in the northeast, with Gibraltar in the south.

Spain's form of government is Constitutional Monarchy.

The head of state of Spain is the King.

The highest legislative body of Spain is the Cortes General (parliament), consisting of two chambers, elected for 4 years.

The highest executive body of Spain is the Government.

Major cities in Spain are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Malaga.

The official language of Spain is Spanish; the use of Catalan, Galician, Basque, Aranese and some other languages of national minorities is legalized.

Religion of Spain. 99% are Catholics.

Ethnic composition of Spain. 72.8% are Spaniards, 16.4% are Catalans, 8.2% are Galicians, 2.3% are Basques.

The currency of Spain is Euro = 100 cents.

Climate of Spain. Most of Spain has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. However, it varies significantly from the northwest to the southeast of the country and depending on the altitude. In addition to the large number of mountain ranges and plateaus, which make up 90% of the total area of the territory, the climate is greatly influenced by its proximity to Africa. The average annual temperature throughout the country fluctuates around + 20°C. In Southern Spain, the average daily temperature is + 26 °C for almost 200 days a year. The most precipitation falls in the north and northwest of the country, while the central and southeastern regions are drier. That is why Spain is conventionally divided into “dry” (annual precipitation up to 500 mm) and “wet” (up to 900 mm per year). Spain is the highest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland. The most powerful mountain system is the Pyrenees, the main peak of which is the Aneto peak (3404 m).

Fauna of Spain. The fauna of Spain is also very rich and diverse. In the north, the fauna is Central European - many deer, roe deer, and wild boars. In the mountainous regions, red deer and the Pyrenean ibex are preserved. Sport hunting of deer is permitted. Sometimes you can see a brown bear in the Cantabrian and Leon mountains. Among the predators there are a small number of wolves, foxes, and at the mouth of the Guadalquivir - Spanish lynxes. Macaques live near Gibraltar - the only representative of this species of monkey in Europe. Spain rightfully occupies a leading place in Europe in the number of bird species found here. Among them are hawks, eagles, griffins, and falcons. There are a lot of colonies of waterfowl - geese, ducks, herons, flamingos, white storks.
Spain is also home to a large number of species of reptiles - lizards, snakes, chameleons, and in the semi-deserts in the south of the country - tarantulas and scorpions.

Rivers and lakes of Spain. The largest rivers in Spain are the Tagus, Duero, Ebro, Segura, Guadalquivir, and Guadiana. The lakes are small and located mainly in the mountains.

Tags: free travel, travel around Latin America, Spain

Flamenco music and dancing, bullfights, lots of sun and fantastic beaches... In fact, Spain has much more to offer tourists. Spain has been the cultural center of Europe for many centuries. This country has preserved a large number of monuments from the times of the Celts, Goths, Romans and Moors. The Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba and the 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– 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. Basic mountain systems in Spain - the Pyrenees, the Cordillera, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Catalan Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The most high peak in Spain - 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 official language is Spanish (aka Castilian) language.

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 largest rivers in Spain are the 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 to the south of Spain along the coast Mediterranean Sea The ancient Greeks built their colonies.

During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, Roman legionnaires 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, the Civil War continued in Spain, 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.

Now every two years it is held in Seville, Spain. international festival"flamenco", which is 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.

The northern coast of 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 (this is 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:

Xarlel-lo - Clar de Castanyer (Penedés)
Amalia - Rubicon (Lanzarote)
Wine Mas Plantadera Blanco Roble - Celler Sabate (Priorat)
Malvasia semidulce - Bermejo (Lanzarote)
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 .).

The total coastline of Spain is about 5 thousand kilometers. This means that Spain has a large number of beautiful beaches with clear 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 In Spain, they immediately remember the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands, and the island of Ibiza. 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.

Visa

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