Who discovered Spain. Spain. Geography, description and characteristics of the country. Everything you need to know about Spain

And galis. Reino de España, cat. Regne d "Espanya, Bask. Espainiako Erresuma, Ox. Reialme d" Espanha) - a state in southwestern Europe with its capital in the city of Madrid. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. According to one version, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician expression “i-shpanim” - “coast of rabbits”. Occupies 4/5 of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, Canary and Balearic Islands with total area 504,782 km² (together with small sovereign territories on the African coast, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla), being the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France. The average surface altitude of Spain is 650 meters above sea level. The country is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.

Physiographic characteristics

Relief

The relief of Spain is very diverse. The center of the country is located 300 kilometers from the sea. The dominant role in the relief is played by systems of mountain ranges and high-mountain plateaus.

Plateaus and mountains make up about 90 percent of its territory. Almost half of the country's surface is occupied by the vast Meseta plateau, the highest in Europe - with an average height of 660 meters. It is distinguished by alternating plateaus, folded-block ridges and mountain basins. The Cordillera Central divides the Meseta into two parts: northern and southern.

The Pyrenees are several parallel ridges stretching from west to east for 450 kilometers. This is one of the most difficult to reach mountainous countries Europe. Although their average height is not very high (just over 2500 meters), they have only a few conveniently located passes. All passes are at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Therefore, only four railways go from Spain to France: two of them bypass the Pyrenees along the coast from the north-west and south-east, and two more railways cross the Pyrenees in the sections Aerbe - Oloron - Sainte-Marie and Ripoll - Prades, through a tunnel system. The widest and highest part of the mountains is the central one. Here is their main peak - Aneto Peak, reaching 3405 meters.

From the northeast, the Meseta is adjacent to the Iberian Mountains system, the maximum height (Mont Cayo peak) is 2313 meters.

Between the eastern Pyrenees and the Iberian Mountains stretch the low Catalan Mountains, the southern slopes of which drop off into the Mediterranean Sea. The Catalan Mountains (average heights 900-1200 meters, peak - Mount Caro, 1447 meters) run for 400 kilometers almost parallel to the Mediterranean coast and actually separate the Aragonese plateau from it. The areas of coastal plains developed in Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia north of Cape Palos to the French border are highly fertile.

The entire southeast of the Iberian Peninsula is occupied by the Cordillera Betica, which is a system of massifs and ridges. Its crystalline axis is the Sierra Nevada mountains. In height they are second only to the Alps in Europe. Their summit, Mount Mulacén, reaching 3,478 meters, is the highest point in peninsular Spain. However, the highest Mountain peak Spain is located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) - this is the Teide volcano, whose height reaches 3718 meters.

Most of Spain's territory is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level. It is the second highest country in Europe after Switzerland.

The only large lowland - the Andalusian - is located in the south of the country. In the northeast of Spain in the river valley. The Ebro is the Aragonese plain. Smaller lowlands stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main rivers of Spain (and the only navigable one in the lower reaches) flows through the Andalusian lowland - Guadalquivir. The remaining rivers, including the largest: Tagus and Duero, the lower reaches of which are located in neighboring Portugal, Ebro, Guadiana, are characterized by sharp seasonal fluctuations in level and rapid flow.

Large areas of the country suffer from water shortages. Related to this is the problem of erosion - millions of tons of topsoil are blown away every year.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest countries in Western Europe. The average number of sunny days is 260-285. The average annual temperature on the Mediterranean coast is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures usually drop below zero only in the central and northern regions of the country. In summer, temperatures rise to 40 degrees and above (from the central part to the southern coast). On the northern coast the temperature is not so high - about 25 degrees Celsius.

Spain is characterized by very deep internal climatic differences, and it can only conditionally be entirely attributed to the Mediterranean climatic region. These differences are manifested both in temperature and in annual amounts and precipitation patterns.

On extreme northwest The climate is mild and humid with little temperature variation throughout the year and high rainfall. Constant winds from the Atlantic bring a lot of moisture, mainly in winter, when foggy and cloudy weather prevails with drizzling rain, almost without frost and snow. The average temperature of the coldest month is the same as in northwestern France. Summer is hot and humid, average temperature rarely below 16 degrees Celsius. Annual precipitation exceeds 1070 mm, and in some places reaches 2000 mm.

Completely different conditions in internal parts countries - on the plateau of Old and New Castile and the Aragonese plain. These areas are influenced by the plateau-basin topography, significant altitude and local continental air. They are characterized by relatively low precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) and sharp temperature fluctuations between seasons. In Old Castile and the Aragonese plain there are quite cold winters with frosts and strong, sharp winds; Summers are hot and fairly dry, although maximum precipitation occurs during this season of the year. In New Castile the climate is slightly milder, with more warm winter, but also with little precipitation. Agriculture in all these areas requires artificial irrigation.

The soil

In northwestern Spain, brown forest soil is developed on the coastal plains and windward slopes of the mountains. Hinterland the countries - Old and New Castile, the Iberian Mountains and the Aragonese Plateau - are characterized by brown soil; in the driest treeless areas there is thin carbonate gray-brown soil with areas of salt marshes in relief depressions. Gray soils are developed in the arid landscapes of Murcia. They are non-gypsum-bearing and non-saline; when irrigated, they produce high yields of fruit and other crops. The heavy clay barros soil on the flat ancient alluvial plains is distinguished, especially favorable for the cultivation of rice.

Flora and fauna

The variety of climatic conditions - from humid in the north to arid in the south - determines the heterogeneity of the flora and vegetation of Spain. The north shows similarities with Central Europe, and the south with Africa. Traces of forest vegetation in Murcia, La Mancha and Granada indicate that in the past a significant part of the territory of Spain was afforested, but now forests and woodlands occupy only 30% of the country's area, with only 5% being full-fledged closed stands.

Evergreen oak forests grow in the north-west of the country. Mountain forests contain more deciduous oak species, along with beech, ash, birch and chestnut, which is typical of Central Europe. In the interior of Spain, small tracts of dry evergreen forests, dominated by oak, are preserved in places, interspersed with pine forests and bushes. In the driest areas of New Castile, the Aragonese plateau and Murcia, fragments of semi-deserts (usually on salt marshes) are found.

In those areas of Southern Spain where there is more rainfall, especially along the coast, typical Mediterranean shrub-herbaceous communities of the garrigue and tomillara type are present. Garrigue is characterized by the participation of local species of gorse and cornflowers, while tomillara is characterized by the presence of aromatic Lamiaceae (shrub species of thyme, rosemary, etc.), as well as cistus. A special variety of garrigue consists of scattered thickets of the dwarf fan palm, very characteristic of Andalusia, as well as communities dominated by tall alpha grass, or esparto, a hardy xerophyte that produces strong fiber.

Central European and African connections are evident in the fauna of Spain. Among European species, two varieties of brown bear (the large Asturian and smaller, black, found in the Pyrenees), lynx, wolf, fox, and wildcat deserve mention. There are deer, hares, squirrels and moles. The imperial eagle is found in Spain and North Africa, and the blue magpie, found on the Iberian Peninsula, has also been found in East Asia. On both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar there are genets, Egyptian mongooses and one species of chameleon.

Minerals

Minerals of Spain: The subsoil of Spain is replete with minerals. Particularly significant are the reserves of metal ores, the deposits of which are associated with the outcrops of the folded base of the Meseta or with volcanic rocks of mountain structures. Along the northwestern edge of the Meseta, within the Gallic massif, there are tin, tungsten and uranium ores in Caledonian and Proterozoic granite intrusions. A strip of lead-zinc-silver deposits stretches along the southern outskirts of Meseta. There is also a large mercury deposit of global importance - Almaden. Iron ores are found in the north and south of Spain. They are confined to the structures of the Mesozoic and Alpine magmatic cycles. These are the famous deposits of the Bilbao region on the northern slope of the Biscay Mountains and in Almeria on southern slope Beta Cordillera. In the north, in the Carboniferous deposits that fill the foothill depression of the Asturian Mountains, there is the largest coal basin in the country. In addition, there are small deposits of coal on the southern slope of the mountains and in some other areas. The Cenozoic sediments of intermountain and intramountain depressions contain strata of salts and brown coal. Significant reserves of potassium salts are located within the Ebro Plain.

It is worth noting, however, that most of the mineral deposits in the country are very modest in size and are quite depleted, like many deposits in other European regions, which makes Spain dependent on the import of minerals, mainly from North Africa.

Economy

Airports in Spain are subordinated to the public organization Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena)), which in turn is subordinate to the Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento de España). According to the Catalan Autonomy Law of 2006, three Catalan airports were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Generalitat of Catalonia, which manages them jointly with the public organization Aerocat. Madrid Airport (Barajas), with 50.8 million passengers in 2008, is one of the busiest airports in the world. Barcelona Airport (El Prat) served 30 million passengers in 2008. Less busy airports are in Gran Canaria, Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca, Alicante and Bilbao.

Spanish airlines are: Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Air Pullmantur, Binter Canarias, Iberia LAE, Iberworld, Islas Airways, Spanair, Vueling Airlines.

Spain aims to have a million electric vehicles by 2014 as part of the government's plan to save energy and improve the environment.

Light industry

Food industry

In the food industry, winemaking stands out (Spain is second only to France and Italy in the production of grape wines in Europe), the production of vegetable oil (1.7 million tons in 1996; Spain is the world leader in the production of olive oil (about 0.5 million tons per year ), fruits, vegetables and canned fish. Spain is among the top ten global producers of cars, ships, forging equipment and gas compressors, machine tools, petroleum products and chemical goods. Half of industrial production is concentrated in the northeast (Catalonia), the north of the country (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) and in Greater Madrid.

Agriculture

Leading Industry Agriculture- crop production (gives more than 1/2 of the cost of production). They grow wheat (about 20% of the sown area), barley, corn (in the central and southern regions of the country), rice (on the irrigated lands of the Mediterranean coast; its yield in Spain is one of the highest in the world), potatoes and sugar beets, legumes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables (vegetables occupy 60% of the cultivated area), olives - (leading place for growing olives in the world) - (Andalusia, Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura), citrus fruits and tobacco. Viticulture - on the Mediterranean coast and in the regions of Castile-la-Mancha, Extremadura. Almonds are grown in the very south of the country (the leading export destination in Western Europe), dates and sugar cane (in Europe they grow only in Spain), figs, pomegranates, cotton.

Fishing

Spain is one of the top ten countries in the world in catching fish and seafood (1.1 million tons in 1996) and processing it, and is a major exporter of fresh fish and canned fish.

The bulk of the fishing takes place off the coast of the Basque Country and Galicia. The most commonly caught fish are sardines, hake, mackerel, anchovies and cod. Every year, 20-25% of the total catch is processed into canned food.

Banking sector

Spanish banks need recapitalization in the amount of 59.3 billion euros, according to the results of stress tests posted on the website of the Spanish central bank. The financial crisis in Spain led to an explosion of separatism. The economic crisis in Spain is gradually beginning to develop into a political one. On the one hand, regions with their extremely weak banks need help from the national government. On the other hand, some territories, in particular Catalonia, believe that without the guiding and guiding hand of Madrid they would feel much better.

The crisis was not limited only to the financial sphere. Property prices fell, which in turn increased unemployment. Spanish construction company Martinsa-Fadesa has declared bankruptcy after failing to refinance its €5.1 billion debt. In the second quarter, property prices in Spain fell by 20%. In the Castile-La Mancha region, approximately 69% of all buildings built in the past three years are still unsold. Deutsche Bank expects a 35 percent fall in property prices in Spain by 2011. Spain's Prime Minister, José Luis Zapatero, blamed the European Central Bank for exacerbating the situation by raising interest rates.

Population

Dynamics of population changes:

city - 6.5 million people;
city - 4.5 million people;
city - 6 million people;
city - 11.3 million people;
city - 6.2 million people;
city - 11.55 million people;
city - 18.6 million people;
city - 24.1 million people;
city - 29.9 million people;
city - 36.3 million people;
city - 45.97 million people.

The population of Spain is 46.16 million people (October 2011).

According to genetic research conducted by the University of Leeds in 2008, 20% of the modern population of Spain has Jewish ancestry, and 11% have Arab and Berber ancestry.

Story

On the southwestern coast of Iberia, a culture arose in the Bronze Age, from which at the end of the 2nd millennium the Tartessian civilization was formed, which traded metal with the Phoenicians. After the depletion of the mines, Tartessus fell into disrepair.

Along the eastern coast of Spain in the 3rd millennium BC. e. Iberian tribes appeared; some hypotheses connect their ancestral home with North Africa. From these tribes comes the ancient name of the peninsula - Iberian. In the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Iberians began to settle in fortified villages in what is now Castile. The Iberians were mainly engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and hunting, and knew how to make tools from copper and bronze. The Iberians used the Paleo-Spanish script created earlier by the Tartessians. The Iberian language was not related to Tartessian.

There is Roman evidence that Ligurians previously lived in Spain, but nothing is known about their existence in the historical period.

In the Late Bronze Age, the culture of the urn fields (a remnant of which in the historical period were probably the Lusitanians) penetrated into Iberia, and at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. Most of Iberia is colonized by Celtic tribes. Some of the Celts who lived in the neighborhood of the Iberians, falling under their influence, created the Celtiberian culture; the Celts who lived in the western part maintained a relatively conservative way of life and were unliterate. The Celts of Iberia became famous as warriors. It was they who invented the double-edged sword, which later became the standard weapon of the Roman army and was used against its own inventors.

XX century

XXI Century

In March 2004 in Madrid, on the approaches to railway station There were 13 explosions in Atocha, killing 191 people and injuring 2,050. This terrorist attack was organized by an underground Islamist organization that followed the ideology of Al-Qaeda. The explosions occurred three days before the parliamentary elections and were terrorists' response to the participation of the Spanish military in a military operation in Iraq. Most Spaniards blamed the attacks on the government of Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, which sent Spanish troops to support the US and UK. The Aznar government made this decision unilaterally, without coordinating it with the parliament (Cortes) and despite massive protests from civil society, which demonstrated in thousands of demonstrations against the participation of the Spanish army in the war. In addition, mass public surveys conducted by a government agency indicated that about 80% of the country's population was against Spain's entry into the war. Aznar's People's Party lost the elections on March 14, 2004.

At the beginning of 2004, the new socialist government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero committed sharp turn in foreign policy Spain: from supporting the US course to solidarity with most EU countries. After winning the elections on March 14, 2004, the Socialist government withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, thus fulfilling an important point in the electoral program of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In the subsequent parliamentary elections held in 2008, the PSOE won again. New parliamentary elections in Spain took place on November 20, 2011.

In 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain. Thus, Spain became the third state in the world, after Holland and Belgium, to recognize the legal equality of marriages regardless of the gender of the spouses. Same-sex marriage is now recognized in many countries, as well as in some US states.

One of the problems of modern Spain is the problem of immigration. Mostly, residents of the Maghreb and Latin American countries come to Spain. At the beginning of the new century, there were an estimated 2.5 million Latin Americans in the EU countries, 800 thousand of whom were in Spain. However, after the terrorist attacks of 2004, the attitude of the Spaniards towards immigrants changed significantly.

Political structure

Administrative division

50 provinces included in 17 autonomous regions. Also within Spain there are 2 so-called autonomous cities(ciudades autónomas) in Africa - Ceuta, Melilla and sovereign territories of Spain.

Andalusia (Spanish) Andalucía)
Aragon (Spanish) Aragon)
Asturias (Spanish) Principado de Asturias)
Balearic Islands (Spanish) Islas Baleares, cat. Illes Balears)
Basque Country (Spanish) Pais Vasco, Basque Euskadi)
Valencia (Spanish) Comunidad Valenciana)
Galicia (Spanish) Galicia, galis. Galiza)
Canary Islands (Spanish) Islas Canarias)
Cantabria (Spanish) Cantabria)
Castile - La Mancha (Spanish) Castilla-La Mancha)
Castile and Leon (Spanish) Castilla y Leon)
Catalonia (Spanish) Cataluña, cat. Catalunya)
Madrid (as an autonomous region) (Spanish) Madrid)
Murcia (Spanish) Region of Murcia)
Navarre (Spanish) Navarra, Basque Nafarroa)
Rioja (Spanish) La Rioja)
Extremadura (Spanish) Extremadura)

Cities

The largest cities in Spain are:

Culture

Spain is rightfully considered a museum under open air. The vast expanses of this country carefully preserve cultural and historical monuments that have worldwide fame.

The most famous museum in Spain, the Prado Museum, is located in Madrid. Its extensive exhibition cannot be seen in one day. The museum was founded by Isabella of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VII. The Prado has its own branch, located in Cason del Buen Retiro and storing unique collections of Spanish painting and sculpture of the 19th century, as well as works by English and French painters. The museum itself presents large exhibitions of Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German art. The Prado owes its name to the Prado de San Jeronimo alley, where it is located, laid out during the Age of Enlightenment. Currently, the Prado Museum's holdings include 6,000 paintings, more than 400 sculptures, as well as numerous jewelry, including royal and religious collections. Over the course of several centuries of its existence, the Prado was patronized by many kings.

It is believed that the very first collection of the Prado Museum was formed under Charles I, known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His heir, King Philip II, became famous not only for his bad character and despotism, but also for his love of art. It is to him that the museum owes its priceless acquisitions of paintings by Flemish masters. Philip was distinguished by his gloomy worldview; it is not surprising that the ruler was a fan of Bosch, an artist known for his bizarre, pessimistic fantasy. Philip initially purchased Bosch's paintings for Escorial, the ancestral castle of the Spanish kings. It was only in the 19th century that the paintings were transferred to the Prado Museum. Now here you can see such masterpieces of the Dutch master as “The Garden of Delights” and “The Hay Wain”. Currently, in the museum you can enjoy not only paintings and sculptures, but also theatrical performances designed to “revive” famous paintings. The first such staging was dedicated to the paintings of Velazquez and was a huge success with the public.

There are many more unique museums and galleries in Spain: the Picasso Museum and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, located in Barcelona, the National Sculpture Museum in Valladolid, the El Greco Museum in Toledo, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca.

Spanish cuisine

Sport

The main sport in Spain has been football since the beginning of the 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorsports and, more recently, Formula One are also important due to the presence of Spanish champions in all of these disciplines. Today Spain is a leading world sports power; the development of sports in the country was particularly stimulated by the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 2008, Spain won the European Football Championship, and in 2010, they won the FIFA World Cup. In 2012, Spain won the European Football Championship over Italy with a score of 4:0.
In general, in the 2000s, the Spanish national teams won the World and European Championships in almost all team sports: football, basketball, water polo, field hockey, roller hockey, handball, volleyball and the Davis Cup in tennis.

It is also worth noting that the Real Madrid football club is officially recognized as the best club in the world of the 20th century.

Armed forces

The new doctrine 1/2004 declares terrorism to be the main enemy of Spain (both external and internal). It is noted that from now on, Spanish troops will be able to take part in international peacekeeping actions directly approved by the UN or, as was the case in Kosovo, enjoying the obvious support of the world community. In addition, participation in hostilities will require permission from the Spanish Parliament.

In the new military doctrine, the role of the General Defense Staff JEMAD, headed by General Felix Sanz, has been increased. At the end of October 2004, he made a statement about the need to “balance” the unequal relations between Spain and the United States, formed after 1953, when Spain and the United States signed a military defense cooperation agreement, under which the United States received the right to use several large military bases in Spain.

In 2001, Spain abolished conscription and switched to a completely professional army.

There are no laws in Spain prohibiting openly gay and lesbian people from serving in armed forces. On March 4, 2009, Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacón (the first woman to hold this post) issued a decree repealing a previous law that prohibited transgender people from serving in the armed forces.

Spanish foreign policy

The preamble of the Spanish Constitution proclaims its readiness to “cooperate in strengthening peaceful relations and cooperation with all countries of the world.” Currently, Spain's foreign policy is mainly based on three directions: Europe (especially the EU), the Ibero-American direction, and the Mediterranean countries.

Today Spain has diplomatic relations with all UN countries. More recently, Spain has relations with Bhutan (since October 2010), South Sudan (after its independence from Sudan in July 2011) and the state of Karibati (since September 2011).

On April 12, 1994, the “Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain." Currently, bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Spain have an extensive legal framework: the basis for interaction in various areas is formed by more than 50 treaties, agreements, protocols and other documents.

Morocco

Morocco occupies one of the key places in Spanish foreign policy, for which the Moroccan Kingdom is the most important African partner, if only due to its territorial proximity. The main directions of Spanish policy in Morocco are: issues related to the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the unresolved problem with Western Sahara, problems of illegal migration, issues of stopping drug smuggling, etc.

Relations between Spain and the Maghreb countries began to develop most actively after the Socialist Party came to power in Spain in 1982.

Under the government of the People's Party, led by Prime Minister J. M. Aznar, who were in power from 1996 to 2004, relations could not be called good and were characterized rather by instability, in particular bright place occupies the conflict around the island of Perejil (Leila) in 2002.

The Socialists, who returned to power in April 2004 under the leadership of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, were determined to improve relations with their neighbors and especially with Morocco. After the meeting between Mohamed VI and Juan Carlos in 2005, relations between the two monarchs improved markedly. The conflict in Western Sahara, which arose quite a long time ago, has always had an adverse impact on relations between the two countries. After the failed quadripartite conference, Morocco authorized the Green March on Western Sahara in 1975 with the goal of "cleansing" Western Sahara from Spain. The result was an agreement between Spain, Mauritania and Morocco to transfer temporary control of the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.

An important component of relations between the two countries are close economic ties. In 1995, the Moroccan government decides to put everything on foreign investors, the most important of which are Spain and France.

Peacekeeping missions

The Spanish armed forces, consisting of 3,000 people, took part in 5 peacekeeping missions of the EU, NATO, and the UN. These missions are: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; KFOR in Kosovo; FINUL to Lebanon and the UN mission to Darfur (Chad).

Various questions

Transport in Spain

The length of roads is 328,000 km. Car park - more than 19 million cars. 90% of passenger and 79% of cargo transportation is carried out by road. Length railways- 14589 km. About 6.5% of all cargo is transported ground transport and 6% of passengers.

IN maritime transport About 300 vessels with a total displacement of 1.511 million tons are involved. Vessels flying Spanish flags transport over 30 million tons of foreign trade cargo annually. 24 sea ports control almost 93% of all transportation.

The leading place is occupied by air Transport. Of the 42 airports, 34 operate regular transportation. 56 million passengers pass through Madrid International Airport every year. The airport in Barcelona serves about 30 million passengers annually.

Education in Spain

Spain has a system of compulsory free secondary education from 6 to 16 years of age. About 70% study in public schools, 96.5% study in state universities.

The largest universities in the country: Autonomous University of Madrid, Complutense (in Madrid), Barcelona Central and Autonomous, Santiago de Compostea, Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Media in Spain

Spain has a well-developed media network. 137 newspapers and about 1000 magazines are published. The most read daily newspapers: Pais, Mundo, Vanguardia, ABC, Periodico, Marka. Magazines for women "Patrones", Labores del HOGAR, Moda.

The leading radio stations are SER, COPE, Radio Nacional de España (RNE). The international department of Spanish National Radio, known as Radio Exterior de España, broadcasts in Spanish and six foreign languages. The Russian service for Spanish foreign broadcasting has been operating (with a short break) since the times of Franco, but is less known than similar broadcasters in Russian from the USA, Germany, and France.

The largest TV channels: TVE (covers the entire country), private studios Telesinko and Antena 3, as well as the 24-hour news channel Canal 24 Horas, broadcasting all over the world. Autonomous communities have their own regional television, broadcasting also in national languages.

Siesta in Spain

Crime in Spain

IN last years The share of immigrants among Spanish offenders gradually increased. This is due to increased immigration to Spain (including illegal) from African countries, as well as from Latin America. Among the latter, two gangs from Dominican Republic: Dominicans Don’t Play (“Dominicans don’t joke”) and Trinitarios (“Trinitarians” - named after the underground organization “La Trinitaria”, which fought for the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1838).

Real estate market in Spain

The average cost per square meter in Spain for the 1st trimester of 2011 is 1777.6 euros (1793.8 euros - new construction; 1764.8 euros - second-hand). Highest prices (in €/m²): San Sebastian - 3762.3; San Cugat del Valles - 3282.6; Getcho - 3224.3; Barcelona - 3103.5; Pozuelo de Alarcon - 2964.0; Madrid - 2921.0.

The main real estate in Spain are villas, apartments and apartments. On this moment buying real estate in Spain has become more profitable, since on August 20, 2011, the Spanish government temporarily changed the tax - VAT on the purchase of new housing from 8% to 4%.

Telecommunications in Spain

In astronomy

The asteroid (804) Spain, discovered on March 20, 1915 by Spanish astronomer José Comas Sola at the Fabre Observatory in Barcelona, is named after Spain. It was the first asteroid discovered from Spain.

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.
An 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 a major 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 the objects world heritage 44 sites in Spain are recognized by UNESCO.
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.

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 includes several groups of islands, including the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea and 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). The highest point in Spain is 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: Atlantic Ocean in the north and west, as well as Mediterranean Sea in the south and east.

Climate: predominantly subtropical Mediterranean, in the interior - dry and quite hot, near the 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 Spaniards’ peculiarity of starting a conversation with a stranger on the street, “poking” even those who are 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, jumping the queue is not considered shameful by the Spaniards. And in Spain it is impossible to public transport to see an elderly person standing - 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 following behind, 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, the children's holiday of the Three Kings in January), provincial (fire festival in Valencia, the 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 with bulls they took place 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 settlements Spain often has not only dialectical features, but also its 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 the royal house is great here, and God forbid you start criticizing the ruling royal dynasty in a conversation. By the way, “forbidden” topics in conversation are death (due to the religiosity of the Spaniards), bullfighting (your amateurism can play a cruel joke on you), religion, football (locals have a whole system of likes/dislikes, which is something a visitor can figure out extremely difficult), money, wealth, wealth/poverty (it is not customary to talk about income levels, complain about poverty), age (you should not discuss the age of not only women, but also men), politics.

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, extended 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 the green and rocky north coast to the hot olive-drenched south, from the fertile lands of La Rioja on the headwaters of the 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 the 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 mantle of squid stuffed with the tentacles of small octopuses or cuttlefish and stewed in its own ink.

The Ebro River 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 madrilena), 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, as well as Santa Barbara Castle, knightly castles in the 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: the famous Serrano and Quart towers, 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 ham - 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. Air departure tax is included in the ticket price.

Helpful information: From 13.00 to 16.00 throughout Spain - siesta. The vast majority of banks, shops and government offices are 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.

Don't try to find a public toilet in Spanish cities, they practically don't 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 health care - 061.
Telephone number of 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

Spain is a country of bright summer sun, music, extravagant culture and unique cuisine. This country has produced many talented artists, musicians, actors and writers. Thousands of books, hundreds of films and popular songs are dedicated to Spain. Spain occupies one of the leading places in the world tourism sector.

But what attracts millions of guests to this country? In addition to architecture and centuries-old history, there are many other interesting things here ordinary tourists and those who find themselves in this country with completely different goals.

We invite you to get acquainted with the brightest and interesting facts about Spain, which not everyone knows, and which it is advisable to know before traveling to this unique country.

Spanish mentality

The national motto of Spain states that life is made for pleasure, not for suffering;
The Spaniards rarely think about the future; they give the impression of being frivolous and a little childish;
Expression "blue blood" was invented by the Spaniards. With this, the local medieval aristocrats emphasized their pale skin with visible veins, and the fact that they did not have Moors or Africans in their family, like the common Spaniards;
And the famous "hot Spanish blood"- no exaggeration. The slightest street quarrel here often develops into a major brawl with bloodshed. In addition, almost 60% of all murders in Spain are motivated by jealousy;
The Spaniards are distinguished by their strong friendliness and high emotionality- when talking, it is customary for them to grab the interlocutor’s hands, react violently to his phrases, and raise their voice;
The Spaniards are very sensitive to food, consider it one of the main pleasures in life;
Spaniards Very talkative, they can approach a stranger on the street and start a conversation;
In Spain they do not suffer from complexes and, as a rule, do not hide their emotions;
Gesticulation is an essential element of conversation; there are many gestures that play an important role in conversation;
When talking to older Spaniards, you should avoid any synonyms for the word "old man" (in Spanish - " anciano» ). Locals they believe that even with gray hair a Spaniard remains young;
Due to their loud, harsh intonations and excessive openness, the Spaniards may seem rude, however, this is not the case;
Local population doesn't consider it necessary saying “thank you” and “please” too often; this is not customary in restaurants and shops, as well as among close people;
The Spaniards are convinced that breakfast at home- the lot of the poor, so from 10:00 all the cafes in the cities are crowded with locals;
The Spaniards have very unique methods. raising children. It’s quite normal to leave a capricious child in the middle of the street and go about your business. According to official data, not a single child has ever been harmed in this way.
There are more women studying at universities in Spain than men;
Today, 500 thousand Roma live in Spain;
Approximately 40% of the population aged 17 to 24 are regular smokers;
More than 95% of Spaniards are Orthodox Christians Catholics. More than half of them regularly attend church and go to confession and communion weekly;
In Spain, it is customary to keep your maiden name after marriage.

The word “Spain” itself, translated from the ancient dialect, means “coast of rabbits”. According to legend, the ancient Romans were the first to see these animals when they landed on the Spanish shores;
Approximately 80% of the country's territory is occupied by mountains, and Spain itself is located at an altitude of 660 meters, making it the highest in Europe;
Spain is home to more birds than any other country in Europe;
In the 19th century, the government of Spain's capital, Madrid, destroyed the historical center of the city. Because of this, all city architecture dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries.
Madrid has several quite unusual museums: Museum of Romance, Museum of America, Museum of Ham;

Ham Museum

On the roads of Spain you can see billboards depicting the silhouette of a bull. Previously, they were intended to advertise whiskey, but then the company went bankrupt, and the government bought the billboards. So these shields turned into a national symbol;
Spanish is one of the most popular languages in the world. It is official in 21 countries, 100 million people learn Spanish as a second language, and 25% of people in the United States speak Spanish;
The capital of Spain, Madrid, is located in the very center of the country. And in the central square of the city there is the zero kilometer;
Founded in 1725, it is located in Spain oldest restaurant - Casa Botin;
The tradition is still preserved in Spain siesta- afternoon nap. But even taking this into account, a working day in Spain can starts at 11:00. In a number of provinces, it is simply impossible to find a store open in the morning;
The Spanish Inquisition, which operated from 1478 to 1834, was considered the most brutal in Europe. During its existence, 350 thousand people passed through it, 10% were executed. At that time these were simply huge sacrifices;
Since 2005, legalized in Spain same-sex marriage. Despite this, the majority of the population continues to have a negative attitude towards sexual minorities, and in remote provinces - with open hostility;
Football national sport in Spain. The football clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid are known throughout the world and have very prestigious awards. The Spanish national team was the first to defend its European football title, and it is also the only one to win three international football tournaments in a row;
No less popular bullfight and bull running, which are traditional sports in Spain;
But despite the cult significance of bullfighting, in recent years it has increasingly been criticized by local animal rights activists. The Spanish Greens, who have political weight, have achieved ban on bullfighting in Catalonia and Barcelona, as well as in the Canary Islands;

Spain is the third country in the world for wine production - only France and Italy are ahead of it.

Holiday traditions in Spain

Most Spanish bars and cafes, when ordering one drink, give free tapas- national snack. It does not have a strict recipe: it can be cold cuts, French fries or assorted vegetables;
In Spain you can get absolutely impunity sunbathing without clothes, but for moral reasons, all tourists are strongly recommended to retire to nudist beaches;
To experience the true spirit of Spain, many tourists settle in paradors- old mansions “converted” into hotels. They are located in residential areas of cities, but the price for renting one room can reach the cost of a room in a five-star hotel;
Checking into a hotel without a reservation in Spain not accepted. Foreigners can easily be left to spend the night on the street, therefore, if tours are available, it is better to call the hotel and notify them of a possible arrival at least 24 hours in advance;
Spaniards are very reluctant to speak English, so every tourist must have spanish phrasebook, or better yet, learn a few phrases.

Inventions of the Spaniards

In the 16th century it was invented here five string guitar- someone thought of adding another string to the lute. Since then, all five-string guitars have been called Spanish;
In 1956 it was patented in Spain mop;
It was the Spaniards who “invented” tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, cocoa and avocados for Europeans, which came here brought from America;
Invented in Spain in 1938 table soccer;
Invented in Spain in 1958 Chupa Chups, and the logo for it was drawn by the legendary Catalan - Salvador Dali.

Spain is, as you can see, very interesting country. If, after reading all these facts, you want to go there, then quickly leave a request for selection of a tour to travel agencies in your city, or call our consultants at toll free number 8-800-100-30-24.

Spain is rightfully considered one of the most visited countries in the world. Over fifty million travelers come to the sunny country every year. Excellent cuisine, pleasant climate, hospitality of local residents, chic architecture, unforgettable nature - all this makes Spain a favorite holiday destination for many tourists.

Geographical location of Spain

Spain is located on a significant part of the Iberian Peninsula, located in southwestern Europe. The area of the country is 505.955 square kilometers. The Balearic and Canary Islands are also considered part of Spain, but they have a smaller territory.

The Iberian Peninsula, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, is located in close proximity to Africa.

Population of Spain

Sunny Spain has over forty million inhabitants, but the population density per square kilometer varies by region. The interior regions of the country are less densely populated, with the only exceptions being big cities. The majority of Spaniards live in close proximity to the coast.

Political structure of Spain

Spain is a social democratic and rule of law state governed by a parliamentary monarchy. The King, the Government of Spain, as well as the legislative and judicial authorities are located in the capital of the state - Madrid.

The Kingdom of Spain includes seventeen Autonomous Communities and two cities: Ceuta and Melilla, which constitute Autonomous Communities.

Regions of Spain

The nature of Spain is beautiful and varied. Each region of the country has its own specific beauty. Every tourist who decides to travel to Spain will be able to choose the best option for himself.

Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country are ideal for lovers of mountains, beaches, countryside and sports. For those who like to bask in the sun by the water, Andalusia, Murcia, Catalonia and the Valencian Community are suitable.

The inland regions of Spain - Aragon, Leon, Extremadura - are famous for their historical, artistic and architectural values.

The Spanish islands have also gained immense popularity among tourists, because the beaches of the Balearic Islands, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, are famous for their beauty. The Canary Islands are located off the Atlantic coast of Africa and are famous for their year-round favorable climate.

Religion of Spain

The bulk of the country's population is Catholic, but the Spanish Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

Work and rest hours in Spain

Retail outlets in Spain are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 20:00, but between 13:30 and 16:30 the bustling life on the hot streets of the country seems to die out - this is called an afternoon rest or siesta. However, large stores continue to work for their customers without interruption.

Spain is also famous for its bars, pubs and discos, which are open to everyone from Thursday to Sunday. The fiery music in such establishments does not stop until the morning.

Entertainment in Spain

Entertainment venues in Spain are extremely popular. Local residents and guests of the country give their preference to cinemas, exhibitions and concert halls, offering a variety of cultural programs designed for both daytime and late evening.

The Spanish people are quite gambling, so various kinds of sports lotteries and drawings for valuable prizes also have their regular fans and regularly become the subject of discussion in the media.

Map of Spain

It might be useful to read:

	Portal "Spain"
	Spain in Wiktionary
	in Wikisource
	Spain on Wikimedia Commons