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Interesting Facts About Spain

  • The Spanish word for Spain is España, which comes from the ancient word Span, meaning hidden land.
  • Spain shares borders with France, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar (a British territory). The Strait of Gibraltar is just eight miles wide, almost linking the continents of Europe and Africa.
  • Spain occupies 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsula located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Portugal covers the remaining 15 percent.
  • The Pyrenees Mountains separate Spain from the rest of Europe. In fact, Spain is Europe’s third most mountainous country, after Switzerland and Austria.
  • During the Middle Ages, much of Spain was ruled by the Moors from North Africa, which explains the Moorish architectural influence that remains today.
  • Spain’s four major cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville.
  • There are four official languages in Spain – Castilian, Catalan, Basque and Galician. Almost everyone can speak Castilian Spanish.
  • Spain has a greater range of landscapes than any other European country, including snow-capped mountains, lush forests, rich farmland, vibrant orchards, and quiet sandy beaches. In central Spain, the Meseta Central, a rocky, treeless plateau, covers more than half of the country.
  • Spain is the world’s largest producer of olives. Grapes, almonds and oranges are other important Spanish crops.
  • Spain did not participate in either World War.
  • Fútbol (soccer) is the most popular spectator sport in Spain.
  • Spaniards typically don’t drink Sangria. Most of the people who order it in bars are tourists.
  • Contrary to popular belief, Spanish food is not hot and spicy.
  • In Spain, people eat lunch at 2 p.m. and dinner around 9 p.m.
  • The Spanish people are extremely social. They enjoy meeting friends for tapas or going out for an evening stroll.
  • The architecture of Spain is a mix of influences from other countries – Moorish from North Africa, Romanesque and Gothic from France and Renaissance from Italy.
  • Three of the world’s most famous artists – Velázquez, Goya and Picasso – were born in Spain. El Greco was born in Crete, but lived and worked in Spain.
  • Don Quixote, considered the first modern novel, is Spain’s best-know literary work.
  • The official currency of Spain is the euro.
  • Spain is famous for its many celebrations or fiestas, which can last for a week or more. On any given day, there’s a fiesta happening someplace in Spain.

Sources:
Eyewitness Travel: Spain
Interesting Facts About Spain
Top 10 Myths & Misconceptions About Spain