España
Otras ciudades
Barcelona - you can't mention Madrid without its arch rival Barcelona. Famous for its iconic architecture, Spain's second city is vibrant, bustling and fun - and unlike the capital, it has a Mediterranean beach where you can escape the heat of city life. The heart of Barcelona is the popular avenue La Rambla (an old river bed) that's filled with restaurants, shops and street entertainers. While walking down this route to the lively port, you'll also pass the medieval Gothic Quarter. This is a must see thanks to its centuries old buildings, narrow streets and grand, palm-tree filled plazas. However, no visit to this 2,000 year old city would be complete without seeing the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, which is not expected to be completed until 2041. Another popular attraction is the Port Cable Car that cuts across the city's skyline to the Montjuïc hill above the city. Toledo - Spain's former capital until the mid-15th century, Toledo is home to a large chunk of the country's monuments. It's known as the city of three cultures as Arabs, Christians and Jews lived together for centuries behind its impressive city walls. The old town is a treasure chest of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues, earning it the reputation of an open air museum and a UNESCO Heritage Site award in 1986. Almost an island city as it is surrounded by the River Tajo on three sides, Toledo is small enough to explore on foot, although one of the best ways to discover the city is to literally get lost by wandering aimlessly around the city's medieval streets. This is especially exciting at night as you feel like you've been transported back to the Middle Ages. Valencia - One of the largest and most important cities in Spain, Valencia is located in the eastern part of the country in the region of Valencia. After redirecting the Turia River, the city constructed its most impressive landmark, a massive cultural and entertainment complex known as the City of Arts and Science. Contained within this complex are several buildings such as a science museum, planetarium and aquarium that are each artistic marvels in and of themselves. Every March, Valencia hosts the Fallas Festival where each neighborhood displays papier-mâché figures of all sizes and colors. At the end of the week, the figures are ceremoniously burned, and the communities party into the night. Sevilla - Scorched by centuries of sunshine, the sultry southern city of Seville is known as the frying pan of Europe - with temperatures reaching up to 50c in the summer. But its cool city vibe, Moorish architecture and ancient streets make it the perfect city to explore over 48 hours. Seville, which is also the capital of Andalusia, is said to be the home of flamenco, so make sure you catch a show while in town. Places to enjoy a respite from the sun include the Cathedral, Plaza de Espana (pictured), the Alcázar palace (full of leafy patios and fountains) and the Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz, a well-preserved Jewish District. There is an upside to the excessive heat for the sun-worshippers among us, high season is low season, meaning you can save around 30 per cent in the summer compared to spring and autumn rates. Salamanca - Salamanca lies 200 km west of Madrid close to the border with Portugal and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. What's more, its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while its lavish Plaza Mayor (pictured) is said to be one of the country's most elegant city squares. Salamanca is also known as the Oxford of Spain, as the purest form of Spanish is spoken here. Meanwhile its university, founded in 1218, is thought to be the third oldest in Europe, attracting a large student population that keeps the city alive and buzzing with a youthful energy. Most of the architectural treasures in Salamanca are built from local sandstone and over the years have acquired a soft glow, giving rise to the title "the Golden City". For a breathtaking view, circle the cathedral walls until you find the Patio Chico, the only spot where you can see both of Salamanca's two great cathedrals, Vieja and Nueva next to each other. Córdoba - While it's not as touristy as its neighbours Seville and Granada, Cordoba is a must visit for any Hispanophile. Once one of the greatest cities of the medieval world, Cordoba was the capital of Al-Andalus, the Muslim occupied part of the Iberian Peninsula, and home to one of the grandest mosques in the western world. Today, the magnificent Mezquita (Mosque) of Cordoba is still one of the wonders of Europe - especially since a cathedral was built at its heart by the Christians during the re-conquest of Spain. The city is perfect for those who like to explore on foot as the narrow streets surrounding the Mezquita are filled with beautiful plazas, narrow side-streets and bustling tapas bars. Scorching-hot in the summer, May is the best month to visit as locals decorate their courtyards with potted plants and flowers during the Patios Festival - an annual competition that draws thousands of visitors. During the last week in May you can also catch the Feria de Cordoba, a week-long festival with plenty of sherry, horses and dancing. San Sebastian - San Sebastian is the capital of the Gipuzko province, located in the Basque country of North Spain off the coast of the Bay of Biscay. This beautiful seaside city is well-loved for its excellent beaches and outstanding culinary tradition. The Old Town features many historic buildings reconstructed in the 19th century after the city was nearly destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars. San Sebastian boasts also some of the best beaches in Europe with the most popular of these being Playa de la Concha, which offers sunbathing and water activities like swimming, kayaking and water skiing. Spain has some of the most beautiful islands in Europe. The largest Spanish Islands are equally divided between the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. East of the Spanish mainland, the four chief Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca) maintain a character distinct from the rest of Spain and from each other. Mallorca is the largest and best-known Balearic island while Ibiza is famous as a party destination. The Canary Islands, also known as the Canaries, are located just off the southern coast of Morocco in the Atlantic. They are popular for their beautiful beaches, mild climate and important natural attractions, especially the Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria and the Teide Volcano in Tenerife.
Primeros habitantes e historia
Brief Overview of the History of Spain Spain is located in Southwest Europe on the eastern Iberian Peninsula which it shares with Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula has been occupied by many empires over the centuries. The Phoenicians arrived in the 9th century BC, followed by the Greeks, Carthaginians, and the Romans. The Roman Empire would have a lasting impact on Spain's culture. Later, the Visigoths arrived and drove out the Romans. In 711 the Moors came across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa and conquered most of Spain. They would remain there for hundreds of years until the Europeans would retake Spain as part of the Reconquista. 718 - The Reconquista begins by the Christians to retake Spain. 1094 - El Cid conquers the city of Valencia from the Moors. Read more at: http://www.ducksters.com/geography/country/spain_history_timeline.php
Los productos
El jamón Serrano, El jamón Ibérico, El queso manchego, el aceite de oliva, las aceitunas, el vino, las cerámicas (Lladró), women's fans, crocheted lace, leather, shoes. Long a largely agricultural country, Spain produces large crops of wheat, barley, vegetables, tomatoes, olives, sugar beets, citrus fruit, grapes, and cork. Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil and Europe's largest producer of lemons, oranges, and strawberries. The following export product groups represent the highest dollar value in Spanish global shipments during 2015. Also shown is the percentage share each export category represents in terms of overall exports from Spain. 1. Vehicles: US$50.8 billion (17.9% of total exports) 2. Machines, engines, pumps: $22.6 billion (8%) 3. Oil: $18.5 billion (6.5%) 4. Electronic equipment: $16.1 billion (5.7%) 5. Pharmaceuticals: $11.6 billion (4.1%) 6. Plastics: $11.1 billion (3.9%) 7. Fruits, nuts: $9.3 billion (3.3%) 8. Iron or steel products: $7.3 billion (2.6%) 9. Iron and steel: $7.1 billion (2.5%) 10. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $7 billion (2.5%)
La religión
Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution, although the majority of the population is Catholic. Other religions also practised in Spain include Islam, Judaism, Protestantism, and Hinduism, all of which have places where to conduct their rituals.
La comida
Gazpacho: The reddest, ripest tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, bread, peppers and cucumber are blended until silky smooth, then chilled and poured into bowls or glasses. So delicious, so refreshing. In Andalucía in southern Spain, people have it every day in summer and there is always a jug on the counter in tapas bars. Also try salmorejo from Córdoba, a thicker version that is often served with pieces of Ibérico ham on the top. Paella In the Valencia region, they claim you can eat a different rice dish every day of the year, but let's stick with the most traditional version for now. Ingredients for paella Valenciana include chicken or rabbit, saffron, runner beans and butter beans. But the all-important element is the rice, ideally the bomba or calasaparra varieties grown on Spain's east coast, which are particularly good for absorbing all the flavours. Tortilla Española Spanish omelette: Eggs, potatoes, onions... that's it - and some purists even consider that adding onion is a gastronomic crime of the highest order. The Spanish omelette is so much more than the sum of its parts. The potatoes and onions are slow fried in olive oil then mixed with the beaten eggs for the flavours to mix before cooking. Add chorizo, ham, spinach, courgettes or whatever you have to hand to make a tasty meal out of next to nothing. Cochinillo asado Suckling pig: People might claim they are going to Segovia to see its astounding Roman aqueduct, fairytale castle or elegant cathedral, but really all that is just to build up an appetite for lunch. And in Segovia that means either roast suckling pig or lamb. The meat is cooked in huge wood-fired ovens and is so tender it is cut with the side of an earthenware plate. Jamón Ibérico: Walk into any bar, let alone restaurant, in any part of Spain and you'll always see a leg of ham. One of the bar staff will, on request, slice said ham into succulent slices to create one of the country's most distinctive taste sensations. A popular tapas selection, Spain produces 40 million hams a year. Jámon jámon indeed. Chorizo: You'll certainly know when you've been chorizoed. For the taste lingers for several hours after you eat this alternately spicy or sweet sausage. Especially as whoever's made it would have gone heavy on the garlic. Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid). In select bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into an entire, sophisticated cuisine. In Spain, patrons of tapas can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal. In some Central American countries, such snacks are known as bocas. In Mexico, similar dishes are called botanas.
Cantantes y actores famosos
In the field of classical music, Spain has produced a number of noted singers and performers such as Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Alicia de Larrocha, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Casals and others. The most famous pop singers from Spain are Enrique Iglesias who received his talent from his very popular father Julio Iglesias. Popular female vocalists: Amaia Montero Saldías (born August 26, 1976), also known as the former vocalist of the Spanish pop-band La Oreja de Van Gogh between 1996 and 2007, is a singer/songwriter from Basque Country, Spain and Mónica Naranjo (born May 23, 1974) is a Spanish singer born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain of Andalusian parents. She has sold over nine million albums worldwide. Famous actors/actrices include Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Paz Vega, and Benicio del Toro
Las zonas geográficas y la topografía
Occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula's land area (approximately 85%), Spain is the third largest country in Europe and 45% is covered by the Meseta Plateau. That plateau is rarely flat, and is in reality a mostly hilly highland area divided by the Cordillera Central (mountains), and then ringed by additional mountain ranges, north, east and south. In the west the Meseta slopes gently down into neighboring Portugal. Significant mountains in Spain include the limestone Cordillera Cantabrica and rugged Sistema Iberico (north); massive Pyrenees (northeast) where many peaks exceed 3,000 meters; the deeply eroded and rocky Sierra de Cuenca(east), and the lower Montes de Toledo and Serrania de Cuenca (south-central). In the far south the mountains of the Cordillera Betica and Sierra Nevada dominate the landscape. Mainland Spain's highest point (Mulhacen at 3,481 meters) stands in the Sierra Nevada.Significant lowlands include the fertile Andalusian Plain in the southwest, and the Ebro River Basin in the northeast. In addition, much of Spain is fronted by a low and narrow coastal plain, one that separates the mountains from the sea. Those deeply indented coastal areas include countless bays and coves, and most have sandy beaches. In the far northwest, along the Bay of Biscay, rugged cliffs front the coastline. In the far south, the Strait of Gibraltar separates Spain and Europe from Morocco (Africa), and here, the two continents are only 13 km (8 miles) apart. The country is drained by an estimated 1,500 rivers (mostly small). The longest and most significant riversinclude the Douro (Duero), Ebro, Jucar, Tagus (Tejo), Guadiana and Guadalquivir. Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Read more at: http://www.ducksters.com/geography/country/spain.php
El baile
One of the most iconic images of Spain is that of a Flamenco dancer in her traditional, frilly dress. Although Flamenco is without doubt the most famous of Spanish dance styles, it is most certainly not the only one. Other styles of Spanish dance include the Fandango, the Bolero, the Sevillanas, the Sardana and the Jota. Many of these dances originated as folk dances and were later choreographed, in order to standardise and preserve them.
El arte
Pablo Picasso - Painter/Sculptor Joan Miró - Painter/Sculptor Fernando Botero - Salvador Dalí - Surrealist Antonio Gaudí - Architect Francisco de Goya - Classic painter Diego Velázquez - Classic painter El Greco - Classic painter Museo Nacional del Prado (Popularly called El Prado) (Madrid) In 1816 King Fernando VII created the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture, which later became the Prado Museum. It was to contain the art collection of the kings. The name of the building that houses the collection is called the Villanueva Building. Recently a big annex has been constructed by the famous Spanish architect Rafael Moneo (winner of the Pritzker Prize of Architecture). The new annex will allow more art to be exhibited. The Prado is now the largest art museum in Spain. The Prado has a very large collection of Old Masters. These include the artists Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Durer, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Fra Angelico, David, Zurbaran, Raphael, Titian, Ribera, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. The kings also collected sculpture, so the Prado has one of the largest sculpture collections of Europe, including the sculpture collection of Queen Cristina of Sweden (her inheritor sold it to the Spanish crown). The Prado is known to have more than 8,600 paintings. The collection of art covers the period between the 12th century through the 19th century. The most important painting in the collection is "Las Meninas", by Velazquez. In 1992 the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Reina Sofia Museum. This museum contains contemporary art from the 20th century. The building was originally a hospital designed by the architect Francisco Sabatini. The famous French architect Jean Nouvel recently completed an expansion. The museum is most famous for displaying Pablo Picasso's "Guernica". The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao) The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was designed by the famous American architect Frank Gehry. It sits by the Nervion River. The building itself is like a giant sculpture made of titanium, limestone and glass curtain walls. It consists of many interconnecting shapes and is unique in the world. Museo de Bellas Artes (Valencia) The Museo de Bellas Artes was started as the Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of Santa Barbara in 1753. Later it became the Real Academia de Nobles Artes de San Carlos. In 1837 the government confiscated all the artwork in convents and monasteries, and these were grouped together to form the present museum's collection. The building used was the Convento del Carmen. Between 1990 and 1997 a big and modern annex was added to the museum.
La economía
Spain has the fourteenth-largest economy by nominal GDP in the world, and it is also among the largest in the world by purchasing power parity. Fallout from the global financial and eurozone crises has hurt the Spanish economy, but a number of structural adjustments have enhanced prospects for recovery. Comprehensive reforms have been made in corporate taxation, reducing the top rate to 28 percent from 30 percent. The rate will be further reduced to 25 percent from January 2016. A new labor law intended to enhance flexibility in areas such as compensation and working hours has been implemented. Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party won the November 2011 election and introduced the largest budget deficit-reduction plan in Spain's history along with crucial structural and labor reforms. In 2012, the European Union bailed out Spain's banking sector with a €41 billion loan. However, Rajoy's government has dismissed recent warnings that more government austerity measures are needed and has demurred at pension reform. The Spanish economy is growing at a steady rate. Spain's very high unemployment rate has declined only slightly, and youth unemployment hovers at around 55 percent.
La capital
Spain's capital and largest city, Madrid, is widely known for its sizzling nightlife scene. The city constitutes a diversity of ethnic groups, making it one of Europe's most colorful cosmopolitan cities. Located within the city center are most of Madrid's most popular tourist attractions such as the Royal Palace, the residence of Spain's monarch. The heart of Madrid (and Spain) is Puerta del Sol, a large plaza serving as the scene of festivals, important gatherings and street performers as well as a hub for the public transportation network. Another important square is Plaza Mayor, known for the lively San Miguel Market.
El turismo
Spain, a country on Europe's Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain although it is only used for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace was built between 1738 to 1755 and King Carlos III took up residence in the palace in 1764. Pamplona is a city in Navarra, famous for its San Fermín festival held each year from July 6th - 14th. At the heart of the festival is El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, an activity that involves running in front of a dozen bulls that have been let loose, on a course of the town's streets. Protected from strong winds by steep cliffs and islands, La Concha in San Sebastian is said by many to be one of the best city beaches in Europe, let alone Spain. Here you can go surfing, walk along the promenade in search of good restaurants and enjoy the beautiful views of the beach. The Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the best-preserved monuments left by the Romans in Spain. The ancient aqueduct carries water 16 km (10 miles) from the Frío River to Segovia and was built of some 24,000 massive granite blocks without the use of mortar. Probably constructed around 50 AD it still provided water to the city in the 20th century. Segovia also has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Spain. The island is one of the most popular party destinations in all of Europe. During summer, the island's population doubles as tourists flock to Ibiza to enjoy the night clubs, beach bars and restaurants. The Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, and one of Spain's most visited tourist attractions. It's a design by Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect who worked on this project for almost 40 years until his death in 1926. The construction of the basilica began in 1882 and still as yet not finished. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, El Escorial was the political center of the Spanish empire under King Philip II. Philip appointed Juan Bautista de Toledo as the architect in 1559 and together they designed El Escorial as a monument to Spain's role as a center of the Christian world. Today it functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school. The Mezquita (Spanish for "Mosque") of Cordoba is a fascinating building famous for the forest of pillars and arches inside the main hall. The site was originally a Roman temple, then a Visigothic church, before the Umayyad Moors built the Mezquita. After the Spanish Reconquista a cathedral was built into the center of the large Moorish building. Part fortress, part palace and part garden the Alhambra is situated on a plateau overlooking the city of Granada in southern Spain. The palace was constructed in the 14th century by the Nasrid sultans. The Alhambra is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions and many visitors come to Granada just to see the Alhambra.
La historia
Spanish Galleon: In the 1500s, during the Age of Exploration, Spain became the most powerful country in Europe and likely the world. This was due to their colonies in the Americas and the gold and great wealth they acquired from them. Spanish conquistadors such as Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro conquered much of the Americas and claimed them for Spain. However, in 1588 in a battle of the world's great navies, the British defeated the Spanish Armada. This started the decline of the Spanish Empire. In the 1800s many of Spain's colonies started revolutions to separate from Spain. Spain was fighting too many wars and losing most of them. When Spain lost the Spanish-American war against the United States in 1898, they lost many of their primary colonies. In 1936, Spain had a civil war. The nationalist forces won and General Francisco Franco became leader and ruled until 1975. Spain managed to remain neutral during World War II, but somewhat sided with Germany, making things difficult after the war. Since the death of the dictator Franco, Spain has moved toward reforms and improving its economy. Spain became a member of the European Union in 1986.
Los deportes
Sport in Spain in the second half of the 20th century has always been dominated by fútbol (soccer). Other popular sport activities include basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling, Formula One, water sports, rhythmic gymnastics, golf, bullfighting and skiing. Spain's passion for soccer (football, or fútbol) is known worldwide, as are the country's top teams such as Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona, not to mention the national team which in 2010 won nothing less than the sport's most celebrated competition, the FIFA World Cup. But Spanish sporting glory also shines in arenas far beyond the soccer pitch. Several players on Spain's national basketball team such as Pau Gasol and José Calderón are also NBA superstars. The team itself won the 2006 World Basketball Championships and secured silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 olympics. Rafa Nadal is a living tennis legend and Fernando Alonso is a race car champion.
La política y personas importantes
The politics of Spain takes place under the framework established by the Constitution of 1978. Spain is established as a social and democratic state, wherein the national sovereignty is vested in the people, from which the powers of the state emanate. The form of government in Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, that is, a social representative, democratic, constitutional monarchy in which the monarch is the head of state, while the prime minister — whose official title is "president of the Government" — is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government, which is integrated by the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers, and other ministers, which collectively form the Cabinet, or Council of Ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Cortes Generales (General Courts), a bicameral parliament constituted by the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature, administering justice on behalf of the King by judges and magistrates. The Supreme Court of Spain is the highest court in the nation, with jurisdiction in all Spanish territories, superior to all in all affairs, except in constitutional matters, which are the jurisdiction of a separate court, the Constitutional Court. Spain's political system is a multi-party system, but since the 1990s, two parties have been predominant in politics, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the People's Party (PP). Regional parties, mainly the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ-PNV) from the Basque Country, and Convergence and Union (CiU) and the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) from Catalonia, have also played key roles in Spanish politics. Members of the Congress of Deputies are selected through proportional representation, and the government is formed by the party or coalition that has the confidence of the Congress, usually the party with the largest number of seats. Since the Spanish transition to democracy, there have not been coalition governments; when a party has failed to obtain absolute majority, minority governments have been formed.
Días de fiesta
What is Semana Santa? Semana Santa is the Spanish name for Easter. Members of local parishes carry ornate decorated floats depicting the Passion of Christ into the city cathedral. What is San Fermin and the Pamplona Bull Run? The Pamplona Bull Run is a week-long bull running and bullfighting festival. Every morning at 8am, the city's brave and the world's foolhardy run ahead of a group of angry bulls. The rest of us look on in amazement. What is the Tomatina Tomato Fight? The Tomatina Tomato Fight is probably the world's biggest food fight. Thousands of people gather in the streets of the tiny town of Buñol to fling tomatoes at each other. The origins of the festival are unknown and, to most people who like throwing food at each other, largely unimportant. What is Las Fallas? Las Fallas, one of the best festivals in Spain. Imagine a bonfire from Guy Fawkes Night or a Homecoming and multiply it by a factor of one hundred: that is Las Fallas. Each neighborhood traditionally gets together to build giant puppets which are then later set fire to. There is usually a satirical nature to these puppets, though not always.The burning of these puppets is of course accompanied with plenty of street parties throughout the city. Not all the puppets get burned. There is a public vote to decide on the very best puppets for this year. These are taken to the Museo Fallero, Valencia's Fallas museum. What is the Feria de Sevilla? After all the piety of Easter (even if this piety is done in Seville's usual extravagant style), the Feria de Sevilla is that holiday everyone needs to get over the previous one! The Feria de Sevilla is a microcosm of everything Andalusia is famous for: flamenco, bullfighting, horses and sherry. Local well-to-do families spend a lot of money on renting marquees (casetas in Spanish) for their friends and families to enjoy their party. The marquees vary greatly; some are open to the public,many are not. Political groups (especially left-wing parties) sell and give away propaganda, while other marquees are famous for other more alcohol-based reasons! The Carnival in Spain varies in nature across the country but in Tenerife and (to a lesser extent in Cadiz) is second only to Rio de Janeiro in terms of extravagance. What is Cristianos y Moros? The Cristianos y Moros celebration (Moors & Christians in English) is a slightly tongue-in-cheek commemoration of the Moorish control of Spain and a celebration of the sebsequent return to Christian rule. Participants condense 700 years of Moorish rule into an evening's worth of mock battles, centered around a papier-mache castle, erected either in the main square or on the beach. In the first battle, the Moors take control of the city (boo! hiss!); in the second, the Christians take the city back (hurrah!).
