With a population of about 45 million and a pretty large land mass, the
Kingdom of Spain is one of the larger and most popular European countries to
visit. Some of the top spots to check out include Madrid, which is the capital
and largest city, along with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Girona, Burgos,
Toledo, Alicante, Zarazoga, Malaga, and Bilbao.
The nation is located in southwestern Europe and shares the Iberian Peninsula
with its neighbour to the west, Portugal. On the south and east you’ll find the
Mediterranean Sea and to the north there’s Andorra, and France. The Atlantic
Ocean adds more sand and beaches to the northwest. Spain includes the Balearic
Islands and the Canary Islands, which are also popular tourist areas.
Because of its location in Europe and its proximity to Africa, Spain has been
influenced by several other cultures and in turn, it has influenced many other
areas of the world itself.
The country is very picturesque with sandy beaches, mountain
ranges, including the Sierra Nevada, as well as numerous rivers
such as the Ebro, Tagus, and Duero. The climate is as diverse as
the landscapes and varies depending on the region you’re in.
Overall it’s generally quite warm in the summers and the winters
can be considered relatively mild. You’ll find things a bit
warmer though down on the Canary Islands.
Its history is quite colourful and Spain was known as the
strongest empire in the world during the 16th century and the
first half of the 17th. Signs of civilization date back over a
million years and several prehistoric artefacts have been found
in the north.
There are several international airports with the two busiest
being in Madrid and Barcelona. The country has an excellent road
system and the major centres are connected by high-speed trains
and bus. Madrid and Barcelona also have clean and punctual
subway systems. When travelling around, you’ll notice just about
everyone speaks Spanish or Castilian, but there are also a few
regional languages throughout the land. Many people speak
English in the major cities and tourist areas, but knowing a
little Spanish will certainly help you.
Spain is one of the world leaders when it comes to culture
and the arts because of its assortment of influences. It’s home
to the second most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world
after Italy with 40 of them. The country is famous for its
literature, art, cinema, music, architecture, and cuisine and
there are dozens of museums, parks, castles, monuments churches,
cathedrals and other historic sites to visit and soak in the
culture.
The most popular styles of music are flamenco, folk, pop,
rock, and hip hop. Classical and opera are quite popular as
Spain has produced several famous composers and singers, such as
José Carreras, and Plácido Domingo. The country is home to over
40 professional orchestras, and some of the best opera houses in
the world, including the Teatro Real and Teatro Arriaga. Younger
music fans attend international festivals throughout the country
during the summers.
You’re going to get hungry walking around visiting all of the
famous sites and the food also comes in a wide assortment. The
rice dish Paella is popular as are seafood, gazpacho, thick
soups, stews, Spanish ham, cheese, and other meats. Some of the
most popular snacks are known as tapas, which are small
appetizers generally made of seafood, potatoes, meats, and
cheeses, etc. Baked foods and desserts are plentiful and the
country’s wine is world famous. You’ll basically find the menus
will vary from region to region.
There are quite a few sports played in Spain, but soccer is
king, followed by basketball, tennis, water sports, handball,
cycling, and motor sports, especially Formula One. The national
soccer team won the European Championship in 2008 and Barcelona
hosted the 1992 Olympics.
You won’t have the time to get bored of Spain as it’s full of
historical sites, exquisite landscapes, cultural delights,
adventurous food and friendly citizens.
