Most famously known for its endless beaches and sun all year and the sultry flamenco and bullfighting bloody, Spain has oodles more to offer than that. For thousands of years, Spain has been one of the main cultural centers of Europe. What differentiates Spain from other European countries is clearly its characteristic Arab is a result of nearly eight centuries of Arab influence.
Spain's diversity is overwhelming. Its various regions are clearly different from each other, their geography and climate of their cuisine and culture. Every town and village is an eclectic mix of ancient monuments and futuristic architecture permanent reminder of centuries of Spain's ancient history and its changing times. The cities are littered with Roman aqueducts and Islamic palaces, medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals.
Geography
Located in the Iberian peninsula in southern Europe, the countries adjacent to Spain were France, Andorra, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco. The waters around Spain include the North Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Biscay and south-west France Pyrenees Mountains. Spain has a total area of 504.782 kilometers with a coastline of 4.964 km. It comprises 19 autonomous communities including the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca) in the Mediterranean Sea and Melilla and Ceuta in northern Africa. Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas are three small Spanish possessions located off the coast of Morocco.
Five mountain ranges across the country adding to the huge varied landscape, green and fertile and arid areas, desert-like in others. With all the coastlines are endless, ranging from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar along the Mediterranean Sea to the east and along the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Climate
Spain's climate is mostly temperate with hot summers and colder winters in the interiors and sunny with moderate temperatures along the coast.
Language
Although Spanish is the official language of the country, there are several other languages that co-exist with Spanish and are spoken in parts of Spain. These include Catalan in Catalonia, Valencia in the Valencian region, Galician in Galicia and a distinct variety of the Catalan language is spoken on the Balearic Islands.
Culture
Festivals and bullfights are indispensable elements of Spain. The seasons in Spain are defined not only by changes in temperature, but also by the different parties, there is a feast for all seasons. Each party is distinct from each other in the way it is celebrated, why it is celebrated when it is celebrated, and in which region it is celebrated holidays are an integral part of Spain you would have to pass a year in Spain to experience the true culture of Spain. While the Feria de Abril in Sevilla includes a week of dancing and singing while tapas and sherry, Semana Santa is a dark week of prayer and penance.
Flamenco is Spain itself. This musical tradition is inseparable from Spain and are therefore teg bullfights, which are an integral part of almost all parties and are a sight to behold. Not to be missed is the "Running of the Bulls" during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.
Spain's diversity is overwhelming. Its various regions are clearly different from each other, their geography and climate of their cuisine and culture. Every town and village is an eclectic mix of ancient monuments and futuristic architecture permanent reminder of centuries of Spain's ancient history and its changing times. The cities are littered with Roman aqueducts and Islamic palaces, medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals.
Geography
Located in the Iberian peninsula in southern Europe, the countries adjacent to Spain were France, Andorra, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco. The waters around Spain include the North Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Biscay and south-west France Pyrenees Mountains. Spain has a total area of 504.782 kilometers with a coastline of 4.964 km. It comprises 19 autonomous communities including the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca) in the Mediterranean Sea and Melilla and Ceuta in northern Africa. Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas are three small Spanish possessions located off the coast of Morocco.
Five mountain ranges across the country adding to the huge varied landscape, green and fertile and arid areas, desert-like in others. With all the coastlines are endless, ranging from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar along the Mediterranean Sea to the east and along the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Climate
Spain's climate is mostly temperate with hot summers and colder winters in the interiors and sunny with moderate temperatures along the coast.
Language
Although Spanish is the official language of the country, there are several other languages that co-exist with Spanish and are spoken in parts of Spain. These include Catalan in Catalonia, Valencia in the Valencian region, Galician in Galicia and a distinct variety of the Catalan language is spoken on the Balearic Islands.
Culture
Festivals and bullfights are indispensable elements of Spain. The seasons in Spain are defined not only by changes in temperature, but also by the different parties, there is a feast for all seasons. Each party is distinct from each other in the way it is celebrated, why it is celebrated when it is celebrated, and in which region it is celebrated holidays are an integral part of Spain you would have to pass a year in Spain to experience the true culture of Spain. While the Feria de Abril in Sevilla includes a week of dancing and singing while tapas and sherry, Semana Santa is a dark week of prayer and penance.
Flamenco is Spain itself. This musical tradition is inseparable from Spain and are therefore teg bullfights, which are an integral part of almost all parties and are a sight to behold. Not to be missed is the "Running of the Bulls" during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.