With its old-world cities and Mediterranean seashores, the nation of Spain boasts a wealthy cultural historical past. Originally settled by historical Phoenicians, Spain is now house to a inhabitants of greater than 47 million residents. If you embody the Canary Islands and its territories alongside the North African shoreline it’s a huge nation at nearly 506,000 sq. kilometers. To acquaint you with this nation, as soon as the house to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, we’ve gathered a various vary of attention-grabbing information about Spain that will help you get to know its unbelievable heritage.
Fun Facts About Spain
Did you already know that Spain is the fourth largest nation in Europe and one of the crucial extensively visited locations on the planet? Spain has unbelievable meals and wine, historic cities, and improbable seashores. It’s no shock that now we have visited the nation 5 instances!
From the world’s largest tomato combat to the birthplace of Flamenco, this listing covers all of it. Keep studying for 20 enjoyable information about Spain that can make you need to hop on an airplane and go to all or any of those cities in Spain instantly.
1. Rich in UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Spain is house to a wide ranging 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that appeal to guests from everywhere in the globe. We have been fortunate sufficient to go to a number of the most well-known ones. Those embody The Alhambra, situated in Granada, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain. It is an enormous fortress complicated that was constructed within the thirteenth century by the Moorish rulers of Andalusia and presents a number of the coolest views of the encompassing metropolis.
You additionally might need to add a few of its most well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites together with the Historic City of Toledo which is situated on a hill overlooking the Tagus River. It was an vital metropolis through the Middle Ages and is thought for its slim streets, medieval structure, and beautiful views. Others to discover are Garajonay National Park, The Roman Walls of Lugo, The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, the Camino de Santiago, and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona simply to call a number of.
2. Spain Hosts the World’s Biggest Food Fight
La Tomatina is a competition that takes place yearly within the city of Buñol, Spain, on the final Wednesday of August. And let me inform you it’s enjoyable! What is it you ask? It is a tomato-throwing competition the place folks throw ripe tomatoes at one another for round an hour. This competition attracts 1000’s of individuals from everywhere in the world yearly, and the streets of Buñol are remodeled right into a sea of tomato juice and pulp through the occasion.
The origins of La Tomatina are unclear, however it’s believed to have began within the mid-Twentieth century as a spontaneous meals combat amongst pals. The competition was banned through the Nineteen Fifties, but it surely has since grow to be a preferred occasion that’s formally sanctioned by the city council of Buñol.
3. Spanish is the second-most spoken native language
Another attention-grabbing truth about Spain is that the Spanish language is the second-most extensively spoken native language on the planet. (In case you have been questioning Mandarin is primary)
Spanish developed from Vulgar Latin, which was spoken by the Roman Empire’s troopers and settlers who colonized the Iberian Peninsula in 218 B.C. Over time, Spanish developed into distinct regional dialects, reminiscent of Castilian, Andalusian, Catalan in Catalonia, Basque within the Basque Country, and Galician.
Standard Spanish, also called Castilian, is the official language of Spain and is extensively used all through Latin America. Spanish can also be an official language in Equatorial Guinea and the Philippines. The Spanish language has a wealthy literary custom, with well-known writers reminiscent of Miguel de Cervantes, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Spanish has additionally influenced different languages.
4. First Modern Novel; Don Quixote
Did you already know that the primary fashionable novel ever written is the novel Don Quixote by the Spanish creator Miguel de Cervantes? First revealed in 1605, Don Quixote marks an vital milestone in Western literature and would affect different nice writers around the globe together with Alexandre Dumas and Mark Twain.
The novel is about in varied places all through Spain, together with the La Mancha area the place Don Quixote is from. It options many parts of Spanish tradition, reminiscent of flamenco music, bullfighting, and conventional Spanish meals and drink.
Don Quixote has had a big impression on Spanish tradition and has grow to be an vital image of the nation’s literary heritage.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is an historical ingredient and one of many world’s healthiest oils with its wealthy composition of omega-3 fatty acids. Although you could be tempted to imagine that many of the world’s olive oil hails from Greece or Italy, the overwhelming majority truly comes from the sundrenched Andalusian fields of Spain. One of essentially the most attention-grabbing information about Spain is that greater than 40% of the world’s olive oil comes from Spain.
Spanish olive oil is thought for its prime quality and is utilized in many conventional Spanish meals, reminiscent of gazpacho, paella (the Spanish nationwide dish), and tortilla española. In addition to its culinary makes use of, olive oil can also be utilized in cosmetics, soaps, and different merchandise.
Spanish olive oil manufacturing is topic to strict rules to make sure its high quality and authenticity. The Denomination of Origin (DO) system is used to manage the manufacturing and labeling of olive oil in Spain. This system ensures that olive oil labeled with a selected DO comes from a selected geographical area and meets sure high quality requirements.
6. Birthplace of Flamenco
Spain has a wealthy creative heritage. One of its most celebrated artwork types is Flamenco dance which dates to the late 1700s. The flamenco custom developed among the many poor and marginalized communities of Andalusia, notably within the cities of Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cádiz. Flamenco was initially carried out in intimate settings, reminiscent of in household gatherings and in cafes and taverns, the place it was accompanied by guitar, singing, and rhythmic clapping.
Today, flamenco is acknowledged as an vital a part of Spanish tradition and is carried out and studied all through the world. In 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco to be a part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, recognizing its significance as an artwork type and its function within the cultural id of Andalusia and Spain as an entire.
7. Spain is Home to the World’s Oldest Restaurant
The world’s oldest restaurant nonetheless in operation is Sobrino de Botín, situated in Madrid, Spain. It was based in 1725 and was awarded the oldest restaurant moniker by the Guinness World Records. The restaurant is thought for its conventional Spanish delicacies, together with roast suckling pig and lamb, in addition to seafood dishes.
Botín has a protracted and storied historical past, having been visited by many well-known figures all through the years, together with Ernest Hemingway, who talked about the restaurant in his novel “The Sun Also Rises”. According to legend, artist Francisco de Goya labored at Botín as a waiter when he was a struggling artist.
The restaurant is housed in a historic constructing within the coronary heart of Madrid’s Old Town and has retained a lot of its authentic options, together with a Seventeenth-century oven that’s nonetheless used to prepare dinner the well-known roast meats and its cellar that dates again to 1590.
8. Spain has the best variety of bars within the European Union
It’s onerous to go thirsty in a rustic like Spain, which has the best variety of bars of any European nation. It is a truth, not less than from our expertise, Spanish folks like to drink. From its golf equipment to its tapas bars, Spain options seemingly no finish of watering holes that play a central function in its vibrant social scene. When visiting a lot of Spain’s giant cities, vacationers will have the ability to discover bars open each day and night time.
It is estimated that there are round 270,000 bars in Spain, which works out to roughly one bar for each 175 folks.
9. The Spanish National Anthem has no Words
One of essentially the most attention-grabbing information about Spain we discovered was that their nationwide anthem, referred to as Marcha Real, has no phrases. It is actually a marching tune. The music has been in use because the 18th century and was declared the official nationwide anthem of Spain in 1931, though it was not formally acknowledged till 1997.
So in case you are heading to a sporting occasion and count on to see Spanish folks singing alongside, you may be disenchanted. Spain is just one of 4 international locations on the planet that would not have lyrics of their nationwide anthems.
Most nationwide anthems have lyrics and whereas there have been some calls so as to add lyrics to the nationwide anthem over time, the dearth of lyrics has additionally been seen as an emblem of the nation’s unity, because it represents all of Spain with out favoring any specific area or language.
10. The Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War passed off in Spain from 1936 to 1939. It was fought between the Spanish Republic, which was supported by left-leaning teams, and the Nationalists, a coalition of conservative and fascist teams led by General Francisco Franco. The battle started with a army rebellion towards the federal government in July 1936 and shortly escalated right into a full-scale struggle.
The struggle ended with a Nationalist victory in 1939, and Franco remained in energy as the top of the Spanish state till his dying in 1975. The struggle had a profound impression on Spain and the world, and it’s remembered as a key occasion within the historical past of the Twentieth century. It resulted in important political and social modifications in Spain and served as a precursor to World War II.
11. Spain Has a Royal Family
One of the information about Spain that’s attention-grabbing is that they’re truly a Monarchy. The Spanish Royal Family is the present reigning monarchy of Spain. The present monarch is King Felipe VI, who ascended to the throne in June 2014, following the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I. The Spanish Royal Family has a protracted and sophisticated historical past, relationship again to the medieval interval, and has performed a big function in shaping the historical past and tradition of Spain.
Today it stays a extensively revered and beloved establishment in Spain, with a protracted and storied historical past that’s intently intertwined with the nation’s cultural and political id.
12. Spain has a whole lot of Islands
Yes, Spain has a whole lot of islands. In truth, Spain is without doubt one of the international locations in Europe with the best variety of islands. There are greater than 60 inhabited islands in Spain, and the entire variety of islands, together with these which might be uninhabited, is estimated to be over 1,000.
The most well-known Spanish islands are the Balearic Islands, situated within the Mediterranean Sea, which embody Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. Spain additionally has the Canary Islands, situated off the northwest coast of the African continent, which embody Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, amongst others.
There are additionally different islands that belong to Spain, such because the Chafarinas Islands, Alboran Island, the Columbretes Islands, and the Ebro Delta Islands, amongst others. Each of those islands has its personal distinctive magnificence and attraction, making them common vacationer locations.
13. Clothing is Optional
During the summer time season, the temperature heats up. When visiting Spain’s seashores, you’re apt to seek out that many individuals dispense with any clothes in any respect. Going in your birthday swimsuit is completely welcome in Spain and there are not any legal guidelines towards baring pores and skin.
In Spain, it’s common to see topless sunbathers on seashores and public swimming pools, particularly on the coasts and in vacationer areas. Clothing-optional seashores are additionally widespread, and there are numerous nudist resorts and golf equipment all through the nation. However, you will need to word that going nude in public will not be authorized in every single place in Spain, and there are particular locations, reminiscent of metropolis facilities and public streets, the place it’s not permitted.
Despite the comparatively relaxed perspective in the direction of it in Spain, it’s nonetheless vital to be respectful of native customs and legal guidelines. It ought to all the time be practiced in designated areas or at non-public places, and vacationers ought to pay attention to native rules and attitudes in the direction of it within the areas they’re visiting.
14. Birthplace of Picasso
Spain has lengthy been a middle for excellent artwork in Europe and has produced many well-known masters. However, its most celebrated artist could be Pablo Picasso who was born within the metropolis of Malaga, Andalusia in 1881. He is famend for revolutionizing the artwork world and his work continues to be collected and displayed on the planet’s most prestigious museums. In 2015, considered one of Picasso’s works set a brand new public sale report when it was offered for $179.4 million.
15. They don’t have the Tooth Fairy however The Tooth Mouse
In many international locations, the tooth fairy collects the misplaced enamel of youngsters, changing them with cash as a reward. In Spain, nevertheless, this enchanted process is left to a mouse named Ratoncito Perez. The mouse has been onerous at work accumulating the discarded enamel of Spanish kids since he grew to become popularized within the late nineteenth century.
According to the legend, the Tooth Mouse collects the enamel and takes them again to his mouse gap, the place he makes use of them to construct his mouse fort. In alternate, he leaves a small reward or coin for the kid to seek out below their pillow after they get up within the morning.
The Tooth Mouse custom is believed to have originated in Spain within the late nineteenth century and has since grow to be a beloved a part of Spanish tradition. Children typically make particular Tooth Mouse bins or depart notes for the Tooth Mouse, and fogeys typically even stage elaborate Tooth Mouse visits with costumes and props to make the expertise much more magical for his or her kids.
16. Running With the Bulls
With its controversial status for bullfighting and the extremely publicized operating of the bulls occasions, Spain reveres the bull and lists it as its nationwide animal. Which is odd since they appear to get pleasure from tormenting the poor issues within the ring.
Bull operating and combating, in truth, is a Spanish custom that dates again to the 14th century. Each yr, the Pamplona operating of the bulls occasions options as many as 20,000 contributors. In spite of the accidents and occasional deaths that outcome from this occasion, it continues to be held every year.
17. Most People are Roman Catholic
Spaniards follow Roman Catholicism greater than some other faith. However, this wasn’t all the time the case. For greater than 5 centuries till 1492, most of Spain was managed by North African Muslims often called Moors. The Moors left behind many influences that may be seen within the nation’s structure, artwork, and language.
18. Big Lottery
And right here’s a enjoyable truth about Spain that has to do with the Roman Catholic vacation of Christmas. The Spanish Christmas lottery is held yearly on December 22 and is the largest lottery on the planet by complete prize cash. In 2022 the payout was 2.5 billion {dollars}.
The high prize, also called “El Gordo” (the fats one), is normally value a number of million euros, however there are additionally quite a few different smaller prizes accessible. In complete, the Spanish Christmas Lottery has greater than 13,000 successful mixtures, which implies that a big share of those that purchase tickets find yourself successful some kind of prize.
19. The Tower of Hercules
Spain has no scarcity of historic landmarks, however its Tower of Hercules is particularly famend because the world’s oldest recognized lighthouse. Dating to the second century AD, the lighthouse in Coruna, a metropolis in Galicia. The Tower of Hercules can also be the nation’s second tallest lighthouse at 187 ft.
20. Getting Hitched
Spaniards are likely to take marriage fairly significantly, so significantly, in truth, that many hesitate to take vows of matrimony. Spain has the bottom price of marriage amongst EU nations (apart from Sweden). Unfortunately, {couples} aren’t all the time inclined to remain collectively after their nuptials. Spain’s divorce price is up round 57%, which is greater than the speed within the U.S., which has decreased to 44%.
21. Spanish People Live Longer
Spain has one of many world’s highest life expectancy charges. Its present life expectancy is 82 years. Scientists attribute this longevity to the Spanish weight-reduction plan. It’s predicted that by 2050, Spain may have the world’s oldest inhabitants of residents. Read extra: Spanish Food: 17 Spanish Dishes to Try in Spain or at Home
22. Beach Culture
With greater than 3,000 miles of shoreline, Spain boasts a number of the world’s most tasty and tourist-friendly seashores. There are greater than 8,000 seashores in Spain. Its most well-known embody Bogatell of Barcelona, Platja de Ses Illetes on Formentera, Ses Salines on Iberia, and East Side Beaches of Marbella.
23. Wind Energy
With its abundance of sunshine, Spain may need led the world in photo voltaic power, but it surely, as a substitute, centered on wind and have become the nation on the planet to derive most of its power from wind power. Today, Spain ranks because the world’s fifth main producer of wind power, following China, the United States, Germany, and India.
With its wealthy tradition and engaging historical past marked by the affect of quite a few civilizations, together with the Romans, the Moors, and the Visigoths there are quite a few causes to go to Spain.
From the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees to the sun-kissed seashores of the Mediterranean, Spain is a well-liked vacation spot for everybody. Travelers get pleasure from artwork, tradition, gastronomy, and festivals which might be well-known worldwide. It’s these information about Spain showcase a novel and engaging nation that has lots to supply each guests and college students of historical past and tradition.