SPAIN

FIESTAS

• Los Reyes Magos (The Three kings) is remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.
• Las fallas festival,Valencia is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph.
• Semana Santa (Holy Week) is elaborately celebrated each year in Spain. This is the week preceding Easter Sunday or Pascua.

FOODS

• Pisto Pisto is the name of a Spanish dish typical from the Region of Murcia and La Mancha. It is made of tomatoes, onions, eggplant or courgettes, green and red peppers and olive oil. It is similar to ratatouille and is usually served warm to accompany a dish or with a fried egg and bread
• Paella Paella is a traditional dish of Spain. Its home is Valencia, but variations exist in the different Spanish provinces. A colorful mixture of saffron-flavored rice and various meats, paella's name comes from the paellera, the flat, round pan in which it is cooked
• Bean stew The stew is filled with large Asturian white beans called Fabes de la Granja and it also typically includes pork shoulder or bacon, black pudding, chorizo and saffron.

CITIES

• Seville has often been described as a feminine city and one that is not afraid to expose her charms
• Valencia was not immune to the crisis that afflicted the rest of the Roman Empire. -Granada is located just at the point where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the fertile plain of the vega

LANDMARKS

• 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.
• 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.
• Cuenca Situated between Madrid and Valencia, Cuenca is a marvelous example of a medieval city, built on the steep sides of a mountain. The many “hanging houses” are built right up to the cliff edge, making Cuenca one of the most striking towns in Spain, a gem in the province of Castilla La Mancha.

BULLFIGHTING

• Spanish-style bullfighting is called a corrida de toros (literally a "running of bulls"), tauromaquia or fiesta and is practiced in Spain, where it originates, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, as well as in parts of Southern France.

ARTWORK

• Guernica
• By Pablo Picasso in 1937

MUSIC/DANCE

• Fandango: At one point the most famous dance of Spain, the fandango is a lively, happy Spanish danced in two's. Paso doble: A quick one-step Spanish dance. Flamenco: A passionate dance hailing from gypsies, flamenco is internationally famous.

SPORTS/ATHLETES

• Sport in Spain in the second half of 20th century has always been dominated by football. Other popular sport activities include basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling, Formula One, water sports, golf, and skiing.

FUN FACTS

• Spain is home to the world´s largest tomato fight: La Tomatina, celebrated every year in a village of Valencia.
• Football/Soccer is the country´s most important sport. Spain won its first World Cup football title in 2010, which made the country the 8th country to have ever won.
• When meeting someone, it is customary to give one kiss on each cheek.