Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a nation in southwest Europe with a portion of its land spanning the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Spain’s area also comprises the autonomous towns of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Iberian Peninsula, which is where the majority of Spain is located. The country’s mainland is bordered to the south by Gibraltar; to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the north by France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay; and to the west by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean.
Spain is the second-largest country in the European Union (EU) and the fourth-most populous member state with a population of around 47.4 million people. Its total size is 505,990 km2. Spain’s capital and largest city is Madrid; other significant urban regions include Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Bilbao.
Around 42,000 years ago, the first anatomically modern humans made their way to the Iberian Peninsula.
Along with the establishment of coastal commercial settlements by Phoenicians and Ancient Greeks, as well as the brief Carthaginian hegemony over the Mediterranean shoreline, the region was inhabited by pre-Roman peoples. The populace became assimilated into Roman culture as a result of the Roman invasion and colonization of the peninsula (Hispania).
King Felipe VI is the head of state of Spain, a developed nation with a secular parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. It is a nation with a high standard of living and an advanced economy, ranking fourteenth in the world in terms of nominal GDP. At 83.5 years old in 2019, Spain has one of the highest life expectancy rates worldwide. It has a notably high ranking for healthcare quality, with one of the most effective healthcare systems in the world.
TRENDING FASHION IN SPAIN
ACCESSORIES IN SPAIN
TRIBES IN SPAIN AND THEIR FASHION
The Celtiberians
In the final centuries BC, a group of Celtic and Celticized peoples called the Celtiberians lived in a region in the central-northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Many classic authors, including Strabo, made it clear that they were Celts. These tribes used the Celtiberian script, an adaptation of the Iberian alphabet, to write the Celtiberian language.
The Basques
The Basque ethnic group originates from the Euskal Herria, sometimes known as Basque, to Basques and as a territory in southwest France and northwest Spain. The term “Euskal” refers to the Basque language of Euskara, which is linguistically separate from other languages like French and Spanish.
Traditional Basques outfits consist of a wide array of robes that are similar in style and have elements in common; long skirts and zapi (kerchief) covering the head for women, while the men wear a long trousers, a loose blouse or shirt and a txapela (beret).
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN SPAIN
San Sebastian – At Playa de Zurriola, there is a thriving surfing community in this well-known surf hamlet. The ability to explore the distinctive Basque culture is another benefit of travel.
Málaga – Málaga demonstrates the country’s North African influence and serves as yet another excellent illustration of the enormous cultural contrasts across Spanish cities.
Madrid – The extensive capital of Spain displays the remarkable history of the nation. Due to the numerous museums, marching soldiers, changing of the guards, and royal residences, it makes for the ideal vacation spot.
Linares – Andres Segovia was born in Linares, a destination for guitarists and fans of flamenco guitar music. The master guitarist improved the guitar’s musicianship to the pinnacles.
Ibiza – The resort island of Ibiza is among the top places in Spain for a romantic getaway. It’s roughly 100 miles off the coast of Spain and is reachable by short flight or five- to six-hour ferry voyage.
Granada – In the southern part of Andalusia, the dynamic city of Granada is home to the magnificent Alhambra Moorish hilltop castle and fortress. The Alhambra castle complex is among the amazing examples of Islamic architecture there.
Costa Brava – The gorgeous Costa Brava region of Catalonia is another another fantastic vacation destination in Spain. This lies along the country’s northern Mediterranean coast, north of Barcelona, and stretches to the French border. Small coves, bays, and inlets abound along with rocky cliffs and sandy beaches.
Córdoba – You may study Spain’s history stretching back several thousand years to the time when it was a part of the Roman Empire in this old city in the Andalusian area of southern Spain.
Bilbao – The capital of the Basque area, which often seem like a completely distinct country, is this city in northern Spain. Despite being a part of Spain, it is formally referred to as a “independent community.”
Barcelona – In comparison to Madrid, the country’s second-largest city provides a quite different kind of vacation experience. Due to its coastal position, it has a more resort-like atmosphere and offers warm, sunny weather for most of the year. It is situated by the Mediterranean Sea on the nation’s northeast coast and, in contrast to Madrid and other Spanish towns, seems to exude a much more contemporary, forward-thinking attitude.
Valencia – Valencia, a port city in Spain, has a long history of trading with the rest of the globe, particularly with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. On the country’s southeast coast, it is on the Mediterranean Sea.
Tenerife – the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, provides a complete resort experience. It also provides some of the top golf in Spain. The islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco, but because they are a popular vacation spot, flights from Spain and other European towns arrive often.
Tarragona – Tarragona is one of the best destinations in Spain to witness relics of the ancient Roman civilization since it has the remains of a Roman amphitheater and a Roman circus chariot race track. It is a port city in Catalonia, which is part of the country’s northeast.
Seville – Seville, a lovely and fascinating city in southern Spain, is another illustration of the history of the region still being alive today. It is a little city that is ideal for touring, full of Moorish buildings and palaces, Gothic cathedrals from the time of Castilian dominion, and Roman ruins (the period when Spain was ruled by kings and queens).
Segovia – A significant metropolis during the post-medieval era of royal power, the region is rich in Roman ruins. The Gothic cathedral is situated in the city’s Plaza Mayor, which also houses a fascinating museum of religious art. Given the abundance of eateries, cafés, and tapas bars in the Plaza Mayor neighborhood, it is a heaven for foodies.
MUSIC IN SPAIN
Music has a lengthy history in Spain. It has had a significant impact on Latin American music as well as the evolution of Western music. Traditional forms of music from Spain, including flamenco and classical guitar, are frequently mentioned. Although these types of music are widespread, there are other regionally specific traditional musical and dancing traditions. For instance, flamenco began in the south, the jota is common in the north and center of the country, and music from the north-west areas mainly relies on bagpipes. Between the early 15th and the beginning of the early 17th century, Spanish music made a significant contribution to the early development of western classical music.
Composers like Tomás Luis de Victoria, musical genres like the zarzuela of Spanish opera, Manuel de Falla’s ballet, and Francisco Tárrega’s classical guitar work are examples of the breadth of musical invention. Modern pop music is primarily commercial.
Some musicians in Spain include:
Enrique Iglesias
Alejandro Sanz
Some art work in Spain include:
MEALS IN SPAIN
Tortilla Española – a traditional omelet made with egg only and diced, then lightly fried potatoes.
Sangria – a refreshing Spanish drink and a must try when in Spain.
Pisto – a sort of eggplant casserole-type dish, topped with a Spanish twist of fried egg.
Patatas Bravas – one of the most common tapas found in Spain. It is made of fried chunks of potatoes and topped with a red sauce.
Jamón – a cured ham made from either mountain pig or black Iberian pig.
Gazpacho – a tasty dish made from only fresh tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, garlic, bread and olive oil blended together into a smooth refreshing liquid.
Tortilla Española
Sangria
Pisto
Patatas Bravas
Jamón
Gazpacho
Gambo Al Ajillo – a delicious and mouth-watering seafood in Spain. It is made of sherry, paprika, lemon juice and parsley.
Fabada Astruiana – a rich, hearty Spanish-style stew that is perfect for cold winter months.
Croquetas – a favourite tapa and perfect bar snack in Spain.
Churros – a sweet, popular snack of hot fried dough coated in sugar crystals.
Chorizo – this is one of the most famous Spanish meat.
Paella – a traditional and famous rice dish in Spain that comes in several varieties.
Gambo Al Ajillo
Fabada Astruiana
Croquetas
Churros
Chorizo
Paella
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN SPAIN
Spain has around 18,173,000 ha of forest, or 36.4 percent, according to the United Nation. Food and Agricultural Organization, U.N. FAO. 2,680,000 acres of forest had been planted in Spain.
Change in Forest Cover: Spain lost an average of 217,750 ha (1.58 percent) year between 1990 and 2010. Spain added over 4,355,000 acres, or 31.5 percent, of its total forest cover between 1990 and 2010.
422 million metric tons of carbon are found in the living biomass of Spain’s woods. According to data from the World Conservation Monitoring Center, there are 746 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles in Spain. Among them, 4.7 percent are endemic, which means they only exist in their own nation, and 7.0 percent are in danger of extinction. At least 5050 different vascular plant species, 18.6% of which are indigenous, may be found in Spain. IUCN classifications I to V protect 8.0 percent of Spain.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SPAIN
In Spain, the pace of global warming is quickening. The nation’s average temperature in 2020 was 1.7 degrees Celsius higher than it was between 1850 and 1900, during preindustrial times. Additionally, the rate of warming has accelerated in recent years, increasing by a total of 1.3oC in 60 years. According to the executive report on the situation of the Spanish climate in 2020, which was released on Friday by the Spanish weather agency Aemet, this is the case. The report issues a warning that the average temperature would increase by 5°C by the end of the century if greenhouse emissions continue at their current rate.
GENDER EQUALITY IN SPAIN
In Spain, women’s roles have significantly risen recently, particularly in politics, but also in the workforce and other public spheres. Although new laws have officially outlawed many forms of discrimination and are even viewed by some as positive discrimination, the macho culture is firmly embedded in the Conservative sector of society.
In Spain, women are paid 19% less in the commercial sector and 13% less in the public sector. In the media, women are portrayed as having an equal amount of authority to males but yet playing conventional roles such as housewives, mothers, and subordinates to them.
Some prominent women in Spain include:
Marta Higueras – Spanish criminal mediator who served as First Deputy Mayor of Madrid.
Macarena Olona – a Spanish politician and State Attorney, and member of the Congress of Deputies.
Dolores Johnson Sastre – a Spanish politician and journalist.
Maria Magdalena Nevado del Campo – a Spanish politician, entreprenuer and member of the Congress of Deputies for the Vox party.
Marta Higueras
Macarena Olona
Dolores Johnson Sastre
Maria Magdalena Nevado del Campo
Lidia Falcon – Spanish writer and politician.
Carolina Darias – Spanish politician, civil servant who is currently serving as Minister of Health in Spain.
Eva Garcia Sempere – a Spanish communist politician and member of Congress of Deputies.
Rosa Lluch Bramon – a Spanish historian, university professor and academic secretary of the History and Archeology Department of the University of Barcelona.
Lidia Falcon
Carolina Darias
Eva Garcia Sempere
Rosa Lluch Bramon
