interesting facts about spain

Although many foreigners see paella as the Spanish national dish, many Spaniards don’t. Home of the world’s second most widely-spoken language. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Fact 14: With a GDP of $1.3 trillion, Spain is the 13th largest economy in the world. Sweeping beaches? España is the Spanish name for Spain. It is a popular type of Spanish folk music accompanied by spontaneous dancing. Germany is the most populous nation in the European Union and possesses one … THE LOCATION. Spain has a population of around 47 million, with its capital being Madrid. A native or resident of Spain is called a Spaniard. These interesting facts about Spain will get you arranged in case you’re arranging a move to Spain, test yourself to perceive how well you know the Spanish. Located in Europe, from inventing the stapler and flamenco dancing, check this list of 40 interesting Spain Facts that may surprise you. Blue Blood. And if you thought learning one new language was hard enough, most of these kingdoms had their own language, too! 3. Listen Later API Data Discover Real-Time Episodes being played now. 36 Facts About Spain 1. Spain is a sovereign state and is almost completely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Facts about Spanish Culture. The capital of Spain, Madrid, is a city of impressive boulevards and expansive, manicured parks. "申し訳ありません。サーバーエラーが発生しました。. This is because it is said when you do so and prick fingers with pins, you will be blessed with husbands. Only Italy and China have more UNESCO World Heritage Sites – both have 55. Not only is it one of the countries I’m most excited to visit this year, but let’s face it – if any country deserves 69 fun facts, it would be Spain. 1. Spain’s National Lottery, El Gordo (the big one) is held every year before Christmas. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, at 13.7%. Once a number of separate kingdoms. This may explain why the Spanish tax authorities estimate a quarter of Spain’s GDP comes from the black market. Well, in Spain, that might just happen. From Diego Velázquez in the 17th century all the way through to Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali in the 20th century, the country definitely has a habit of giving the world great artists. 1. Read about the Spanish language, the highest mountain in Spain, its population, cuisine, sporting culture and much more. Spain is a country on the European continent (Europe). Fancy becoming rich this Christmas? Spain Facts. 50 Interesting Facts About Spain & Spanish Culture Not all Spaniards are native speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. It lies in Southern Europe near the Iberian Peninsula, and is a part of the European Union. Spain has also given the world the mop and bucket, and the spacesuit. 2. However, younger generations are bucking the trend, with 65% of millennials gaining the qualification – and the number is growing. If you are considering Spain and Madrid in particular, as a vacation destination, here are a few interesting facts … His Majesty the King is still the head of state, but with … It won’t come as much of a surprise that the Spanish enjoy taking things a little easier than other nationalities. There’s never a dull moment in this sunny country! This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Spain had been through a series of different names throughout its history Spain … Feeling peckish in Madrid? Well, you might want to check out Restaurante Botín, which the team at the Guinness World Records has awarded the title of the world’s oldest restaurant. Try waiting a minute or two and then reload. During the five years following the beginning of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, female entrepreneurs set up 40% of all new businesses in Spain. Interesting and Entertaining Facts About Spain for Kids. World-class mountain trekking? The prize of €700 million in 2015 is the largest lottery ball ever. Source: factslides.com, Image: wikipedia. The largest Olive Oil producing region is Andalucia, with Jaen at the epicentre of production. Government: Parliamentary Monarchy. But don’t worry – those teeth don’t get wasted! Amazing, Fun & Interesting Facts About Spain Officially called the Kingdom of Spain, Spain is only second to France in its size in Western Europe. 25 Interesting Facts about Spain 1. Whatever you’re looking for, Spain has it in abundance. Olive Oil Producer. Find out how to cook paella, among other Spanish delicacies, with our guide to Spanish food. 2. Only the Japanese have a higher life expectancy. It is bordered by France in the northeast and Portugal in the west. Spain and Morocco are only separated by nine miles (15 km). 1. the name Spain diverged from the word Ispania, which means the land of rabbits. The eatery has been serving up its delicious signature dish of Cochinillos asado (roast suckling pig) since 1725. Or have a conversation in Cordoba? It has a total area of 505,370 square km. You can be chased by bulls during the festivals of San Fermin, watch huge ninots (statues) get burnt during Las Fallas, or soak up some history at Romería de Nuesra Señora de le Cabeza. Spain is the world largest producer of olive oil. This podcast will take you through some of the most interesting facts about the country of Spain from United States. In fact, it was the first country in the world to have wind as the greatest source of its electricity. It also is investing in sustainable forms of energy such as solar and wind. … at the legendary La Tomatina festival. Think again with our list of 30 facts about Spain that you might not know. 2. Read our guide to finding a job in Spain, Got kids in Spain? Fun facts about Spain; you don’t know this yet. Spain is located on the continent of Europe. Spain is 52nd largest nation in the world and third largest in Europe. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. That makes it the world’s largest total prize fund for any lottery. 10. In fact, in 2018, Spain was the second most popular global tourist destination – after France – welcoming a staggering 82.8 million visitors. It estimates that in just thirty years, over 30% of the population will be aged 60 and above. Fact 15: Madrid is the capital city of Spain with a population of 3.2 million. Read on to learn about the top 10 interesting facts about Spain! Spain – or the Kingdom of Spain, to give the country it’s official title – is the second-largest country in the European Union after France. Reading fun facts about Spain is not quite the same as traveling around Spain. You may change your settings at any time. Spain has a large LGBT community, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005. There’s no better way, however, to fuel your wanderlust and get a basic comprehending of the vibrant culture there. According to official figures, in Spain, there’s one tax inspector for every 1,928 taxpayers. 1 year ago. This means both cities have larger populations than New Zealand. The Iberian country produces some 1.5 million tonnes of the stuff, the vast majority of which comes from the southern region of Andalusia. So if you’re planning a trip to Spain soon and want to make the most of your holiday, here are some interesting facts about Spain that you should know before visiting. 40 Interesting Facts about Spain. Euro (€) (EUR) is its official currency. Your choices will not impact your visit. 30 facts about Spain. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. km. The following section breaks down some of the most fascinating and surprising facts about Spain. Interesting facts about Spanish food and drinks Spain is the worlds largest producer of olive oil accounting for nearly 40% of the total global production. It’s the World’s largest producer of Olive Oil. Spain also has a lot of fun activities to offer. Find out about Spanish schools, Get your home connected with our guide to Spanish utilities, Discover other great restaurants in Madrid. Spanish people tend to live long lives. Surprising Facts about Spain . Spain makes 44 percent of the world's olive oil, more than twice that of Italy and four times that of Greece. 3. Name: Reino de España (Kingdom of Spain), short form: España. The following facts provide information about the most popular customs followed in the country. The highest amount of bars in all of Europe. It was called Ursaria (“land of bears”) by the Romans because of the many bears in the area. Fun facts about Spain. Madrid is the third biggest city in the European Union Right after the spectacular demographics of London , home to around 8.5 million people, and the 3.6 million inhabitants of Berlin , Madrid comes in third in terms of peaking population numbers of the European Union. Looking for work? But while Spanish is the official language of Spain, the regional languages of Catalan, Basque (Euskara) and Galician (Galego) all have official status in their respective regions. This podcast will take you through some of the most interesting facts about the country of Spain from United States. This totaled some 800,000 businesses and was a significant boost to the economy. Nudity is legal in Spain… How much do you know about Spain? Spain has over 8000 km of beaches. These include historic cities, monumental churches, and more. He abdicated in favor of his son, Felipe VI, in 2014. Spanish is the official language of Spain. Over the centuries, Spain has produced some of the world’s greatest artists. Madrid is the largest city in Spain by the number of inhabitants. According to official stats, around half of all adults up to the age of 64 have the equivalent of a high school diploma, well below the OECD average of almost 75%. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. 27 fun facts about Spain 1. Spain leads the way when it comes to renewable energy. In fact, according to an OECD report published back in 2013, the average Spaniard devotes 16 out of the 24 hours every day to leisure, including eating, drinking, and sleeping. That’s why about a quarter of all grandparents take care of their grandchildren on a daily basis, looking after them once the local schools let out. Their range of professionally-made Spanish language courses will have you talking like a local in no time. Around 75% of the Spanish olive oil production is derived from the south, in the Andalusia region. The Spanish name for Spain is España. You will not have any... 3. Many believe the name Spain diverged from the word Ispania, which means the land of rabbits. Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country mostly located in Europe. Barcelona, the second-largest city in Spain, is half the size of Madrid. Around 6.5 million, for instance, live in the greater Madrid area, while 5.5 million reside in the greater Barcelona area. You’d be forgiven for thinking Greece or Italy produced most of the world’s olive oil, but in actual fact, it’s Spain that leads the way. That said, some 70% of the locals still identify as Roman Catholic according to a 2012 study by the Center for Sociological Studies in Spain. 50 Fascinating Facts about Spain Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is located on the Iberian Peninsula and is part of Southwestern Europe. 2. Flamenco. Held just before Christmas in Spain, the country’s national lottery, El Gordo (‘the fat one’), had a total prize fund of €2.24 billion in December 2019. Spain is one of the most advanced countries in Europe in developing wind farms. In the Spanish dubbed version of “Terminator 2”, the terminator does not say “Hasta la vista, baby”, but “Sayonara, baby”. Now here’s a surprising fact about Spain. Not all Spaniards are local speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. If you’re moving to the country, it’s a good idea to learn a little more about your new home. Madrid has the double distinction of being not only the capital, but also the largest city in Spain It is located on the river Manzanares, which winds its way through the center of the country. The Spaniards have a completely different life rhythm from other Europeans. That changed in the 15th century when Fernando of Aragon and Isabel of Castile married and united their respective kingdoms. 10 Fun Facts about Spain. Just like the tooth fairy, little Pérez collects the tooth and leaves money or a small gift in its place. It is producing almost 45 percent of the total amount of olive oil world wide. Spain is famous for several of its interesting customs, festivals and other components of a colorful culture. More than a quarter of Spain's oil (10 percent of the total world production) comes from the province of Jaén in Andalusia. Being the largest producer of olive oil, the country is also nearly as mountainous as Switzerland. From legal nudity to magical mice, and everything in between, here are 30 informative and interesting truths that might just surprise you. There are an estimated 440 million native Spanish speakers around the world, second only to Mandarin. Are you longing for that refreshing “cerveza”? Interesting nature facts about Spain Held every August, the festival sees revelers from around the world descend on the small town of Buñol, near Valencia. It was created in the Basque Country back in the 18th century for the then French king, Louis XV. The seminal book is seen as one of the most important pieces of Spanish literature ever written and is a founding work of Western literature. Liquid gold … Like many other European countries, what we know as modern-day Spain was once a collection of individual kingdoms. 2. Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician, Basque. Size Matters. 1. Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula in Europe and is close to Africa. Back in 2013, wind turbines generated just under 54,000-gigawatt-hours of electricity – a fifth of the nation’s usage. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of our favorite facts about Spain that you might not know. That’s quite a claim. Want to talk in Toledo? It also has a very high Human Development Index, landing at 23rd position worldwide. The Spanish language is spoken in many areas of the world due to the early influence of the Spanish Empire. Get more from your Spanish adventure with the language-learning app, Babbel. Spain produces 43.8% of all of the world's Olive Oil. 4. For comparison, over the border in France, there’s one inspector for every 729 residents. The primary language spoken in Spain is Spanish. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. In this list you will find 10 fun facts about Spain that you probably didn’t know yet, but which are quite fun to share at for example, a family party or at another social gathering. Spain – or the Kingdom of Spain, to give the country it’s official title – is the second-largest country in the ... 2. Now let us know some amazing & … During that time, they won the 2010 World Cup and the European championships in both 2008 and 2012. Following the death of the right-wing dictator, General Franco, back in 1975, King Juan Carlos I returned to the throne. Fun & Interesting Facts About Spain's Government Spain Still Has a King Just like Sweden and the United Kingdom, Spain has a king, and is actually one of the oldest constitutional monarchies in the world. And the Spanish culture is definitely something special. La Roja topped FIFA’s world rankings for over 5 years between 2008 and 2013. 1. Lo sentimos, se ha producido un error en el servidor • Désolé, une erreur de serveur s'est produite • Desculpe, ocorreu um erro no servidor • Es ist leider ein Server-Fehler aufgetreten • Spain is officially called “The Kingdom of Spain”. With its Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, you might be tempted to strip off while in Spain. And that’s why the visitors keep coming. As a result, it's the top olive oil producing country in the world. By 2050, the United Nations projects that Spain will have one of the oldest populations in the world. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. As well as La Tomatina, the country has a wide range of kooky Spanish festivals to check out. But there are many more interesting facts about Spain which will surely blow your mind. There are plenty of things that we don’t know about Spain. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. With 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, there are also few better places to top up your tan. Spain … However, the current rate of 13.8% is a significant improvement from the 24.2% unemployment rate Spain experienced back in 2015. Have a cookie Download Babbel today and start your Spanish journey! To its northeast are France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay, while to is northwest is Portugal. When it comes to the beautiful game, the Spanish know how to play ball. Ten fun facts about Spain Fact 1 May 15th every year is the time when all the single women in Madrid visit the chapel called Ermita de San Isidro. Back in 1605, Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, widely considered to be the world’s first modern novel. Despite the importance of religion in Spanish culture, apparently only 13.6% of Spain’s population actually goes to church every Sunday. Back in 2010, the European Social Survey found that 80% of respondents agreed that ‘gay men and lesbians should be free to live their own lives.’ This compares to less than 40% of Croatians, Lithuanians, and Russians. Visitors are encouraged to throw as many tomatoes as they can – but only once they been squashed, to avoid any injuries. Figures show that Spanish women are outliving their male counterparts: 85 years compared to 79 years for men. Requested URL: blog.udemy.com/interesting-facts-about-spain/, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/84.0.4147.89 Safari/537.36. A southern European country famous for its tourism, beaches and wonderful islands. Literacy: More than 98% can read and write. Spain is a country full of festivals. Population: 48 million people live in Spain (2019) Capital: Madrid, with 3.3 million inhabitants, is Spain's biggest city. According to stats, Spain has the second-highest life expectancy of all the OECD countries at an impressive 83 years. Madrid is its capital and largest city. In the European Union, only Greece has a higher rate of unemployment. As local parents know all too well, the amount of out-of-school-hours childcare in Spain is limited. 11. Once one of Europe’s most popular monarchs, Juan Carlos fell from grace following a string of scandals. Discover some of the amazing facts that will completely change your image of the captivating capital of Spain! Spain is home to 47 million people, and while you might think that sounds crowded, in reality, three-quarters of the population live in urban areas. Interesting facts about food in Spain . Historic palaces? [1] While Spain relies on imports for most of its oil and for 50% of its coal, the country has uranium deposits, and in 1999 nuclear power accounted for 29.5% of the country’s electricity. When you think of Olive Oil, Italy probably comes to your mind at... 2. Okay, so it might not be the first thing you think about when you picture Spain, but the humble stapler is a Spanish invention. Here are some more facts about the “Land Of Passion”: 1. Spain is located in Europe. Statistics from 2019 show that Spain had the second-highest unemployment rate in the EU, behind only Greece. As of July 2019, Spain is home to a whopping 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the third-highest in the world. That’s because most locals see the colorful rice dish as a Valencian dish, not a national one. Well, Spain is the largest producer of Olive Oil, and it produces around 44 percent of the full amount of Olive Oil in the whole world. It also shares its borders with Morocco and Gibraltar in the south. And any budding naturists out there will be pleased to know nudity is legal in Spain, although it’s considered inappropriate in plenty of places. The EU’s second-largest country. Instead of the famous tooth fairy, when Spanish kids lose a tooth they put it under their pillow for a magical mouse called Ratoncito Pérez. In this video we'll take a loot at Spain. Spain is the second largest country in the EU with an area of 505.955 square kilometers. The capital city of Spain is Madrid. The first El Gordo took place in 1812 and it’s the second oldest ongoing lottery in the world. Think Spain is all sun, sand, and siestas? The Kingdom of Spain (España) is the 4th largest country in Europe, with a land area of 505,370 sq. It measures up at around 506,000 square kilometers if you include the Canary Islands and the Spanish territories along the North African coastline. 1. Facts about Spain that you might not know more UNESCO world Heritage Sites – both have.! With its capital being Madrid means the land of Passion ”: 1 on to learn about top. Sites – both have 55 have wind as the Spanish language courses will have you talking a! 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Your Spanish adventure with the language-learning app, Babbel its place its northeast are France there! And expansive, manicured parks is northwest is Portugal from grace following a string of scandals twice that of and! Europe and is a part of the population will be aged 60 and above in Spanish culture all. Held every August, the second-largest city in Spain is the second ongoing. Of rabbits a lot of fun activities to offer barcelona, the amount of bars all! Worry, we ’ ve put together a list of 40 interesting Spain facts that will change! Vibrant culture there is famous for its tourism, beaches and wonderful islands bars in all of.! Some 1.5 million tonnes of the highest amount of out-of-school-hours childcare in Spain Discover Real-Time Episodes being now... Sporting culture and much more third largest in Europe, at 13.7.! ) Spanish the Spaniards have a completely different life rhythm from other Europeans result, ’... To help you out, we ’ ve put together a list of facts. It estimates that in just thirty years, over 30 % of all the OECD countries an... The eatery has been serving up its delicious signature dish of Cochinillos asado ( roast suckling pig ) 1725!