Spanish music facts: 15 Spanish Music Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know

15 Spanish Music Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know

If you’re interested in Spain, and particularly in Spanish music, you’ve found the right post.

Here, discover 15 Spanish music facts you probably didn’t know about! 🎶

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• The Best Spain Music Facts
• More Facts!
• The Full List of 12 Spain Music Facts

The Best Spain Music Facts

Spanish music is very interesting and full of history. There is probably a lot that you don’t know about it, so let’s dive into it:

1. The most important element in flamenco is… singing

Flamenco is a sensual dance originating most probably from Andalusia, in southern Spain, though its exact creation is disputed. The oldest recording dates back to 1774, and it is now a very important part of Spanish culture. You can see flamenco in lots of festivals nowadays, all around the country, every year.

However, though you probably think of it as a dance, singing is actually what’s most important. In fact, flamenco consisted of only singing and hand clapping when it first started!

2. There are some very talented Spanish composers and classical music singers

You might be surprised by how talented Spanish composers and classical music singers are. Though they are not that reputed, they definitely deserve a lot more attention. First of all, there are famous opera singers like Plácido Domingo, Montserrat Caballé and José Carreras.

On top of that, composers like Albéniz, Manuel de Falla, or Pau Casals are also gifted. If you like classical music, you should definitely listen to their works.

3. “La Movida Madrileña” is a punk wave that emerged in the capital during the 80s

La Movida Madrileña is an important time in Spanish music history. It happened in Madrid during the 1980s, and it was a counterculture movement. Definitely influenced by British punk, the Movida’s main idea was to break the Francoist dictatorship conventions as a sign of protest. It has been featured in several movies and TV shows, the most famous one being “La Edad de Oro”.

The most famous groups of this movement are Radio Futura, Los Secretos and Naca Pop.

Fermín R.F / CC BY / Los Secretos

4. Spanish popular music started to spread after the invention of the phonograph

What we now know as Spanish popular music began its development at the end of the 19th century, because of the invention of the phonograph and the first recordings of folk music. After that, at the beginning of the 20th century, several genres like the famous “bolero” or the “copla andaluza” began to grow and quickly became very popular.

Julio Iglesias, with his romantic ballads, is the most famous singer of this genre, which was influenced by both Italian and French music.

5. The British Invasion in 1964 brought rock and pop music to the country

When The Beatles arrived in the United States in 1964, what is called the British Invasion started. It is a cultural phenomenon that happened during the 60s, during which British rock and pop music, but also its culture in general, began to spread to the United States and to lots of major countries.

Spain was one of them, and its music was very influenced by the British Invasion. Los Bravos released “Black is Black” (a song in English, not Spanish) in 1966, and it was the first song to successfully cross the Spanish border.

6. The Eurovision Song Contest popularized some Spanish songs and artists

In case you don’t know, the Eurovision Song Contest is a yearly song competition featuring mostly European countries, but also a few others, like Australia. Every country brings their own group or singer as well as an original song of theirs, and then the best of them is elected after voting from everyone.

Starting in the 60s, this contest helped make Spanish songs and artists popular abroad. The best result the country ever had was second, with the famous “Eres Tú”, by Mocedades.

7. During the 70s, there were lots of protest songs against the Francoist dictatorship

Francisco Franco is infamous for ruling Spain for almost 40 years in a strict dictatorship. From the Spanish Civil War in 1936 to his death in 1975, the country was subject to censorship and injustice.

Because of that, protest songs started to rise during the 1970s. Their goal was to stand up for the disadvantaged, and their most famous singers are Joan Manuel Serrat and Lluís Llach.

Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975

8. There are lots of Spanish musical genres

The list is long, but let’s just talk about some of them to give you a rough idea of the Spanish music landscape.

Bolero is a musical air and a dance, at ¾. There are some variations depending on regions, like in the Balearic Islands or Cuba. Muñeira is a traditional Galician song and dance, accompanied by lots of instruments. Finally, Folia is a dance and rhythm coming from the Canary Islands. It is danced in circles, and the music is usually sad.

9. Andalusian music is very developed

In Andalusia specifically, music is very unique compared to lots of Spanish regions. You already know it, flamenco comes from there, but there is more.

The Moors, the people who ruled Spain for almost 700 years, made huge contributions to Andalusian music. The classic Arabic music in Spain was called Arab Andalusian. Other genres include sevillanas (in Seville), verdiales (in Malaga) and rock andaluz (in Andalusia in general).

Seville in Spain

10. Bacalao takes its roots in Valencia

During the mid 80s, a new genre emerged in Valencia. Before Ibiza existed, Valencia was the place for clubbing. It was the Spanish capital of hedonism and introduced what is today known as the party city.

In lots of clubs, you could listen to bacalao, which comes from Valencian DJs slang: it was meant to describe good music imported from outside the country. You can still find some bacalao clubs today in Valencia.

11. Spain is home to some of the most amazing concert venues

I have already told you about it, classical music is very famous and developed in Spain. Composers, singers and musicians are all ready to entertain you.

But what’s most impressive regarding classical music is actually the concert venues that you can find in Spain. The Auditorio Nacional de Música, in Madrid, is home to Spain’s national orchestra, and seats more than 2,300 people. In Barcelona, Palau de la Música is a bit more eccentric but hosts very important concerts.

Palau de la Música in Barcelona

12. The modern guitar was invented in Catalonia, Spain

The modern guitar is a huge part of Andalusian music and that is probably why, whenever you try to picture someone playing it, you immediately think of the southernmost region of continental Spain.

The guitar we know today was invented in Catalonia, Spain. Spaniards dedicated a whole genre to classical guitar, with the most famous Carlos Montoyo and Manuel de Falla.

Read more: Learn more about Catalonia on this post.

13. There are lots of music festivals in Spain every year

Tons of festivals happen every year in Spain, all around the country. It is famous for being one of the best places in the whole world to party at any time!

There are very different styles for everyone to enjoy. For instance, in Cuenca, at the end of March, there is a religious festival called “Semanas de Música Religiosa”. In Granada, in summer, there is the “Festival Internacional de Música y Danza”. Finally, in Barcelona, in autumn, you can go to the “Festival Internacional de Música”.

14. The Gypsy Kings are some of the most popular and well-known artists from Spain

You have probably heard at least one song of the Gypsy Kings. They are renowned worldwide, and were born in France from “gitanos” parents.

The group will give you a taste of the sunny Andalusia, and most of their initial success happened in America. Their mix of English and Spanish is what made them so successful, expanding in both markets at the same time.

15. Nowadays, the most famous Spanish songs are mostly full of Latin rhythms

If you turn on the radio in Spain nowadays, you will probably be surprised compared to everything that I’ve told you in this list. That is because commercial music is very different from historical Spanish music, just like in most countries.

The Spanish songs that people listen to at the moment are mostly either filled with latin rhythms, or inspired by English popular music.

So there you have them, the 12 Spain music facts that you probably didn’t know! I hope you enjoyed them, and that you learned something new today.

More Facts!

Did you like these facts about Spain music?

Well, I have more facts about Spain, I’m sure you’ll love reading them! 

Here’s the main guide of the best Spain facts 👉 All the Facts about Spain 

Check out these facts by city/region:

• Facts about Madrid
• Facts about Catalonia
• Facts about Bilbao 
• Facts about Barcelona
• Facts about Seville
• Facts about Malaga
• Facts about Granada
• Facts about Valencia
• Facts about Castilla La Mancha

Or these Spain facts by topic: 

• Facts about Christmas in Spain
• Facts about la Semana Santa in Spain
• Facts about religion in Spain
• Facts about Spanish food
• Facts about the Spanish language
• Facts about bullfighting in Spain
• Facts about schools in Spain
• Facts about sports in Spain

Or click here to see ALL the facts up on the blog! Spoiler alert: there’s A LOT of them.

The Full List of 12 Spain Music Facts

1. The most important element in flamenco is… singing
2. There are some very talented Spanish composers and classical music singers
3. “La Movida Madrileña” is a punk wave that emerged in the capital during the 80s
4. Spanish popular music started to spread after the invention of the phonograph
5. The British Invasion in 1964 brought rock and pop music to the country
6. The Eurovision Song Contest popularized some Spanish songs and artists
7. During the 70s, there were lots of protest songs against the Francoist dictatorship
8. There are lots of Spanish musical genres
9. Andalusian music is very developed
10. Bacalao takes its roots in Valencia
11. Spain is home to some of the most amazing concert venues
12. The modern guitar was invented in Catalonia, Spain
13. There are lots of music festivals in Spain every year
14. The Gypsy Kings are some of the most popular and well-known artists from Spain
15. Nowadays, the most famous Spanish songs are mostly full of Latin rhythms

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17 Spanish Music Facts: Art Of Arranging Sounds In A Pleasant Way!

Music is an important part of our lives; it is a part of almost every circle of our lives.

Music is a perfect medium for those who have a curiosity about other cultures in the world. Spanish music similarly says a lot about the culture of Spain.

Remember the big hit of 2017-2018, ‘Despacito’? It was a Latin song that became one of the biggest hits of the year, and its catchy tunes are loved by many still now. Food and music in Spain have very high positions. From Spanish pop music to folk music, some instruments have been played through generations to give the essence of traditional styles in their music.

Spanish music is one of the most streamed genres in the world. Musical innovation of the composers and its application to different genres has resulted in different types of Latin music, of which Spanish music makes up a big part. Despite so many genres of world music like pop, hip hop, opera, and jazz, it is very easy to identify that a song is a Spanish song by just listening to it.

If you are interested in more such content, then keep on reading the articles on Spain economy facts and facts about Spain too.

Spanish Music Archives

Many Spanish archives house some of the greatest collections of Spanish music. These remarkable archives are unique sources related to Latin music.

‘2 Pan Man’ by Another Brick is a song from the Avant la Lettre album. The genres of this iconic song are jazz, electronic, and lo-fi.

‘Cordoba’ by Nesh Carrot is easy listening and chill-out song. It is from the album M-MIX.

‘Daliniana Flor’, ‘Big Apple Little Worm’, and ’22/4′ by Pau Riba are three songs from the Spanish archives. All these songs are from the folk genre.

The track ‘Solemn Bosa’ by De Yan-Key is a song from the Latin archives. The song belongs to the album Yuletide and is of the international genre.

‘West Side’ is another Latin song of archival value. The song was sung by Serge Quadrado.

Instruments In Spanish Music

Certain Spanish musical styles have the use of certain musical instruments that are limited to Spanish music only. Some popular music instruments that are commonly played in Spanish music are guitars, castanets, cajon, bongos, and more. Spanish music has intermingled with different cultures to create its unique identity.

A flamenco guitar is very similar to a classical guitar. Nylon strings are used in a flamenco guitar instead of steel strings. A flamenco guitar is played by the plucking method instead of strumming like a normal guitar. The strings are plucked using the first and second fingers.

One of the most popular percussion instruments, the cajon, is Spanish for box drum. You will find the use of the Cajon among Spanish musicians in several Spanish colonies in Latin America. Players play the instrument by sitting on it. It is a staple instrument in flamenco and other popular Spanish music forms.

Many people are accustomed to bongos, but what they don’t know is that the bongos are actually of Afro-Cuban origin. You can hear the bongos in many Spanish genres. The two bongo drums produce different music. It can be heard in salsa.

Castanets are traditional instruments that are used in classical music or folk music. They are played by wearing them on the fingers of each hand.

The accordion is a very old instrument that was introduced in 1829. The accordion is not the most common instrument in other genres, but its presence in Spanish music is certainly common.

The Gaita Gastorena is a wind instrument that originated in El Gastor. The instrument was played by young people at the end of November and December, and after Christmas ended, people would store the Gastorena for next November.

Famous Musicians Of Spanish Music

The country of Spain has had a rich history in music and dance since 100 AD. Consequently, Spain is the birth land of some of the greatest music artists in history. Spanish artists are the perfect cultural conduit for people who want to learn about their culture. The diversity that Spanish music represents is a homage to the cultures that the genre of music has borrowed from.

One of the most famous musicians in Spain was Julio Iglesias. He sold more records in multiple languages than any other singer in the history of Latin or Spanish music and broke all records.

Some of the most well-known flamenco performers in Spain are Manuel de Falla, Joaquin Rodrigo, and Andrés Segovia. Francisco Tarrega is a well-known figure in Spain for his contributions to classical guitar music.

Some evergreen singers who trace their roots to Latin music in some way or the other are Joaquin Sabina, Ricky Martin, Lola Flores, Shakira, and Marc Anthony. Their music has crossed borders and become famous all over the world.

Styles Of Spanish Music

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods of the 16th century, a music style in Spain developed that was similar to that of the composers of the Franco-Flemish. These two styles were merged to produce a popular style of music in Spain that was characterized by a polyphonic vocal nature.

Traditional music was in decline by the 17th century in Spain. Another popular but short-lived musical genre in Spain during medieval times was romantic sinfonism. Juan Crisostomo Arriaga was believed to be a beginner in this music genre.

The music from the Basque country, known as Basque music, is based on the accordion and tambourine. The famous song composer, Eliseo Perra, was known for recording traditional folk music from the Basque Country and Castille. The genre of Asturian music is considered to be one of Spain’s Celtic music communities’ contributions.

This type of music is performed in traditional groups and features music and dance using mainly tambourine rhythms. Local composers worked on opera, vocal dialects, and chamber music during the 18th and 20th centuries.

Spain is also a land of many festivals that feature religious music and Christian songs. These songs had a deep influence on the Christian era and Roman culture for several centuries. Some early music from the sixth century gives the earliest details of the Christian church in Spain.

At present, Latin pop music is the most popular genre in Spain. The earliest Spanish pop was an imitation of French pop, which was, in turn, imitating American and British pop at the time. Popular artists such as Shakira, Jenifer Lopez, and Enrique Iglesias have been seen mixing Spanish and Latin styles with English music to create songs that have made them widely successful.

Flamenco is probably the most famous musical and dance style in Spain. Flamenco features colorful music and dance galas, but it can also be performed without dance. Andalusia is known for flamenco music.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Spanish music facts then why not take a look at Spain food facts, or Spain flag facts.

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Guitar and music of Spain

Guitar and music of Spain

It is unlikely that today you will meet a person who has never heard the music of Spain. The soft sound of the guitar, enchanting melodies, clear rhythms… Today it is impossible to imagine Spain without a guitar, it is considered its national instrument with a long history. We will tell you a few interesting facts about how its “fate” developed several centuries ago.

The very first information about the guitar, or rather, about an instrument very similar to it, dates back to the 2nd century. This is a drawing discovered by archaeologists on one of the bas-reliefs in Spain. What this instrument was then called is unknown, however, as well as what happened to it over the next millennium. One thing is certain: by the 13th century, the guitar was firmly established in the life of the Spaniards. It is considered a folk instrument used for every opportunity: it is played solo, accompanied by singing and accompanying dances. Take a closer look at the paintings of this era, which depict wandering artists – minstrels, they will certainly have a guitar in their hands. She was also revered by royalty. In particular, it was the favorite instrument of King Alfonso the Wise. The name of this monarch in musical history is known, first of all, by the authorship of the famous “Cantigas de Santa Maria” (Cantigas in honor of St. Mary). These are 401 hymns, carefully collected by the king for the glorification of the Most Holy Theotokos. On the cover of the manuscript, the king wished to see musicians with guitars, although these instruments were far from the most popular at that time.

Surprisingly, the guitar first began to receive universal recognition not in Spain, but in other countries. The history of the “guitar” expansion of the Old and New Worlds began during the reign of Queen Isabella, or Isabella of Castile, in the 15th century. This wise ruler did a lot during her reign: she created a strong Spanish state, established a single religion in it – Christianity, founded the second Inquisition (it’s not for nothing that historians today call the Queen the Woman Inquisitor). But her most outstanding act was the support of the expedition of Christopher Columbus. On the ships of the second expedition, made in 149In the year 3, about 1.5 thousand people went to explore the world.

Famous vihuela guitarists were among them. And from now on, not only the music of Spain, but also its instruments appeared before foreign countries in all its glory. The spread of the guitar around the world is akin to an epidemic: an outlandish instrument with a soft sound began to rapidly win fans. Already by the beginning of the 16th century, the guitar came to the fore, eclipsing the viol, harp and lute.

But in Spain itself in the 16th century, the vihuela reigned. The composer’s heritage of that era is replete with many compositions for this instrument. However, among the creators of musical art there were also true lovers of the guitar. For example, Alonso Mudarra and Miguel de Fuenllana, the two largest representatives of the Spanish school of vihuelas, not only wrote their works for it, but were also among the first to actively popularize it in the upper strata of Spanish society. It, by the way, at first resisted, but the masters knew what they were doing. And not in vain, by the end of the 17th century, the guitar completely replaced the vihuela.

Music of Spain

Interesting Spain: Informative Facts

05/26/14

1. The name of the state of Spain comes from the Phoenician expression “i-spanim” and is translated as “coast of rabbits”. The Roman emperor Servius Galbius was so impressed by the abundance of animals on the peninsula that he issued a coin depicting Spain as a woman with a rabbit sitting at her feet.
2. Spain is the highest country in Europe after Switzerland: mountains cover 90% of its territory.
3. The flag of Spain symbolizes the national entertainment of local residents – bullfighting. Yellow is a symbol of sand, and red is a symbol of blood.
4. A bull in a bullfight attacks a matador’s cloak not because the red color irritates him. In fact, cows do not distinguish colors and only react to sudden movements. The red cloak was chosen to make the bull’s blood less visible to the public.
5. The influenza of 1918-1920 was called the “Spanish flu” because at that moment in the country, unlike many others, there was no wartime censorship and newspapers openly wrote about the spread of the epidemic, and residents of other countries had the impression that it was Spain was the most affected by this flu. In fact, the epidemic began in the United States, and Spain was not even among the leaders in terms of the number of cases and deaths.
6. The smallest church in the world – Santa Isabel de Ungria in Colomares – is located in the Spanish city of Malaga. The internal area of ​​this irregularly shaped building is only 1.96 sq. m.
7. In the carving of the cathedral of the Spanish city of Salamanca, built in the 12th century, you can find an astronaut in a spacesuit. There is no mysticism here: the figure was added in 1992 during the restoration by one of the masters, who decided to place the figure of the conqueror of space at the entrance to the cathedral as a symbol of the 20th century.
8. The world’s only monument to the devil is located in Madrid, in the Spanish Retiro Park. The sculpture is installed at an altitude of 666 m above sea level and depicts the moment of the expulsion of Lucifer from paradise.
9. In Madrid, the Grassi clock museum is open to visitors, which presents the history of mechanical clocks, from the first exhibits of the 16th century to the present. with iron mechanisms up to the imperial clocks of the 19th century. All these clocks are not only important technical devices, but also of great artistic value, they are all “alive” and fully functional.
10. The expression “blue blood” was invented by Spanish aristocrats. The Spanish royal nobility always emphasized that they traced their ancestry to the West Goths and never mixed with the Moors who entered Spain from Africa. Unlike swarthy commoners, blue veins stood out on the pale skin of the upper class, and therefore they called themselves sangre azul, which means “blue blood”. Hence, this expression for the designation of the aristocracy penetrated into many European languages, including Russian.
11. On the Spanish island of Gomera, the locals speak a whistle-based language. The language owes its origin to the rocky terrain of the island and the small number of roads (therefore, instead of reaching from one village to another, people preferred to whistle a message, the transmission range was 5-6 km). “Speakers” in this language press the tip of the tongue to their teeth and begin to whistle, at the same time pronouncing the words approximately as it is done during a normal conversation.
12. The language of the Basques living in the north of Spain has no related languages ​​and is not included in any language group. During World War II, American radio operators used this rare language to transmit important messages so that no one could decipher them.
13. Shouts of “Ole-ole!” football fans at matches owe their origin to Spain, where the word was shouted out during bullfights or flamenco. It is believed that “Ole” is a modified word “Allah”, which came to Spain during its capture by Muslims in the VIII century.
14. The Spaniards were the first to taste tomatoes. In other European countries, the tomato was considered a poisonous plant for a long time and was used for decorative purposes: it was grown on windows in pots, cultivated in greenhouses, and planted along alleys. However, in Spain, these juicy berries were consumed completely without harm to themselves already at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Now in Spain, an annual tomato festival is held, during which people throw ripe tomatoes at each other.
15. During the Spanish feast it is not customary to talk about wars, bullfights and the period of Franco’s rule.
16. In traditional Spanish cuisine, there are no pastries made from corn or wheat flour. Potato tortillas are very popular in Spain.
17. It is almost impossible to meet a married man under 30 in Spain. Spaniards acquire families by the age of 35-40. Spanish women give birth to their first child, mostly already at the age of Balzac. It is customary to name children after their own parents or next of kin.
18. In the autumn of 2002, in the Autonomy of Madrid, the number of immigrant children going to school for the first time exceeded the number of Spanish first-graders.
19. The Mitsubishi Pajero was introduced to the Spanish market as the Mitsubishi Montero, because in the local slang the word ‘pajero’ (read “pajero”) means an obscene word.
20. The most popular brand in Spain is “El Corte Ingles”. According to statistics, every Spaniard visits one of the chain’s stores at least one and a half times a week.
21. Spain is an eclectic and beautiful country. From 19From 39 to 1975 it was ruled by the dictator Francisco Franco. Under this regime, the unification of Spain was carried out, all other languages ​​\u200b\u200bare rejected and the Roman Catholic Church was supported. The dictator also wanted to isolate Spain from other states. After his death in 1975, King Juan Carlos I brought back democracy. Since then, a night culture called La Movida has developed and art, music and fun have been expressed.
22. The currency of Spain is the euro.
23. Spain has 4,964 kilometers of coastline.
24. The population of Spain is about 45 million.
25. Spain is 5 times the size of Great Britain and has two thirds of its population.
26. Spain produces 44% of the world’s olive oil.
27. The Spanish symbol of Granada is the pomegranate.
28. The climate in Spain is different. Some areas are like a desert and it can rain up to 20 days a month in winter.
29. There are many animals in Spain, but bats predominate. The bat has even become a symbol of Valencia. Scientists have found that one bat actually eats birds.
30. Madrid – the Spanish capital – is located exactly in the middle of the country.
31. It may come as a surprise to some that Spanish food is not spicy. They use a lot of pepper, but the food is more savory than spicy. They also add garlic to food.
32. If you drink hot chocolate, in Spain it will seem too thick, almost like pudding.
33. Every family in Spain buys fresh bread every day.
34. You must have heard the phrase: it rains most often in Spain on the plains. This is not true, in 2007 it rained every day throughout Spain, ending the drought.
35. There are Spanish territories in Africa.
36. Spaniards love different kinds of sports, but the undoubted favorite is football.
37. Many famous artists were from Spain, such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro.
38. Bullfighting in Spain is considered an art. This is the most popular entertainment, as well as the most extensive and controversial sport. It is part of Spanish history, art and culture. In almost all cities there are special arenas for bullfighting.
39. The tooth fairy is not known in Spain; instead, a tooth mouse named Ratoncito Perez comes to the children here.
40. A well-known Spanish musical genre is flamenco. It is characterized by fast passages and intricate pas.
41. Today Spain is one of the most popular and visited countries in Europe. What is so attractive about this multifaceted country? In addition to cultural monuments and other attractions, Spain is curious for its ancient traditions and amazing facts, many of which are very unusual.
42. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe. And its capital – Madrid – is the “highest” country in Europe. By the way, Madrid is located exactly in the center of the whole country.
43. Spain has possessions outside of Europe: the Canary Islands and two cities on the African continent: Ceuta and Melilla.
44. Spain is a very sunny country. The average number of sunny days here is about 280 per year! Although, if tourists are extremely happy about this, then Spanish farmers are forced to wage a constant fight against drought.
45. The only desert in Europe – Tabernas – is located in Andalusia in the province of Almeria. The Tabernas Desert is the driest place in Spain.
46. Spain has the largest number of beaches – 200, and the length of the coastline is 4964 km. That is why tourists love it so much.
47. Cathedral, which occupies the largest area in the world – Santa Maria de la Sede in Seville (1402-1519). Its length is 126.2 m., width – 82.6 m. and the height of the vault of the nave – 30.5 m.
the oldest of them. Historians have established that as early as 1110 BC. on the site of modern Cadiz was a Phoenician city.
49. The largest golf club in Europe is located on the Costa del Sol and is called Santa Clara. In general, the Costa del Sol is the undisputed leader in Europe in terms of the number of golf courses: today there are more than 40 of them. That is why the Costa del Sol is often called the Costa del Golf.
50. Despite the economic crises, the Spanish economy, according to the IMF, is in 9th place. And the Spanish banking system is recognized as one of the most stable in the Eurozone.
51. In Spain, as in many civilized countries, the army is exclusively professional. Military service was abolished in 2001.
52. Spain is the third country in the world in terms of the number of wines produced. They are made in every region of the country without exception. The labeling of wines indicates the place of origin. The first 2 places are occupied by France and Italy.
53. For 15 years, Spain has confidently held the first place in donor transplantation. Transplantology is very well developed here. Every Spaniard born automatically becomes a donor. 90% of the population supports donation.
54. Spaniards – long-livers: average life expectancy – 79years. The average life expectancy of women in Spain is the highest among all European countries and is 87 years.
55. All Spaniards have 2 surnames: mother and father.
56. More women than men study in Spanish universities.
57. In Spain, the normal time for dinner is 9-10 pm. Spain wakes up at 5 am. At this time, cafes are already open, where most Spaniards drink morning coffee. From 14:00 to 15:30 – siesta, they rest. The Spaniards allow themselves such a luxury even in the conditions of the metropolis of Madrid.
58. And schoolchildren and preschool children can walk until late, until 2 o’clock. nights, and this is considered normal, because during the day the scorching sun. The streets in Spain, in particular in Madrid, are so lit that they play football at a late hour, walk in the parks, walk their dogs, and so on. The day in Spain lasts longer, which gives tourists the opportunity to see, feel or taste more than they expected.
59. Spaniards are emotional people, so when communicating they stand quite close to each other and often hold hands. So, when communicating with the Spaniards, do not be surprised by their behavior.
60. It is a strange custom in Spain not to have breakfast at home.
61. In Spain they love to eat, and if you want to show respect to the chef and thank him, then the right thing to do would be to ask for more. Spaniards love to eat and know a lot about cooking. Spanish cuisine is popular all over the world: cold soup – gazpacho, paella similar to pilaf, a kind of scrambled eggs – tortilla, various snacks – tapas. But there is a product in Spain that has earned fame like bacon in Ukraine. This is ham.
62. A favorite product of the Spaniards is salted pork hams prepared using a special technology. And although in Spain it is customary to call any ham ham, among the diverse assortment of hams there are real masterpieces that are equated with national treasures. And first of all, it is pata negra, which translates as “black leg”. Jamon with this name is made from the meat of black pigs – a unique Iberian breed that has survived only in Spain. They are fed for at least 8 months on Spanish oak acorns, which contain a large amount of carbohydrates and vegetable oils. After salting, the meat is dried for about six months in special chambers. Then it is transferred to another room and left to mature. After about a year, fungus-covered pork meat acquires a strong specific flavor. Now you can eat jamon.
63. Flamenco is the songs and dances of southern Spain – Andalusia. This musical and dance style owes its origin to the gypsies. In the XV century. they came to Spain from the East and brought their music and dances, which absorbed Byzantine, Arabic, Jewish motifs. Flamenco is said to be a way of life, a way of expressing emotions, both positive and negative. The essence of flamenco is the song. Usually a man with a sharp, rough voice sings. These songs express deep, dark human emotions – sorrow and suffering. Following the song, flamenco dances begin, which express the same emotions as the words of the song. The legs, arms and whole body of the performer is in constant motion, but he himself remains almost in one place. Rhythm is emphasized by a kind of tap dance. Nowadays, flamenco has been significantly supplemented by major themes and has turned into a theatrical spectacle with the participation of good dancers and performers. But in terms of passion, rigidity, it is the art of flamenco of all Spanish phenomena that is considered the closest to bullfighting.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. An interesting fact, but the Spaniards have this saying the other way around. Very often, to the question “when?”, You can hear the answer – “manyana”, which means tomorrow. It’s their magic word. They love themselves the most.
64. In the XVI century. in Spain, a five-string guitar appeared when someone added a fifth string to a four-string lute. Since that time, the five-string guitar has been called the Spanish. In the eighteenth century in Andalusia, a six-string guitar appears, and its triumphant march through countries and continents begins. In this six-string form, it still exists. The musical possibilities of the guitar turned out to be so great that it became one of the most beloved instruments in the world. But it was the Spaniards who brought the art of playing the guitar to perfection.
65. One of the most unusual Spanish holidays is the tomato battle, or Tomatina. In 1945, in the Spanish city of Bunol, two friends quarreled at the carnival. Angry, they started throwing tomatoes at each other. Thus this holiday was born.
From 30 to 40 thousand people from all over the world come to the tomato battle, or Tomatina, which takes place annually in August in the small town of Bunol. The holiday begins with the launch of a special firecracker on the main square of Buñol. At this time, trucks with “shells” drive out onto the streets of the city, and a battle of tomatoes begins (about 100 thousand tons of tomatoes are used in this madness). For the time of Tomatina, not only houses, but also all public places are closed, and windows are hung with special plastic panels. The end of the battle is signaled by the second firing of the firecracker. The holiday comes to an end with the general bathing in the pool filled with tomato juice. In general, Spain is the leader in the number of holidays.
66. Spaniards are very cheerful and friendly people: if you get lost, any Spaniard will definitely show you the way, even if he is very busy.
67. Andalusian horses are known all over the world. The Andalusian horse is called a Spanish legend for its magnificent past associated with royal parades. The best knights fought only with her, and together with the conquistadors she conquered the New World. She was depicted in paintings by famous artists, described in historical novels by writers.
Andalusian horse – the most famous of the horse breeds in Spain, can safely be considered one of the most beautiful breeds in the world. A fiery look, a proud bend of the neck, a lush mane and an unusual, high, as if dancing move – there are few breeds more striking, spectacular and original than the Andalusian. Fascinated by the course of these horses, Homer called them silver arrows, sons of the wind, the best companions of warriors, invincible, beautiful not only on the battlefield. The Spaniards are very proud of their breed, they say: “nuestro caballo”, which translates as “our horse”.
68. Traditionally in Spain, the bride’s hair on the wedding day is decorated with branches of a flowering tree, the name of which is translated from Spanish as “Chinese apple”. And the cheerful sunny fruits of this tree are a national symbol of love and happiness. This is an orange.
69. Arabs brought bitter orange to Spain around the beginning of the 11th century. as a medicinal plant. They were able to extract a delicious aroma from its flowers, as well as heal from diseases with the help of its juice. The sunny fruit fell in love with the Spaniards and subsequently became a national symbol of love and happiness. Now Spain grows oranges in huge quantities and ranks first in the export of oranges to European markets. In the east of Spain, in Valencia, there is such an abundance of orange groves that Valencia is called the orange heart of Spain. And even the resort coast of Costa del Azahar is translated as “orange blossom coast”.
70. Spain is the largest of all sovereign states located on the Iberian Peninsula.
71. In 206 BC it became part of the Roman Empire. Later, its rulers were the Visigoths, Muslims, Franks and Christians.
72. In the 1600s, Spain ruled over the entire Iberian Peninsula, many Caribbean islands, most of Central America, South America and parts of North America. The Spanish Empire also included Austria, as well as parts of France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Spain is the closest country to Africa.
73. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the globe. Spain provided financial support for this trip.
74. The Spaniards have made a great contribution to the development of literature. Ernest Hemingway wrote the famous novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, which tells the story of the Spanish Civil War. Don Quixote, considered by some to be the first modern novel, was written by Spaniard Miguel Cervantes. The oldest known Spanish poem was dedicated to Eil Cid, an eleventh-century hero from Castile.