Culture of Spain is an Iberian culture that was marked with the period of Roman influences. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial In the crucial areas of language and religion, the Ancient Romans left a lasting legacy. However, the subsequent course of Spanish history added elements to the country's cultural development.
Muslim cultural production has also influenced Spain's culture to some extent. Muslim influences was very strong during the period of 711 A. D. to the 1400s, especially in the area of language. The Spanish language, despite being influence by Latin; has also borrowed numerous words and accents from the Arabic language. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Spain's cultural mix became richer during the Middle Ages because of the presence of a large and influential Jewish population. After the defeat of the Muslims and Jews during the Christian "Reconquista" (Reconquest) period between 1000 to 1492, Spain became a Roman Catholic country. The Reconquista (a Spanish and Portuguese word for "Reconquest" Arabic: الاسترداد, "Recapturing" was a period Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the history of the nation and its Mediterranean and Atlantic environment have played a significant role in shaping its culture.
By the end of the 19th and 20th century, the Spanish government made expressions of cultural diversity easier than it had been for the last seven centuries. This occurred at the same period that Spain became increasingly drawn into a diverse international culture.
Way of life
Spain is an industrial and developed country, and most of its inhabitants live in an increasingly modern urban society. Most Spaniards belong in the upper class society. Almost all people lived in urban areas, while farmers and agriculturalist live in the rural villages or small towns. However, most people in the country still follow a number of old age tradition in addition to the latest fashion and cultural trends. Large populated urban areas include the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Bilbao, Málaga, and Zaragoza. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia Seville ( Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic cultural and financial capital of southern Spain. Valencia ( Valencian: València, Valencia Spanish phonology --> is the capital of the Spanish autonomous Bilbao, (also Bilbo) in the North of Spain, is the largest city in the Basque Country and the capital of the province of Biscay (Basque Zaragoza, also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza province and of the autonomous community and former While rural areas include Salamanca, Santander, Cantabria, and many more. Geography The city lies on a mountain by the Tormes River which is crossed by a bridge 150 m long built on 26 arches fifteen of which are of Roman origin, while The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain between Asturias (to the west and
The art and architecture
Spanish architecture refers to architecture carried out in any area in what is now modern-day Spain, and by Spanish architects worldwide. The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation The term includes buildings within the current geographical limits of Spain before this name was given to those territories (whether they were called Hispania, Al-Andalus, or were formed of several Christian kingdoms). Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar Al-Andalus (الأندلس was the Arabic name given to those parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims or Due to its historical and geographical diversity, Spanish architecture has drawn from a host of influences.
Since the first known inhabitants in the Iberian peninsula, the Iberians around 4000 B. The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra C. and later on the Celtiberians,[1] Iberian architecture started to take shape in parallel with other architectures around the Mediterranean and others from Northern Europe. The Celtiberians (or Celt-Iberians were a Celtic people of Hallstatt culture Northern Europe is a term for the northern part of Europe. The United Nations defines Northern Europe as (Finland
A real development came with the arrival of the Ancient Romans, who left behind some of their most outstanding monuments in Hispania. Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar The arrival of the Visigoths brought about a profound decline in building techniques which was paralleled in the rest of the former Empire. The Visigoths (Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, or Wisi were one of two main branches of the Goths, an East The Moorish invasion in 711 A. The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent D. lead to a radical change and for the following eight centuries there were great advances in culture, including architecture. For example, Cordoba was established as the cultural Capital of its time under the Umayyad dynasty. ||-||-||} Córdoba ( Cordova in English is a City in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Simultaneously, the Christian kingdoms gradually emerged and developed their own styles, at first mostly isolated from European architectural influences, and later integrated into Romanesque and Gothic streams, they reached an extraordinary peak with numerous samples along the whole territory. Regional characteristics of Romanesque architecture|Romanesque art Romanesque architecture is the term that is used to describe the architecture of Middle Ages Europe which See also Gothic art Gothic architecture is a style of Architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period. The Mudéjar style, from the 12th to 17th centuries, was characterised by the blending of cultural European and Arabic influences. Mudéjar is the name given to the Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus, who remained in Christian territory after the Reconquista but were
Towards the end of the 15th century, just before establishing the Spanish Empire and influencing Latin America and the rest of its overseas colonies with its colonial architecture, Spain itself experimented with Renaissance architecture, developed mostly by local architects. The Spanish Empire (Imperio Español was one of the largest Empires in history and one of the first Global empires In the 15th and 16th centuries Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe in which there was a Spanish Baroque was distinguished by its exuberant Churrigueresque decoration, developing separately from later international influences. Spanish Baroque is a strand of Baroque architecture that evolved in Spain and its provinces and former colonies notably Spanish America and Belgium Churrigueresque refers to a Spanish Baroque style of elaborate sculptural architectural ornament which emerged as a manner of stucco decoration in Spain in the late The colonial style, which has lasted for centuries, still has a strong influence in Latin America. Neoclassicism reached its peak in the work of Juan de Villanueva and his disciples. Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century both as a reaction against the Rococo Juan de Villanueva ( Madrid, September 15, 1739 - id August 22, 1811)
The 19th century had two faces: the engineering efforts to achieve a new language and bring about structural improvements using iron and glass as the main building materials, and the academic focus, firstly on revivals and eclecticism, and later on regionalism. Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single Paradigm or set of assumptions but instead draws upon multiple theories styles or ideas to Critical regionalism is an approach to Architecture that strives to counter the placelessness and lack of meaning in Modern Architecture by using contextual forces The arrival of Modernism in the academic arena produced figures such as Antoni Gaudí and much of the architecture of the twentieth century. Modernism describes an array of Cultural movements rooted in the changes in Western society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century The International style was leaded by groups like GATEPAC. The International style was a major Architectural style of the 1920s and 1930s GATEPAC (Grupo de Artistas y Técnicos Españoles Para la Arquitectura Contemporánea was a group of architects assembled during the Second Spanish Republic. Spain is currently experiencing a revolution in contemporary architecture and Spanish architects including Rafael Moneo, Santiago Calatrava, Ricardo Bofill as well as many others have gained worldwide success. Contemporary architecture is the architecture being made at the present time José Rafael Moneo Vallés (born May 9, 1937) is a Spanish Architect. Santiago Calatrava Valls (born July 28, 1951) is an internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish Architect, Ricardo Bofill (born December 5, 1939) is a Spanish Architect born in Catalonia of Jewish descent
Because of their artistic relevance, many architectural sites in Spain, and even portions of cities, have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 Spain has the second highest number of World Heritage Sites in the world; only Italy has more. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest
Painting and sculpture
Spain's greatest painters during the Golden age period included El Greco, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco Goya, who became world-renowed artist between the period of the 1500s to 1800s. Spanish art is an important and influential type of art in Europe The term Golden age is best known from Greek mythology and legend but can also be found in other ancient cultures (see below El Greco' ("The Greek " 1541 &ndash April 7 1614 was a painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance This article is about the painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo There is also an article on the Canadian village Murillo Ontario, which was named after the artist due to Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez ( June 6, 1599 &ndash August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter who was the leading However, Spain's best known artist since the 1900s has been Pablo Picasso, who is known for his abstract sculptures, drawings, graphics, and ceramics in addition to his paintings. Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Martyr Patricio Clito Ruíz y Picasso (October 25 1881 &ndash April 8 1973 Other leading artist include Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, Joan Miró, and Antonio Tàpies. Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11 1904 &ndash January 23 1989 was a Spanish Catalan Surrealist José Victoriano González-Pérez ( March 23, 1887 – May 11, 1927) better known as Juan Gris, was a Spanish Joan Miró i Ferrà ( April 20, 1893 &ndash December 25, 1983) was an ethnic Catalan (of Spanish nationality Antoni Tàpies (born in Barcelona, December 13, 1923) is a Spanish Catalan painter
Cinema
The art of motion-picture making within the nation of Spain or by Spanish filmmakers abroad is collectively known as "Spanish Cinema". The art of motion-picture making within the nation of Spain or by Spanish filmmakers
In recent years, Spanish cinema has achieved high marks of recognition as a result of its creative and technical excellence. In the long history of Spanish cinema, the great filmmaker Luis Buñuel was the first to achieve universal recognition, followed by Pedro Almodóvar in the 1980s. Luis Buñuel Portolés (22 February 1900 &ndash 29 July 1983 was a Spanish -born Filmmaker and naturalized Mexican who worked mainly in Mexico Pedro Almodóvar Caballero (ˈpeð̞ɾo almoˈð̞oβ̞̞aɾ kaβ̞aˈʝeɾo (born September 24, 1949 in Calzada de Calatrava, Spain) is a Spanish Spanish cinema has also seen international success over the years with films by directors like Segundo de Chomón, Florián Rey, Luis García Berlanga, Carlos Saura, Julio Medem and Alejandro Amenábar. A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. Segundo Víctor Aurelio Chomón y Ruiz ( October 17 1871 in Teruel - May 2 1929) was a pioneering Spanish film director Florián Rey (real name Antonio Martínez del Castillo) born at La Almunia de Doña Godina ( Zaragoza) January 25 1894 - death at Benidorm Luis García Berlanga (born in Valencia, on 12 June 1921) is a Spanish Film director and Screenwriter. Carlos Saura (born 4 January 1932, Atarés, Huesca) is a Spanish film director Julio Médem (born 21 October 1958) is a Spanish Basque Writer and Film director. Alejandro Fernando Amenábar Cantos (born March 31, 1972 in Santiago Chile) is a Spanish Film Woody Allen, upon receiving the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award in 2002 in Oviedo remarked: "when I left New York, the most exciting film in the city at the time was Spanish, Pedro Almodovar's one. Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; December 1 1935 is an American Film director, Writer, Actor, Comedian, and The Prince of Asturias Awards ( Spanish: Premios Príncipe de Asturias, Asturian: Premios Príncipe d'Asturies) is a series of prestigious annual Oviedo ( Asturian: Uviéu is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. I hope that Europeans will continue to lead the way in film making because at the moment not much is coming from the United States. "
Non-directors have obtained less international notability. Only the cinematographer Néstor Almendros, the actress Penélope Cruz and the actors Fernando Rey, Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem and Fernando Fernán Gómez have obtained some recognition outside of Spain. Néstor Almendros, ASC ( October 30, 1930 &ndash March 4, 1992) was a Spanish Cinematographer. An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Penélope Cruz Sánchez (pe̞ˈne̞ˑlo̞pe̞ ˈkɾuθ̟ ˈs̺änʲʨe̞θ̟ born April 28 1974 better known as Penélope Cruz, is a Spanish actress An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Fernando Casado D'Arambillet, better known as Fernando Rey ( September 20, 1917 &ndash March 9, 1994) was a Spanish José Antonio Domínguez Banderas (born August 10, 1960) better known as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish film Actor and Singer Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem (born 1 March 1969 is an Academy Award -winning and critically acclaimed Spanish Actor who has starred in over two dozen Fernando Fernán Gómez ( August 28, 1921 &ndash November 21, 2007) was a Spanish actor and director Mexican actor Gael García Bernal has also recently received international notoriety in films by Spanish directors. Gael García Bernal (IPA /ga'el gaɾ'sia beɾ'nal/ born November 30 1978 is a Mexican Actor and director.
Today, only 10 to 20% of box office receipts in Spain are generated by domestic films, a situation that repeats itself in many nations of Europe and the Americas. The Spanish government has therefore implemented various measures aimed at supporting local film production and movie theaters, which include the assurance of funding from the main national television stations. The trend is being reversed with the recent screening of mega productions such as the €30 million film Alatriste (starring Viggo Mortensen), the Academy Award winning Spanish/Mexican film Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno), Volver (starring Penélope Cruz), and Los Borgia (€10 million), all of them sold-out blockbusters in Spain. Alatriste is a film directed by Spanish director Agustín Díaz Yanes, based on the main character of a series of novels written by Arturo Viggo Peter Mortensen Jr (born October 20 1958 is a Golden Globe - and Academy Award -nominated Danish American Theater and movie Pan's Labyrinth (Spanish El laberinto del fauno, literally The Labyrinth of the Faun) is a 2006 Spanish language Volver ( Spanish: "to return" (specifically to return to a place bolˈβ̞eɾ is a 2006 Spanish film by director Pedro Almodóvar Penélope Cruz Sánchez (pe̞ˈne̞ˑlo̞pe̞ ˈkɾuθ̟ ˈs̺änʲʨe̞θ̟ born April 28 1974 better known as Penélope Cruz, is a Spanish actress
Another aspect of Spanish cinema mostly unknown to the general public is the appearance of English-language Spanish films such as The Machinist (starring Christian Bale) The Others (starring Nicole Kidman), Basic Instinct 2 (starring Sharon Stone), and Milos Forman’s Goya's Ghosts (starring Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman). The Machinist (also known as El Maquinista) is an English-language Spanish Psychological thriller film directed by Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974 is a British Basic Instinct 2, also known as Basic Instinct 2 Risk Addiction, is a 2006 Film, being the long awaited sequel to 1992's Sharon Vonne Stone (born March 10, 1958) is an American Golden Globe - and Emmy -winning Actress, producer, and former Jan Tomáš Forman (ˈjan ˈtomaːʃ ˈforman born February 18, 1932) better known as Miloš Forman (ˈmɪloʃ ˈforman is a Czech-American Goya's Ghosts is a 2006 Spanish Film directed by Miloš Forman ( Amadeus, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem (born 1 March 1969 is an Academy Award -winning and critically acclaimed Spanish Actor who has starred in over two dozen Natalie Portman (נטלי פורטמן born Natalie Hershlag June 9 1981 is an Israeli American Actress. All of these films were produced by Spanish firms. This attests to the dynamism and creativity of Spanish directors and producers.
- The following category is a list of percentages of attendance and gross revenues.
| Year | Total number of spectators (millions) | Spectators of Spanish cinema (millions) | Percentage | Film | Spectators (millions) | Percentage over the total of Spanish cinema |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 96. 2 | 10. 4 | 10. 8% | Two Much (Fernando Trueba) |
2. Two Much is a 1995 Romantic comedy film directed by Fernando Trueba and starring Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Fernando Trueba ( January 18 1955 in Madrid) is an award-winning Spanish book editor Screenwriter and Film director. 1 | 20. 2% |
| 1997 | 107. 1 | 13. 9 | 14. 9% | Airbag (Juanma Bajo Ulloa) |
2. Juan Manuel Bajo Ulloa (born January 1, 1967) is a Spanish Basque Film director. 1 | 14. 1% |
| 1998 | 119. 8 | 14. 1 | 13. 3% | Torrente, The Stupid Arm of the Law (Santiago Segura) |
3 | 21. Torrente el brazo tonto de la ley is a 1998 Spanish dark comedy written directed and starred by Santiago Segura. Santiago Segura Silva (born July 17, 1965) is a Spanish film Actor, Scriptwriter, producer and director 3% |
| 1999 | 131. 3 | 18. 1 | 16% | All About My Mother (Pedro Almodóvar) |
2. All About My Mother ( Todo sobre mi madre) is a 1999 Film written and directed by the Spanish Auteur Pedro Almodóvar Pedro Almodóvar Caballero (ˈpeð̞ɾo almoˈð̞oβ̞̞aɾ kaβ̞aˈʝeɾo (born September 24, 1949 in Calzada de Calatrava, Spain) is a Spanish 5 | 13. 8% |
| 2000 | 135. 3 | 13. 4 | 11% | Commonwealth (Álex de la Iglesia) |
1. La comunidad (UK title Common Wealth) is an awarded 2000 Spanish black Comedy film directed by Álex de la Álex de la Iglesia (born December 4, 1965) is a Spanish Basque Film director. 6 | 11. 9% |
| 2001 | 146. 8 | 26. 2 | 17. 9% | The Others (Alejandro Amenábar) |
6. The Others is a 2001 psychological horror Film by the Spanish / Chilean director Alejandro Amenábar Alejandro Fernando Amenábar Cantos (born March 31, 1972 in Santiago Chile) is a Spanish Film 2 | 23. 8% |
| 2002 | 140. 7 | 19. 0 | 13. 5% | The Other Side of the Bed (Emilio Martínez Lázaro) |
2. The Other Side of the Bed aka The Wrong Side of the Bed ( Spanish title El otro lado de la cama) is a 2002 Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (born 1945 is a Spanish Film director famous for such films as The Other Side of the Bed and His Master's 7 | 14. 3% |
| 2003 | 137. 5 | 21. 7 | 15. 8% | Mortadelo & Filemón: The Big Adventure (Javier Fesser) |
5. Javier Fesser ( Madrid, 1964 is a Spanish Film director and Publicist. 0 | 22. 9% |
| 2004 | 143. 9 | 19. 3 | 13. 4% | The Sea Inside (Alejandro Amenábar) |
4. The Sea Inside ( Mar adentro) is a 2004 Film by the Spanish / Chilean director Alejandro Amenábar Alejandro Fernando Amenábar Cantos (born March 31, 1972 in Santiago Chile) is a Spanish Film 0 | 20. 7% |
| 2005 | 126. 0 | 21. 0 | 16. 7% | Torrente 3: The Protector (Santiago Segura) |
3. Santiago Segura Silva (born July 17, 1965) is a Spanish film Actor, Scriptwriter, producer and director 6 | 16. 9% |
| 2006 (provisional) | 67,8 | 6,3 | 9,3% | Volver (Pedro Almodóvar) |
1,8 | 28. Volver ( Spanish: "to return" (specifically to return to a place bolˈβ̞eɾ is a 2006 Spanish film by director Pedro Almodóvar Pedro Almodóvar Caballero (ˈpeð̞ɾo almoˈð̞oβ̞̞aɾ kaβ̞aˈʝeɾo (born September 24, 1949 in Calzada de Calatrava, Spain) is a Spanish 6% |
Language
Castilian
"Spanish" (español ) or "Castilian" (Castellano) is a Romance language originally from the northern area of Spain. The Languages of Spain are the languages spoken or once spoken in Spain. The Romance languages (sometimes referred to as Romanic languages, or Neolatin languages) are a branch of the Indo-European language family comprising all From there, its use gradually spread inside the Kingdom of Castile, where it evolved and eventually became the principal language of the government and trade. Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It was later taken to Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific when they were brought under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 19th centuries. The Spanish Empire (Imperio Español was one of the largest Empires in history and one of the first Global empires In the 15th and 16th centuries The Spanish colonization of the Americas was Spain 's conquest settlement and rule over much of the Western hemisphere. Spanish East Indies ( Indias Orientales Españolas) was a term used to describe Spanish possessions in Asia-Pacific which lasted over three centuries
Today, it is one of the official languages of Spain, most Latin American countries and Equatorial Guinea. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea ( República de Guinea Ecuatorial,) is a country in Central Africa. In total, 21 nations use Spanish as their primary language. Spanish is also one of six official languages of the United Nations!
Euskara
"Basque" (native name: "Euskara") is the language spoken by the Basque people who inhabit the Pyrenees in North-Central Spain and the adjoining region of South-Western France. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security An exonym (from Greek el ἔξω exo = out el ὄνομα onoma = name is a name for a place that is not used within that place by the local The Basques (Euskaldunak are a people who inhabit a region spanning over parts of north-central Spain and southwestern France. The Pyrenees (Pirineos French: Pyrénées; Catalan: Pirineus; Occitan: Pirenèus; Aragonese: Perinés This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.
It is spoken by approximately a quarter of the Basques, with its stronghold in the contiguous area formed by eastern Guipúzcoa, northwestern Navarre and the sparsely populated French Lower Navarre and Soule. Guipúzcoa ( Spanish) or Gipuzkoa ( Basque and official is a province of the Basque Country, in Spain. Lower Navarre (Nafarroa Beherea or Baxenabarre Basse-Navarre Baja Navarra is a part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques département Soule ( Zuberoa, Xiberu or Xüberoa in Basque, Sola in Gascon is a former viscounty and French province and It is not spoken in most of Álava, in western Biscay, or in the southern half of Navarre. Out of a total of nearly 3,000,000 Basques, it is estimated that some 632,000 are Basque language speakers, of which approximately 566,000 live in the Spanish Basque country, with the rest resding in the French part of it. [2]
While being a heavily-dialectalized language (especially when compared to the rather small distribution range), it has been standardized and updated by the end of the 20th century by means of its Batua version. A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος dialektos) is a variety of a Language that is characteristic of a particular group of Euskara batua (English "Unified Basque language" is a standardised version of the Basque language, which nowadays is the most widely and This one is mainly used in the Spanish Basque country, and not so much by French speakers.
The Basques occupy a Spanish autonomous community known as the Basque Country (Euskadi), which has significant cultural and political autonomy, the Northern Basque Country in French department of the Pyrennées Atlantiques, and the autonomous community of Navarre in Spain, which together make up the historical Basque Country (Euskal Herria). An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Basque Country ( Basque Euskadi, Spanish País Vasco) is an autonomous community in northern Spain. The French Basque Country or Northern Basque Country (Pays basque français Iparralde constitutes the North-Eastern part of the Basque Country and the Western The Standard Basque name for the language is "euskara". In dialectal forms it is known as "euskara", "euskera", "eskuara", or "üskara".
Catalan
"Catalan" pronounced /ˈkʰætəˌlæn/ (català IPA: [kətəˈla] or [kataˈla]) is a Romance language, the national language of Andorra, and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of The Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia, and in the city of L'Alguer in the Italian island of Sardinia. The Romance languages (sometimes referred to as Romanic languages, or Neolatin languages) are a branch of the Indo-European language family comprising all A national language is a Language (or language variant, ie Dialect) which has some connection - de facto or de jure - with Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra ( Catalan: Principat d'Andorra) is a small Landlocked country in western An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. The Valencian Community ( Valencian and official Comunitat Valenciana; Comunidad Valenciana is an Autonomous community located in central to A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Alghero ( l'Alguer in Catalan and S'Alighèra in Sardinian) is a town of about 42000 inhabitants (down from 54300 inhabitants since early Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest This is a list of Islands in the Mediterranean Sea: By area By country Croatia Croatian islands Sardinia (sɑrˈdɪnɪə Sardegna Sardigna or Sardinnya is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily) It is also spoken, although with no official recognition, in the autonomous communities of Aragon (in La Franja) and Murcia (in El Carxe) in Spain, and in the Roussillon region of southern France, which is more or less equivalent to the département of the Pyrénées-Orientales. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. The term La Franja ("The Strip" more properly Franja de Aragón or Franja de Poniente "Western Strip" in Spanish) Franja d'Aragó Murcia ( is the capital city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, located at the river Segura in south-eastern Spain. El Carche ( el Carxe in Valencian) is a mountainous sparsely populated area in Murcia, Spain, lying between the municipalities Jumilla Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Roussillon ( French: Roussillon, ʀusiˈjɔ̃ Catalan: Rosselló, pronounced; Spanish: Rosellón, pronounced) is This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Pyrénées-Orientales (Eastern Pyrenees Pirineus Orientals Pirenèus Orientals is a department of southern France adjacent to the northern Spanish frontier
Galician
"Galician" (Galician: "Galego", IPA: [gaˈlego]) is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community with the constitutional status of "historic nationality," located in northwestern Spain and small bordering zones in neighbouring autonomous communities of Asturias and Castilla y León. This article is about a subdivision of the Romance language family Galicia (occasionally Galiza) is an autonomous community in northwest Spain. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Principality of Asturias ( Spanish: Principado de Asturias, Asturian: Principáu d'Asturies or Asturies) is an Castile and León (Castilla y León known formally as the Community of Castile and León is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain.
Galician and Portuguese were, in medieval times, a single language which linguists call Galician-Portuguese, Medieval Galician, or Old Portuguese, spoken in the territories initially ruled by the medieval Kingdom of Galicia. Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. Galician-Portuguese (also known as galego-português or galaico-português in Portuguese and as galego-portugués or galaico-portugués The Kingdom of Galicia (410-1833 was a kingdom of the Iberian Peninsula for two distinct periods Both languages are even today united by a dialect continuum located mainly in the northern regions of Portugal. A dialect continuum is a range of Dialects spoken across a large geographical area differing only slightly between areas that are geographically close and gradually decreasing
Other languages
The following category is a list of dialects and varieties.
Literature
| Literature of Spain |
|---|
| • Medieval literature |
| • Renaissance |
| • Miguel de Cervantes |
| • Baroque |
| • Enlightenment |
| • Romanticism |
| • Realism |
| • Modernismo |
| • Generation of '98 |
| • Novecentismo |
| • Generation of '27 |
| • Literature subsequent to the Civil War |
The term "Spanish literature" refers to literature written in the Spanish language, including literature composed by Spanish, other European, and Latin American writers. The Andalusian Dialect of Spanish (also called andaluz) is spoken in Andalusia, Ceuta, Melilla, and parts of southern The Canarian dialect (Spanish dialecto canario or habla canaria) is a Spanish dialect spoken in the Canary Islands by the Extremaduran ( estremeñu) is a Romance Language, spoken by several thousands of people in Spain, most of them in the Autonomous community Murciano, more popularly known as panocho, is a variant of the Spanish language spoken mainly in the Spanish autonomous region of Murcia and adjacent Asturian (Asturian Asturianu or Bable) is a Romance language of the West Iberian group, Astur-Leonese Subgroup, spoken in the The term Spanish literature refers to Literature written in the Spanish language, including literature composed in Spanish by writers not necessarily from The term Spanish literature refers to Literature written in the Spanish language, including literature composed in Spanish by writers not necessarily from Spanish Renaissance literature is the Literature written in Spain during the Renaissance. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ( in modern Spanish; September 29, 1547 &ndash April 22, 1616) was a Spanish Novelist Spanish Baroque literature is the Literature written in Spain during the Baroque. Spanish Enlightenment literature is the Literature of Spain written during the Age of Enlightenment. Romanticism is a revolutionary movement affecting all aspects in life which in the arts breaks from the traditions of Neoclassicism, favouring ideas of fantasy imagination Spanish Realist literature is the literature written in Spain during the second half of the 19th century following the Realist movement which predominated in Spanish Modernist literature is the Literature of Spain written during the Modernism (beginning of the 20th century as the arts evolved and opposed the The Generation of '98 (also called Generation of 1898 or in Spanish, Generación del 98 or Generación de 1898 was a group of Novelists The Generation of '27 (Generación del '27 was an influential group of Poets that arose in Spanish literary circles between 1923 and 1927, essentially Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter It may include Spanish poetry, prose, and novels. Spanish poetry is the poetic tradition of Spain. It may include elements of Spanish literature, and literatures written in languages of Spain other than For the Wikipedia guideline regarding editing articles see WikipediaManual of Style. A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story
Spanish literature is the name given to the literary works written in Spain throughout time, and those by Spanish authors world-wide. Due to historic, geographic and generational diversity, Spanish literature has known a great number of influences and it is very diverse. Some major movements can be identified within it.
Religion
About 76% of Spaniards belong to the Roman Catholic religion; 2% identify with another religious faith, and about 19% as non-religious. Today Roman Catholicism is the largest Religion in the country
Religious holiday
The most important Spanish holiday is "Semana Santa" (Holy Week), celebrated the week before Easter with large parades and other religious events. Holy Week ( Latin: Hebdomada Sancta or Maior Hebdomada, "Greater Week" in Christianity is the last week before Easter. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Spaniards also hold celebrations to honour their local patron saints in churches, cities, towns and villages. The people decorate the streets, build bonfires, set off fireworks and hold large parades, bullfights and beauty contest. One of the best known Spanish celebration is the festival of "San Fermin", which is celebrated every year on July in Pamplona. The festival of San Fermín in the city of Pamplona ( Navarre, Spain) is a deeply-rooted celebration held annually from noon 6 July when the opening of For other meanings see Pamplona (disambiguation. Pamplona ( Basque: Iruñea or Iruña) is the capital city of Navarre Bulls are released into the streets, while people run ahead of the animals to the bullring. For the retail complex in Birmingham UK see Bull Ring Birmingham.
Custom
The "siesta", an hour-long mid-afternoon break from work and school is commonly practised. A siesta ( is a short nap taken in the early afternoon often after the midday Meal. Many shopping centers, shops and some museums (though relatively few other businesses) split their hours into two distinct periods of opening with a two or three hour break in the middle; a "paseo" (stroll) in the early evening remains a common custom in many smaller cities and to some extent even in the larger areas.
Sport
Football is higly appreciated and it is regarded to be the most popular contemporary recreation in the country. Sport in Spain in the second half of 20th century has been dominated by football. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Notable teams include Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona. Fútbol Club Barcelona ( Catalan fudˈbɔɫ ˌklup bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish ˈfutβol ˌkluβ baɾθeˈlona known familiarly as Barça (Spanish ˈbaɾsa Catalan
Music
Spain's musical production includes a long history of innovation in Western and Andalusian classical music, as well as a domestic popular music industry, and diverse styles of folk music. Spanish music is often considered abroad to be synonymous with Flamenco, an Andalusian musical genre which contrary to popular belief is not widespread outside that region Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music Andalusian classical music (or Arabo-Andalusian music, moussiqua al-âla) is a style of Arabic music found across North Africa, though it evolved Popular music is Music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more Folk music can have a number of different meanings including Traditional music: The original meaning of the term "folk music" was synonymous Modern Spain has a number of performers in the fields of rock and roll, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop, electronic music is also common between Spaniards and djs such as dj marta or alex trackone are very well known in the Spanish parties. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Electronic music is music that employs Electronic musical instruments and Electronic Music technology in its production
The best-known variety of Spanish folk music is probably flamenco, a diverse genre created by Andalusian Roma. Flamenco is a Spanish term that refers both to a musical genre known for its intricate rapid passages and a dance genre characterized by its audible footwork The Romani people (singular Rom, plural Roma as a Noun; also known as Romanies or Roma people) are an ethnic group with origins Flamenco has been known since at least the 1770s, and has been through several cycles of dwindling popularity and rebirth. The style has produced many of the most famous Spanish musicians, including singer Camarón de la Isla and guitarist Carlos Montoya. El Camarón de la Isla ( December 5, 1950, San Fernando, Spain – July 2, 1992, Badalona, Spain) was Carlos Montoya ( 13 December 1903 &ndash 3 March 1993) a prominent Flamenco guitarist was a founder of the modern-day popular
Outside of flamenco, regional Spanish folk music includes the distinct Basque trikitixa and accordion music, Galician and Asturian gaita (bagpipe) and Aragonese jota. See also Accordion Trikitixa (pronounced IPA) or eskusoinu ("hand sound" is a two-row Basque Diatonic button accordion The accordion is a portable box-shaped Musical instrument of the hand-held Bellows -driven free-reed aerophone family sometimes referred to as a Squeezebox The ( Galician) gaita or gaita de fole is a traditional Bagpipe used in Galicia (Spain, and Portugal. Bagpipes are a class of Musical instrument, Aerophones using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag Though some folk traditions have died out or are moribund, some retain great popularity and have been modernized and adapted to new instruments, styles and formats. These include the popular Celtic music of Galicia, the singer-songwriter tradition of nova canço and New Flamenco. Celtic music is a term utilised by artists record companies music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of Musical genres that evolved out of the Folk Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to Performers who write, compose and sing their own material including Lyrics Nuevo Flamenco ("New Flamenco" is synonymous with contemporary Flamenco and is a modern derivative of traditional flamenco (see the Cafés cantantes period
The first distinctly modern popular music of Spain began to appear in about 1959. Soon, Ye-Yé dominated the Spanish charts, followed by the import of American and British rock, French singers and other pop stars. Yé-yé was a style of pop music that emerged out of France, Québec and Spain in the early 1960s
Cuisine
Spanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's Mediterranean origin. Seafood is any Sea Animal or Seaweed that is served as Food, or is suitable for eating particularly saltwater animals such Spain's extensive history with various cultural influences has led to a unique cuisine with literally thousands of recipes and flavors including tetangas, a Spanish dish, and tetangalonas another version of tetangas, but with several flavours including lemon and citrus.
A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Roman, Jewish, and Arab traditions. Jewish cuisine is a collection of international Cookery traditions linked by Jewish Dietary laws ( Kashrus) and Jewish holiday traditions Arab cuisine is defined as the various regional cuisines spanning the Arab World from Iraq to Morocco to Somalia to Yemen, and incorporating The Muslim people were a strong influence in Spain for many centuries and some of their food is still eaten in the country today. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity or "cleanliness of blood", because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Limpieza de sangre is also a novel in the Captain Alatriste series by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Several native foods of the Americas were introduced to Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook could not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and beans. Native American cuisine includes all food practices of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items. Mediterranean cuisine is the food of the areas around the Mediterranean Sea.
The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. Olive oil is a fruit oil obtained from the olive ( Olea europaea; family Oleaceae along with Lilacs Jasmine and ash trees However, butter or lard are also important, especially in the north.
Daily meals eaten by Spaniards in many areas of the country are still very often made traditionally by hand, from fresh ingredients bought daily from the local market. This practice is more common in the rural areas and less common in the large urban areas like Madrid, where supermarkets are beginning to displace the open air markets. However, even in Madrid food can be bought from the local shops; bread from the "panadería" and meat from the "carnicería".
One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink, including sherry, wine and beer. For the spritual concept see Tapas (Sanskrit; for the Spanish film see Tapas (film. Sherry is a Fortified wine, made in and around the town of Jerez, Spain. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice Beer is the world's oldest and most widely consumed Alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea In some areas, like Almería, Granada or Jaén in Andalusia tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that reason. Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. Jaén (جيان: Jayyān is a city in south-central Spain, the name is probably derived from the Arabic word Jayyan (crossroads of caravans Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area It should be noted that almost every bar serves something edible when a drink is ordered, without charge. However many bars exist primarily to serve a purchased "tapa".
Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. Churros are fried-dough Pastry -based snacks, sometimes made from potato dough originated in Spain, and is popular in Latin America Chocolate ( pronounced or /-ˈələt/ comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical Cacao tree "Churrerías", or stores that serve churros, are quite common. The Chocolatería de San Ginés in Madrid is especially famous as a place to stop and have some chocolate with churros, often late into the night (even dawn) after being out on the town. Often traditional Spanish singers and musicians will entertain the guests. [1]
As is true in many countries, the cuisines of Spain differ widely from one region to another, even though they all share certain common characteristics, which include:
- The use of olive oil as a cooking fat in items such as fritters. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water A fritter is any kind of food coated in batter and Deep fried. It is also used raw.
- The use of sofrito to start the preparation of many dishes. Sofrito is a Spanish word for a well cooked and fragrant sauce
- The use of garlic and onions as major seasonings. Allium sativum L, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the Onion family Alliaceae. Organicsalsajpg||thumb|right|Onions used in salsa.]]Cooked onions in frying pan
- The custom of drinking wine during meals. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice
- Serving bread with the vast majority of meals. Bread is a Staple food prepared by Baking a Dough of Flour and Water.
- Consumption of salads, especially in the summer. Salad is a mixture of cold foods usually including vegetables and/or fruits often with a dressing occasionally nuts or Croutons, and sometimes with the addition of
- The consumption of a piece of fruit or a dairy product as dessert. Dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal usually consisting of sweet Food but sometimes of a strongly-flavored one such as some Cheeses The Desserts such as tarts and cakes are typically reserved for special occasions. A tart is a Pastry dish usually sweet that is a type of Pie with an open top not covered with pastry Cake is a form of Food that is usually sweet and often baked.
Education
Obligatory Education
| Age | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Educacion Primaria
(Primary Education) |
5-6 | Primero (1st grade) |
| 7-6 | Segundo (2nd Grade) | |
| 8-9 | Tercero (3rd Grade) | |
| 9-10 | Cuarto (4h Grade) | |
| 10-11 | Quinto (5th Grade) | |
| 11-12 | Sexto (6th Grade) | |
| ESO
(Secondary School) |
||
| 12-13 | Primero (first grade) | |
| 13-14 | Segundo (second grade) | |
| 14-15 | Tercero (third grade) | |
| 15-16 | Cuarto (fourth grade) |
Optional Education: Bachillerato
| Common Subjects |
|
|---|
| Natural Sciences/Technology | Humanities and Social Sciences | Art |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and chemistry | History | Sculpture |
| Biology | Economy | Painting |
| Maths applied to Natural sciences | Maths applied to Social sciences | Music |
| Technology (optional) | Latin (optional) | |
| Technical drawing (optional) | Ancient greek (optional) | |
| French language (optional) | French language (optional) | |
| informatics (optional) | informatics (optional) | |
| Psychology (optional) | Psychology (optional) |
Politics
Regionalism
A strong sense of regional identity exists in many regions of Spain. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Physics (Greek Physis - φύσις in everyday terms is the Science of Matter and its motion. Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Foundations of modern biology There are five unifying principles An economy is the realized social system of production exchange distribution and consumption of goods and services of a country or other area Painting (pān'tīng in Art, is the practice of applying Color to a Surface (support base such as e Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. Technology is a broad concept that deals with a Species ' usage and knowledge of Tools and Crafts and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. A technical drawing is a form of graphic communication This type of Drawing is used in the transforming of an idea into physical form The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage in the development of the Hellenic language family spanning the Archaic (c French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Informatics is the science of Information, the practice of Information processing, and the engineering of Information systems. Informatics is the science of Information, the practice of Information processing, and the engineering of Information systems. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Politics of Spain takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Constitutional monarchy, whereby the Monarch is the These regions or nationalities—even those that least identify themselves as Spanish—have contributed greatly to many aspects of mainstream Spanish culture. Spaniards are very proud of their heritage and culture,
Most notably, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia have widespread nationalist sentiment. The Basque Country ( Basque Euskadi, Spanish País Vasco) is an autonomous community in northern Spain. Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. Galicia (occasionally Galiza) is an autonomous community in northwest Spain. The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation Many Basque and Catalan nationalists back statehood for their respective regions. Basque nationalism is a movement with roots in the Carlism and the loss by the laws of 1839 and 1876 of the Ancien Régime relationship between the Basque provinces Catalan Nationalism, or Catalanism (from Catalanisme in Catalan) is a political movement advocating for either further political A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. Basque aspirations to statehood have been a cause of violence (notably by ETA), although most Basque nationalists (like virtually all Catalan nationalists) currently seek to fulfill their aspirations of peace. eu '''Euskadi Ta Askatasuna''' or ETA ( Basque for "Basque Homeland and Freedom" ˈɛːta is an illegal armed Basque nationalist Separatist
There are also several communities where there is a great sense of regional identity: Andalusia, Asturias, Navarre, Balearic Islands and Valencia (the last two feeling attached to Catalan culture in different ways) each have their own version of nationalism, but generally with a smaller percentage of nationalists than in the Basque Country and Catalonia. Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area The Principality of Asturias ( Spanish: Principado de Asturias, Asturian: Principáu d'Asturies or Asturies) is an The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean The Valencian Community ( Valencian and official Comunitat Valenciana; Comunidad Valenciana is an Autonomous community located in central to
There are other regions which, despite a broad Spanish nationalist feeling, have strong regional identities: Cantabria, Rioja, Aragon, and Extremadura. Cantabria is a Spanish province and Autonomous community with Santander as its capital city Aragon ( Spanish: "Aragón") is an autonomous community of Spain. Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida.
There are also the cases of Madrid, an administrative autonomous community inside the two Castilles; the two north African autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the autonomous community of Murcia. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain located on the Mediterranean, on the North African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, which Melilla is an autonomous city of Spain located on the Mediterranean, on the North African coast Murcia ( is the capital city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, located at the river Segura in south-eastern Spain. Castile was the core kingdom under which Spain eventually unified after centuries of evolution and incorporations. Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. Yet there are also strong movements in the provinces of the extinct region of Leon, pushing to separate from Castilla-Leon. Castile and León (Castilla y León known formally as the Community of Castile and León is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain.
Spain has a long history of tension between centralism and regionalism. The current organization of the state into autonomous communities (similar to a federal organization) under the Spanish Constitution of 1978 is intended as a way to incorporate these communities into the state. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Constitution of Spain is regarded as the culmination of the Spanish transition to democracy.
While nearly everyone in Spain can speak Spanish (which is almost universally known in Spain as "Castellano" (Castilian); rather than "Español" (Spanish) other languages figure prominently in many regions: Basque "Euskara" in the Basque Country and Navarre; Catalan in Catalonia, Balearic Islands and Valencia (where it is usually referred to as Valencian), and Galician in Galicia. Basque ( native name: euskara) is the Language spoken by the Basque people who inhabit the Pyrenees in North-Central Spain Catalan ˈkætəˌlæn ( català kətəˈla or) is a Romance language, the national and official language of Andorra, and a co-official Valencian ( valencià) is the historical traditional and official name used in the Valencian Community of Spain to refer to the region's native language Spanish is official throughout the country; the rest of these have co-official status in their respective regions and all are major enough that there are numerous daily newspapers in these languages and (especially for Catalan and Basque) a significant book publishing industry. Many citizens in these regions consider their regional language as their primary language and Spanish as secondary; these languages cover broad enough regions to have multiple distinct dialects. Spanish itself also has distinct dialects around the country, with the Andaluz dialect being closer to the Spanish of the Americas, which is heavily influenced.
See also
References
- ^ A picture of a Celtiberian house in Numantia
- ^ Basque language. Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic The Iberians were a set of peoples that Greek and Roman sources (among others Hecataeus of Miletus, Avienus, Herodot and Strabo The History of Spain spans the period from Prehistoric Iberia, through the rise and fall of the first global empire, to Spain's current position
External links
- Don Quijote: Spanish Culture
- Muslim Spain and European Culture
- Kwinyessential Cross Cultural Solutions: Spain - Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquttes
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