Spain Fun Facts | Spanish Culture

Summary

Spanish is the world's second most spoken language, spoken in 21 countries. Spain, once a global power, now has the 4th largest economy in the EU and the 14th worldwide. Known for its Mediterranean climate, it's a top tourist destination, with 82 million visitors in 2017. Madrid, the capital, is the second-largest city in the EU. Spain is mountainous with the Pyrenees as a notable feature. It's a parliamentary monarchy in the EU since 1986, using the Euro. Football is the national sport, with 'El Clasico' drawing millions of viewers. Bullfighting remains popular, despite its controversial nature. Spaniards are known for their love of family and social gatherings, though siestas are less common today.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Spanish is the second-most spoken native language globally, after Mandarin.
• 🇪🇸 Spain was the world’s most powerful nation during the 16th to 18th centuries.
• 🏙️ Madrid is Spain’s capital with a population of around 6.7 million, making it the second largest city in the EU after Berlin.
• 🌞 Spain’s Mediterranean climate and coastlines make it a popular tourist destination, with 82 million visitors in 2017.
• 🏔️ The Pyrenees mountain range separates Spain from France, stretching over 430km and rising higher than 3400m.
• ⚽ Spain’s national sport is football, with Real Madrid and Barcelona being two of the world’s richest clubs. Their rivalry is called 'El Clasico'.
• 👑 Spain is a parliamentary monarchy where the king is the head of state, and the prime minister runs the government.
• 💶 Spain has been a member of the European Union since 1986, with the Euro as its national currency.
• 🐂 Bullfighting remains popular in Spain, though bulls are actually color-blind, and the red cape is just a tradition.
• 🎉 Spaniards are known for their social, family-oriented culture, and while siestas are rare today, the motto 'Viva España' is still strong.

Q & A

What is the second-most spoken native language in the world?

Spanish is the second-most spoken native language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese.

How many nations speak Spanish daily?

A total of 21 nations speak Spanish daily.

What factors contributed to Spain's decline as a global power during the 16th-18th centuries?

Power struggles in the Spanish courts and a succession of weak kings led to Spain's decline as a global power.

What is Spain's current role in the global economy?

Spain serves as a powerful gateway to the European Union, North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. It has the 4th largest economy in the EU and the 14th largest worldwide.

Why is Spain a popular tourist destination?

Spain is popular due to its convenient geographic location, beautiful coastlines, vibrant culture, and Mediterranean climate. It was the second most visited country in the world in 2017, with around 82 million visitors.

What is the population of Madrid and where does it rank among European cities?

Madrid has a population of around 6.7 million, making it the most populated city in Spain and the second-largest city in the European Union, after Berlin.

Which countries and territories border Spain?

Spain shares borders with France to the northeast, Andorra between Spain and France, Portugal to the west, and Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, to the south.

What is Spain's government structure?

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, where the king serves as head of state, and the prime minister, elected every four years, runs the government.

What is 'El Clasico' in Spain?

'El Clasico' refers to the football rivalry between Real Madrid CF and Barcelona FC, two of the most successful football clubs in the world. The match is watched by around 100 million fans globally.

Is the tradition of taking a 'siesta' still common in Spain?

Contrary to popular belief, most Spaniards do not take a 'siesta' nowadays. Although it was common in the past, it is not feasible for most people with jobs today.