Spain is ranked as one of the leading fishing countries in Europe. Off the Northern Coast, anchovies, hake, octopus, squid, tuna, and many others are fished. Spaniards enjoy and specialize in seafood. This is because it is inexpensive and plentiful it the coast waters. It is prepared in a variety of ways, but the most popular is Paella. It is shrimp, lobster, chicken, ham, vegetables, and sometimes squid combined with rice.
Spaniards are accustomed to dine in several courses. These are usually as follows: As an appetizer: Cured ham, oysters, shrimp, etc. Starter: Soup, salad or vegetable dish, Main course: Meat or fish, Dessert: fruit, sweet or cheese, Coffee: Normally an expresso-type coffee.
A popular drink in Spain is called Sangria. It is made from wine, soda water, fruit juices, and tropical fruits. Another trademark beverage is a thick, strong, hot chocolate, served with deep fried strips of dough called churros.
Although Spain lies in the temperate zone, its rugged relief gives rise to a great diversity of climates. The Cantabrian mountains mark the first well-defined climatological dividing zone. To the north of this range, the narrow northern strip, where the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia are situated, lies what is called rainy Spain, with a maritime climate. It has slight variations in temperature, mild winters and cool summers, an almost constantly cloudy sky and frequent rainfall, although less so during the summer. This climate, which is typical of western Europe, favours a northern European type of vegetation.
Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe, containing 504,750km2 and a population of 39,167,700 people. The country is located in Southwestern Europe between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and Portugal and France. To the Northeastern border, the Pyrenees Mountains separate Spain from France. The capital city of Spain is Madrid, which lies in the center of the country.
A trademark tradition for Spain is the Sanfermines (also known as "The Running of the Bulls) in Pamploma, which is on the Northern part of the country. Every year on July seventh, thousands of tourist and citizens gather in a large mass in the old part of the city to experience on of the most dangerous adventures of their lives. While anyone who is willing, along with many experts, put on traditional outfits and run in front of herds of wild bulls until they enter the Bullring.
The Tomatina, a town wide Tomato Fight held in Bunol (in the Valencia region of Spain), is a tradition that takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August during week long festival. A paella cook-off is held the night before the Tomatina. Pans the size of trash can lids simmer over wood fires in an outdoor lot. The Tomatina is the world's largest food fight, and probably the messiest. It reportedly started in 1945 at an anti-Franco rally. More than 240,000 pounds of tomatoes are hurled by townspeople (about 20,000 participate, mostly boys vs. girls) at each other from 11 AM to 1 PM, then a bottle rocket goes off and together they clean up the mess. The streets are literally flooded with tomato juice, pulp, seeds, skins -- the slop is ankle deep and all over the walls. This may sound like a fun event, but every year many injuries (usually to the eyes and ankles) and a few casualties take place.
Bibliography
Geis, Darlene. Let's Travelin Spain. Children's Press Inc. Chicago, 1982
Spain. The Book of Knowledge. Grolier Inc. Canada, 1991
Spain. Land and People Vol. 4. Mooney Publishing, 1989
History of Spain. www.bme.es/racc/rallye87.rccb26.htm
National Health Institute. www.sispain.org/english/health/inst.html
Spain. www.worldbookonline.com
