Unit 1: Information and General Customs of Spain

Unit 1: Information and General Customs of Spain Contents 1. General Information..... 2. Languages. 3. Climate... 4. Timetables 5. Payments 6. Customs. 7. Art 8. Bullfighting. 9. Sports.... 2 4 5 6 6 8 10 11 12 1

1. General Information Official Name: Kingdom of Spain Localization: Southeast of European Continent Area: 505.988 km 2 Population: Approximately 45 million (birth rate: 0.1%) Immigration Percentage: 9.9% Capital: Madrid (population 3.300.000) Nationalities and ethnicities: Spanish (although some communities have their own strong identity; Catalonia for example). Languages: Castellano, Catalán, Gallego, and Vasco. Religion: Politic Regimen: 90% of religious people are Catholic Constitutional Monarchy. The Kingdom of Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 57 provinces that have their own authority and autonomy. Head of State: King Juan Carlos I President of the government (First Minister): José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Main economic resources: Tourism, textile industry and clothing, food, metal, chemicals and construction. Principal Trading Associates: Especially European Union and United States. There has also been a noticeable increase with the Latin American market. Annual Growth: 4% Member of the European Union: Yes Visa: Not required for citizens of countries which are members of the European Union. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and many other countries, do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. Electricity voltage: Currency: Weights and measures: Temperature: Tourism: 220 V, 50Hz Euro Decimal metric system Celsius 55 million visitors per year 2

Spain in Europe Spain is part of the European Union (EU), which permits free commerce and movement of workers within the 27 European countries that form the EU. In the majority of these countries there is a common currency, the Euro, though some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have retained their original currency. In addition, some important common organisations have been created, such as the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. The European Union started out as a simple industrial agreement among Europeans who were seeking economic stability and to consolidate peace in the Old Continent after World War II. The European Union continues to incorporate new countries, which has led to the coexistence of many different cultures and the approach to an economic, political, and social union. Within the European Union there is free movement of people and workers, allowing any Union citizen to travel, work, and reside in any country in the Union without restrictions. Among many countries in the Union (all those that have signed the Shenghen agreement) there is no borders and customs control. 3

For example, a French person can move to Spain and work as if he/she were just another Spaniard, and can even vote in Spain for the European and municipal elections. They can also use the same currency, the Euro, and on crossing the Pyrenees, they will not find border and customs control. 2. Languages In Spain there are four official languages: Castellano or Spanish, which is spoken throughout the Spanish territory; Catalán, which is spoken throughout the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Valencia community, and Balearic Islands; Gallego in Galicia; and Euskera or Basque (Vasco) in the Basque Country and north of Navarre. In those areas of Spain, the two languages are official: Spanish, in its capacity as common language, and the language of the region. For this reason the traffic signs, instructions, and official documents are written in the two languages. The use and knowledge of local languages vary considerably: Catalán is very common in Catalonia, even being the most popular language in many areas of the region, while Euskera or Basque is spoken by only 20% of the population, mainly in rural areas. Although Spanish is a very homogenous language, it has diverse variables and accents vary depending on the regions and localities. At school, English is very commonly taught, although French and German are also popular. English is spoken at tourist establishments in tourist cities; however it can not be expected that people will be able to speak fluently. The level of English among Spaniards is generally very low. At tourist establishments of a certain level or in the areas which are more popular as tourist destinations, staff can usually understand other languages. English is very common on the Costa del Sol or the Costa Levantina, and German is very common on the Balearic and Canary Islands. 3. Climate In Spain there are many different climates, ranging from the Subtropical climate, especially in the Canary Islands, to the Mediterranean climate on the east coast, as well as the Continental climate of La Meseta Central, and the Oceanic climate on the north coast. In general, winters are cold (around 0ºC) and summers are hot (temperatures are often higher than 40º C in July and August). 4

Precipitation is concentrated mostly (and abundantly) in the north part of the peninsula, though Spain is still one of the driest and warmest countries in Europe, along with Italy and Greece. Spanish geography ranges from deserts to snowy areas creating a multitude of microclimates: for example, the wettest point in Spain is Grazalema, situated in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, yet this area is one of the driest in the country. The multitude of climates means that there is a variety of vegetation, animal life, character, gastronomy, and customs. The cuisine inland consists of dishes which are higher in calories as a result of the tough winters, whereas areas nearer the coast are naturally richer in fish and seafood, but in general, there is a heavy influence from the so called Mediterranean Diet, which we will talk more about later. 4. Timetables 4.1. Local time GMT + 1 hour (+ 2 hours in summer). The hours are usually indicated by the 24h system. 4.1 Business hours It is not possible to determine fixed business hours for all Spain and all types of businesses, and although the number of hours and the opening and closing times of a business are regulated, a minimum of hours is not. It must be taken into consideration that rules are not always followed, and a study on the possibility of freedom in stores business hours is currently being conducted. However, some approximate guidelines can be given. The majority of shops open from Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 2:00pm; they close for lunch, and then reopen at 4:30pm until 8:00pm. On Saturdays they open from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and some reopen in the afternoon as well. The large chain stores usually stay open for 12 uninterrupted hours, normally from 9:00am until 9:00pm or from 10:00am to 10:00pm from Monday to Saturday and occasionally also on Sundays. Banks are open to the public from 5

Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 2:00pm at the most and never open in the afternoons. Offices and public institutions are usually open for the same hours. The cafés open at around 8:00am and close at around 7:00pm. Some bars have the same opening hours; however, in general they open and close at a later time. In any case, bars are usually closed by 3:00am. The pubs or places that carry a music licence open in the afternoons and close at 4:00am, and the nightclubs open at around 11:00pm, closing at 7:00am. After that, it is possible to find some places open, the so-called Afters, from 7:00am to 12:00pm. 5. Payments 5.1 Methods Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at stores and hospitality establishments. The most accepted ones are Visa and MasterCard, and American Express is also accepted at many stores. However, small establishments or bars only accept cash. In Spain, it is not common to pay small amounts (less than 6 Euros) with a credit card. The hotel industry and business establishments usually display posters and stickers showing which credit cards are accepted. Payments made with personal cheques are much more limited Hotels usually accept many forms of payment: foreign currency, travellers and personal cheques, credit/debit cards, and of course cash. As a consequence of the growing dominance of the internet, hotel rooms are increasingly likely to be charged by credit card, partly because the card constitutes a guarantee to the hotel, and partly because it avoids the physical handling of cash. Spain has more credit cards per inhabitant than any other country in the world. 6

Spain has the largest ATM network in Europe. The majority of tourists who visit Spain use the ATMs to obtain cash; it is usually safer and more convenient, with lower fees. In addition, if the currency is not the Euro, you can obtain a better exchange rate instead of going to a currency exchange office. Travellers cheques are no longer being used as much and the number of currency exchange offices has decreased since the introduction of the Euro. 5.2 Tips This gratuity service is always included in the bill. Tips are not obligatory. Many clients never leave tips in Spain, although on some occasions, depending on the personal judgement of the client and the quality of the service, a small amount can be left, but never more than 5 to 10% of the total. Sometimes, a set amount is left, irrespective of the total value of the bill. Although there are typical dishes such as paella, it does not mean that it is a dish that is eaten every day. There are many more common dishes prepared with vegetables, stews or hotpots, and people often simply go for tapas or pinchos at bars or restaurants. In Spain, these establishments make up an important part of the social life. 6. Customs 6.1. Foods Spain has one of the richest cuisines in the world, with chefs of international prestige and renowned products around the world. Although modern life and the arrival of fast food are reducing the popularity of the good home-cooked meal, it is still very prevalent both in and out of the house. Every type of celebration or social gathering is followed by good food and drinks. Many Spaniards dedicate a large part of their day to preparing and/or eating one of the most important meals of the day, which is either lunch or dinner, not forgetting the snacks in the morning and afternoon, which are breakfast and the merienda or afternoon snack. The variety of products that are produced in Spain favours a diet rich in vegetables, fish, seafood, meat, fruit, garden produce, and products derived from meat and milk. Spain exports vegetables all over Europe, and products such as olive oil and Serrano ham all over the world 7

Surprisingly, vegetarian food is not very prevalent. There are vegetarian restaurants in the major cities; however it is not common for a vegetarian menu to be offered at the majority of restaurants. If people do not eat meat, it is easy to find another alternative based on fish and eggs, but if they do not wish to eat meat or fish, then they may have additional difficulties and will be almost helpless if they do not eat eggs either. In this case it is better to go to a specialist vegetarian restaurant. 6.2. Siesta (Nap) This custom was invented by the Romans, one of the many populations that have passed through Spain, and its name comes from the Latin term sesta, which refers to the sixth shift, meaning the sixth action, which took place just after lunch time. In Spain, probably because of the high summer temperatures and the huge meals after midday, it is common practice to take a nap. For some people it is something more formal that can last about 60 minutes, while for others it is limited to a quick rest on the sofa and/or in front of the TV. The time necessary for preparing and eating a meal, the temperature, and the sunny hours that extend the day into the evening make it necessary to pause for a while, a practice which is reflected in the business hours and the siesta. 6.3. Holidays There are national holidays when everything closes and people do not work. In exceptional cases, if the holiday happens to fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, people usually take what they call a bridge and do not work on the day between the weekend and the holiday. It must be noted that Hotels never close, though other hospitality establishments usually close one day a week. The majority of the holidays are religious celebrations. For example: January 6 th April (usually, though variable) August 15 th October 12 th November 1 st December 8 th December 25th Epiphany Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Assumption Day of the Virgin of the Pillar, patron of Spain. (National Day). All Saints Feast of the Immaculate Conception Christmas 8

There are also layman holidays, for example: January 1 st May 1 st December 6 th New Year Labour Day Day of the Spanish Constitution Local fiestas are usually celebrated during summer time, with fairs and popular music. There are also big celebrations (usually lasting a week) which are known around the world, though they are very much set on specific dates: Las Fallas in Valencia are celebrated in March, during which ninots, made of flammable materials, are constructed and then burned at the end of the fiestas. (You can see them in the image that follows) San Fermines in Pamplona, where bull running and bullfighting take place. Cadiz and Tenerife Carnivals, which are celebrated in February, are famous for their costumes, parades and music. Semana Grande de Bilbao (Big Week of Bilbao) is celebrated around August 20 th. It is a fiesta that takes place over 9 days and is entirely dedicated to popular celebrations, bullfighting, theatre, and concerts. Semana Santa (Easter) is usually celebrated in April, coinciding with the Passion and Resuscitation of Jesus Christ, where we can find the typical processions with the steps, penitents, and mantillas. The tradition is very strong, especially in Andalusia. 9

7. Art Paintings, architecture, and music are the types of artistic expressions that are most representative of Spain. The Spanish film industry is also very important, and unlike other countries, almost 50% of the screened movies in Spanish cinemas are Spanish productions. 7.1. Paintings From the cave paintings to Picasso, through Goya, Dalí or Velázquez, the Spanish art tradition is immense. Museums such as the Guggenheim, the Prado, or the Reina Sofía maintain this tradition, and there are also many churches where you can find important works of art by various artists such as El Greco, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Murillo, Zurbarán, and many more, comprising a wealth of things to see for those who are passionate about this type of art. 7.2. Architecture Prominent Spanish architects are present all over the world, with names like Gaudí, Moneo, and Calatrava having a permanent place on skylines all over the world. In addition, Spain is rich in monuments, buildings, and constructions of all types. Spain is second only to Italy in terms of the number of monuments that have been designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Romantic, Baroque, and Gothic architectural styles are present all over the Spanish territory, and the country possesses an enviable number of Cathedrals distributed throughout the capitals. The most outstanding are the ones in Burgos, León, Cuenca, and Santiago de Compostela which appears on the image below. There are also traces of Spain s Roman past as well as Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim influences. We cannot forget to mention the Alambra de Granada, the Mezquita de Córdoba, the Acueducto or the Alcázar de Segovia, Las Murallas de Ávila, and the Giralda de Sevilla. A country such as Spain, that is home to the oldest city in the West, with more than 3 thousand years of history, has a surprise around every corner. 10

7.3 Music Spain is associated with Latin Music, although the music styles such as salsa, merengue, bachata, and son are originally from Latin American countries. In Spain, you can find specialist places to either dance these styles of music or to learn them as well. Spain is known worldwide for the Flamenco, which is sung, played, and danced, and artists like Camarón de la Isla, Paco de Lucía, and Joaquín Cortés, who have performed at the most important stages around the world. In Spain you can listen to, watch, and learn flamenco, although the most characteristic style is the pasodoble. The pasodoble is present in almost every corner of Spain; it is performed and danced at local feasts and bullfighting events. Unfortunately Spanish classical music only started to be investigated once the History of music had already been written by Germany and subsequently by the United States. However, little by little, large quantities of manuscripts which had been forgotten for centuries started to be recovered and great composers came to be known. Luckily, names like Falla, Albéniz, and E. Halffter are now known by any person that is music literate. Classical music lovers can find a variety of orchestras and concerts. Spain has a multitude of international festivals that includes all the modern genres: electronic music, techno, rock, jazz, reggae, pop, etc. There is also a high level of music in Spanish that is played in the country, unlike other European countries where music in English is played on a much wider scale. 8. Bullfighting 8.1. Bullfighting One of the most well-known traditions outside of Spain is bullfighting. There is a whole culture behind the bullfighting world, and there is a lot of bullfighting activity in the country: in fact, it ranks second only to football in terms of the number of spectators. The majority of the events take place during summer, as it is not possible to go ahead with the show if it is raining. The most well-known festivals are the San Isidro in Madrid, the one that takes place in April in Seville, and the one that happens in August in Bilbao. There 11

are historical Plazas de Toros (bullrings) like the Las Ventas in Madrid, La Maestranza in Seville, and the Vista Alegre in Bilbao. The matadors are important people who are famous celebrities in Spain. Attending an event at the Plaza de Toros is a big social event and a reason to see and to be seen ; for many people, going to the Plaza de Toros and getting the best seats means more than just watching the bullfighting. 9. Sports The national sport in Spain is football, and almost every weekend, the fans, especially the male population, gather at stadiums, bars, or at home to follow every match. Many people follow the matches and the league standings on TV or radio. There are subscription channels that rebroadcast some of the most anticipated events, for which people gather at bars, either because they don t have the channel s subscription, or simply to enjoy the atmosphere that it generates. On these occasions, the prices tend to be higher at some establishments or they may make it obligatory for all the customers to buy something, although this is not common practice, nor is it permitted. In Spain, fútbol refers to English football (also known as soccer in other English-speaking countries). Other group sports in which Spain has achieved great international success are basketball, handball, water-polo and volleyball, to name a few, although they have less of a following, and also individual sports such as Formula 1, tennis, and motorcycling. The sport s popularity and its following depend on whether a sportsman has emerged in the global spotlight. Spain is an ideal country in which to practise all kinds of water sports, winter sports, adventure sports, etc. 12