Country Spanish,Spanish culture

Spain is a country rich in history and culture, inhabited by Romans, Arabs, Celts, and many other cultures who have all left their imprint in the country.

From North to South Spain has received influence from neighbouring countries. But also, as the Southern most frontier of Europe, it has been a bridge between the European continent and Northern African cultures.

Today, Spain is known by its Flamenco, bullfighting, gastronomy, literature, paintings, architecture, etc.

Flamenco refers both to the dance and the music typical from the South of Spain, characterised by guitars, clapping, expressive lyrics, colourful long dresses in women and sober black costumes in men. Flamenco music has its origins in the gypsy communities, and has probably received influence from Arabic and Jewish music.

One of the delights of Spanish culture today is its gastronomy. The country is famous by its excellent wines such as Rioja, Jerez (sherry), Ribera del Duero, among other.

Spanish food is also popular worldwide. Traditional cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet, considered to be one of the healthiest of the world, since the country is an important producer of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Typical dishes vary from one region to another, we may mention: the paella, Fish dishes, seafood preparations from the north of the country, potato and onion omelette (tortilla), cured ham with its different varieties: Serrano, Iberico, etc.

Leaving aside traditions, Spain is also rich in art and history. Painters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Joan Miró or Goya portrayed different images of the country.

Gaudi's architecture has added colour and expression to cities like Barcelona opening new horizons for modern architecture.

In literature we may mention writers like Cervantes, author of El Quijote, the second most translated book in the world after the Bible, Camilo José Cela, nobel prize for literature in 1998 among others.