Spain - Tây Ban Nha

Spain (Spanish: Espana) or Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de Espana) is a country located on the southwestern Iberian peninsula Europe. The main land is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, and a small part by the UK territory of Gibraltar, to the east and south, to the north by France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal, and Northwest. Spain has the second largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, after Italy.

overview

Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands off the coast Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, bordering Morocco. With an area of ​​504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and in the Union Europe after France.

The territory of Spain has a place of great external influence from the prehistoric and early days of the country. On the contrary, Spain also exerted influence in other regions, mainly during the period of modern history, when Spain became an empire leaving behind more than 400 million Spanish speakers today. becoming the second most common mother tongue in the world.Spain is a developed democratic and constitutional monarchy with the 9th or 10th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and has 15th human development index. Spain is a member of the United Nations, the Union Europe, NATO, OECD, and WTO.

With amazing beaches, mountains, ski resorts, great weather, diverse and exciting nightlife, lots of culture and historic cities, it's no wonder that Spain is the destination. most popular tourism in Europe for any type of travel. A country of great geographical and cultural diversity, Spain may come as a surprise to those who know only the country's reputation for great beach holidays and near sunshine. like endless. There is everything from lush grasslands and snowy mountains to large swamps and deserts in the southeast. While summer is peak season, those who want to avoid the crowds should consider visiting during winter as more than just attractions are usually light and sunny, such as the Alhambra Palace in Granada and La Gran Mezquita in Cordoba will not be too crowded. However, the ski resorts of the Sierra Nevada are very crowded.

History

Once the center of a global empire with territories in the North, Central and South America, Africa (e.g. Equatorial Guinea or Western Sahara), Asia (e.g. Philippines), contemporary Spain is still struggling to break free from the shackles of a monarchy imposed by Franco, the dictator, and develop a true democracy. A peaceful transition from dictatorship meant that no actual justice was brought to the country, still divided as it did in the 1930s.

Migrate

Spain holds historical ties with its neighbors in the Iberian peninsula, Andorra and Portugal, with its former colonies, with former citizens and their descendants, and a distinctive genre of former citizens, namely Sephardic Jews.

Individuals from these categories can obtain Spanish citizenship in a fast manner which may or may not require individuals to reside in Spain, and residency requirements as short as one to three years depending on the type. Citizens of countries in the Union Europe can obtain citizenship after living in Spain for five years. Citizens of any other country can obtain citizenship after having resided in Spain for the past ten years.

Spain's population is growing in large part due to migration from the relatively poor or politically unstable region of Spain. South America like Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru, Europe, mainly Eastern Europe, has a historical attachment, language to Spanish, Africa and Asia. There is also a significant number of immigrants, mainly retirees, and those who run businesses for themselves and foreign tourists, from the Union countries. Europe such as Britain, France, Germany, the Benelux and Scandinavia, are established along the Mediterranean coast, especially in the Costa Blanca (Alicante), Costa del Sol (Malaga) and the Balearic Islands.

Region

Spain is a diverse country in contrast with regions with different languages ​​and unique history, political and cultural traditions. Because of this, Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (Comunidad Autonoma), plus two municipalities. A number of autonomous communities - especially those whose official languages ​​are different from Spain - have been recognized as "historic countries" with a unique historical identity. These include the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, the Valencia region, Andalusia and the Balearic Islands, but more recently also Aragon and the Canary Islands. Visitors to areas of Spain need to respect their history and language.

For ease of reference, the regions of Spain can be classified as follows:

City

• Madrid — the capital is full of museums, unique architecture, delicious food, and a vibrant nightlife

• Barcelona — Spain's second largest city, full of modern buildings and vibrant cultural life, nightclubs, and beaches
• Bilbao — industrial city, with museum Guggenheim
• Malaga — the heart of flamenco with the beaches of Costa del Sol
• Cordoba — The Great Mosque ('Mezquita'; now a Christian church) Cordoba is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world
• Granada — beautiful city in the south, surrounded by snow cap mountains of Sierra Nevada, home of La Alhambra
• Seville — a beautiful green city, and the third largest church in the world
• Valencia — paella was invented here, has a beautiful beach
• Zaragoza — the 5th largest city in Spain and hosted the World Expo in 2008

Other destinations

• Costa Blanca - 200 km of white coast with lots of beaches and small villages
• Costa Brava - rugged coastline with many seaside resorts
• Costa del Sol - sunny coast in the south of the country
• Gran Canaria - known as "a continent in miniature" due to its many different climates and landscapes
• Ibiza - a Balearic island, one of the best places for clubbing, raving, and DJing all over the world
• La Rioja - Rioja and fossil dinosaur tracks
• Mallorca - the largest island of the Balears, full of amazing beaches and great nightlife
• Sierra Nevada - the highest mountain on the Iberian peninsula, great for hiking and skiing
• Tenerife - offers lush forests, exotic animals and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and beautiful beaches

Arrive

Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement. There is no border control between countries that have signed and implemented international treaties - Union Europe (except for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Likewise, visas issued to any Schengen member are valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But beware: not all EU members have signed the Schengen agreement, and not all Schengen members are part of the Union. Europe. This means that there may be a customs check location but no immigration check (traveling within the Schengen area but to/from a non-EU country) or you may have to clear immigration but no customs (traveling within the EU but to/from a non-Schengen country).

Airports in Europe thus divided into "Schengen" and "non-Schengen" areas, which in effect act as "domestic" and "international" parts elsewhere. If you are flying from outside Europe If you become a Schengen country and so on, you will clear immigration and customs in the first country and then proceed to your destination with no further checks. Travel between a Schengen member and a non-Schengen country will result in normal border checks. Note that regardless of whether you are traveling within the Schengen area or not, many airlines will insist on seeing your ID card or passport.

Citizens of the EU and EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) countries only need a valid national identity card or passport for entry - otherwise they will need a long-stay visa. any.

People from non-EU/EFTA countries will usually need a passport to enter a Schengen country and most will need a visa.

Only nationals of the following non-EU/EFTA countries do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil , Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Serbia * / **, Seychelles, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan *** (Republic of China), United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, additional British National Officers (in abroad), Hong Kong or Macao. Visa-free non-EU/EFTA visitors may not be able to stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area in total, not being able to work during the break (although a Some Schengen countries do not allow certain nationalities to work - see below). People count the days from when you enter any country in the Schengen area and do not reset it by leaving a particular Schengen country for a Schengen country, or vice versa. However, New Zealand citizens can stay longer than 90 days if they only visit special Schengen countries.

By air

The national airline of Spain is Iberian.

The busiest airports are Madrid - Barajas, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Malaga, next is Seville, Valencia, Bilbao, Alicante, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Gran Canaria and 2 airports in Tenerife. All are listed on the official airport authority website: [1]

Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao has the most beautiful airports, designed by famous architects.

Almost all European low-cost airlines offer regular service to Spain including: Monarch', Thomson [2], 'Vueling, EasyJet,Ryanair, and Jet2.com.

Warning: If you purchased an e-ticket from Iberia over the internet using a credit card, you may be required to present the original credit card at check-in. If you fail to do so, you will have to purchase another ticket for the same fare, and the original ticket will be refunded weeks or even months later.

By train

By car

By bus

By boat

Go

The train system in Spain is modern and reliable, many new trains, the most punctual in Europe, the problem is that not all populated areas have train stations, sometimes towns small towns don't, then you need to take the bus.

Traveling by bus in Spain is increasingly becoming an attractive option for travelers traveling on a tight budget. Thanks to the support of the European Union, Spain's road system is constantly improving, so taking the bus is not so slow as before.

There are many private bus companies that run the main routes in Spain. If you want to travel by bus, you should go to the local bus stop to see what buses are available.

Spain is also a good country to go for a cruise, where you can enjoy magnificent views and get away from the noisy crowds in the city. Special places like the Costa Brava, the Costa Blanca and the Balearic Islands have good weather and are not very crowded. The summer months like July, August are the hottest, the wind is light. In the Canary Islands, there is no low season because the weather all year round is like spring.

Car commuting is fine when traveling from one city to another overnight, but you shouldn't park overnight in big cities.

In Spain hitchhiking is very difficult, sometimes you have to wait for hours. If you need a ride, ask the people at the gas station, the parking lot. If you make them trust you, they will help you wholeheartedly.

If you want to get around in a big city, consider renting a car with built-in navigation, as it will be easier than driving with an electronic map.

Spain is a paradise for bicycles, wherever you go you will see tourists and locals cycling in the city.

Language

Not surprisingly, the official and universal language used in Spain is Spanish (español), but it is more complicated than that. It is part of the Romance language family (others include ). Portuguese, Galician, Catalan, Italian, Occitan, French and Romanian) and is one of the main branches of that family. Many languages, especially outside of Castille, like to call it Castilian (Castellano).

However, there are several languages ​​(Catalan, Basque, Galician, Asturian, etc.) that are spoken in different parts of Spain. A number of these languages ​​prevail in their respective regions, and, following their legalization in the 1978 constitution, they are co-official with Castilian in their respective regions. Among these, Catalan, Basque and Galician are recognized as official languages ​​under the Spanish Constitution. Aside from Basque (whose origins are still up for debate), the languages ​​of the Iberian peninsula are part of the Romance family and are fairly easy to pick up if you know Castilian well. While locals in these areas can also say Spanish, learning a few words in the local languages ​​where you are traveling will make you popular with the locals.

Shopping

Traveler's checks can be exchanged at banks and foreign postal exchanges, offering a higher exchange rate than cash. These days, small towns have ATMs for you to withdraw euros from your credit account to use.

Spain is one of the most affordable countries in Europe. If you're saving, €20.00 a day is enough. But you have to stay in the cheapest room, don't eat restaurants, museums or bars, don't visit many places. Double budget comfort will be standard rooms, decent meals, public transport and museums.

Cuisine

Spanish cuisine is very diverse and rich. Due to being a country with a long coastline, Spain has a lot of seafood dishes. The cultural diversity of the Mediterranean is also evident in the cuisine of this country with thousands of different ways and flavors. Typically, Spanish dishes are prepared with potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, and beans. One of the most popular flavors in Spanish dishes is olive oil, as the country produces 44% of the world's olive oil production. One of the unique Spanish dining customs is that of appetizers (tapas) is always served with a drink. Churro, a long dough cake dotted with chocolate is also a very special dish of Spain.

The Spaniards love sausages, especially their chorizo, a pork sausage made with paprika. There are many varieties of chorizo, from fresh, tender sausages to smoked and aged sausages. In winter, families often make chorizo ​​and hang them in the cellar or dry in the attic.

Beef, lamb and pork are all popular, which can be prepared by roasting, grilling over charcoal or satay for sauces. Often Spaniards use roast meat during festivals and festivals.

Eggs are eaten daily. It is present everywhere, from luxury restaurants to casual or home eateries. Scrambled eggs, served cold or chilled, are popular. Huevos flamencos - fried eggs with smoked meat, tomatoes and vegetables, which is a traditional dish of Seville, but has now become a dish of the whole of Spain. But no matter how it is processed, Spanish eggs are always delicious and satisfying. Eggs are also used in desserts.

Cocidos is also a very popular dish. It's a traditional Spanish stew. This dish usually consists of fresh vegetables, dried vegetables with meats, and each region has its own creation and has its own name: the Catalans call it Escudella, the Andalusians call it Potaje.

Bacalao is a sun-dried salted cod dish, the quintessence of Spanish cuisine. Fish can be cooked with onions and peppers, mixed with cream, olive oil, garlic and other seasonings or seasoned with garlic to make a thick sauce. Cocido, olla, pote, guiso, estofado or escudella are also typical Spanish dishes.

Drinks

Accommodation

Learn

Do

Safe

Medical

Note

• Spaniards in general are very patriotic and love the region where they live. Avoid arguing about whether people are from Catalonia or are of Spanish descent. It doesn't matter if you're right or wrong, the argument will be long and pointless.
• It is customary in Spain to kiss friends, family, and acquaintances on both cheeks when meeting or saying goodbye. Kissing between two men is limited to the family – for friends or companies, it is advisable to shake hands.
• Spaniards, regardless of region, tend to make friendly contact with you, such as placing a hand on your shoulder or patting you on the back, which is a sign of friendship.
• During the meal, the Spaniards will not start eating until everyone is in their seats. Similarly, they will not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. When there is a bill to pay, they will pay it evenly.

Contact

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