Some regions and countries on the Spanish border also trade, including Morocco and Algeria. Written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, it tells the story of a man who has read too many tales of knights, romance, and chivalry. 71. What type of government does Spain have? ... Spain… The best time to visit Spain can include the late spring or the early fall. In Spain, the life expectancy is on average 82 years (that’s 79 for men, 85 for women). During most of the year, Spain is in the Central European timezone (GMT+1). This is probably the most common misspelling: Spein. You probably know the Running of the Bulls, right? In this guide, you'll learn 77 facts about Spain, including food, expat, politics, travel, national symbols, and more. The population is 7.5 million (16% of the national total), it’s got the fourth-highest income in Spain, boasts the Catalan language, has the highest nominal gross regional product in the country, and is home to Spain’s most visited city – Barcelona, of course. Hopefully this section of Spain facts will help you organize your travel. If your visa is in danger of expiring, talk to the consulate or the embassy. Is it easy to get permanent residency in Spain? It is not easy to become a citizen of Spain, though you will have an easier job establishing a permanent residency. What were known as “Moors” from North Africa invaded Spain in 711 AD. Some of the more modern political parties found in Spain are Vox, Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals and Union, Progress and Democracy. Spain ties some visa dates to the purposes of visits. I also blog about photography with a focus on GoPro cameras. Not so in Spain; you won’t have to go through the trouble of remembering anything but the tune to their national anthem. Spain does see some high levels of drug-related crimes though because it serves as a major port for drugs entering the EU. 68. Spain also gave the world many other firsts, 32. Experts often recommend visiting Spain in September or October when the weather is cooler. There are 47 World Heritage Sites in Spain and 28 tentative sites on that list. The Canary Islands are part of the Western European Standard Time time zone (GMT). What are the most famous events in Spain? You should only use those terms if you know for sure that someone belongs to that group. One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink, 35. Much of the nation experiences an oceanic climate, which includes regular rainfall and both warm and cool temperatures. A Royal Decree established 50 provinces in the country and gave each province the authority to design and hang its own flag. Super interesting. Or show it to the person you're trying to communicate with. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. Fast Facts in Spain Business Hours -- Banks are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 2pm and Saturday 9:30am to 1pm. All the road signs posted on the streets in Spain use Spanish/Castilian. Originally made from vegetables mixed with snails and rabbit, it can include any type of meat today. Learn more about me. One of the more dangerous animals found in Spain is the black bear. Spain is a popular tourist spot and sees the number of tourists visiting increase almost every year. Cars and other types of vehicles have a total value of more than $30 billion and come from different companies that operate in the nation. Top 10 facts about tourism TODAY is World Tourism Day, celebrating the founding of the United Nations World Tourism Organization on September 27, 1970. You will need a power adapter when visiting Spain, but you may also need a voltage adapter. Many of those tourists come from European countries, including Italy, France, and Portugal. A fact about Spain you probably don’t know is that there’s this little town called Coria del Río near Seville, with a lot of inhabitants descended from Hasekura Tsunenaga, a 17th-century samurai who stopped there during a diplomatic journey. More than 82 million people visit Spain on an annual basis. What language are road signs in Spain? Your employer will use this number to take taxes from your checks. While traveling in Spain, a basic phrasebook is invaluable. How many tourists visit Spain every year? If you manage to eat one grape on each exact stroke of midnight, it’s said you’ll have good luck for the rest of the year. Spain requires that you have a job and references who can speak on your behalf when you apply to become a citizen. How do you become a citizen of Spain? Some of the popular landmarks you can see while in Spain include major and historic churches such as La Sagrada Familia. During the Renaissance period, this number was even higher. 35. Before the permit expires, you can request a new one to extend your stay. Just over 1% of the nation is water, which includes the small lakes on the mainland and the waters that surround some of its islands. Short-term visas are best for short trips, while long-term visas are best for those who want to establish residency. You can grab hot dogs, burgers and other dishes that remind you of home as well as some authentic Spanish snacks. 72. Whether you want to explore the beaches, walk around historic cities, enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, revel in the cuisine, or experience the vibrant nightlife Spain has it all. Spain is furthers organized by 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla). Autonomous regions and communities with Spain have their own elected and appointed officials. Whether you want to dive into the water, spend some time on a boat or try some adventure sports, you need to find the best beaches in Spain. Size: 506,000M square meters (Spain is the second largest country in Europe after France). It is … Tourism is big news in Spain. If you want to eat like a Spaniard, consider stopping by a fast food restaurant such as Maoz or Munchies, Hot Dogs and More. Barcelona Where to Stay. In Valencia, you’ll find the biggest market for fresh food in Europe, 30. You pay for the drink, but the tapas are free. There are greats like El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, to start with. What percentage of Spain are immigrants? How long can I stay in Spain without a visa? You’ll get to have some pretty good bar crawls here. Spain developed a province system in 1833 and officially recognized that system in 1978. American tourists also visit Spain in large numbers. Spain, most Latin American countries, and Equatorial Guinea have Spanish as (one of) their official languages. Spain is so much more than just its beaches; while the seaside is Spain's biggest tourist asset, the country away from the beaches offers a fabulous natural and historic heritage just waiting to be explored . Then things start to get modern (and weird) with Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Spain had the first empire on which it was said that the sun never set, 10. Spain lies south of the range, France is to the north, and Andorra is entirely within the range near the eastern snow patch. The main and largest export of Spain is refined petroleum. Spain is a large country that is home to three different and distinct regions. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide the resources to do so. 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