Culture & Customs of Spain

Spanish culture and customs have developed out of the country's unique history and regional differences. From food to music to sport, many traditions flourish across the Iberian peninsula, though unique aspects of each area in the country, from Andalusia to Catalonia, can be found as well.

Geography

In Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, the influence of historic Muslim rule permeates the culture, particularly in the architecture of sites such as the Alhambra palace in Granada. In Madrid, art and history play a large role, with rich cultural attractions such as El Prado and the Reina Sofia, among many others, displaying the work of artists like Goya, Velazquez and Dali. In Catalonia, in the northeast, the Catalan language stands alongside Spanish as an official language and differentiates the region from others in Spain.

Cuisine

You can find jamon serrano and jamon iberico, different styles of dry-cured Spanish ham, hanging in stores throughout the county and enjoyed by all Spaniards. Across the country, typical dishes include paella, a rice dish with a variety of other ingredients; tortilla espanola, an egg omelette with fried potatoes; and gazpacho, a cold, tomato-based vegetable soup. And of course you can find the famous culinary tradition of tapas, small, appetizer-like dishes such as patatas bravas (fried potato dices), albondigas (meatballs) and croquetas (small fried rolls with meat or vegetable filling) at bars and restaurants throughout Spain.

Sport

Soccer is not just a sport for many Spaniards, but a passion. Top club teams such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona can draw crowds in excess of 100,000. The national team is among the world's elite, including winning the 2008 European Championship. The controversial tradition of bullfighting, a sporting spectacle in Spain for centuries, takes place in plaza de toros (bullrings) throughout the country, though its popularity varies from region to region.

Music and Dance

Flamenco, the musical and dance tradition originating in Andalusia, has three aspects: el cante (the song), el baile (the dance) and la guitarra (the guitar). Typically, a performance includes colorful dresses, intense dancing and rhythmic stomping. The guitar was invented here in the 1790s, and Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia helped to establish the genre of classical guitar.

Siesta

A famous tradition throughout Spain, siesta is the daily rest period, typically between 2 and 5 p.m., when Spaniards go home to eat, sleep and be with family. Many shops and public buildings close during this time to allow workers to enjoy a respite from the working day. In some locales, the break is a necessity, allowing workers to get out of the oppressive heat of the summer's sun and cool off before returning to work in the late afternoon.

References

• Spain.info