Interesting Information About Spain
Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world. The official language of the country is Castilian, but the Spanish Constitution, acknowledging that the "wealth of the different language variations of Spain is a cultural heritage," officially recognizes others, primarily Catalan, Galician and Euskera (the official language of the Basque region). While the cultural diversity of Spain gives the country a wide-ranging personality, all Spaniards are united in their love for good food, celebration, late nights, art and history.
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Night Culture
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Spain is a country that gets going after nightfall. Most Spaniards don't eat dinner before 10 p.m., and many dine much later. This is one reason that tapas are a culinary way of life for the Spanish, who eat these small meals throughout the day to stave off hunger until dinner. After eating, it's not unusual for the majority of city dwellers to go dancing, and not just on the weekends. Long nights often end with a small cup of hot chocolate and churros (sweetened sticks of fried dough).
Aqueduct of Segovia
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It's hard to find a better example of Spain's long, rich history than the well-preserved Roman aqueduct of Segovia, also known as the Devil's Bridge. Standing as high as 93 feet and running for 8½ miles, the aqueduct was completed around A.D. 50 to supply Segovia with water from the Río Frío (Cold River). One of the most interesting aspects of the aqueduct is that the large blocks used to construct it fit so well together that the Romans didn't need to use any mortar.
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Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family
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The most-visited monument in Spain is the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) in Barcelona. Construction on this expiatory church---which means that it is funded entirely by donations---began in 1882, and its projected completion date is 2020. Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí spent most of his career designing and working on the church, and current builders continue to use his plans. The massive church has a sanctuary that seats 13,000 people. Its eight exterior towers are especially striking, and 10 more towers are under construction.
Camino de Santiago
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The Camino de Santiago is a modern-day pilgrimage rooted in the 9th century that travels through northern Spain. The official starting point of the pilgrimage, which is also known as the Way of the Stars because the Milky Way is visible along the route, is in Roncesvalles. Pilgrims looking for a way to change their lives and experience Spain at a slower pace take a month or more to complete the 486-mile journey to Santiago.
Languages
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Castilian Spanish, or Castellano, is the official language of Spain. "All Spaniards," notes the Spanish Constitution, "have the duty to know it and the right to use it." Spain also officially recognizes Catalan, Galician and Euskera, among other languages. Catalan is spoken in the Baleares Islands as well as in the Cataluña region, the capital of which is Barcelona, Spain's second most populated city. This means that Catalan is spoken by a large number of Spaniards. Galician, also called Gallego, is spoken by people in Galicia, the region directly north of Portugal. Euskera is spoken throughout the Basque regions of Navarra and País Vasco.
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- Photo Credit Sagrada Familia image by Yvann K from Fotolia.com
