Castillan (over 74%)
Catalan (12%)
Galician (8%)
Basque (just over 1%)

One of the largest countries in Europe, Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal. The Pyrenees run across the neck of the peninsula and form Spain’s border with France. The large central plateau, the Meseta, is bordered and divided by several mountain ranges. Madrid, situated at the geographical centre, is the highest capital city in Europe.

Although Spain has rivers that are numbered among the longest in Europe (the Tagus, Ebro, and Duero), large areas of the country suffer from a scarcity of water. Linked to this problem is erosion, with millions of tons of topsoil being blown away each year. However, not all of Spain is dry or barren. The deep inlets of Galicia, the market gardens of Valencia, and the snowy highlands of the Pyrenees are just a few examples of Spain’s variety of landscape.

From a tourist’s point of view, the coastline is immensely important. Spain has over two thousand beaches, many of them of great beauty. They are grouped together under famous names, such as the Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa de Azahar, Costa Blanca, Mar Menor, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Rias Bajas and Rias Altas, Costa Cantábrica, Costa Anaria, and Costa Balear.

The total area of national territory is 194,897 square miles (504,788 sq. km), which includes the Canary and Balearic Islands and the two small enclaves of Ceuta and Mililla in Northern Africa. There is an incredible natural diversity to be enjoyed. As the British naturalists Chapman and Buck commented in their book Wild Spain (1893): “In no other land can there be found, within a similar area, such extremes of scene and climate.”

Although Spain lies in the temperate zone, its mountainous nature means that there are two differing climates: generally, wet and dry. The wet climate occurs in two main areas: the narrow coastal strip of the Cantabrian mountains (the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia), and the northeastern coastal area from the French border down to Calencia, including the Balearic Islands. The former area shows only slight variations in temperature, with mild winters and cool summers. A cloudy sky and frequent rainfall are common, although less so during the summer. The latter area is hotter in the summer and has less rainfall.

The dry area occupies about two-thirds of the country and, although there are variations from one place to another, winters are cool (becoming extremely cold inland), with little rain. Summer brings a blazing sun in an intensely blue sky with occasional, short-lived, local thunderstorms. The Canary Islands have a subtropical, Atlantic climate with an almost constant temperature of just over 65°F (20°C), with only minor variations between seasons.

Top ^

The Spanish can sometimes appear to be intensely hedonistic. They seem never to think of tomorrow, but only about enjoying every moment to the full. They are cheerful, friendly, and hospitable.

Perhaps these traits stem from fatalism, for they have little or no faith in institutions, or in established authority, and do not believe they can change things. For centuries the Spanish were militant Catholics, defenders of a faith preaching that suffering in this life brings rewards in the next. Suffering is therefore accepted as part of life, so when the opportunity arises for pleasure they dive in. An element of risk appeals to them – and they admire the man who faces death in the bullring. The Jesuits, their great teaching order, went where there was the most danger. Heretics were burnt at the stake. Their commitment was all or nothing.

Spain lies on the edge of Europe, and has been cut off from it during different periods. Moorish culture left its mark upon the country – especially in the south, where the moors remained unconquered for over seven hundred years – and it was said that Africa began south of the Pyrenees. The famous Spanish pride, sense of honour, and machismo comes from this period. Fighting between various aspirants to the throne kept the Spanish occupied for many years, and the Church’s fear of “heresy” held new ideas at bay. Even in the twentieth century, Franco closed the door to the outside world for much of his dictatorship. Social values were conservative, promoting social order and the traditional Catholic values – bearing hardship in this life in the expectation of a reward in the next; respect for authority; and acceptance of Church teaching on moral questions.

These values were beginning to change even before Franco’s death, and they are still changing today. Hundreds of thousands of people had to leave rural areas to found work in the cities, and many others emigrated to France, Germany, and Switzerland. Away from their roots, their ideas began to change. Then tourists started to arrive in increasing numbers, bringing, along with their money, both the materialism and the democratic values of northern Europe. The process of change continues today, as Spain takes its place among the foremost nations of the world.

Spain’s Mediterranean climate also exerts a major influence. The summer heat makes it difficult to work, and the balmy evenings are perfect for outdoor socialising rather than staying inside. As in most countries, the further south you go, the more relaxed people become.

Top ^

The above extract is kindly provided by Culture Smart! the essential guide to customs & culture. The 168-page guide retails at £6.95 + P&P and is available directly from Kuperard, the publishers of Culture Smart! guides.

CultureSmart!Consulting in conjunction with Cactus Language Training creates tailor-made seminars and consultancy programs to meet a wide range of corporate, public sector, and individual needs. Find out more at www.cactuslanguagetraining.com.

Top ^