Spain

Where is Spain located? Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula. It is in the southwest of Europe. Spain takes up about 85% of Iberia. Gibraltar is a waterway that separates Spain from Africa.

History of Spain In the early years, Spain was ruled over by the Roman Empire. In the 700s AD, the Moors invaded from northern Africa and brought the Islamic religion. 1400s Christian rulers forced the Moors out of Spain. 1500s Spanish Empire reached its peak, including most of Central and South America (as well as the Southwestern U.S. Spain became a part of the Roman Empire in 206 B.C., when it then was conquered by Scipio Africanus. The Moors not only brought the Islamic Religion, they also brought new irrigation techniques and new crops (citrus fruits – Valencia oranges). They also brought universities and many crafts and trades. Aragon and Castile were the most important Spanish states from the 12th to the 15th century; combined with the marriage of Ferdinand II and Isabella I who established the Spanish Inquisition and made Catholicism the official religion of Spain. The original Medieval Inquisition was under control of the Catholic Church (pope). Here the leaders of Spain put out royal degrees telling Muslims to either “convert or leave.” Many converted, many were expelled from the country, many were killed.

History of Spain The War of the Spanish Succession, which took place from 1701 until 1714, resulted in Spain's loss of Belgium, Luxembourg, Milan, Sardinia, and Naples. The civil war that followed lasted three years, and had nearly a million deaths. The war ended when Franco took Madrid on March 28, 1939; Spain became democratic. Franco was the only dictator of the time to die of old age “natural causes.” Spain became a constitutional democracy. Spain went through a series of wars in the 1700 – 1800s over who would rule Spain “The War of Spanish Succession” The civil war that followed in the 1800s lasted three years, and had nearly a million deaths. The war ended when Franco took Madrid on March 28, 1939. He became a dictator democracy was not established. This effectively kept Spain out of WWII, although he and Hitler were on good terms. Franco was the only dictator to die at an old age; Spain quickly made the democratic transition. The leader of the Popular Party, José María Aznar, became prime minister, and in the year 2000, he and his party won reelection.

Government -Today Spain is a constitutional monarchy. It has 17 regions with different levels of autonomy (self-government). - Regional governments decide on local issues such as health care, social programs, education, etc. Spain’s central government controls foreign relations and national defense. Regional governments were given autonomy because many of them wanted independence in the 1970s when Spain’s dictator Francisco Franco died. This was done to prevent them from succeeding from Spain to become independent. Much of the governments in Spain are run as socialists societies with government run health care, social programs, etc.

Geography of Spain Much of central Spain is covered by plateau surrounded by mountain ranges. There are also some lowlands located on the coast. Today, tourism and industry are bringing many people to the larger cities and coastal areas. Spain’s cities have many open spaces for people to meet. The “plaza” is common in Spanish towns. A plaza is a square surrounded by public buildings, such as a church, marketplace, and government offices. Plazas are social gathering places and are found throughout much of Southern Europe. Moorish influences can still be see all over Spain. Arabic architecture is common in many towns.

Gibraltar The Rock of Gibraltar towers over the Mediterranean Sea near the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It was captured by the British in the 1700s and is still a British colony and naval base near the entrance to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic.

People of Spain Nearly all people of Spain are Roman Catholic. 75% speak Castilian Spanish; other languages include Basque and Catalan. Plazas are very popular to Spanish cities. Moorish influences can still be seen in Spain Spain has spread its language and religion all over the world. More than 400 million people speak Spanish (developed from Latin). Many live in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Spain’s cities have many open spaces for people to meet. The “plaza” is common in Spanish towns. A plaza is a square surrounded by public buildings, such as a church, marketplace, and government offices. Plazas are social gathering places and are found throughout much of Southern Europe. Spain is very family oriented. Sunday is considered “Family Day” and all of the malls and stores are closed so no one in the family has to work and they can spend all day with their loved ones.

Economy Manufactures machinery, automobiles, ships, other consumer goods. Is a member of the European Union. Agriculture is also important here. Like other Mediterranean countries, Spain is a leading producer of olive oil and wine. Valencia, Spain is known for its Orange (brought here by the Moors). Spain helped spread many “American” foods – from its Spanish colonies – to Europe (corn, potatoes, tomatoes)

Tourism Warm sunny weather and beautiful scenery attract tourists. Famous cultural and historic sites are found throughout the country. Drawbacks of tourism: major traffic problems, pollution, and overbuilding in scenic areas. One famous historical site is the cave at Altamira, Spain where 14,000 years ago, people painted bison, deer and horses on the cave ceiling. These cave paintings are treasured today as some of the world’s greatest artworks.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist Attractions Make Sure You Visit: Plaza Mayor Museo del Prado Centro de Arte Reina Sofía Parque de Retiro Museo de America The Mezquita Visit the Alhambra in Granada. Plaza de la Villa Giralda in Sevilla The Triana bridge in Sevilla designed by Eiffel -The unbelievable view at Ronda -See the best fútbol in Europe -See art by Diego Velazquez See Frank Gehry's amazing architecture Catedral de San Isidro Bull fighting rings (the oldest is in Ronda) The White Pueblos in Andalusia Running with the Bulls in Pamplona Gaudi´s architecture in Barcelona Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid (background picture) **For information on these fun things to do in Spain, you can visit: http://www.in-spain.info/top20/20-things-to-do-in-spain.htm

Food Spaniards start off their day with a light breakfast of pastry, and drink coffee or thick hot chocolate. The main meal of the day, comida, is lunch. They usually eat comida at 2 or 3 o’clock everyday. Dinner is eaten between 8pm and midnight.

Issues and challenges Despite recent economic growth, the country still has one of the highest unemployment rates in Western Europe. Immigration from northern Africa is causing more of a shortage of jobs. Some of Spain’s autonomous regions are looking for independence (some, like the Basques have become violent). Basques have ancient origins in Spain. Their ancestors were among the first settlers in Europe. One Basque group, known as the ETA has killed many government officials and Spanish citizens. Most non-Basques (and many Basques) oppose ETA and their violent struggle for independence.

Portugal

Where is Portugal located? Portugal lies in the western part of Iberia and faces the Atlantic.

History of Portugal Closely mirror’s Spain’s history. After the Moors were driven from Iberia, the Portuguese built a powerful colonial empire. The Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores are all that remain of the old empire. Was under the control of the Romans and then the Moors. Empire included parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. One of the largest colonies was the are of South America we call Brazil.

Geography of Portugal Physically consists of mostly flat coastal areas with a few mountains. Religion - Predominantly Catholic Government - Democratic Language – Portuguese Problems caused by immigration from Northern Africa (just like Spain) The Portuguese language, like Spanish, is derived from Latin (from the Roman Empire days). Portuguese also incorporates many Muslim/Arabic words from when the Moors ruled the region. Although it sounds similar to Spanish, it is an entirely different language.

economy Member of the European Union Tourism Export wine Major industry is cork. Much of Portugal is covered with cork oak trees, which provide the basis for the country’s cork industry. Some trees can provide cork for more than 100 years. Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork.

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