Andalucia Celebrations
All About Spain
Best known for its endless beaches and sun all year, as well as flamenco and bullfighting bloody sensual, Spain has lots more to offer than that. For thousands of years, Spain has been one of the first cultural centers of Europe. What distinguishes European countries Spain characteristic is clearly Arabic, which is the result of nearly eight centuries of Arab influence.
Spain's diversity is overwhelming. Its various regions are well different, from its geography and climate, its cuisine and culture. Every city and town is an eclectic mix of ancient monuments and witness stand futuristic century architecture, the history of Spain and its former times of change. Towns and cities are full of Roman aqueducts and Islamic palaces, medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals.
Geography
Located in the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordering countries and Spain are France, Germany, Andorra, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco. The waters around Spain include the North Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay Pyrenees and southwestern France. Spain has a total area of 504,782 km, with a coastline that stretches 4964 km. It consists of 19 autonomous communities including Canary Islands in the Atlantic Islands, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca) in the Mediterranean Sea and Melilla and Ceuta in northern Africa. Crag Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas are three small Spanish possessions that are off the coast of Morocco.
There are five vast mountain ranges span the country adding to the great diversity of landscapes, green and fertile in some areas and barren, almost desert-like in others. Along with all this are the lines endless coast running from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar along the Mediterranean Sea in the east and the coast of the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
Climate
Spain's climate is predominantly temperate with clear summers, warm winters in the interior cooler and overcast, with moderate temperatures along the coast.
Language
Although Spanish is the language of the country, there are several other languages that coexist with Spanish spoken at some regions of Spain. These include Catalan in Catalonia, Valencian in Valencia, and Galician in Galicia and a distinct variety of Catalan spoken in the Balearic Islands.
Culture
Festivals and bullfights are an indispensable part of Spain. The seasons of the year in Spain are defined not only by changes in temperature but also by the different parties, is a feast for the whole year. Each party is different from the other in the way it is celebrated, why celebrated, when it is celebrated and which region is being held in. Holidays are such an integral part of Spain would have to spend a year in Spain to experiment the true culture of Spain. While the April Fair in Sevilla includes a full week of dancing and singing while enjoying tapas and sherry, Holy Week is a week darkest of prayer and penance.
The Flamenco is Spain itself. This musical tradition is absolutely inseparable from Spain and teg are bullfights, which are part of almost all parties and are a sight to behold. Not to be missed is the "closure" during the San Fermin in Pamplona.
About the Author
Sandra Lightowler is the owner of Ask Olive the leading online information and Business Directory for Andalucia Spain.
Grand celebration 2009 (himno andalucia)
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