Spain
Country Overview
Spain sits directly on the Mediterranean Ocean with Portugal to the west, France to the northeast, and the British territory of Gibraltar to the south. This historic country has the 9th or 10th largest economy in the world, with one of the highest standards of living.
Spain was not always so harmonious, however. At one point it was ruled by the Visigoths, and quickly thereafter dominated for seven hundred years by Muslim invaders. The imprint of these invaders, known as the Moors, is evident in the beautiful temples, mosques, and architecture they built, most of which is concentrated in the south. Spain is home to a rich and diverse cultural history that has left its footprint in many parts of the world, making Spanish the second most-spoken first language.
Spain has 17 autonomous regions that make up Spain, with over 50% living in Catalonia and over 30% living in Madrid. Many regions also have their own language and dialect that is used in addition to Spanish, the most common being Catalan, Basque and Galician. Spain also boasts diverse geography, which is made up of mountain ranges, alluvial plains, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of Spain has a temperate Mediterranean climate which is what has earned Spain the second largest tourism industry in the world.
Culture
Spaniards are considered very formal and take a lot of pride in beauty. Art and literature is of utmost importance and museums fill cities both large and small. Personal beauty is also imperative and it is infrequent that a woman would even make a quick trip to the corner store without being well-groomed.
Spain is a Roman Catholic country, which dates back to the first monarchs. Christian and Muslim kingdoms emerged around the same period creating vastly different styles of architecture to line the streets, from Arabic to Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Spain is a country of night-owls and dinner is served no earlier than 9pm, although usually closer to 10pm or 11pm. Small dishes know as tapas which are served at bars are typically how Spaniards fill the gap between the end of work and dinner time. As a result its varied geographical regions, Spanish food is quite diverse, but one can typically expect a large amount of seafood, which is a direct result of the country being surrounded by large bodies of water.
Public holidays in Spain are a healthy mix of religious, national and regional observances – in fact, each Spanish region declares at least 2 of their own holidays each year.
Travel Tips
If you are planning to visit cathedrals and churches in the area, be sure that you are able to cover your shoulders and knees. While many establishments are becoming more relaxed regarding attire, it is always best to prepare than be turned away at the door. Also note that photography is also not always welcomed in religious and cultural settings. It if is permitted, be sure to turn off your camera’s flash to preserve the condition of the artwork.
The tip is often included in restaurant bills, so adding anything additional is at your discretion. Bars and cafes do often expect a tip of between 5-10%. Be sure to leave any tips directly with the waiter as opposed to leaving with your check on the table, as young pickpockets tend to keep an eye on outdoor tables for this very reason.
Go!
Learn more about our internship opportunities in Barcelona and San Sabestian or our teach Spain program!