We Will Bring Spain To YOU!



Have you ever dreamt of going to Spain? We (The Barlesque Queens) will take you to a journey, learning more about Spain. By reading this, you will get to know more about their people, religion, history, culture and much more! So sit back and relax, enjoy this journey that we have prepared. At the same time, a simple traditional melodious Spain song will be playing while you're reading. ENJOY!




The Spanish flag has suffered various changes over its history. Under Franco's dictatorship the flag lost the colour mauve appearing on the Republican flag, and incorporated two important symbols, the eagle and the shield of the Catholic monarchy.

In 1977, two years after Franco's death, the eagle was slightly modified, and in 1981 it would disappear completely, leaving the current red/yellow/red with crowned arms.

The new Spanish flag has three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width) and red, with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band. The shield includes the royal seal, which is flanked by two crowned pillars (the Pillars of Hercules) bearing the inscription Plus Ultra.

According to Spanish legislation, the height of the coat of arms should measure two fifths of the flag's width (i.e. hoist), and should appear in the middle of the yellow stripe. The flag's usual proportions are a length measuring three halves its width, in which case the distance from the hoist of the shield's vertical axis should be half the flag's width. In other instances (should the flag be either shorter in length or square) the coat of arms should appear in the centre.

THE DEMOCRACY



Appointed by the new king, Adolfo Suárez became the leader of a transitional government. The military rearguard of the government was gradually replaced by younger political leaders as the way was paved for the elaboration of a new constitution, finally approved in 1978.
Spain would then ruled by a constitutional monarchy, following the model of the United Kingdom.

The Spanish Communist party (PCE) was legalized in April 1977, following its leader's acceptance of the monarchy.



In 1981 the military tried to regain power, staging a coup d'état on the 23rd of February which proved unsuccessful. In the general elections of 1982 the Socialist party (PSOE) headed by Felipe González obtained an absolute majority. During successive Socialist terms of office, Spain became a member of the European Union (EEC), and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).



In the general elections of 1996 the Spanish voted conservative and Partido Popular (PP) came to power, further consolidating the young democracy. José María Aznar would be the next Spanish president. In the following years the country has strengthened its position in the international arena, proving to be a modern country fully integrated within the European community.



In March, 14th. 2004 took place the last general elections by the moment. The Socialist Party would come to power again, this time headed by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

THE CULTURE

The culture in Spain is very varied and interesting details of holidays, the culture of Spain, history and wine.



Spain is many countries all rolled into one therefore the culture in Spain is very varied and interesting. Its Atlantic shores and the huge plains of the interior have very distinct characteristics. Similarly, the Mediterranean Costa's change ‘flavour’ as they sweep down from the Pyrenees through the pine forests of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. From the picturesque orange blossom coast of the Costa del Azahar, past the stunning beaches of the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida, the landscape finally becomes semi-arid as we approach the Costa de Almeria

In contrast, we turn west to discover the Lush green fairways of the Costa del Sol or north to northern Spain. There are a number of interesting museums for example the Dali museum and the Guggenheim Museum. Also eight world heritage cities

Until late 1975 Spain was under the Franca dictatorship, now Spain is a constitutional monarchy of some 17 autonomous communities, including the off-shore territories of the Balearics (to the east) and the Canaries (off Africa’s north-western shares).

After King Juan Carlos came to power, Spanish culture quickly changed to encouraged the growth of the tourism industry that brought so many of us to her coasts. The British, especially, have fallen in love with Spain and this explains its popularity as a destination for buyers of overseas property, Tens of thousands of us now own Spanish homes and enjoy spanish culture.

The UK is blessed with a variety of languages and dialects. Spain has a similarly rich linguistic heritage. There are four official languages; Castilian Spanish (the most commonly spoken), Catalan (used in Catalunya and the Balearics), Basque (spoken in the Basque regions of both France and Spain) and, finally, Galician. As if that weren't enough, there are a number of local dialects such as Valéncian and Andulucian. This is all part of the diverse culture of Spain.

Spain is the world’s third largest producer; with an industry that most experts regard as the fastest improving vinicuhure of recent decades. Rioja is Spain’s best loved variety it’s a highly distinctive, full bodied wine available in both red and white.

Widely known for Flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine, Spain has much more to offer than that. It is and has been for many years one of the centres of culture in Europe.

Christmas in Spain is not as huge a commercial occasion as is the case in many other western cities. Christmas lights are usually lit in the main cities in the first week of December by which time the shops are fully stocked with Christmas supplies. Nothing like the UK where the end of summer marks the build up to Christmas. See also Christmas food in Spain and the Spanish lottery “El Gordo” (Spanish for “The Big One”)

EDUCATION




SWAN SCHOOL

From 1970 until 1984, Fees would be free and compulsory from the ages of 6 to 14. In the 1986-87 school year, there were about 185,000 primary institutions that provided instruction to about 6.6 million students, 70 percent of whom were in state schools. Secondary education lasted from age 14 to 16 and terminated in the state graduation examination, the bachillerato. Those who completed the bachillerato could then enroll in an additional one-year program to prepare themselves for the university entrance exams. In the 1986-87 school year, more than 2,600 secondary schools enrolled about 1.2 million students. Studies at all institutions were organized around an academic year that ran from about mid-September to the middle or latter part of June.

Secondary school attendance was optional, but if students did not go on to secondary school, they had to enroll in vocational training for the period when they were 15 to 16 years of age. There were more than 700,000 students. This dimension of the educational system, plus the traditional disdain of many Spaniards toward manual labor, caused the BUP to enroll nearly twice as many students as the FP. Observers believed, however, that if the economic cramp of the 1980s continued to shrink the job market, the balance might shift toward the FP because the acquisition of a marketable skill might look more important than the gaining of academic qualifications. Indeed, between the 1979-80 and 1986-87 academic years, enrollment in the vocational programs increased nearly 35 percent (from 515,000 to 695,000), while enrollment in the academic program grew by only about 8 percent (from 1.055 million to 1.142 million).

Another major problem with Spanish education was the continued high failure rate. Between one-fifth and one-third of all students failed to complete the course of study. Failure rates ran much higher in state schools than in private institutions.
The uneven spread of nursery schools contributed to the high failure rate in later years. In the 1960s and the 1970s, pre-school education began to gain in popularity to such an extent that, in the mid-1980s, some 80 percent of Spain's children between the ages of four and six went to nursery schools (1.3 million in 1986-87).
Another source of deficiencies in the public educational system was the low pay teachers received. Even though teachers' salaries were raised by more than 40 percent between 1983 and 1985, in 1988 the average salary for teachers in the public schools at both the elementary and the secondary levels was still only about US$15,000 per year. In 1988 more than 200,000 teachers went out on strike to gain a 14 percent pay increase that would have raised their monthly salary by about US$175.

CURRENCY





The currency in Spain is the euro, as in other European Union countries.

The euro is divided into 100 cents:

-There are eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 Euro.

-There are seven different bank notes, for the following amounts: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.

TRADITIONS

December 22, Christmas Lottery Winners are Announced

On December 22, two important events take place. Students are released from school for their winter vacations, and perhaps more importantly, they announce the winning number of the famous Christmas Lottery in Spain. This lottery, by far the biggest in Spain, is a tradition practiced by many people who long to win the grand prize, which would make them instantly rich. This tradition is deeply embedded in these holidays, dating back to 1763, when Carlos III initiated it. Since then, not one year has passed without it, and it now is the symbolic moment in which Spaniards begin to celebrate the Christmas holidays.

December 24, Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in Spain, called “Nochebuena”, just like in many parts of the world, is celebrated with two very important traditions, eating an enormous and decadent meal, and going to Christmas mass. Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are roast lamb and suckling pig , turkey or duck and an enormous variety of seafood, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and various types of fish like hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and salmon. For dessert, there is quite a spread of delicacies, among them are turrón and marzapan, desserts made of honey, egg and almonds that are Arabic in origin, as well as polvorones, a sweet bread kind of like elephant ears, and a variety of nuts and dried fruits. To drink, one must have a glass of cava.

December 25, Christmas Day

Christmas day is more or less a continuation of what began the day before. People spend time with their families, they eat another large meal, although not as big as the one the day before, and in many families, children enjoy the gifts that they have received from “Papa Noel”, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as it is in many countries, as Spaniards traditionally wait until Three King’s Day to exchange gifts.

December 28, Day of the Innocents

December 28 marks a day of celebration exclusively Spanish called the Day of the Innocents. Although the roots of this day are bloody, in modern times, the customs practiced on this day are very jovial and fun. The anniversary of the murder of many children committed by Herod in Judea, ironically many laughs are had on this day, especially by the natives. Many foreigners who are in Spain become very confused as absurd or incredible news appears in the papers, municipal governments stage baffling practical jokes on their citizens, and friends and acquaintances cannot be trusted for their word.

December 31, New Year's Eve

Of course, the celebrations that take place on New Year’s Eve, or Nochevieja, in Spain, are quite an impressive spectacle. In all plazas of Spanish cities big and small, one can see a similar scene, and it will undoubtedly include church bells and grapes. At 12o'clock, the church bells sound 12 times, and at this moment, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell. According to tradition, those who eat the grapes will have 12 months of prosperity in the new year. Families and friends stay together for this celebration which marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new one.

January 6, Three King's Day

While most of the world has already begin packing up the Christmas ornaments, throwing out the tree, and finding a place for all of their gifts, Spaniards are continuing the celebration. Three King’s Day is the long awaited day in which the three Kings bring their gifts. On January 5, children go to a parade where they see the three kings arrive to their city, and take the opportunity to ask them for gifts. Later, before going to bed, children leave their shoes out in a visible spot in the house or on their balcony, go to bed hoping that when they wake up they will find gifts left by Mechior, Gaspar, and Balthasar. For breakfast or after lunch, families often have the typical dessert of the day, the “Roscón de los Reyes”, a large ring shaped cake that is decorated with candied fruits, as a symbol of the emeralds and rubies that adorned the robes of the three kings. Somewhere inside the cake there is a surprise, and the person to find it will be crowned King or Queen of the house for the remainder of the day.

PEOPLE



German: 39 133 996 (July 1998 est)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 3 057 919; female 2 879 109)
15-64 years: 69% (male 13 407 270; female 13 408 685)
65 years and over: 16% (male 2 651 149; female 3 729 864) (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.08% (1998 est.)

Birth rate: 9.73 births/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 6.51 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.56 years
male: 73.78 years
female: 81.59 years (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish

Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types

Religions: Roman Catholic 99% other 1%

Languages: Castilian Spanish 74% Catalan 17% Galician 7% Basque 2%

FOOD

Buy food from Spain

"Tienda" is Spanish for "boutique" or "shop", and this food shop for Spain has really interesting Spanish food such as fresh and dried chorizo sausages, beautiful Serrano hams, Spanish saffron, and canned goods. So you can prepare Spanish food at home.

You can also get the equipment you need for preparing Spanish food at home, such as paella pans, and a paella burner for cooking paella. As they say in Spanish, buen provecho!

Eating food out in Spain

Eating food out in Spain is often cheap and meals are substantial rather than gourmet. One of the best ways to sample Spanish food is to try tapas or snacks, which are served at any time of day in local bars.



In Spain food ranges from cheese and olives to squid or meat delicacies and are priced accordingly. Many of the specialities of Spanish cuisine are based on seafood, although regional specialities are easier to find inland than along the coast. In the northern Basque provinces, there is cod vizcaina or cod pil-pil; angulas, the tasty baby eels from Aguinaga; bream and squid. Asturias has its bean soup, fabada, cheeses and the best cider in Spain, and in Galicia there are shellfish, especially good in casseroles, and a number of regional seafood dishes such as hake à la Gallega.



For food in Spain in the eastern regions the paella has a well-deserved reputation. It can be prepared in many ways, based on meat or seafood. Catalonia offers, among its outstanding specialities, lobster Catalan, butifarra sausage stewed with beans, and partridge with cabbage. Pan amb tomaquet, bread rubbed with olive oil and tomato, is a delicious accompaniment to local ham and cheese.



For food in Spain in the Castile area try the roast meats, mainly lamb, beef, veal and suckling pig, but there are also stews, sausages, country ham and partridges. Andalucía is noted for its cooking (which shows a strong Arab influence), especially gazpacho, a delicious cold vegetable soup, a variety of fried fish including fresh anchovies, jabugo ham from Huelva and many dishes based on the fish which the coast provides in such abundance.



Spanish drink menus

Restaurants are classified by the Government and many offer tourist menus (menu del día). Restaurants and cafés in Spain have table service. In Spain the thing to drink with tapas is a dry (fino or manzanilla) sherry, or a glass of tinto (red wine)

SPORTS

Spain is present in many international competitions. Athletism motor racing, basketball, handball, billards, cycling, aerial sports, winter sports, water skiiing, football, gymnastics, hoseback riding, karate, motorcycle racing, motor boat racing, jai alai, swimming, fishing, canoeing, rowing, tae-kwon-do, tennis, sailing, rifle shooting are some of the sports in which Spain stands out in the world championships.

JAI ALAI



Jai-Alai means "Merry Festival" in the Basque language. The term is used to denote a fronton (or open-walled arena) used to play a variety of Pelota called Cesta Punta, and, more broadly, to the game itself. The ball is placed into play and volleyed by players wearing a wicker cesta basket with a glove approximately 63 to 70 cm (25 to 28 in) long. The game is characterized by the fast pace of play, the Basque Government promotes it as "the fastest game on Earth", a 125g-140g (ball covered with goat skin can travel up to 302 km/h (188 mph). The basket-glove (xistera in Basque, cesta-punta in Spanish) was introduced by Gantchiqui Dithurbide, France in 1860.

The court (or cancha) for Jai-Alai consists of 3 walls (front, back, and right), and the floor between them in play. If the ball touches the floor outside these walls, it is considered out of bounds. Similarly, there is also a border on the lower 3 ft (about 1 m) of the front wall that is also out of bounds. The ceiling on the court is usually very high, so the ball has a more predictable path. The court is divided by 14 parallel lines going horizontally across the court, with line 1 closest to the front wall and line 14 the back wall. When serving, the server must bounce the ball behind the serving line, then with the cesta "basket" hurl it towards the front wall so it bounces between lines 4 and 7 off the front wall. The ball is then in play.

The object in Jai-Alai is to score 7 or 9 points and thereby win the game. Points are scored by the other team dropping, missing, holding, or sending the ball out of bounds. The game is played in a round-robin format, rotating teams every point, where the team to score a point stays on the court and the opposing team rotates off the court to the end of the list of opponents. Points usually double after the first round of play.

The players frequently attempt a "chula" shot, where the ball is played off the front wall very high, then reaches the bottom of the back wall by the end of its arc. The bounce off the bottom of the back wall can be very low, and the ball is very difficult to return in this situation.

BEST AND INTERESTING PLACES

Barcelona



Catalonia has a different feel than the rest of Spain and Barcelona is unique in Catalonia. Perhaps it is the uplifting contribution of Gaudi's architecture or the Catalonian people; whatever it is, Barcelona is one of the best places to visit in Spain. Start your visit with a walk down La Rambla, then, see the Sagrada Familia, and the Barcelona Cathedral. Take in as much of the city and as many of Gaudi's monuments as possible.

Madrid



Madrid is a remarkable city. The "must sees" of the city are Old Madrid, the Museo del Prado, and the Palacio Real. Make no mistake, the museums, architecture, dining, and entertainment in Madrid are spectacular.

Andalusia



Much of Andalusia is synonymous with "Moorish Spain".

Seville



One of the grand cities of Spain, Seville attracts many tourists due to its splendid architecture and interesting attractions. Seville's Cathedral is popular due to its architecture, its tomb of Christopher Columbus and the attractiveness of its noted bell tower (the Giralda). Cross the square and visit the Alcazar, a stunning, well preserved, medieval, Islamic palace. Follow-up with a visit to the grand Plaza de Espana.

Cordoba



Cordoba was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate that controlled Andalusia and a large portion of what is now Spain between the 8th and 11th centuries. Cordoba is considered by many travelers to be one of the most beautiful destinations in southern Spain.

The historic center of Cordoba is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is best known for its Moorish extravaganza, the Mezquita (Mosque, which is a visual treasure. During the Reconquest of Spain by the Catholics in the 13th century (Reconquista), a baroque cathedral known as Santa Maria Mayor was built within the Mezquita.
In addition, be sure to see the Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos and the Tower Fortress Calahora.

Granada



If you have to choose one town to visit in Andalusia, make it Granada. The Moorish Alhambra is beautiful, taking advantage of its glorious setting in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The Alhambra's architecture is intricate, purposeful, and important. Budget your time to spend the better part of a day, just in the Alhambra. Of course, the rest of the Granada provides many attractive areas to explore, including the Albaicín and the Old City.

Costa del Sol



Many complain that Costa del Sol has become a continuous set of high rise apartments, blighting the landscape. The observation may be true but the majority of vacationers who visit Spain come to the Costa del Sol to sunbathe and escape the hot and cold seasons in the rest of Europe. Concrete aside, there is a lot to like about the area, as the scenery is great and some of towns are quite striking, especially Malaga and its striking Alcazaba, a palace from Moorish times.

Toledo



Toledo, once the capital of Spain, is dramatically situated on a hill above the River Tagus, which is traveling to the Atlantic via Lisbon. Toledo is a noted UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Cathedral (Catedral de Toledo), which has an interesting and long running history, the Alcazar, the Mezquita del Cristo (mosque), and the Casa-Museo de El Greco (containing twenty of the Artist's best-known paintings). Toledo was occupied by the Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians. Its architecture and essence reflect the mixing of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Salamanca



Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Salamanca is a historic university town known for its outstanding and well-preserved architecture. Most visitors spend considerable time in the Plaza Mayor, the social center of the city, known for its fine shops and good food. Many travelers visit both the New (Catedral Nueva) and Old (Catedral Vieja) Cathedrals, which are joined and offer interesting contrasts in architecture. Salamanca University is one of the oldest centers for learning in Europe and the oldest university in Spain.

Avila



Avila is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its famous medieval walls (considered among the best preserved in Europe) and interesting old town. Avila offers good food, great shopping and fine walking. The Catedral de Avila and its museum (known for its religious art) are worth a look. In addition, Avila was the birthplace of St. Theresa of Avila and several relics can be viewed at the Convento de San Jose.

Segovia



Yet another of Spain's cities awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, Segovia's well-preserved, tiered Roman Aqueduct is a world famous attraction. The Alcazar of Segovia is a stunning, almost picture perfect fortress that dates from the 13th century, although its design was tinkered with until the 16th century. Be sure to see the La Dama de las Catedrales (the Lady of Cathedrals), which is known for its gothic design and interesting ornamentation.

Valencia




Valencia is the gateway to the Costa Blanca, another of Spain's noted beach areas. Valencia has some excellent beaches and it Cathedral is worth a visit. The city's most popular attraction, however, is the La Lonja de la Seda, the Silk Exchange, that dates from 15th century. The Silk Exchange, is a series of impressive Gothic-style buildings that marked the center of commerce in Valencia, Spain's major Mediterranean port during the 15th and 16th centuries.
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And with that, we (The Barlesque Queens) end our presentation of Spain. Hope you enjoyed it. And just a reminder, we did it all by ourselves. Here's the work that the individuals did.

Syafiqah Samsuri - Research on the people in Spain.
Siti Nadiah - Reseach on the culture in Spain.
Nurul Badriah - Some other research.
Nur Amirah - Some other research.
Hazatul Ain - Research on history of Spain.
Khairunnisa - The rest of the research, the editing and the design of the blog.