SpainSpain____my favorite country in Europe____my favorite country in Europe

promontory

Topic Topic

What’s your first impression of spain?What’s your first impression of spain?

TraditionTradition

Corrida (bullfight)Corrida (bullfight) FlamingoFlamingo

CorridaCorrida What a Corrida is aboutWhat a Corrida is about If you are not familiar to If you are not familiar to CorridasCorridas, you will find here , you will find here

listed chronologically everything that happens. So yolisted chronologically everything that happens. So you may decide by yourself if you want to see one when u may decide by yourself if you want to see one when you are visiting Spain.you are visiting Spain.A Corrida starts with the A Corrida starts with the paseillopaseillo, with everybody inv, with everybody involved in the bullfight entering the ring and presenting olved in the bullfight entering the ring and presenting himself to the public. Two himself to the public. Two AlguacilillosAlguacilillos, on horse's ba, on horse's back, direct themselves to the presidency and symbolicack, direct themselves to the presidency and symbolically ask for the keys to the lly ask for the keys to the "puerta de los toriles""puerta de los toriles". Behi. Behind that door there are the bulls.nd that door there are the bulls.

CorridaCorrida

With the door being opened and the first bull eWith the door being opened and the first bull entering the ring the spectacle starts. It consists ntering the ring the spectacle starts. It consists of three parts, called of three parts, called terciostercios, being separated b, being separated by horn-signals. There are three y horn-signals. There are three torerostoreros in each in each Corrida, by the way, and each will have to Corrida, by the way, and each will have to toretorearar two bulls. two bulls.

CorridaCorrida

In the first In the first terciotercio the bul the bullfighter uses the lfighter uses the capotecapote, , a quite large rag of purpa quite large rag of purple and yellow color. Nole and yellow color. Now enter two w enter two picadorespicadores, , on horse's back and armon horse's back and armed with a sort of lance.ed with a sort of lance.

CorridaCorrida

The second part is The second part is la la suerte de banderillassuerte de banderillas.. Three Three banderillerosbanderilleros have to stick a pair ohave to stick a pair of f banderillasbanderillas into the into the attacking bull's back.attacking bull's back.

In the final In the final "suerte supr"suerte suprema"ema" the bullfighter use the bullfighter uses the s the muletamuleta, a small red , a small red rag. He has to show his rag. He has to show his ffaenaaena, his masterity to do, his masterity to dominate the bull, and to eminate the bull, and to establish an artistical symstablish an artistical symbiosis between man and biosis between man and beast. beast.

The meaning of corridaThe meaning of corrida

The Corrida ends with the The Corrida ends with the torerotorero killing killing the bull by his sword as a signal of men’s the bull by his sword as a signal of men’s wisdom and bravery defeating the wild wisdom and bravery defeating the wild animal.animal.

Flamenco is a genuine SpanFlamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exacish art, and to be more exact an genuine Southern Spanit an genuine Southern Spanish art. It exists in three forsh art. It exists in three forms: ms: CanteCante, the song, , the song, BaileBaile, , the dance, and the dance, and GuitarraGuitarra, gu, guitar playing. itar playing.

StructureStructure

LocationLocation SizeSize Spain's Peninsular CondSpain's Peninsular Cond

itionition BackgroundBackground Environment ProblemEnvironment Problem Major CityMajor City

LocationLocation

Spain, together with Portugal, forms the Spain, together with Portugal, forms the westernmost of the three major peninsulas of westernmost of the three major peninsulas of southern Europe, an enormous octagonal southern Europe, an enormous octagonal promontory, at the extreme southwest of the promontory, at the extreme southwest of the continent. continent.

It is situated in a temperate area, between latitudes It is situated in a temperate area, between latitudes 4347' 24''N. and 36 00' '3'' S. and between 4347' 24''N. and 36 00' '3'' S. and between longitudes 7 00' 29'' E. and 5 36' 40'' Wlongitudes 7 00' 29'' E. and 5 36' 40'' W . .

LocationLocation It borders to the North It borders to the North

on the Bay of Biscay, Fon the Bay of Biscay, France and Andorra; to trance and Andorra; to the East, on the Mediterhe East, on the Mediterranean; to the South, oranean; to the South, on the Mediterranean ann the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and to thd the Atlantic, and to the West on the Atlantic e West on the Atlantic and Portugal. and Portugal.

SizeSize

Out of a total of 580,825 square kilometres,Out of a total of 580,825 square kilometres, Spain occupies four fifths of the Peninsula. Spain occupies four fifths of the Peninsula.

Peninsular Spain has a total area of 493,48Peninsular Spain has a total area of 493,486 sq kilometres, to which must be added 4,6 sq kilometres, to which must be added 4,992 sq km for the Balearics, 7,447 for the 992 sq km for the Balearics, 7,447 for the Canary archipelago and 32 for the Spanish Canary archipelago and 32 for the Spanish towns situated in North Africa: Ceuta, with towns situated in North Africa: Ceuta, with 18 sq km, and Melilla, with 14 sq km. 18 sq km, and Melilla, with 14 sq km.

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition

Land boundaries

Climate

Terrain

Nature

resource

Land use

Spain's Peninsular Condition Spain's Peninsular Condition

Land boundaries: Land boundaries: total:total: 1,917.8 km 1,917.8 km border countries:border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 62 Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, M3 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 orocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km km

Coastline: 4,964 km Coastline: 4,964 km

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition

Climate:Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast.along coast.

Spain has over two thousand beaches Spain has over two thousand beaches altogether, many of them of great beauty and altogether, many of them of great beauty and enjoying a pleasant climate. enjoying a pleasant climate.

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition Climate:Climate: 西班牙大陆本土大体上位于北纬西班牙大陆本土大体上位于北纬 3636 度至度至 4343 度之间。由于地度之间。由于地

形变化多端，西班牙各地的气候大相径庭。本土与地处非洲形变化多端，西班牙各地的气候大相径庭。本土与地处非洲的加那利群岛的气候，简直是两个世界，不能同日而语。但的加那利群岛的气候，简直是两个世界，不能同日而语。但一般说来，西班牙大部分地区受地中海的影响，属温带。除一般说来，西班牙大部分地区受地中海的影响，属温带。除少数地区外，冬天不是很冷，夏天不是很热，生活比较舒适。少数地区外，冬天不是很冷，夏天不是很热，生活比较舒适。 西班牙一年四季分明。最冷月为西班牙一年四季分明。最冷月为 11 至至 22 月，平均气温是：东月，平均气温是：东部、南部为摄氏部、南部为摄氏 88 度至度至 1313 度；北部度；北部 22 度至度至 1010 度。最热月是度。最热月是88 月，平均气温是：东部、南部为摄氏月，平均气温是：东部、南部为摄氏 2424 度至度至 3636 度；北部度；北部为摄氏为摄氏 1616 度至度至 2121 度。 度。 因西班牙地处南欧，受三面海洋气候的影响，东、南有来自因西班牙地处南欧，受三面海洋气候的影响，东、南有来自地中海温暖而潮湿的气流，北部又有大西洋吹来的阵阵季风，地中海温暖而潮湿的气流，北部又有大西洋吹来的阵阵季风，加之本土地理环境复杂，崇山峻岭，林海草原，错落有致，加之本土地理环境复杂，崇山峻岭，林海草原，错落有致，从而形成了各自的小气候。 从而形成了各自的小气候。

Climate:Climate:

北部和西北部沿海一带为海洋性温带气候，全年风调雨北部和西北部沿海一带为海洋性温带气候，全年风调雨顺，植被很好，有“绿色西班牙”的美名。夏天气温不顺，植被很好，有“绿色西班牙”的美名。夏天气温不高，清凉爽快。冬天瑞雪纷纷，一片银装素裹，气温较高，清凉爽快。冬天瑞雪纷纷，一片银装素裹，气温较低。中部高原为不大显著的大陆性气候，干燥少雨，夏低。中部高原为不大显著的大陆性气候，干燥少雨，夏热冬冷，但均不强烈。春、秋两季相对较长，阳光充足，热冬冷，但均不强烈。春、秋两季相对较长，阳光充足，风清月白，气候宜人，也适合农作物的生长。南部和东风清月白，气候宜人，也适合农作物的生长。南部和东部地区为地中海型亚热带气候，日照时间长，夏季炎热，部地区为地中海型亚热带气候，日照时间长，夏季炎热，最高气温高达最高气温高达 4040 多度；冬季温和，几乎全年无霜冻。 多度；冬季温和，几乎全年无霜冻。 除西北部沿海一带，西班牙许多地区气候干燥，严重缺除西北部沿海一带，西班牙许多地区气候干燥，严重缺水，年降水雨量在水，年降水雨量在 500500 至至 15001500 毫米之间，东南部地区不毫米之间，东南部地区不超过超过 500500 毫米，而降水大多在冬天。由于常年少雨干旱，毫米，而降水大多在冬天。由于常年少雨干旱，密林较少，有些地主甚至有沙漠化趋势。 密林较少，有些地主甚至有沙漠化趋势。

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition

Terrain:Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rlarge, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north ugged hills; Pyrenees in north

Elevation extremes:Elevation extremes: lowest point:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point:highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Can Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m ary Islands 3,718 m

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition

Natural resources:Natural resources: coal, lignite(coal, lignite( 褐煤）褐煤） , iron ore, copper, iron ore, copper （铜）（铜） , lead, lead（铅）（铅） , zinc, zinc （锌）（锌） , uranium, uranium （铀）（铀） , tungsten, tungsten（钨）（钨） , mercury, mercury （水银）（水银） , pyrites, pyrites （硫化铁矿）（硫化铁矿） , , magnesitemagnesite （苛性钾）（苛性钾） , fluorspar, fluorspar （氟石）（氟石） , gypsu, gypsumm （石膏）（石膏） , sepiolite, sepiolite （海泡石）（海泡石） , kaolin, kaolin （瓷（瓷土）土）

Spain's Peninsular ConditionSpain's Peninsular Condition

Land use:Land use: arable landarable land(( 耕地）耕地） :: 26.07% 26.07% permanent cropspermanent crops （永久性农业用地）（永久性农业用地） :: 9.87% 9.87%

otherother （其他）（其他） :: 64.06% (2001) 64.06% (2001) Irrigated land:Irrigated land:

36,400 sq km (1998 est.) 36,400 sq km (1998 est.)

Environment - current issues Environment - current issues

pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification deforestation; desertification

CultureCulture

PopulationPopulation

LanguageLanguage

EntertainmentEntertainment

PopulationPopulation

The population of Spain is 39 million, accordiThe population of Spain is 39 million, according to 1991 figures, which supposes an average ng to 1991 figures, which supposes an average density of 78 inhabitants per square kilometre, density of 78 inhabitants per square kilometre, that is to say, one of the lowest rates of density that is to say, one of the lowest rates of density of the European Union of the European Union

PopulationPopulation

There is a growing tendency for the population There is a growing tendency for the population to concentrate in the coastal regions and of to concentrate in the coastal regions and of depopulation in the interior, with the exception depopulation in the interior, with the exception of Madrid and a few other cities, owing to of Madrid and a few other cities, owing to industrialization and urbanization. industrialization and urbanization.

LanguageLanguage

Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% 7%, Basque 2%

note: Castilian is the official language note: Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other languages are official nationwide; the other languages are official regionally regionally

EntertainmentEntertainment

Corrida (Corrida ( 斗牛斗牛 ,we can also call it bullfight),we can also call it bullfight)

Bullfight court can be seen seemly in every Spain cBullfight court can be seen seemly in every Spain cities. From March to October, we will have the figities. From March to October, we will have the fight every Saturday and Sunday. In Madrid, May is tht every Saturday and Sunday. In Madrid, May is the best month to have this kind of fantastic show.he best month to have this kind of fantastic show.

Major CityMajor City MadridMadrid

Madrid, located in the centre of Iberian Peninsular is tMadrid, located in the centre of Iberian Peninsular is the capital and it’s economic, cultural and political cenhe capital and it’s economic, cultural and political centre.tre.悠闲的步道，提醒你身处於西班牙，不论白天或悠闲的步道，提醒你身处於西班牙，不论白天或夜晚都是十分适合你闲逛，逛累了还可以来杯咖夜晚都是十分适合你闲逛，逛累了还可以来杯咖啡，静静地感觉这城市的脉动以及享受当地的风啡，静静地感觉这城市的脉动以及享受当地的风情。情。

马德里是个相当适合步行漫游的城市，从太阳门马德里是个相当适合步行漫游的城市，从太阳门往西比列斯广场，或从大广场往王宫方向，沿途往西比列斯广场，或从大广场往王宫方向，沿途尽是艺术、文化及建 宝藏，马德里着名的景点有尽是艺术、文化及建 宝藏，马德里着名的景点有庄严的皇宫庄严的皇宫 (Palacio Real)(Palacio Real) 、有委拉瑞兹、哥雅和、有委拉瑞兹、哥雅和葛雷柯名作的普拉多博物馆葛雷柯名作的普拉多博物馆 (Paseo del Pradio)(Paseo del Pradio) 、、年轻人聚集的太阳门、年轻人聚集的太阳门、 1616 世纪时哈普斯堡王朝建世纪时哈普斯堡王朝建造了着名的大广场造了着名的大广场 (Plaza Mayor)(Plaza Mayor) 及圣伊西卓大教及圣伊西卓大教堂堂 (Catedral de San Isidro)……(Catedral de San Isidro)…… 。到处都是观光客。到处都是观光客群聚尽情浏览古迹、世界知名的博物馆以及享受群聚尽情浏览古迹、世界知名的博物馆以及享受夜生活。 夜生活。

Madrid - Fiestas and FolkloreMadrid - Fiestas and Folklore La VillaLa Villa, the "village", is how the inhabitants , the "village", is how the inhabitants

of Madrid call their city, and in many quarters of Madrid call their city, and in many quarters there are still alive traditions of a time before there are still alive traditions of a time before all those villages have melted together into all those villages have melted together into Spain's capital.Spain's capital.

The celebrations of The celebrations of New YearNew Year, anyhow, are sp, anyhow, are spectacular. Thousands of people flock together ectacular. Thousands of people flock together at at Puerta del SolPuerta del Sol. In the rhythm of the beats of . In the rhythm of the beats of the big clock at midnight, everybody tries to eathe big clock at midnight, everybody tries to eat twelve grapes. That shall bring good luck for t twelve grapes. That shall bring good luck for the coming year, and all the Spaniards who are the coming year, and all the Spaniards who are not there, watch the event on TV. After midnignot there, watch the event on TV. After midnight, all the city becomes the scenery of a great pht, all the city becomes the scenery of a great party.arty.

On On 5th of January5th of January takes place, as in many Sp takes place, as in many Spanish towns, the procession of the anish towns, the procession of the three Magithree Magi..On On May 15thMay 15th there is the there is the Fiesta de San IsidrFiesta de San Isidroo to the honour of Madrid's patron, one of the to the honour of Madrid's patron, one of the most spectacular events in all the year with numost spectacular events in all the year with numerous concerts and other kinds of public perfmerous concerts and other kinds of public performances, and the the best bullfights of all the ormances, and the the best bullfights of all the season.season.

During During July and AugustJuly and August the town-hall organiz the town-hall organizes a series of cultural events for what they call es a series of cultural events for what they call Veranos de la VillaVeranos de la Villa, , "Summer in the Village""Summer in the Village"..The festival The festival Verbena de la PalomaVerbena de la Paloma, from , from 6th 6th to 15th of Augustto 15th of August, shows best the popular trad, shows best the popular traditions of Madrid, with regional costumes and ditions of Madrid, with regional costumes and dances, the so-called ances, the so-called ChotisChotis..

Night lifeNight life There are many people who say that Madrid There are many people who say that Madrid

were Europe's capital of Night Life. Certainly were Europe's capital of Night Life. Certainly this page doesn't offer enough room to treat this page doesn't offer enough room to treat the subject profoundly, but be sure: here you the subject profoundly, but be sure: here you will find something for your taste - whatever will find something for your taste - whatever taste you may have ...taste you may have ...

During During SeptemberSeptember the concert-houses and the concert-houses and theaters have their best performances, while in theaters have their best performances, while in NovemberNovember you may visit Madrid's you may visit Madrid's International Jazz-FestivalInternational Jazz-Festival. At the same time . At the same time there are also the traditional there are also the traditional Fiestas de laFiestas de la

AlmudenaAlmudena..In In DecemberDecember there is an exposition of Christmas cribs at there is an exposition of Christmas cribs at PlazPlaza Mayora Mayor. .

Find below a few hints, about which regions are among the preFind below a few hints, about which regions are among the preferred ones by Madrid's "Nomades of the Night", and don't be ferred ones by Madrid's "Nomades of the Night", and don't be surprised if somewhere, at 4 a.m. or so, you will get involved isurprised if somewhere, at 4 a.m. or so, you will get involved in a traffic jam. Madrileños, like all Spaniards in general, don't n a traffic jam. Madrileños, like all Spaniards in general, don't stay in the same local for all the night, they prefer to change alstay in the same local for all the night, they prefer to change all the time, from one to the other. However, at 4 a.m. few peopll the time, from one to the other. However, at 4 a.m. few people are on their way to work!e are on their way to work!

Santa Ana and HuertasSanta Ana and HuertasBetween Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Santa Ana, speciBetween Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Santa Ana, specially in a street called Calle Huertas, you will meet a lally in a street called Calle Huertas, you will meet a lot of folks. This region is ideal specially when you mot of folks. This region is ideal specially when you move around without having a car, as the many pubs, taove around without having a car, as the many pubs, taverns, theater-cafés and fashionable bars here are pretverns, theater-cafés and fashionable bars here are pretty close one to each other, and you manage very well ty close one to each other, and you manage very well by foot. by foot.

Alonso Martinez and BilbaoAlonso Martinez and BilbaoThus are the names of two subway-stations, boThus are the names of two subway-stations, both of them in the heart of very lively areas. Froth of them in the heart of very lively areas. From the first one, try the locals around Plaza de m the first one, try the locals around Plaza de Santa Barbara. Close to the other you will find, Santa Barbara. Close to the other you will find, among others, Madrid's most famous discoteqamong others, Madrid's most famous discoteque, Pacha, but with a really hard-hearted door-ue, Pacha, but with a really hard-hearted door-keeper.keeper.

Argüelles and Moncloa - Ciudad UniversitaArgüelles and Moncloa - Ciudad UniversitariariaTwo more subway-stations, and also if you are Two more subway-stations, and also if you are not a student you may enjoy the ambience of not a student you may enjoy the ambience of Madrid's universitary quarter.Madrid's universitary quarter.

In winter: Traditional CafésIn winter: Traditional CafésThere are numerous traditional cafés in Madrid,There are numerous traditional cafés in Madrid, many of them decorated in the style of La "Be many of them decorated in the style of La "Belle Epoque", and when the cold wind is blowinlle Epoque", and when the cold wind is blowing outside you may want to check out if there arg outside you may want to check out if there are still artists and writers meeting in them, like ie still artists and writers meeting in them, like in the famous Café Gijon.n the famous Café Gijon.

In Summer: TerracesIn Summer: TerracesIn hot summer-nights there is hardly something better In hot summer-nights there is hardly something better than to have a drink in one of the many beautiful terrathan to have a drink in one of the many beautiful terraces, where you will find amounts of people until late ices, where you will find amounts of people until late in the night. In Paseo de la Castellana meet the beautifn the night. In Paseo de la Castellana meet the beautiful people and all those who think they are, specially bul people and all those who think they are, specially between Cuzco and Paseo del Prado. In Gran Via, on tetween Cuzco and Paseo del Prado. In Gran Via, on the other hand, you'll see representants of any kind of he other hand, you'll see representants of any kind of society that exists in Madrid, from middle-aged couplsociety that exists in Madrid, from middle-aged couples to vagabonds.es to vagabonds.

BackgroundBackground Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th

centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment. reductions in unemployment.