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Spain, or Espana – as the Spanish call their charming country – forms the better part of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain means many things to many people. Bloody bullfights, the swirl of the skirt of a Flamenco dancer, exploring Don Quixote countryside, sunbathing on the pristine beaches of Marbella, a visit to the majestic Alhambra or just feasting on paella at a roadside tavern – this is sunny Spain where there is no pain and only gain!

From the rolling hills and olive trees of Andalusia to the astounding architecture of Barcelona, all the way to the Museum Mile and carnival madness of Madrid, Spain is one great land of fun and frolic. It has great art, greater architecture, wild nightlife, sultry weather and so much more – Savour Spain’s medieval delights in the modern day scenario.

Fortunately, in the rush towards development and modernization, the Spaniards haven’t tossed aside their zest for the good life or their endless energy for celebrating. Welcome to the land of flamenco and fiesta…

Contrary to popular belief Tapas is not a type of food but a way of eating it. Tapa actually means cover and was conventionally a slice of cheese or ham placed over a drink.

In Spain there is a tradition to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. It is believed that whoever would eat the ‘lucky grapes’ will enjoy good fortune for the rest of the year. Each grape represents a month of the year.

The Spanish flag is two red stripes and a yellow stripe in the middle with the Spanish coat of arms on the yellow stripe. Legend has it that the yellow stands for the sand of the bullfighting arena and the red represent the bull’s blood.

Historically Speaking

The North African Iberian people invaded the southern part of the Spanish peninsula in roughly 1000 BC; they were followed by Celtic settlers from France. The resultant 'Celtiberian' people constituted the population of the central, northern and western areas thereafter. In the centuries after, Spain or 'Hispania' has been ruled by Christians, Muslim invaders and Moors, resulting in astounding ethnic and cultural richness.

In the 15th century the expansion of the Spanish Empire began with the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. King Ferdinand started the expansion of his empire in Europe by first taking over Italy and arranging strategic marital alliances of his daughters with King Philip 1 of the Hapsburg Empire and the Crown Prince of England. Spain also colonized the great Aztec and Mayan civilizations of South America.

Spain went into decline after the Thirty Year War which ended in 1648. In the 20th century, Spain remained neutral during World War I, and enjoyed an economic boom. However, the end of the Spanish Civil War of 1936 saw the emergence of General Franco’s Fascist dictatorship with the support of Mussolini and Hitler. Franco's reign continued till 1975; after Franco's demise in 1975, a limited monarchy was established and a democratic constitution adopted in 1978.

Habitat

Once you step foot in the sands of the sunny beaches along the Mediterranean, you’ll be prisoner to their charm forever. Countless lagoons and beaches line the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts at the edge of the Spanish mainland, and attract tourists from all over Europe and the world. The beauty of the ancient Pyrenees Mountains in the north is no less bewitching. Forming the border with France, these mountains have not acted as natural repellents to potential invaders in past centuries but also constitute one of the most astounding ranges in the continent today.

In the south the Strait of Gibraltar separates the peninsula from the African mainland. The Meseta Central is the vast, treeless plateau with an average elevation of about 2000 feet. The main rivers are the Duero, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro .The quaint little towns built on hills along narrow paths, and the beautiful beaches brimming with Mediterranean romance make for an altogether delightful landscape.