150 Interesting Facts About Spain

Facts About Spain: Spain is a country in Europe. The capital of Spain is Madrid. This country is officially known as the Kingdom of Spain. The country is a member of the European Union. It is located on the Iberian subcontinent in southwestern Europe. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the seas of France, Andorra and Biscay on the north and northeast, except for the southern and eastern Mediterranean British lands of Gibraltar. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the west by Portugal.

Mind-blowing Facts About Spain

Spanish rice is unknown in Spain.
The Bull is the national animal of Spain.
Spaniards own more cars than cell phones.
The national anthem of Spain has no words.
The official symbol or mascot is the bear.
It is the 14th largest economy in the world.
The U.S. has more Spanish speakers than Spain.
In A.D. 711 Muslims from Africa invaded Spain.
Spain’s original monetary unit was the pesetas.
The official name of Spain is “Kingdom of Spain.”
Spain leads the world in regards to organ donation.
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Spain.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005.
Spain once ruled 21 countries that are independent today.
Madrid is located on a plateau 650 meters above sea level.
Gaudi’s architectural places are some of the most visited.
Spain also has a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus.
Spain was the 3rd most visited country in the world in 2013.
Rio Ebro with 910 km of length is the longest river in Spain.
It is not customary to tip in Spain, especially for cheap meals.
Almost 700 people in a town of Spain share their surname “Japon”.
Portugal and Spain share not only a border, but also a peninsula.
The Madrid subway is the second largest underground system in Europe
José Manuel Durão Barroso was the former Prime Minister of Portugal.
Portuguese is often spoken in northern Spain, in the Galician region.
Would you believe that a 47-story skyscraper in Spain has no elevator?
Tortilla de patatas: a potato omelet. It is often in a circular shape.
Madrid is one of the most environmentally friendly places in the world.
Spain is the second-largest country in the European Union after France.

Interesting Facts About Spain Culture

It is illegal to dog walk in the streets of Madrid with more than 8 dogs.
Barcelona has 15 million visitors per year, while Madrid has only 6 or 7.
One fun fact about Spain is that the country has more than 8,000 beaches.
Just like in Spain, the same sex-marriage is completely legal in Portugal.
Spain is home to one of the oldest living languages in the world–Euskera.
Spain attracts more tourists than any other European country except France.
The quill pen is thought to have originated in Spain about 1,400 years ago.
Currently, just like the majority of European countries, Spain uses the Euro.
There are fewer marriages in Spain than in any other EU country, except Sweden.
The name Spain diverged from the word Ispania, which means the land of rabbits.
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and the U.K. are Spain’s major export partners.
Roman walls surround the old Spanish city of Tarragona on three of its four sides.
The divorce rate in Spain is 17% (relatively low compared to over 50% in the USA).
The Madrid-Barcelona route has the highest number of flights per week in the world.
Did you know that Spain did not participate in either the first or second world war?
Remember that there are at least 410 million native Spanish speaking people in Spain.
In business, face-to-face contact is preferred to written or telephone communication.
Move over, Italy and Greece! 43% of the world’s olive oil production is done in Spain.
From 2008 to 2013, the Spanish national football team was named FIFA Team of the Year.
Here’s one odd fact about Spain: There are no laws about public nudity in the country.
One of the most famous art museums is located in Madrid. It is known as Museo del Prado.
People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name within formal occasions.
Ibiza, an island off the coast of Spain, is one of the most visited places in the country.
Flamenco is not actually a dance; it’s a musical style, which sometimes has dancing in it.

Facts About Spain for Kids

Despite the beret being associated with France, the Basques in Northeast Spain invented it.
Valencia – the third-largest city in Spain, was once under Muslim control for five centuries.
In a festival, people are allowed to hit other people with garlic. Can you imagine the smell?!
Spain was the world’s third most popular tourist destination in 2013 (after France and the US).
The Puerta del Sol “Gate of the Sun” located in Madrid, is directly in the center of the country.
Pyrenees, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada are the major mountains in Spain.
Spain has the second highest number of bars per inhabitants in the world. Cyprus leads the tally.
The Eiffel Tower that is in Paris, France, was originally planned to be built in Barcelona, Spain.
Each regional country of Spain – Pais Vasco, Cataluña, Galicia – has its own language, hymn, and flag.
A tooth belonging to human ancestors dating back to more than a million years was found in Spain in 2007.
Though Spain is more famous for its red wine than white, the majority of its vineyards have white grapes.
The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted.
Churros: a typical dessert and breakfast pastry that is made in a circular shape and sprinkled with sugar.
Feeling thirsty? Spain has the second-highest number of bars per inhabitant. Yes, even more than Ireland!
Spain’s contribution to space exploration: The first astronaut’s space suit was developed in Spain in 1935.
Spain has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. The average Spaniard lives until the age of 82.
Gazpacho: a summertime drink that is made up of tomato soup in addition to bread, peppers, onions, and garlic.
There are two names given in Spanish to the Spanish language: español (“Spanish”) and castellano (“Castilian”).
The Madrid subway is the second largest underground system in Europe and the sixth–largest system in the world.

101 Fun Facts About Spain

It is illegal to slander or defame Spain’s royal family. The punishment could lead to two years of imprisonment.
Madrid is in the physical center of the country and the plaza Puerta del Sol is the exact center of the country.
People who live in Madrid are often called “gatos” meaning cats because they sleep all day and are out all night.
Anyone daring to walk the streets of downtown Palma de Mallorca without a shirt can be slapped with a fine of €600.
Contribution to modern society: Spain is responsible for giving the world the mop and bucket. This occurred in 1856.
Jamon Serrano: a cured piece of ham that is set to dry for several days. It is salted and cut into very thin strips.
Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain – the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother.
Although many country’s national anthems have lyrics, Spain is an exception. The national anthem of Spain has no words.
On St. George’s Day (April 23rd) in Barcelona, it’s customary to exchange a book and/or a rose with the person you love.
Did you know that owning one’s home is very important to Spanish people? Some 80% of Spanish households own their homes.
Wind power and electricity: Red Eléctrica de España (REE), is one of the main operators of the electrical system in Spain.
Even though Spain is not known for having many earthquakes, one of the most severe earthquakes occurred in Lisbon, Portugal.
If invited to a Spaniard’s home, you can bring chocolates, pastries, cakes, wine, liqueur, brandy, or flowers to the hostess.
About 60,000 animals die every year because of more than 16,000 religious festivals across Spain that are based on animal cruelty.
Our favorite of all the interesting facts about Spain – Breaks, free time, and siestas are a huge part of everyday Spanish culture.
Developed cigarettes: the precedent to the modern cigarettes, which was developed around the 17th century was first developed in Spain.
It is illegal in Spain to name a kid: Judas, Cain or Mandarina. These are the names of fruits and hence not suitable for a human being.
As for a final odd fact about Spain, the first stapler originated in Spain’s Basque country. It was designed for the French King, Louis XV.

Scary Facts About Spain

Will Spain be the world’s oldest country by 2050? According to census statistics, Spain has 40 percent of the population aged over 60 years.
Fancy a vacation to Spain? Join the club! 58 million tourists go to Spain every year, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.
Spain is renowned for its lively festivals, including San Fermín (“running of the bulls”) in Pamplona and Tomatina (“tomato battle”) in Buñol.
Spanish people are very fond of food. A famous saying is Barriga llena, corazón contento, which translates to “A full belly and a happy heart”!
Spain also has the world’s oldest existing lighthouse — the Tower of Hercules. It was built in the first century and is operational still today.
In 2000, Spain’s Paralympic basketball team had to return their gold medals after it was found that 10 of the 12-strong squad suffered no handicap.
Flan: a type of dessert that has the consistency of a tart. It is typically made with either eggs or vanilla and has a top made up of caramel syrup.
The ‘Tomatina’ (the world’s biggest food fight) and the ‘Running of the Bulls’ (six bulls chase people) are two of the most famous Spanish festivals.
You likely already know that Spain is famous for its bull runs, but did you know the bull is actually Spain’s national animal, too? The more you know!
One especially cool fact about Spain is that it won its first World Cup football title in 2010, which made the country the 8th country to have ever won.
Although Spain has a lot of beaches, it’s actually quite mountainous, too. In fact, it’s the second most-mountainous European country after Switzerland.
The Spanish civil war (1936-1939)–was an armed conflict between the Republicans and Nationalists led by General Francisco Franco–killed over 500,000 people.
The Sagrada familia, a cathedral that is still under construction is one of the most visited buildings in Spain. It is under construction for over 130 years.
Majorca is also a very visited destination with over 2,500 restaurants. It sees 6 million tourists every year. It is also visited by 35,000 cyclists each year.
Spain’s connection to the modern stapler: According to records, the first known stapler was made in the 18th century in the Basque country for the French King Louis XV.
A Zipline connects Spain and Portugal. It only takes 60 seconds to cross the border on this Zipline. It is built on a river, 150 meters wide, between the two countries.

Facts About Spain Food

Do not be alarmed by a dirty floor in a bar. It is completely acceptable and normal to throw things on the ground in bars. Most of the time a dirty floor means a good bar!
The family is the basis of the social structure and includes both the nuclear and the extended family, which sometimes provides both a social and financial support network.
Did you know that Spain produces 43% of the world’s Olive? This fact makes the country, a leading producer of Olives in the world. It also produces saffron in large quantities.
When it comes to famous facts about Spain, you might be interested in learning that Spain features the world’s oldest restaurant. Called Restaurante Botín, it dates back to 1725.
Spain attraction to old cuisine: Guinness World Records awarded the title of oldest restaurant to El Restaurante Botín, which originally opened in 1725 and continues to be open today.
When it comes to Spanish history facts, this is an interesting one. Apparently, tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco, and cacao (for chocolate) were all imported into Europe by Spain.
Limited after-school care: In Spain, about 25% of all grandparents are known to take care of their grandchildren every day since there are not that many after-school care opportunities.
Time for another Spanish food fact. Did you know Spain is one of the world’s biggest producers of saffron? It’s an important ingredient in paella, a popular dish served around the country.
Tortillas in Spain are not the same as tortillas elsewhere. Tortilla española refers to a very popular egg and potato dish. Spaniards use the word “tortitas” to refer to flour/corn tortillas.
The first ‘novel’ is attributed to a Spaniard: Spanish author, Cervantes’ is known for his Don Quixote novel which was written in 1605. Don Quixote is considered to be one of the first modern novels.
Paella: a rice, vegetables and seafood dish. This dish is very common in the Mediterranean coast of Spain. In many occasions, paella is often made up of different ingredients including chicken and beef.
One Spanish food fact is that most households buy fresh bread every day. Traditionally, they are long baguettes called barras or pistolas. Bread is present (and required) with nearly every Spanish dish.
Spain was accidentally invaded by Britain in 2002 when the British marines disembarked in Spain instead of Gibraltar. However, the invasion happened briefly for a period of 5 minutes and no harm was done.

Social and Culture facts about spain

Prostitution in Spain is not illegal but profiting from the sale of sex by another is. Moreover, prostitutes in Spain were ordered to wear florescent vests for their safety on the road while touting for customers.
Ready for a cool fact about Spain? The tooth fairy is a mere rodent in Spain, referred to as Ratoncito Pérez. Though he’s a rat, he still leaves gifts under children’s pillows in exchange for the teeth they lose.
Nudity is legal in Spain: Unlike other countries in the Mediterranean coast, Spain is known for providing nude beaches for those who do not want to wear bathing suits or bikinis while attending the beach on hot summer days.
One interesting fact about Spain is that more than 150,000 tomatoes are usually thrown at La Tomatina. This food fight festival is actually a religious celebration meant to honor the patron saint San Luis Bertran and the Virgin Mary.
Spain has 47 World Heritage Sites: all throughout Spain, there are several pre-historic rock art, historic cities, and buildings. Additionally, there are also bridges, national parks and landscapes. Originally, Spain was known as Iber.
During the New Year, Spaniards typically eat twelve grapes as the bell is going down on the midnight of December 31. Some believe that this leads to a year of prosperity while others say that the tradition wards away witches and general evil.
The Spanish often use gestures with, or to substitute for, words. Flicking the teeth with the thumbnail, wiggling fingers from the nose, and grabbing the left arm with the right while making a left-handed fist are all thought to be offensive.
Spaniards love to hang out: On average, Spaniards are known to spend approximately 16 out of every 24 hours laying around, eating, drinking (including alcoholic beverages) and sleeping. There is nothing better than taking a Siesta! After lunch.
Spain’s contribution to the arts: Some of the most renowned artist that have impacted today’s knowledge in the arts include Valázquez from the 17th century, Goya from the 18th and 19th centuries to Picasso, Miró and Dali throughout the 20th century.
Of all the interesting facts about Spain, this one is perhaps the most bizarre. On May 15th all the single women in Madrid visit the chapel called Ermita de San Isidro to prick their fingers with pins and put it in a vessel, in order to find a husband.
The Spaniards have a completely different life rhythm from other Europeans and those in the United States. They typically have lunch between 1 and 3 pm, and dinner around 10 pm. Check out this guide to learn more about life in Spain vs. life in the U.S.
Don Quixote, the famous book written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1605, was voted the “most meaningful book of all time” in 2002 by a panel of top authors. Not only that, but many historians believe it is one of the world’s first modern novels.
Another fun fact about Spain is that Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape with their family for each bell strike of the clock. Known as las doce uvas de la suerte, these grapes are meant to provide good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Interested in Spanish history facts? Spain certainly has its fair share as the country is home to an impressive 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the third-highest number of sites of any other country around the world. These are definitely some of the best places to visit in Spain!
Age of consent lowest in the world: Back in the day, Spanish law claimed that the age of consent for sexual intercourse was 13 while the legal age for marriage was 14. As of today, Spanish law has changed. That being said, the age of consent and legal marriage age have been changed to 16.
When it comes to Spanish culture facts, it’s important to note that this country’s culture greatly influenced modern art from the late 1800s, with artists like Antoni Gaudí (Art Nouveau), Pablo Picasso (expressionism, cubism, surrealism), Joan Miró (surrealism), and Salvador Dalí (surrealism).
Spain’s high life expectancy: Those who live in Spain are said to have a life expectancy of 82 years. This is after Switzerland, Italy, and Japan. Overall Spain ranks 15th in the world for longest life expectancy. Additionally, Spanish women are said to live longer than men: 85 compared to 79 years.
The Spanish national football team: La Roja, La Furia Roja, La Furia Española, or La Furia, are some of the many names awarded to the Spanish National Team. From 2008 to 2013, Spain holds a total of 28 wins, which makes it the longest world record for winning the most consecutive competitive matches.
Our first fact about Spain is that not all Spaniards are native speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. Believe it or not, there are four official languages in Spain (Castilian, Catalan, Basque, and Galician), three unofficial regional languages (Asturian, Aragonese, and Aranese), and several more dialects.
The Spanish and their views on same sex marriage: As of 2010, 80 percent of Spanish citizens claimed that gay, lesbian, and any other individual who does not fall under the “norm” when it comes to gender identity and sexual orientation, has the right to live their lives as they please without being controlled by those in power.
Constitutional Monarchy: As history would dictate it, Spain is one of the oldest constitutional monarchies in the world. Spain’s former king, King Juan Carlos I came to power after General Franco – a ruthless dictator, died in 1975. Presently, former King Juan Carlos I abdicated his throne to his son. As of 2014, King Felipe VI is the new king of Spain.
No tooth fairy in Spain: Just as any other child in the world, Spanish kids place their fallen teeth under their pillow right before they go to sleep. However, unlike American children who are visited by the tooth fairy, Spanish children are visited by El Ratoncito Perez, who brings them a gift in exchange for their tooth. In Spain, kids typically have their father’s and mother’s last names.

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