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Bank of Spain

Spanish banking systems are considered among some of the best in Europe due to their profitability and higher than average operating income. Spain�s national bank is called the Banco de Espa�a or Bank of Spain. It is the centre of Spanish banking and was established in Madrid in 1782 by King Charles III, who then named it the Banco Nacional de San Carlos.

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Rivers in Spain

Did you know that there are over 1,800 rivers in Spain? This seems like a lot, but actually, many of them are quite short and only carry water during some parts of the year. It the hotter, dryer seasons, they have dry river beds, although when they do have water running through them, it can be with a swift current, which can be used to create hydroelectricity. As well as generating power, rivers in Spain are also important for feeding fertile land and transportation through the country.

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History of Salamanca University

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, making it the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in the world. To this day it has maintained its excellent reputation as an academic institution and throughout the years some great Spanish minds have studied and taught there, such as Miguel de Cervantes, Christopher Columbus and Miguel de Unamuno.

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Las Ramblas, Barcelona - Spain

Las Ramblas is Barcelona�s most important street and without doubt one of its most famous tourist attractions. It is made up of a series of boulevards leading from Pla�a Catalunya, which is in the centre of Barcelona, down to the coast, running a total of approximately 1.2 km. Traffic is only allowed to flow at each side of the wide street, leaving the central area as a pedestrian only zone. Las Ramblas is always full of people, attracted by its great market stalls, street artists and famous �living statues�. Tourists should be careful, however, as the area is also known to be popular among thieves and pickpockets.

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Famous Universities in Spain

The history of the university in Spain began hundreds of years ago, when educational institutions were closely linked to the Catholic Church. The 16^th and 17^th centuries were known as the �golden age� of Spanish Universities as a lot of academic progress was made, encouraging students from all over the world to come and study in some of Spain�s highly regarded institutions. After this period, the quality of the universities began to decline, although some still stand out as being among the most famous universities in Europe and in the world. There are currently over 1.5 million students in Spain, proving that higher education is a popular choice.

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Prehistoric Spain

PREHISTORIC SPAIN

Spain has many prehistoric sites, the most famous of these is found in Atapuerca in the North of Spain near Burgos. The prehistoric park in Atapuerca contains both human bones and fossil remains. Archaeologists through their examinations of this material have been able to shed light on prehistoric Spain.

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Goya�s Black Paintings

Francisco Goya (1746 - 1828) is one of Spain�s most famous artists, painting for the Spanish royal family for many years. The themes of his work are wide ranging, although towards the end of his life he notably began painting darker and more disturbing scenes, known as Goya�s black period.

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Spanish Ham

Spanish ham, known as jam�n, is an extremely important part of the Spanish diet and dining culture. Spain is the biggest producer of air-dried cured ham and its inhabitants are by far the biggest consumers, so make sure you give it a try next time you�re in Spain!

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Federico Garc�a Lorca

Federico Garcia Lorca is one of the most famous Spanish poets and playwrights. Although his life was short, 1898 � 1936, he produced some excellent works that are still famous today. He was born in a small town near Granada in 1898 and despite moving away from here in later life he always felt a strong affiliation with the countryside.

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Spanish Wines

A glass of wine is the perfect accompaniment to Spanish tapas and therefore is an important part of Spanish gastronomic culture. Spain is actually the country with the largest expansion of wine producing areas, vi�edos (vineyards) in the world, although excessively dry climates and infertile soils in some parts of the country mean that production is not quite as high, making it the 3^rd biggest wine producer in the world. However, for the most part, Spain offers favourable conditions for wine production: it is dry, receives a lot of sunlight, has long summers and not too cold winters. The diverse landscapes and climates of Spain mean that the different regions offer many different types of grapes used to make the wines, some of which are famous throughout the world.

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Ibiza Holiday Destinations

Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands, situated off the coast of Valencia, and is one of the world�s best known holiday destinations. Its main attraction is its fantastic nightlife, but look a little deeper and you�ll discover that this Spanish island actually has a lot more to offer...

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Golf breaks in Spain

Spain has been a favourite among golf fans for many years and is now Europe�s most popular destination for golfing holidays. Its great weather, scenery and huge range of quality courses make it the perfect spot to take a break and do something you really enjoy. With many of Spain�s diverse regions offering golf courses with accommodation, there really is something for everyone.

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The Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition was the period of time when the Catholic monarchs attempted to purify and unite the nation with Christianity, punishing and expelling anyone of other faiths or with contrary beliefs. The concept of the �inquisition� came from the Romans and meant that the monarchs and Catholic Church would send to court all those who they believed to be guilty of heretical behaviour, that which went against the Bible. As heavy punishments were given to those who did not comply, the Inquisition is now known as a very brutal period of Spanish history.

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Spanish olive oils

It is a little known fact, but Spain is actually the world�s largest producer of olive oil and offers a wide variety from its diverse regions. For many years, a lot of Spain�s oil has been bulk bought and packaged outside the country, although as worldwide recognition of its high quality increases, Spanish producers are now starting to put their own name on this culinary staple, which is also known to have many health benefits.

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Spanish TV Shows

Learning a new language is never easy, but it is universally agreed that immersion is the key to success. Talking to native speakers, listening to the radio and watching television are all excellent ways to learn, as you can pick up new vocabulary, test your comprehension skills and deepen your cultural understanding at the same time. Below you will find outlines of a few of Spain�s most popular television programmes, which could prove an excellent resource for learning Spanish, as well as great entertainment!

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