Introducing Spain

Spain is a sovereign state located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Its mainland is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea (to the south and east), by France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay (to the north and northeast), and by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean (to the west and northwest).
Europe’s “most passionate country” has a total of 42 million people, of which approx. 3.2 million live in Madrid, Spain’s capital.

Spain is well known for its diverse landscape: the Pyrenees, the Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada and the plains of Andalucia.
What else come to mind when thinking of Spain? Flamenco, Salvador DalĂ­, Pablo Picasso and Antoni GaudĂ­ – some of the world’s most
prestigious artists of all times. Spain does not only have a vibrant history – it’s a country that lives very much in the present and there’s a reason why ‘fiesta’ is one of the best-known words in the Spanish language: Spanish people consider life to be a big ‘fiesta’ and everyone seems to be invited! Spanish people are known to be full of zest for life!

Food and wine are national obsessions in Spain! The best-known Spanish dish is a stew called Paella, originated in Valencia. Rice is the main ingredient and it is usually made with a variety of shellfish (such as shrimp, clams, crab, and lobster), chorizo (sausage) and vegetables (tomatoes, peas, and asparagus). The broth to flavor the stew contains onion, garlic, wine, pimiento (sweet red pepper), and saffron.
And Tapas, of course! Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers or snacks – served either hot (battered chopitos or fried baby squid) or cold (such as mixed olives, cheese and cold cuts).

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