Spain - España ven a visitarnos, a real experience, everithing under the sun

ESPAÑA

POPULATION: 45.200.737 information from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) 1 de enero de 2007

LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language in the entire national territory. However, other languages coexist with Spanish in certain regions of Spain. These are: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular variety of Catalan spoken on the Balearic Islands.

CLIMATE: Spain, one of the warmest countries in Europe:

Spain's predominant climate is Mediterranean, with dry summers, and pretty constant temperatures during the winter. In Spain, you will enjoy more than three thousand hours of sunlight

However, the main characteristic of Spanish climate is its variety, due in part to Spain's geographical diversity. In the higher areas of the country, the climate gets rougher, and snow is frequent from the beginning of winter to the end of spring. Such is the case in the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, the Central Mountains, the Iberian Mountains, etc.

BUSINESS HOURS: The most common business hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h. Big shopping centres and department stores open from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h uninterruptedly. These big stores open sometimes on Sunday.

MEALS: Breakfast is usually had from eight to ten in the morning. Lunch, at restaurants, is served between 13.00 to 15.30 h. Dinner is served from 20.30 to 23.00 h. Many establishments are open continuously throughout the day, especially bars and cafeterias; there you can have "tapas", appetisers, etc,

CINEMAS & THEATER Cinemas usually have flexible hours, starting around 16.30 to 17.00 h. The last showing is around 22.00, although there are cinemas with midnight shows in all major cities. Theatres usually have a single show, which normally starts around 20.00 h.

NIGHT LIFE: Night time in Spain has a very special meaning, especially from Thursday to Sunday. Pubs, bars, and nightclubs usually stay open until three or four in the morning. In all major cities you can find places that are open until dawn.

RELIGION Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution, although the majority of the population is Catholic. Other religions also practised in Spain include Islam, Judaism, Protestantism, and Hinduism, all of which have places where to conduct their rituals

MISCELLANEOUS

Is tap water safe to drink? In Spain, drinking water is guaranteed everywhere in the country. Nonetheless, in some areas of the Mediterranean coast and islands it is more common to drink bottled water.

What is the electrical voltage in Spain? Electric appliances in Spain work with 220 volts, CA. 50 Hz and plugs conform to the European system of round pins with two holes.