Introducción: La fecha
| It is very interesting to notice that in a country as small as Spain is, there are actually several languages spoken there. In Navarra and País Vasco, for example, the people speak not only Spanish but also Euskera. In the area called Cataluña the people speak Catalán; in the area called Galicia, the people speak Gallego. But they also all speak Spanish , also known as Castellaño. |
Some major cities in Spain, besides Madrid, are:
- Barcelona – The capital of Cataluña is a major city along the Mediterranean Sea and near the border with France. Barcelona has an important industrial and shipping economy but is also known for its architecture. Many tourists flock to appreciate and explore the Gothic Quarter and works by Antonio Gaudí.
- Valencia – The capital of la Comunidad Valenciana is another major city along the Mediterranean Sea. Tourists flock to the city for its marvelous beaches and water sports. Las Fallas is a popular festival in the week preceding March 19th. This festival boasts many parades and parties and culminates with the burning of the floats on the last night of the festival.
- Sevilla – Sevilla is the 3rd largest city in Spain and is the capital of the largest Spanish region. La Feria in Sevilla is a well known horse fair that also offers wonderful food, bullfights, flamenco, and colorful parades.
- Bilbao – The largest city in País Vasco, Bilbao is recognized as a strong industrial and economic center. Bilbao also is known íor the unique architecture of the Guggenheim Museum.
- Mérida – The capital of Extremadura was the ancient Roman capital of the area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, many monuments from the Roman period still stand and provide a look into the past.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Located off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, Santa Cruz de is located on the largest Canary Island, Tenerife. Santa Cruz is well known as the starting place for the Spanish Civil War, black sand beaches, and Carnaval celebrations.
- Zaragoza – Aragón’s capital city, Zaragoza, is located along the Ebro River. Once a stronghold of the Romans and Moors, Zaragoza has many monuments of those periods. Today, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is visited by many Catholic pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
- Santiago de Compostela – The capital of the Galician región, Santiago de Compostela is the resting place for the Catholic Saint James. Santiago de Compostela boasts of one of the most elaborate cathedrals in Spain.
