The first inhabitants of Spain were the Iberians who came from the east. They were followed by the Greeks and the Celts and then Romans. Part of what is Spain today belonged at one time to the Romans. The Jews and the Arabs then ruled over Spain. This was followed by the Moors who crossed the Straits of Gibraltar from North Africa and settled here.

It was sometime in the fourteenth century that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella conquered Spain, defeating the Moors, the Arabs and the Jews after a long battle and it then became a Christian country. With Vasco da Gama discovering the Americas, Spain became a global country, having several colonies all over the world.

Spain is a country on the south west of Europe. Portugal is adjacent to it while France is towards its north. Thus Spain basically has a mixed culture. It is Iberian in origin, but has strong Arabic, Muslim and Christian flavors. The ancient Roman influence is also quite strong. Spanish language has heavily borrowed Arabic terms and words. The Spanish monuments are liberally influenced by the various kings and their kingdoms, various religions and various people who ruled and lived in Spain over the centuries.

Basically it was the Romans who lived in Spain. Some of the southern cities still retain Roman edifices and architecture. Then the Arabs, and Jews, the Moors and the Christians came bringing with them their ideas of beauty, culture and habits. Spain is a highly industrialized and very well developed country. The people are mostly urban and upper middle class. Though they have a modern look and thinking, they also retain some earlier customs and beliefs which have been ingrained in them.

Each wave of people who came into Hispania or Spain gave it their touch. Spain is thus a cauldron of beautiful cultures, edifices excellent architectural marvels and beautiful palaces, cathedrals and mosques. Some of the Spanish architectural wonders are earmarked as heritage edifices and World Heritage monuments. The majority of Spanish people are Catholics with the minority being non religious. They are fun loving but also hardworking people.

One of the biggest pastimes is the concept of siesta, a couple of hours rest in the afternoons, post meals. Probably the weather has something to do with it. Spain has generally a Mediterranean weather. Singing is a specialty and Spanish songs are vibrant and beautiful. The flamenco dancers’ dance in colorful dresses and the music and dance of Spain are famous and very popular. No tourist or visitor of Spain can go back without seeing a flamenco dance and song, eating special Spanish dishes and tasting their wines. Bullfighting and football are their national sports. Watching bullfighting is a different experience.

Education is compulsory and free for all children. Spain is a constitutional monarchy but is also democratic. It is part of the European Union and shares a common Schengen visa along with several other European countries. Euro is the common European currency also in use in Spain.