Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017 / 2018)
2
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
1. QUICK FACTS ABOUT SPAIN
Country name: Spain Capital: Madrid Main cities: Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla Government type: Parliamentary Monarchy Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) Total area: 504,782 sq km Population: 46,157,822 (January 2008) Currency: Euro Religion: Roman Catholic 76.7%, other 23.3% Official languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%
2. HISTORY
The history of Spain is a compendium of influences from the different cultures that have lived
in the country. The first settlers on the Peninsula were the Celts and the Iberians. The first
testimonials written about the country date back to
this period. It is said that Hispania (the name the
Romans used to describe the Peninsula) is a word of
Semitic origin from Hispalis (Seville). From the year
1100 A.D. and until the middle of the 3rd century A.D.,
commercial and cultural contact with high
Mediterranean civilisations was held with the
Phoenicians and Greeks. At the end of this era, both
civilisations were taken over by the Carthaginians and
Romans, respectively.
The Roman presence in Hispania lasted for seven centuries, during which time the basic
borders of the Peninsula in relation to other European towns were set up. In addition to
territorial administration, many more institutions were inherited from Rome such as the
concept of family, Latin as a language, religion and law. At the start of the 5th century new
settlers from the North arrive and settle on the Peninsula: the Visigoths in the interior and the
Swabians on the West. This Germanic people saw themselves as the continuators of the
weakened Imperial power.
Integration between Hispanic-Germanics was
a rapid process, with the exception of the
Northeast of the peninsula, inhabited by
Basques, Cantabrians and Asturians, who
resisted the infiltration of the Romans,
Visigoths and later the Muslims. The
decomposition of the Visigoth state apparatus
would lead to the successive infiltration of
Arab and Berber troops from the other side of
3
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
the Straits of Gibraltar at the beginning of the 8th century. In the middle of the 8th, century
the Muslims had completed occupation and Cordoba became the centre of the flourishing
Andalusian state. The Arab presence in Spain would last for almost seven centuries and leave
an indelible mark on the Spanish cultural heritage. Following a long period of peaceful
coexistence, the small Christian
strongholds in the North of the Peninsula
took on a leading role in the Reconquest,
which ended with the capture of
Granada in 1492 under the reign of the
Catholic King and Queen, traditionally
considered the founders of peninsular
unity and the imperial management of
the Spanish revival. Also during the reign
of the Catholic King and Queen and
under their auspice, Columbus discovered the New Continent (America) , new boundary of
what would be the largest Western empire.
The 16th century represents the zenith of Spanish hegemony in the world, a process that
would last until the middle of the 17th century. With the Catholic King and Queen, and in
particular with Phillip II, what was the prototype of the absolutist modern State in the 16th
century was fully established. Following the death of Charles II, the last of the Austrians, who
died without having had children, Phillip V inaugurated the dynasty of the Borbons of Spain.
The Spanish Enlightenment is characterised as being an era of exterior harmony, reformations
and interior development. The crisis of the Old Order opened the doorway to the Napoleonic
invasion. The War of Independence was a war against the French invasion, but also a
revolutionary war due to the
decisive involvement of the people
and the clear formation of a national
conscience that would later shape
the 1812 Constitution. The Courts of
Cadiz thereby enacted one of the
first Constitutions of the world
which ratified that sovereignty
would reside in the nation. The
conflict between liberalists and
absolutists, or in other words, between two different ways of perceiving the establishment of
the state, would be one of the longest Spanish conflicts throughout the 19th century.
The brief reign of Amadeo de Saboya, the first republican experience and the subsequent
restoration of the monarchy, under the rule of Alfonso XII, take Spain to the beginning of the
20th century with a series of serious unresolved problems that intensify following the
definitive loss of the last strongholds of the colonial empire: Cuba and the Philippines. Despite
the interruption of the First World War in which Spain remained neutral and following the
dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the monarchical crisis returns, resulting in the exile of King
Alfonso XIII. The ballot box is introduced into Spain and with it the first democratic experience
of the 20th century: the second Republic, a brief attempt to introduce the reformations the
country needed, frustrated by General Franco's military rising and the outbreak of the Civil
War in 1936.
4
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
The military victory of General Franco
gave way to a long dictatorial period that
would last until 1975; it was an era
characterised by an iron control of
interior politics and isolation from the
international environment, which did not
however prevent an incipient economic development in the sixties. Following the death of
General Franco, the Spanish people peacefully made the transition from dictatorship to
democracy in a process known as 'the Spanish model'. Don Juan Carlos I, as King of the Spanish
people, became the chief of a social and democratic state of law, which moulded the
Constitution of 1978. In 2014 his son, King Felipe VI, succeeded him to the throne.
2. GLOBAL SITUATION
The Spanish population now stands at nearly 47 million, and the country has an area of
505,986.36 square kilometres. The large metropolitan areas include Madrid, Barcelona,
Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Bilbao, etc. To this we must add the fact that life expectancy in
Spain is one of the highest in the world (82.8 years). Life expectancy for Spanish women, at
85.6 years, is also one of the highest in the European Union. Spain is a non-confessional state,
and freedom of worship is recognised in its Constitution. However, most Spaniards profess the
Catholic faith, which is deeply rooted in society. Castilian/Spanish is the nation's official
language. There are also officially-recognised languages in the following Autonomous Regions:
Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country, Valencia and the Balearic Islands (where they speak a
particular variety of Catalan).
3. CULTURAL WEALH
Spain: mosaic of cultures. Originating in its rich historical flux, the Spanish culture has played
an important role throughout time.
Spain is, above all, a mosaic of cultures. Heterogeneous. Old and modern. Refined and popular.
Holy and secular. Plural and diverse. The variety of its cultures attracts. The historic heritage
dazzles. The vital power of its people fascinates. Spanish culture is extremely rich and touches
upon all forms of artistic expression. From literature to painting, music to architecture, the
theatre to sumptuary arts. In each of these aspects, at some time in history or other, Spanish
5
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
culture has reached the highest artistic heights: from bygone times (with outstanding
examples of cave art) until present day (a time in which Spanish architecture is universally
avant-garde), culture and art in Spain are prominent features of the country.
Current Spanish culture is enjoying good health, as can be seen, for example, in a prosperous
editorial industry that produces over 90,000 volumes per year. Cultural tourism is becoming an
alternative to sun and beach tourism, as a result of the wealth and quality of the museums,
monuments, fiestas and traditions, not to mention the expositions and various cultural
displays. Just to give an example, Spain boasts one of the greatest collections of historical and
architectural monuments in the world, as demonstrated by the fact that it is the country with
the second highest number of UNESCO World Heritage designations. An approximate
inventory of the monuments in Spain would reveal over 20,000 important pieces. Spanish
theatre and cinema is becoming a reference point in Europe, thanks to events such as the
Theatre Festivals of Mérida, Sagunto and Almagro and the San Sebastian and Valladolid cinema
festivals. Spanish universities play a very important role in the diffusion of the national culture,
and their summer courses, held in universities such as El Escorial, Salamanca, Santander and
the International University of Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), with seats in Santander, Barcelona,
Cuenca, Galicia, the Pyrenees, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia are of particular relevance.
Scientific and cultural research is carried out by the state-dependent Superior Council of
Scientific Research.
4. FAUNA
A wide diversity of animal species. Spain is home to various European, African and
Mediterranean animal species.
Spain's climatic diversity can be seen in its fantastic richness, which includes typically
European, Mediterranean and African species of animals, as well as alpine fauna in the high
mountain massifs. The most emblematic mammals are wolf, fox, wildcat, lynx, deer, Spanish
6
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
ibex and wild boar, among others. Spain is also an important stopping-off point for flocks of
migratory birds on their journey to and from Europe and Africa. Some of the most notable are
duck, flamingo, heron, crane and bustard, as well as numerous species of birds of prey
including eagles, bearded vultures, hawks, owls and goshawks. It is also home to a wealth of
different varieties of fish, and Spain's rivers and lakes boast an abundance of species such as
trout, tench and barbel. Spain presently has over 176 endangered species, including flora,
invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. These include the golden eagle,
the Houbara bustard and the Iberian lynx.
5. FLORA
The main consequence of the climatic differences in Spain are the two very distinct types of
vegetation: the warm Spain and the wet Spain.
The climatic diversity that prevails in Spain marks a clear difference between two very distinct
types of vegetation. On one hand, in the Cantabrian area there is the luxurious vegetation with
abundant deciduous forests where the most characteristic species is the common oak,
followed by lime trees, chestnut trees, elm trees, ash trees, maple trees and hazelnut trees.
This area also has plains covered in dense Atlantic thicket, formed by heather, ferns and gorse.
Beech also grows in medium mountains and there are fir trees in the cooler areas of the
Pyrenees and the Penibetic system. The second largest area of vegetation in Spain has been
shaped by a dry, summer climate and presents two groups of vegetation: on the one hand, the
vegetation of the plateau and the Iberian depression and on the other, the vegetation of
Mediterranean Spain. It is characterised by uncultivated land and few forests in which the
dominant species is the evergreen oak, invaded by the introduction of the pine at various
different stages. Also, in the plateau we can find evergreen oak and cork oak forests and in
drier areas such as the Ebro valley, Extremadura and La Mancha, there are abundant thickets,
dotting the landscape with small bushes, each one very different to the next. The Gall Oak,
Aleppo Pine and the Stone Pine are other types of trees which are found in abundance in the
dry parts of Spain. The steppe is a common feature in the west of Andalusia and Levante.
7
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
6. THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
It was awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation in 2010 because it is much more than just healthy food, and because it has been consolidated as culture that promotes social interaction, respect for the land and biodiversity, and preservation of traditional and craft activities connected with agriculture and fishing. The main ingredients are olive oil, cereals, fruits, vegetables, a moderate amount of meat, fish and dairy products, and a lot of seasoning and spices. It is usually consumed with wine or infusions. The UNESCO mentions Soria, in Castile-León, as a clear example of a city that is committed to the Mediterranean diet, even though it can be enjoyed all over Spain.
7. FIESTAS
Popular festivities to suit everyone Spain has an outstanding multicultural heritage, and this can be seen in all areas of its social life. There is a wide variety of different festive celebrations to be found all over the country. Spanish popular festivities and traditions often have a clearly religious origin. This can be seen in throughout all the expressions of Spain's folklore, which combine religious fervour with a variety of pagan and festive commemorations. The country's cultural diversity means the festive manifestations of each region vary widely from north to south, and yet at the same time these local customs exist alongside festivities which are celebrated all over the national territory. The festive year in Spain starts with the traditional strokes of midnight in the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, which attracts throngs of people from the city itself and from all over Spain who welcome in the New Year with a grape swallowed for each chime of the clock. One of the most important traditional celebrations in Spain, however, is Easter week. This takes place at the end of March or in April, and takes place amid vivid and extremely moving popular processions. The greatest number of festive events takes place in the summer months,
8
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
between June and September, according to the geographic area, as they tend to combine both religious and socio-economic aspects. Throughout most of Spain's geography there are also a range of different festivities in late summer (late August and early September) owing to the historic tradition of commemorating the harvest (and particularly the grape harvest). What's more, each area in the country has its own specific festivities. Some of the highlights are the Sanfermines bull-running festival in Pamplona, Sant Jordi and La Mercé in Barcelona, the Fallas bonfire festival in Valencia, the festivity of the Reconquest in Granada, the April Fair in Seville and San Isidro and the Verbena de La Paloma in Madrid. But these are just a few examples of the thousands of festive celebrations which are to be found the length and breadth of Spain all year round.
8. WEATHER AND CLIMATE IN SPAIN
Except for the subtropical Canary Islands, Spain can be divided into areas experiencing, respectively, a Mediterranean climate; a climate dominated by the Atlantic Ocean; and (in the inner areas) a rather extreme climate with hotter summers and colder winters than nearer the coasts. Spain’s climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south. The best months are from April to October, although mid-summer (July to August) can be excessively hot throughout the country except the coastal regions. Madrid is best in late spring or autumn. The central plateau can be bitterly cold in winter.
9. MADRID
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that combines the most modern
infrastructures and the status as an economic, financial, administrative and service centre,
with a large cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history.
Strategically located in the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula at an altitude of 646 m
above sea level, Madrid has one of the most important historic centres of all the great
European cities. This heritage merges seamlessly with the city's modern and convenient
infrastructures, a wide-ranging offer of accommodation and services, and all the latest state-
of-the-art technologies in audiovisual and communications media. These conditions, together
with all the drive of a dynamic and open society –as well as high-spirited and friendly– have
made this metropolis one of the great capitals of the Western world.
It has been populated since the Lower Palaeolithic era, although it was not until 1561 that King
Philip II made Madrid the capital city of his vast empire. The historic centre, also known as the
"Madrid of Los Austrias" (in reference to the Hapsburg monarchs), and the spectacular Plaza
9
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
Mayor square –inaugurated in 1620 and one of the most popular and typical sites in Spain– are
a living example of the nascent splendour of the city in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Near the Plaza Mayor is the area known as the "aristocratic centre" where the jewel in the
crown is the Royal Palace, an imposing building dating from the 17th century featuring a
mixture of Baroque and classicist styles. Beside it is the Plaza de Oriente square, the Teatro
Real opera house, and the modern cathedral of La Almudena which was consecrated in 1993
by Pope John Paul II. The Puerta del Sol square is surrounded by a varied and select area of
shops and businesses, and the "Paseo del Arte" art route –whose name derives from its world-
class museums, palaces and gardens– are further elements in an array of monuments which
includes particularly the Bank of Spain building, the Palace of Telecommunications, and the
fountains of Cibeles and Neptune.
Art and culture play a key role in Madrid's cultural life. The capital has over 60 museums which
cover every field of human knowledge. Highlights include the Prado Museum, one of the
world's most important art galleries; the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, with over 800
paintings ranging from primitive Flemish artists through to the avant-garde movements. And
the Reina Sofía National Art Centre, dedicated to contemporary Spanish art and containing
works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Juan Gris, among others.
Madrid's extensive and beautifully maintained parks and gardens –like the Retiro park,
formerly the recreational estate to the Spanish monarchs, the Casa de Campo and the Juan
Carlos I park– offer inhabitants and visitors the chance to enjoy the sunshine, stroll, row on its
lakes or feed the squirrels, in one of the greenest capitals in Europe. The importance of its
international airport, which every week receives over 1,000 flights from all over the world, its
two Conference Centres, the modern trade fair ground in the Campo de las Naciones, and over
80,000 places in other meeting centres make Madrid one of Europe's most attractive business
hubs.
But if there's one thing that sets Madrid apart, it must be its deep and infectious passion for
life that finds its outlet in the friendly and open character of its inhabitants. Concerts,
exhibitions, ballets, a select theatrical offering, the latest film releases, the opportunity to
enjoy a wide range of the best Spanish and international gastronomy, to savour the charms of
its bars and taverns... all these are just a few of the leisure options on offer in Madrid. There is
also a tempting array of shops and businesses featuring both traditional establishments and
leading stores offering top brands and international labels.
10
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
Madrid's lively nightlife is another key attraction of Spain's capital, due to its variety and the
exciting atmosphere to be found in its bars, pubs, clubs and flamenco halls. Other daytime
entertainment options include traditional outdoor dances, popular festivities and the San
Isidro bullfighting festival, regarded as being the most important in the world.
10. AFAIJ AND USEFULL INFORMATION
Who we are
AFAIJ is a Spanish non-profit organization established in 1999, whose main aim is to promote
young people non-formal education through social and intercultural activities. AFAIJ runs
youth international voluntary service programmes as well as trainings and seminars. AFAIJ has
joined the ICYE Federation as associate member in August 2015.
Your Exchange Year
You are about to embark on one of the most exciting experiences of your life and for sure you
will make yourself a lot of questions. We are certain that every little aspect of this year counts
towards the achievement of a good experience. For this reason, as a team, we will try our best
to help you as much as possible. Some of these important questions are answered below.
Visa
If you are NOT a legal resident of any of the EU member countries, Norway, Liechtenstein,
Iceland or Switzerland, you need a visa to enter Spain. If this isyour case you will need to
contact the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate in order to get a visa. For stays under 3
months, you can enter Spain with a tourist visa. If your stay is longer than 3 months, you need
to apply for Student Visa. There is a new regulation by which volunteer programmes can be
considered as “students”.Sometimes, the information and response given by Spanish
Embassies and Consulates abroad do not correspond with the reality of Spanish authorities
here in Spain. To avoid trouble, please keep permanent contact with the Spanish Embassy or
Consulate in your home country and with our office in order to find the right solution. We
know, from previous experience, that the Spanish Immigration Law can be interpreted in many
different ways and there are exceptions with certain nationalities. Please note that our
organisation cannot be held responsible for Spanish Authorities decisions. However, we want
to ensure that we always try our best to solve visa problems for exchangees. For this reason,
we will not be able to tell exchangees what type of visa they must apply for. Exchangees
should first approach the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their home country, present the
11
NATIONAL PROFILE (SPAIN 2017/2018)
ICYE Programme and then inform our organisation so this information can be contrasted with
Spanish Immigration Authorities to guarantee that the visa can indeed be extended to obtain a
long term residence permit in Spain.
Please make sure that you apply for the right visa well in advance to avoid delays and start your exchange programme on due time. Keeping in touch We are confident that you will have a great time in Spain. However, we also put an eye on you The cost of living Spain is not an expensive country, though the average cost of living varies a lot. Big cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Bilbao are much more expensive than cities in southern Spain or small towns. These are the average prices are: Beer: 1,50 – 3,00 EUR Book: 8.00 – 20.00 EUR Bus/Metro ticket: aprox. 1,50 EUR (10 trip/12,20 EUR) CD: 15.00 EUR Cigarettes: 4,50 – 5,50 EUR Cinema ticket: 6,5 – 8.00 EUR Coca-cola: 1.50 – 2.00 EUR Concert: 10.00 – 30.00 EUR Cup of coffee: 1.20 – 2.00 EUR Hamburger: 2.50 – 6.00 EUR Internet (1 hour): 0.60 – 1.00 EUR Newspaper: 1.00 – 1.50 EUR Stamps: 0.35 – 0.75 EUR Supper in a good restaurant: 15.00 – 250.00 EUR Theatre ticket: 3.00 – 75.00 EUR Interesting links Here is a lot of useful links about Spain and the areas where you will be living. We believe that a picture says more than a thousand words. Please take the time to look at some websites before you make your choice About Spain http://www.spain.info http://www.donquijote.org/phototour/ http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/ What you can and cannot expect from us You can expect a frieNdly and honest relationship.