Discover the Marvels of España: Top 12 Fun Facts About Spain You Won't Want to Miss!

1. Chocolate's Latin American Roots

Feeling coco-nuts about chocolate? Here's a tasty tidbit: Chocolate has a 4,000-year-old history tracing back to Latin America, where the Olmec civilization first transformed cacao plants into this divine treat. Revered by Mayans as the drink of gods and utilized as currency by Aztecs, the concoction known as "xocolatl" made its way to Europe and eventually evolved into the tempting truffles we treasure today.
Source => magnumicecream.com

2. Siesta: A Fading Tradition

While you may be tempted to hit the snooze button and channel your inner Spaniard for a siesta, dream on amigo, because the times have changed: Nowadays, the traditional afternoon snooze has been largely abandoned by the working population in Spain, with only 16.2% admitting to napping daily, as 58.6% of the surveyed population claim they never catch those Z's during the day, leaving the siesta dominion to the elderly and summer vacationers.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that a simple yet delicious Spanish dish, pan con tomate, is made by massaging bread with garlic, ripe tomatoes, Spanish olive oil, and a pinch of salt? Discover the mouthwatering magic behind this Catalan treat!

=> Fun Facts about Spain

3. Iberian Lynx Comeback

From lynxin’ 'round the Iberian Peninsula to possibly tapping their paws to a flamenco beat: Spain's Iberian lynx population has grown by 23% in 2021, thanks to conservation efforts and organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, boasting a current count of over 1,365 adults, young adults, and cubs. However, this fierce feline still faces threats like traffic collisions and illegal hunting, keeping the species on the endangered list and requiring ongoing protection.
Source => inspain.news

4. Mexican Sobremesa Time

You know you're a true Mexican when your commute to work is shorter than your sobremesa: in Mexico City, this leisurely tradition of long after-meal conversations has become so culturally significant that restaurant dinners often last two or three times their original duration!
Source => eater.com

5. Spain's Goldilocks Climate

Spain: a nation that could give Goldilocks a run for her money with its "just right" mix of climates - from sunbathing in bikinis to shivering in snow boots, all in a day's work! The serious reveal: Spain's secret sauce lies in its average altitude of over 600 meters, making it Europe's second highest country and home to a smorgasbord of eclectic weather patterns and natural environments, all thanks to its mountain ranges playing gatekeeper to the moist Atlantic air.
Source => lamoncloa.gob.es

6. La Tomatina: A Saucy Affair

When life gives you tomatoes, make a festival: La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain is a delightful food fight that began in 1945 as a pre-planned quarrel, now escalated to an official Festivity of International Tourist Interest featuring a paella contest, tomato fireworks, and a tomato battle with 20,000 tomato-tossing participants turning the town square into a saucy, red mess.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Las Fallas: Burning Art

When Pinocchio and his pals decided to throw a bonfire party in Valencia: Little did they know, Las Fallas has been hosting the ultimate pyromaniac's dream by burning over 700 giant paper sculptures during the festival since 1784, turning the streets ablaze with magnificent works of art that go up in smoke in epic, city-wide bonfires each year.
Source => tripsavvy.com

8. Spain's Golden Age Theatre Boom

When Spanish playwrights of yore decided to break a leg, they made certain they shattered a whole femur too: During Spain's Golden Age of Theatre, between 1590 and 1681, an astounding 10,000 to 30,000 plays were produced, with many considered masterpieces today despite the focus on quantity over quality.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Prado Museum: Art's "Who's Who"

Who let the Goyas out: The Prado Museum in Madrid boasts a collection so grand and eclectic, it feels like the European "Who's Who" of art spanning from the 12th to the early 20th century. Seriously, though: housing around 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures by artistic royalty like Francisco Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, the Prado ranks as the 16th most-visited museum globally—even after pandemic-triggered downturns in attendance.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Spain's Olive Oil Dominance

When life gives you olives, Spain makes a big tub of oil: Spain reigns as the world's largest producer and exporter of olive oil, churning out 1.3 million tons annually which finds its way to over 175 different countries, mostly within the EU. Their olive escapades generate about five million euros in turnover and keeps locals busy for more than fifty million working days each year.
Source => juanvilar.com

11. Spain's UNESCO Treasure Trove

If you're ever feeling low on UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit, Spain's got your back like a trusty fanny pack: Spain boasts an impressive array of these remarkable destinations, such as Cordoba's historic center, Cuenca's Hanging Houses, Mont Perdu, Works of Gaudi in Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela's Old Town, Seville's Cathedral, Alcazar and Archivo de Indias, Ponferrada's Las Medulas, Tenerife's Teide National Park, and Merida's archaeological ensemble. So, strap on your sightseeing shoes, because this travel buffet promises a smorgasbord of culture, heritage, and splendid visuals!
Source => autoeurope.com

12. Flamenco's 50 Flavors

Whoever said variety is the spice of life must have been talking about flamenco: This Spanish art form boasts over 50 palos, or styles, each with their own unique melody and rhythm. As you tap, stomp, and snap your fingers to the music, keep an ear out for the compás - the signature beat that distinguishes Sevillanas, Bulerías, Soleas, Alegrías, Seguiriyas, Fandangos, and Tangos from each other.
Source => grangalaflamenco.com