Culture

Spain's Culture includes many different traditions and originated from many other different cultures. Spain's language and religion came from the Romans but the muslims also had a big effect on their language. Spain includes these languages, Asturian, Aragonese, Leonese, Extremaduran, and Andalusian, Canarian, Murcian Spanish. Besides the language, spain has many other interesting cultures. About 76% of Spain is Roman Catholic, 2% is other, and 19% is non-religious. Spain also has a lot of important holidays that is celbrated. For example, "Semana Santa"(Holy Week), is celebrated a week before easter with parades and religious events. They honor the local patron saints in churches by celebrating te holiday. Another Holiday that is celebrated is "San Fermin" where bulls are released into the streets and run to the bullring where many people go to watch. Spain has a culture that is very different but very important.

Food

A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Roman, Jewish, and Arab traditions. Pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity or "cleanliness of blood", because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Several native foods of the Americas were introduced to Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook could not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and beans. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items. The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. However, butter or lard are also important, especially in the north. Daily meals eaten by Spaniards in many areas of the country are still very often made traditionally by hand, from fresh ingredients bought daily from the local market. This practice is more common in the rural areas and less common in the large urban areas like Madrid, where supermarkets are beginning to displace the open air markets. However, even in Madrid food can be bought from the local shops; bread from the "panadería" and meat from the "carnicería". One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink, including sherry, wine and beer. In some areas, like Almería, Granada or Jaén in Andalusia tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that reason. It should be noted that almost every bar serves something edible when a drink is ordered, without charge. However many bars exist primarily to serve a purchased "tapa". Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. "Churrerías", or stores that serve churros, are quite common. The Chocolatería de San Ginés in Madrid is especially famous as a place to stop and have some chocolate with churros, often late into the night (even dawn) after being out on the town. Often traditional Spanish singers and musicians will entertain the guests. A type of Spanish food known as "Tapas" from a bar in Seville.As is true in many countries, the cuisines of Spain differ widely from one region to another, even though they all share certain common characteristics, which include:

• The use of olive oil as a cooking ingredient in items such as fritters. It is also used raw.
• The use of sofrito to start the preparation of many dishes.
• The use of garlic and onions as major seasonings.
• The custom of drinking wine during meals.
• Serving bread with the vast majority of meals.
• Consumption of salads, especially in the summer.
• The consumption of a piece of fruit or a dairy product as dessert. Desserts such as tarts and cakes are typically reserved for special occasions.