Spain information

The most populated regions in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Málaga and Bilbao. The Spanish nation includes many regions that hold a different identity from the Spanish one like the Catalans, Basques and Galicians.

Religion

Islam is the second largest religion in Spain after Roman Catholicism. Contemporary Spain widely supports the legalization of same-sex marriage. In specific, in June 2005 a bill was passed by 187 votes to 147 to allow gay marriage, making Spain the third country in the European Union to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Languages

Castilian is an official language throughout Spain, but other regional languages are also spoken; Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and in parts of Valecia; Basque in Basque Country and parts of Navarre; Galician in Galicia and the occidental borders of Asturias and Leon; and Occitan in the Val d'Aran in Catalonia. In the tourist areas of the Mediterranean coasts and the islands, German and English are widely spoken in tourist centres.

Economy

Spain was in the first group of countries gaining approval launching the European single currency, the euro, on 1 January 1999. Unemployment affects now 7.6% of the labor force having fallen from a high of 20% and above in the early 1990s. Growth of 2.4% in 2003 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy, and has steadied since at an annualized rate of about 3.3% in mid 2005 and 3.5% in the first quarter, 3,7% in the second quarter and 3,8% in the third quarter of 2006.

Flamenco is the traditional combination of song and dance originated from the Gypsies (flamencos) of Andalusia. This art developed over several centuries from Gypsy, Moorish and Andalusian.. Flamenco music and dance became popular in the early 19th century as café entertainment. Both text and melody of these songs are improvised within traditional structures such as characteristic rhythms and chords. Zapateado, intricate toe- and heel-clicking steps, characterizes the men's dance; the traditional women's dance is based more on grace of body and hand movement. In the 19th century, guitar accompaniment became common for many genres, and guitar solos also developed.