Interesting facts you didn’t know about Spain

·        ·           There is no tooth fairy in Spain

However, a lot of children know the legend about “Ratoncito Perez” who exchanges kid’s teeth for gifts.

·         The Spanish Flag Meaning

The red and yellow colors contained in the Spanish flag represent the colors of the original Spanish kingdoms.                       

·         Spain produces over half of the world’s olive oil

More than some 1.5 million tons and almost all of it comes from the southern region of Andalusia. It’s also the third largest wine producer after France and Italy, making 3.3 million tonnes (metric tons) in 2013.

·         Spain's Christmas lottery has the world's biggest payout 

Spain’s national lottery, El Gordo (‘the fat one’), held just before Christmas has a payout of some EUR 2.24 billion. 

·         There is a Spanish New Year custom called Twelve Grapes

As per this custom, Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape with their family for each bell strike of the clock (for a total of 12 grapes – hence the name). This custom was originally popularized by Spanish vine growers as a way to sell their excess grapes!  

·         Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain – 

the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother.

For example, if your name is Juan Martín Lopez, and your wife’s name is Elena González García, your kids’ surname will be Martín González.

However, as per a new gender equality law, this tradition is now being changed to favor the mother’s last name.

·         71% of Spain’s population identifies itself as catholic

However, if you were to ask a Spaniard what the real religion of the country is, you’d get a unanimous answer: fútbol. Football is more than just a game in the country; it is followed with the fervor of a religion.

Two of the world’s biggest football clubs are Spanish (Real Madrid and Barcelona). Spain is also the reigning world champions. In fact, the 2010 football world cup final was watched by 15.6 million people in Spain – roughly 86% of the total audience.

·         Spain has the second highest number of bars per inhabitants

 The only country that has more bars than Spain is Cyprus.

• Spain is home to the world´s largest tomato fight- La Tomatina is celebrated every year  a  village in Valencia.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                

·                 ·    Seat is the only Spanish car brand

• When meeting someone, it is customary to give one kiss on each cheek.

• There are a lot of holidays and vacation days in Spain and Spaniards really respect their free time and siestas. But nowadays many people don’t really like the siesta as much as in the past, because it takes a lot of their free time.

• Do not be alarmed by a dirty floor in a bar. It is completely acceptable and normal to throw things on the ground in bars. Most of the time a dirty floor means a good bar!