Spanish culture and civilization test 1

Spain is separated from Europe with what?

Pyrenees Mountains

Spain has Blank autonomous regions

17, similar to our states

Spain is located on what peninsula?

Iberian

The Balearic Islands in which sea?

Mediterranean

The cities of Ceuta and Melilla are in the Blank or Blank?

North or Morroco

What is the capital of Spain?

Madrid

Where is the Balearic Islands?

Mediterranean Sea

Andalusia is in what part of Spain?

Southern Spain

Basque country is in what part of Spain?

Northern Spain

Where are the Canary Islands?

Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of north-western Africa

Castilla and Leon are in what part of Spain?

Northwestern Spain

Castilla La Mancha is where in Spain?

middle of Spain

Catalonia is where is Spain?

north-eastern Spain

Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish cities where?

Northern coast of Morocco(Africa)

Galicia is where?

Northwestern Spain

Gibraltar is where and belongs to who?

Southern Spain belonging to Great Britain

La Rioja is where?

North Central Spain

Madrid is where?

Center of Spain

Valencia is where?

Eastern coast of Spain

The main rivers in Spain are?

Ebro, Guadalquivir, and the Tagus(Tajo)

Where does most of the water for human consumption come from?

The rivers Ebro, Guadalquivir, and the Tagus(Tajo)

Spain is in which continent?

Europe

Spain shared the Iberian Peninsula with what country?

Portugal

What kind of government does Spain have?

parliamentary constitutional monarchy, president and king and queen

Who is the Spanish chief of state?

King or Queen

The Spanish head of government elects their president how?

Democratically

Term: Spanish

Someone from the country of Spain

Term: Hispanic

Someone from a Spanish-speaking country

Term: Latino'/a

someone from a country where there is at least one spoken language originally descended from Latin

Term: Latinx

A way not to assign gender as in latino/a

How large is Spain's economy?

Worlds 9th largest industrial economy and had developed into a major modern economic power.

To what important international organizations does Spain belong?

Spain belongs to the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, among other international organizations.

Compare Spaniards feelings of loyalty towards their town, region, and their nation?

Loyalty to their town and region, while their loyalty to the nation os Spain can be weaker

Into how many semiautonomous regions is Spain divided?

17

How many languages can be found in Spain?

4

Spanish or Castilian is the official languages of Spain, what are the co-official languages

The co-official languages are spoken in their region are Catalan, Galician, Basque or Euskara

Spain is a little larger than what state in the Untied States?

California

Only one other European country has a higher average elevation than Spain. Which country is that?

Switzerland.

What is Spain’s climate like?

Spain has one of the most diverse climates in Europe. It ranges from very dry areas to very green and rainy areas, with hot and humid regions as well. Stanton emphasizes the great variety of Spain’s climate and landscape.

What is the climate like on the great central meseta or plain?

The central meseta has a dry, continental climate, with very hot summers and cold winters.

What is the climate like in the northern parts of the country?

The northern parts of Spain are generally cooler, wetter, and much greener than the central and southern regions. Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country receive considerably more rainfall.

What effect do the mountains in the Peninsula have upon the people?

Because of the different regions, there is different and distinct cultures traditions and languages

Describe the order of a Spaniard’s loyalty.

Their town, their region, Spanish nation

To what in the United States can we compare the degree of independence from the national government that each semiautonomous region enjoys?

can be compared to the states in the United States which have responsibilities and their own mayors etc.

What differences among the regions in Spain are far greater than among regions within the United States?

The differences in language, culture, traditions, history, and regional identity are much greater.

Into how many provinces are Spain’s 17 autonomous regions divided?

50 provinces

Where is Galicia located and why is it sometimes referred to as “the Spanish Ireland”?

Northwestern Spain; called “Spanish Ireland” because of its green, rainy landscape and Celtic heritage.

What has made Santiago de Compostela such an important destination for centuries?

It is believed to contain the tomb of St. James the Apostle.

What is bable? What do the majority of Asturians speak?

Bable is the traditional Asturian language/dialect. Most Asturians speak Spanish (Castilian).

What is euskera?

Traditional language of the Basque people.

What is the only city in this region? What spectacular museum is located in Bilbao?

Bilbao; the Guggenheim Museum.

What are fueros?

Fueros are traditional regional laws and privileges that gave areas such as the Basque Country and Navarra special rights and self-government.

What is the huge, annual fiesta that takes place in Pamplona?

The Fiesta of San Fermín, famous for the Running of the Bulls.

What is La Rioja known for that has been cultivated since Roman times?

La Rioja is famous for its vineyards and wine, which have been cultivated there since Roman times.

What regional language is spoken in Catalonia? What kind of language is it? Look up the definition of Romance language.

Catalan is spoken in Catalonia. It is a Romance language, meaning it developed from Latin.

What leadership distinguishes Catalonia and the Basque Country?

Both regions have strong nationalist leadership that supports greater regional autonomy and, for some groups, independence from Spain.

What other region is a constant rival of Catalonia and how do they differ?

The Basque Country is Catalonia’s constant rival. Catalonia is known especially for its industry and commerce, while the Basque Country is distinguished by its unique culture, language, and traditions.

Who are the Moors?

Muslim peoples, primarily from North Africa, who conquered much of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 and ruled parts of Spain for centuries.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and is also its own autonomous “region”. Where is Madrid located? Of what continent is Madrid the highest capital city?

Madrid is located in central Spain. It is the highest capital city in Europe.

What other Spanish city is Madrid’s “perennial rival”?

Barcelona.

Our authors states: “With Extremadura, Andalusia has always been one of the country’s most impoverished regions.” (7) In whose hands has Andalusia’s wealth been traditionally concentrated?

Andalusia’s wealth was traditionally concentrated in the hands of wealthy landowners and aristocratic families who owned large estates.

In what autonomous region of Spain is Gibraltar located? What country has occupied Gibraltar for three hundred years?

Gibraltar is in Andalusia. Great Britain (the United Kingdom) has occupied/controlled Gibraltar for about 300 years.

What do Gibraltar’s inhabitants speak? Where do their political loyalties lie? Why?

They speak English and Spanish, but their political loyalties are generally British because Gibraltar has been under British rule for about 300 years.

What two cities belong to Spain and are located in Africa, on the coast of Morocco? What is the historical significance of these cities?

Ceuta and Melilla. They are Spanish cities on the coast of North Africa that have been under Spanish control for centuries.

What country doesn’t recognize Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla?

Morocco.

When Spaniards refer to Spain, what do they mean?

They mean the Spanish nation as a whole, although many Spaniards have a stronger attachment to their own town or region.

Where will Spain’s destiny always lie between?

Spain’s destiny lies between Europe and Africa. Spaniards have ancestry from Europe, Africa, and Asia, producing great variety in height, hair, eyes, and complexion. People in northern Spain generally tend to be taller and lighter in coloring.

Until recent times, what was the only major ethnic group that stood out from the general population?

The Gypsies (Roma) were the main distinct ethnic group. They originated in northern India and first entered the Iberian Peninsula around 1415.

What percent of the population do gypsies (Roma) represent and in what region are they mostly concentrated? What do the gypsies (Roma) refuse to be?

The Roma make up about 1% of Spain’s population and are concentrated mainly in Andalusia. They refuse to be assimilated into mainstream Spanish society.

What would most observers agree is still a common trait among Spaniards from many regions?

Strong individualism is a common trait among Spaniards from many regions.

What can be found at Altamira in the Cantabrian region of Spain?

Prehistoric cave paintings, especially paintings of bison and other animals.

For at least a thousand years before Christ, what civilizations explored, settled, and fought to dominate the Iberian Peninsula?

The Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Celts, Iberians/Celt-Iberians, and later the Romans explored, settled, and fought for control of the Iberian Peninsula.

Who were the Iberians or Celt-Iberians?

The Iberians and Celt-Iberians were ancient tribal peoples who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula before the Romans. The Celt-Iberians were a mixture of Celtic and Iberian peoples and strongly resisted Roman conquest.

List what Rome gave Iberia.

Rome gave Iberia Latin, Roman law and government, roads, cities, architecture, engineering, education, and Christianity.

What language forms the basis for modern Castilian, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese? What did the Romans also leave? What are examples of Roman architecture that still remain?

Latin forms the basis of modern Castilian, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. The Romans also left roads, bridges, aqueducts, theaters, amphitheaters, and other examples of Roman architecture and engineering.

What city did the Visigoths make their capital and what language did they adopt?

The Visigoths made Toledo their capital and adopted Latin.

Why is 711 such a key date in Iberian (Spanish) history?

In 711, Muslim forces invaded and conquered much of the Iberian Peninsula, beginning centuries of Muslim rule and influence in Spain.

What does the author mean by “the great division, the parting of the waters that separates Spanish culture from the mainstream of European history”?

The author means the Muslim invasion of 711, which separated Spain’s historical and cultural development from the rest of Christian Europe and gave Spain a strong Islamic influence.

For several centuries, Iberia was a land of three religions. What were they?

The three religions were Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. They lived together mainly in Muslim Spain, with periods of both cooperation and conflict. Muslim Spain became one of the most advanced civilizations in medieval Europe, making major achievements in agriculture, science, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, architecture, and education. Stanton calls this the “supreme moment in Iberia’s history” because of this remarkable cultural and intellectual achievement.

What does the rich legacy of Muslim Spain include?

Muslim Spain left a rich legacy in architecture, agriculture, science, mathematics, medicine, philosophy, language, and place names. About 4,000 Spanish words come from Arabic, reflecting the many contributions of Muslim civilization.

How long did the Christian victory over the Moors take? Why is “Reconquest” a misnomer?

The Christian victory took nearly 800 years, from 711 to 1492. “Reconquest” is a misnomer because Muslims had controlled parts of Iberia for centuries, and the Christian takeover was not one continuous or unified campaign but a long, complicated process involving different kingdoms.

What did Ferdinand and Isabel finally conquer in 1492? What did Columbus's voyage lead to?

Ferdinand and Isabel conquered Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. Columbus's voyage began Spain's expansion into the New World and led to a vast Spanish Empire that eventually stretched across much of the Americas and into Europe, Africa, and Asia.

What choice did the Catholic Kings give the large Jewish population in 1492?

Jews were forced to choose between converting to Christianity and leaving Spain.

Why is 1492 such an important year in Spanish history?

a.) The Muslims were expelled from Granada (in Andalusia) along with other non-Christians such as the Jews.

 

b.) the first anti-gypsy laws were created in Spain.

 

c.) Christopher Columbus undertook his first voyage to the western hemisphere and, with the support of Queen Isabel, reached the Caribbean under the Spanish flag.

 

d.) the Golden Age begins in Spain and the name of this Age refers to spectacular triumphs in art, literature, and architecture (The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in 1440 greatly enhances the possibility of producing books.)

 

e.) the publication of the first grammar book of the Castilian (Spanish) language

What countries would be archrivals for three centuries and what were they trying to achieve?

Spain and England were archrivals for three centuries, competing for power, trade, territory, and overseas colonies. The English saw the Spanish as cruel and fanatical, while the Spanish viewed the English as Protestant heretics and enemies of Catholic Spain.

What is the leyenda negra (the Black Legend)?

The Black Legend was an exaggerated negative image of Spain that portrayed Spaniards as especially cruel, intolerant, and fanatical.

How does the author compare the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) to the American Civil War?

Like the American Civil War, Spain's Civil War was a struggle between opposing groups within the same nation over its political future.

What “buried tradition” did Spain restore after Franco's death in 1975? How?

Spain restored its buried tradition of democracy and constitutional government. After Franco's death in 1975, Spain peacefully transitioned to democracy, culminating in the democratic Constitution of 1978.

Why does the author say Spain is no longer a land of extremes in wealth and poverty?

Spain’s growing economy created a strong middle class, reducing the extreme gap between rich and poor. A large middle class and modern economy now thrive in Spain.

How do Spaniards compare in life expectancy, and how is their longevity explained?

Spaniards have a very high life expectancy compared with other Western Europeans. Their longevity is attributed partly to their Mediterranean diet, active lifestyle, and strong family and social relationships.

What amazing developments occurred after “forty years of tyranny under Franco”?

Spain quickly transformed from Franco’s dictatorship into a modern democracy, gaining political freedom, economic growth, and greater integration with Europe.

To what royal dynasty does Juan Carlos belong, and how long has it ruled Spain?

They belong to the Bourbon dynasty, which has ruled Spain since 1700, with interruptions.

What occurred in 1981?

In 1981, a military coup attempted to overthrow Spain's new democracy. King Juan Carlos defended the Constitution and democracy, helping stop the coup.

What poses the greatest threat to the unity of the Spanish state?

Regional nationalism and separatism pose the greatest threat to Spanish unity. The three regions are the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Galicia, with separatism especially strong in the Basque Country.

What has replaced the peseta as legal tender in Spain?

The euro (€) replaced the peseta.

Why have the Church and the Army lost most of their prestige?

The Church lost prestige because Spain became more secular, while the Army lost prestige because of its association with Franco's dictatorship and its reduced role in politics after Spain became a democracy.

Is Catholicism still the official faith of Spain?

No, Catholicism is not the official faith of Spain. It has been weakened by secularization, and many Spaniards are nominal Catholics who participate mainly in ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Spain has one of the world’s lowest birth rates.

Spain is not much larger than what state? For how many years has Spain been continuously inhabited?

Spain is about the size of Texas and has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years.

What happened to the sea during the Franco regime, and what were the effects of drought and soil erosion?

During the Franco regime, Spain’s seas became increasingly polluted. Drought and soil erosion caused loss of fertile soil, desertification, and serious water and agricultural problems.

How does Spain remain a bastion of the festive sense of life?

Spain remains festive because Spaniards place a strong importance on fiestas, celebrations, family, and social gatherings.