spanish culture quiz notes in English

Tango is a very important cultural symbol of Argentina. This musical genre is a blend of rhythms of African, Italian, and Spanish origin, and it emerged in the late 19th century among the residents of Buenos Aires.

It soon became popular among the rest of Argentina, and its fame reached Europe. As a dance, tango was initially provocative and intense, but it became more romantic during the 1930s. Today, this musical style is popular in many parts of the world.

Lake Titicaca

Located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia and Peru, this is the highest navigable lake in the world, at an altitude of 3,812 meters (12,506 feet). With an area of ​​over 8,000 square kilometers (3,000 square miles), it is also the second largest lake in South America, after Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. Inca mythology tells that the children of the sun god emerged from the deep waters of Lake Titicaca to found their empire.

Meat and Mate

In Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina, beef is an essential part of the daily diet. The most representative dishes of these nations are asado (barbecue) and parrillada (grilled meat).

Mate, an infusion similar to tea, is also typical of the region.

This beverage of indigenous origin is drunk daily and replaces coffee.

Traditionally, it is drunk from a gourd with a metal bombilla (straw).

The Paraguay and Paraná Rivers

The Paraguay and Paraná rivers serve as a natural border between Argentina and Paraguay and are the latter's main transportation routes. The Paraguay River divides the Gran Chaco from the Paraná Plateau, where most Paraguayans live. The Paraná has approximately 3,200 navigable kilometers, and ships of more than 5,000 tons travel this route from the Río de la Plata estuary to the city of Asunción. The Paraná River meets the Iguazu River on the border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. There, they form the Iguazu Falls, one of the most visited tourist sites in South America.

These extensive falls measure approximately 70 meters (230 feet) in height.

Andean Music

Andean music encompasses numerous musical styles typical of the indigenous cultures of the Andes. The rhythms of contemporary Andean music have Spanish and African influences. Several types of flutes, including the quena and the zampoña, characterize this music.

Some of the most important Andean music groups are Los Kjarkas (Bolivia), Illapu (Chile), Los Chaskis (Argentina), Inti-Illimani (Chile), and Chila Jatun (Bolivia).

Ecuador has a large indigenous population. The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, but other languages ​​are also spoken today. Approximately 4,000,000 Ecuadorians speak indigenous languages; the majority of them speak Quechua. The indigenous communities of Ecuador are excellent weavers; their textiles are famous worldwide for their vibrant colors and beautiful designs.

Blankets, traditional clothing, and tapestries made by these communities are sold in the Otavalo market.

He published his first short story in 1947, while a university student. His best-known book, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is written in the literary style known as "magical realism," a style that blends reality with the unreal and the mythical. García Márquez received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. After his death, he is remembered as one of the most important contemporary writers in the world.

Afro-Peruvian Music

Afro-Peruvian music is the result of the combination of several musical traditions: 19th-century Spanish music and the music of the African populations brought to Peru during the colonial period. Traditional Afro-Peruvian instruments include the flamenco guitar, the cajón, and the cowbell. Susana Baca, Porfirio Vásquez, the Ballumbrosio family, and Perú Negro are prominent Afro-Peruvian artists and groups.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls, in southeastern Venezuela, is the world's tallest waterfall. It is 979 meters (3,212 feet) high. It is seventeen times higher than Niagara Falls.

James C. Angel discovered this waterfall in 1937, and it is named after him. It is located in Canaima National Park, and the indigenous people call it Kerepakupai Merú, which means waterfall.

The Barranquilla Carnival

During the Barranquilla Carnival, the Colombian city lives for this celebration. This festival is a fusion of the cultures that have arrived on Colombia's Caribbean coast and its indigenous groups.

The most important event is the Battle of the Flowers, a parade of floats decorated with flowers. In 2003, UNESCO declared this carnival a World Heritage Site.

How do you communicate with your family and friends? Just like in the United States, social media has had a huge impact in Spanish-speaking countries. The primary use of cell phones is no longer just calls, but rather contact between friends and relatives through social networks and apps like Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Snapchat. Most young Hispanics have a profile on Facebook or Instagram, but the most popular method of communication in Spanish-speaking countries is WhatsApp. Through this messaging app, users can create groups and send each other an unlimited number of images, videos, text, and audio messages. Its popularity stems from the fact that it is a fast and virtually free way to communicate; it can even be used to make calls. Today, smartphones and phone contracts are more affordable, so many Hispanics enjoy these phones and their technological advantages. Thanks to social media and apps, people can stay in constant communication with their loved ones who live far away.

Large or small, curved or straight®, made of iron® or wood®, balconies have always been an important part of homes in Hispanic countries. They are found mainly in warmer regions®, such as southern Spain (especially Andalusia) or the Caribbean, but also in Andean cities, like Lima, Peru. The historic center of this city was declared a World Heritage Site, especially for its balconies.

Since colonial times®, balconies have always been fundamental in the construction of these countries, so much so that in some places a house without a balcony was considered "unfinished."

This part of the house

long had a social function, as young women would go out to

"balconear" (embrace from their balconies), not only to cool off® but also to flirt® with the boy they liked.

How many love affairs were born and developed® on the balconies of Hispanic American cities!

Decorated with plants and many flowers, they are also the setting for the famous serenades, a tradition still preserved in many places. It consists of someone bringing a musical group to their loved one at night, who listens from their balcony.

Nowadays, although balconies have disappeared from many modern buildings, they remain an essential part of houses or apartments in towns and cities, where they are used not only for enjoying the view from the balcony, but also for other activities such as having breakfast or receiving visitors.

"New year, new life, the days will be happier®. New year, new life, with health° and prosperity."

So goes a popular song°

sung in several

countries in the first minutes of January 1st, with the hope® that the new year will be much better than the old. While dancing and singing this song, relatives and friends hug° and kiss each other, wishing the best for the coming year.

Throughout the Hispanic world, the new year is welcomed with various traditions. These are three of the most popular:

The Twelve Grapes

This Spanish tradition is widespread in many Latin American countries. It consists of eating twelve grapes exactly at midnight to have good luck in the twelve months of the new year. But hey!: you must eat one grape with each chime of the clock°. It is such a widespread tradition that some 500 million grapes are eaten every New Year's Eve around the world!

The Old Year's Doll

In countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Peru, and Chile, it is common to make a rag doll, stuffed with old clothes, cardboard, or paper, as a representation of the old year. The tradition consists of setting the doll on fire at midnight to ward off bad luck and negative energies from the year that is ending. In some places, people make dolls of political figures as a form of protest, hoping that the political and social situation will improve in the new year.

Colorful Clothing

In several countries, it is believed that wearing certain colored clothing on New Year's Eve brings good luck for the new year.

The most common colors are: yellow for prosperity, red for love, and green for health.

Orange clothing is also worn for joy, and blue clothing for serenity.

What do you do when you have a cold or body aches? In the Hispanic world, many people first think of a traditional home remedy®.

Many Hispanics, to relieve aches and pains, look for the ingredients in their grandmother's favorite herbal tea. There are infusions, or teas, for everything. For a cold, for example, the family recipe® might include oregano, lime, and honey.

For a cough, some rely on a homemade syrup made with honey and red onion. For stomach problems, in Spain, for example, you can drink lemon tea with salt, baking soda, and a little sugar. There are even infusions that are believed to lower blood pressure, such as lavender or rosemary.

Of course, there are remedies that don't require ingesting anything. For congestion, some recommend applying a preparation made with chopped onion to the skin. To cure indigestion (a blockage of the digestive system), you can have a sobada, or deep tissue massage. In Mexico, a massage can be performed by a curandero/a, or practitioner of folk medicine.

Another treatment for indigestion is to break an egg on the stomach and gently rub it over the skin until the yolk breaks. There are practices that are not primarily aimed at physical health. For example, in Mexico the pre-Hispanic ritual of "la limpia," or spiritual cleansing, is still practiced. This is performed by a curandero/a, who uses the smoke from burning herbs to balance the body and spirit.

On Saturday, June 17th, at 7:00 PM, Silvia Reyes and Carlos Espinoza were married at the Santiago Cathedral. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Federico Salas, and the parents of the bride and groom, Mr. Jorge Espinoza and Mrs. José Alfredo Reyes and Mrs., were in attendance. After the ceremony, the newlyweds' parents hosted a reception at La Misión Restaurant. Their parents, Mr. Roberto Lagos Moreno and Mrs. María Angélica Sánchez, shared the joy of the celebration with all their relatives and friends. The religious ceremony took place at the Aguas Blancas Cathedral. After the ceremony, parents, relatives, and friends celebrated at the Lagos family residence. A quinceañera celebration was held for Miss Ana Ester. Dr. Amador Larenas Fernández and Mrs. Felisa Vera de Larenas celebrated their daughter Ana Ester's fifteenth birthday with relatives and friends. The quinceañera resides in the city of Valparaíso and is a student at the French School. Miss Ana Ester's coming-out party was held on Friday, June 2nd at 7:00 PM at the Spanish Club. Among the special guests were the mayor of the city, Mr. Pedro Castedo, and his wife. The music was provided by the American Orchestra. Happy birthday to Miss Ana Ester at her dance! Expression of gratitude

Carmen Godoy Tapia

We sincerely thank all those who joined us in saying goodbye to our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt, Mrs. Carmen Godoy Tapia. The funeral took place on June 28th in the city of Viña del Mar. Carmen Godoy's life was an example of hard work, friendship, joy, and love for all of us. Her husband, children, and family wholeheartedly thank all relatives and friends for their attendance at the funeral.

Puerta de Alcalá

The Puerta de Alcalá is located in the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid. This neoclassical monument was inaugurated in 1778. It was inspired by Roman triumphal arches. Each side of the monument has a different design.

Malasaña

This neighborhood has narrow streets and buildings with balconies. Cafes, restaurants, museums, bookstores, and secondhand shops bring Malasaña to life both day and night—exactly what young people are looking for.

Plaza Mayor of Madrid

Madrid's Plaza Mayor is the city's main square. This 400-year-old square is rectangular and has ten entrances. One of them is the Arco de Cuchilleros (Arch of the Cutlers), where Juanjo falls. In the square, you can find street performers, sample delicious dishes in its restaurants, and, every December, visit the Christmas market.