Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

spAin

497

regional food

Spain boasts a variety of regional dishes,

the most famous of which are paella

and tapas. Paella is a classic dish from

the Valencia region, where rice is

grown. it consists of a variety of meat,

fish, fresh vegetables, and saffron-flavored

rice. Tapas, sometimes known as pinchos,

are small snacks that originated in andalusia

in the 19th century to accompany wine.

Stemming from a bartenders’ practice of

covering a glass with a saucer or tapa

(cover) to keep out flies, the custom

progressed to food being placed on

a platter to accompany a drink.

Tapas range from cold meats or

cheeses to elaborately prepared

hot dishes of seafood, meat, or

vegetables. a tapa is a single

serving, while a ración serves

two or three.

SeVille

Seville is a major port as well as an important

industrial, cultural, and tourist center. With the

discovery of the new World, Seville entered its

greatest period of prosperity, being the chief

port of trade with the new colonies until 1718,

when it was superseded by Cádiz. The city is the

capital of bullfighting in Spain and a center

of the andalusian gypsies, famed for their

songs and dances.

granada

north african Muslims,

known as the Moors, once

ruled most of Spain. The town of

granada was the capital of their

kingdom, and the alhambra

fortress overlooking the town

enclosed a magnificent

Moorish palace that

remains to this day. The

palace and its gardens

(left) gradually fell

into ruin after the

Moors were defeated

in 1492, but they have

since been restored to

their former glory.

fieSTaS

More than 3,000

fiestas take place each

year in Spain. on any day

of the year there is a fiesta

happening somewhere—usually more

than one. fiestas are a means for a village, town, or

city to honor either its patron saint, the Virgin Mother,

or the changing seasons. fiestas can take the form of

processions, bullrunning (above), fireworks, reenacted

battles, ancestral rites, or a mass pilgrimage to a rural

shrine. Whatever the pretext, a fiesta is a chance for

everybody to take a break from everyday life and let off

steam, with celebrations going on around the clock.

King juan CarloS

The Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 resulted in a

dictatorship by general franco. in 1975, franco died and

was succeeded by King juan Carlos, grandson of the last

Spanish king. under his rule, Spain became a multiparty

democracy, and attained membership in the eu. in 2014,

he abdicated in favor of his son, King felipe Vi.

Salt-cured ham

(above), Spanish

omelette – a tasty

dish of potato

and onion (left) –

and mussels in an

onion and garlic

sauce (below)

The splendid

gardens and

architecture of the

Moorish palace

in Granada

The climax of Pamplona’s

(left) annual fiesta, Los

Sanfermines, is when bulls

SPaniSh guiTar stampede through the city.

The guitar originated in Spain in the 16th century. it plays

a central role in flamenco, traditionally accompanying the

singer. The flamenco guitar developed from the modern

classical guitar, and evolved in Spain in the 19th century.

flamenco guitars have a lighter, shallower construction

and a thickened plate below the soundhole,

used to tap rhythms. Today, flamenco

guitarists often

perform solo.

The classical

guitar is Spain’s

national instrument.

Old-fashioned horse drawn

carriages carry tourists

around a number of

Spanish cities. These

carriages (left) are

pictured in the

Plaza de

España,

Seville.

Juan Carlos and Princess

Sophia of Greece (right)

were married in Athens

on May 14, 1962.

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