Spain
Spain
- Capital
- Madrid
- Population
- 47,351,567
- Region
- Europe
- Languages
- Spanish
Spain is home to the world's oldest functioning lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, which was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. In the capital city of Madrid, you will also find Sobrino de Botín, recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, having opened in 1725. Another unique cultural quirk is that there is no law against public nudity in Spain, though certain local municipalities have recently passed specific ordinances to regulate it. Additionally, the Spanish national anthem, the Marcha Real, is one of only four in the world that has no official lyrics.
Currency
The official currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR), which was adopted as the physical tender in 2002 to replace the Spanish Peseta. An interesting historical note is that the previous currency, the Peseta, is etymologically derived from the Catalan word meaning 'little piece,' and it was first introduced as a standardized national unit in 1868.
Flag symbolism
The flag of Spain, known as the Rojigualda, features three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and red, with the yellow stripe being twice the width of the red ones. Historically, these colors are associated with the Crown of Aragon and the Crown of Castile, representing the unification of the Spanish state. The red and yellow palette was specifically chosen by King Charles III in 1785 to ensure the Spanish fleet was easily distinguishable from other nations at sea. Today, the flag also typically includes the national coat of arms positioned toward the hoist side on the yellow band.
Emblem history
The Spanish coat of arms is a complex historical summary featuring the traditional symbols of the medieval kingdoms that united to form Spain, including the castle for Castile, the lion for León, and the chains for Navarre. At the center lies the three fleurs-de-lis representing the House of Bourbon-Anjou, the current reigning royal house. The shield is flanked by the two Pillars of Hercules, which symbolize the Strait of Gibraltar and the gateway to the Atlantic. Wrapped around these pillars is a red scroll bearing the motto 'Plus Ultra,' meaning 'Further Beyond,' which was adopted after the discovery of the Americas to replace the medieval belief that there was nothing beyond the Spanish coast.