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Fast Facts
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Hey Kids, it's me, Fun Facts Freddy. Did you know that Spain has the world's oldest restaurant? Wow! There are so many interesting things to share about the country of Spain. Here are just a few facts that I think you might find fascinating.
Here are some fascinating facts and pictures about the country of Spain.
Spain is a little larger than twice the size of the state of Oregon.
When women marry they do not take their husband’s last name. They keep their own last name (their maiden name).​​​​
Here are some fascinating facts and pictures about the country of Spain.
Made in Spain
Made in Spain
Made in Spain
The people of Spain are responsible for a few things that we use often. Here's a list of a few famous Spaniards and their accomplishments.
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Manuel Jalón's invention of the mop in 1956 changed the way that floors were cleaned— no more being on your hands and knees.
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You can thank Enric Bernat for his idea of putting candy on a stick to create the lollipop in 1957. The first lollipop brand was Chupa Chups and today it can be found in more than 150 countries.
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Isaac Peral created the first electric battery-powered submarine in 1888.
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We can travel through the air by cable car thanks to Leonardo Torres y Quevedo invention back in 1887.
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The digital calculator also by Leonardo Torres y Quevedo in 1914
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Love the game foosball? You can thank Alejandro Campos Ramírez. He invented table soccer in 1936.
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The classical guitar (six-strings) was developed in Spain sometime between the 13th and 18th century.
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The first space suit was designed by Colonel Emilio Herrera de Linares one year before the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936.
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The flat top hat called a beret, or boina was invented by shepherds in the Basque Hills.
Survival Spanish Flash Cards
Here are ten common words you will need to complete the Survival Spanish Search puzzle. You can also use them the next time you visit Spain or talk with your friends who speak Spanish.​​ Shuffle the photos around and click on them to see the Spanish and English words.
Check it Out!
Take an armchair trip through Spain! Discover—in puzzle form—the enchanting cities, the beauty of the country and some of Spain’s historical events in the 21 colorful, wordless layouts of this book.
Anno’s Spain, by Mitsumasa Anno ISBN 0-3992-4238-4
That's Different
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The way they do some things in Spain might seem strange to us, but it's not wrong, it's just different. Enjoy learning about the way of life in Spain.
That's Different
Vacation August is a favorite time for people to take vacations in Spain. Many stores and restaurants close for the entire month so that employees can go on vacation.
Siestas Siestas are a time for people to rest every afternoon. During siesta time (usually 2 pm-5 pm), almost everything in a city shuts down. People once took short naps because of the hot sun, but many people now use the time for a long lunch.
Late Night Life Life in Spain goes late into the night. The streets are often full of people at midnight.
Ratoncito Children in Spain have a tooth mouse instead of a tooth fairy.
Titles The titles señor for a man, and señora for a married woman and ‘señorita for an unmarried woman are used when referring to men and women
Forks Most foods are eaten with a fork, even fruit.
Hand Shake Many men shake hands using a two-handed handshake. While shaking hands with their right hand, they place their left hand on the upper right arm of the other person.
No Middle Name People are not given middle names, but they may have a double first name like Juan Luiz.
That's Different: Clothing
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While most people in Spain wear modern clothing like you and me, many Spaniards wear a traditional costume to bullfights and fiestas. The fancy clothing reminds people of what the royalty once wore in the 16th century. Other people think the clothing is what the gypsies who came to Europe wore more than 500 years ago.
While most people in Spain wear modern clothing like you and me, many Spaniards wear a traditional costume to bullfights and fiestas. The fancy clothing reminds people of what the royalty once wore in the 16th century. Other people think the clothing is what the gypsies who came to Europe wore more than 500 years ago.
A woman’s traditional costume includes: · Long, ruffled dress · Hair in a bun · Colorful flower worn behind the ear · Long, lace shawl embroidered with flowers · Large hair comb · Hand fan · Shoes with heels · Castanets (optional)
A man’s traditional costume includes: · Decorated bolero (short jacket) · Tuxedo shirt · Short, dark-colored trousers · Shoes with large heels · Colored waistband or wide belt · Sombrero de alanche (wide-brimmed hat)
These traditional costumes are also used for flamenco dancing, a musical style that is more than 200 years old. The flamenco style uses el baile (dance), el cante (song), and la guitarra (guitar) to tell a story. Both dancers wear shoes with big heels so that you can hear them stomp along with the beat of the music.
The Tooth Mouse
The Tooth Mouse
That's Different: The Tooth Mouse
When children in Spain lose a tooth, they put it inside an envelope under their pillow. But instead of a visit from the Tooth Fairy, Ratoncito Pérez the mouse collects their tooth and leaves a gift in its place.
When Spain's 8-year-old King Alfonso XIII lost his first tooth, he was sad.
To help the King cheer up, Luis Coloma wrote a story about a mouse who lived in a box of cookies in a warehouse. Pérez the mouse originally wore a straw hat on his head, slippers on his feet, and large gold glasses. He also carried a red bag over his shoulder to hold the teeth he collected.
When King Bubi (Alfonso's nickname) loses his tooth he decides to stay awake to meet Pérez. The mouse and the King become good friends.
One day, Pérez puts the tip of his tail into King Bubi's nose, making him sneeze and transforming him into a soft, furry mouse. The two then go on an adventure to meet Pérez's family. On the way back to the palace, the King sees children who are poor and hungry. His heart is sad, and he understands for the first time that not all children have as much as he has.
Although the story was written in 1877, a plaque was placed outside the real warehouse in 2000. In English it reads, "Here lived, in a box of cookies, Ratóncito Pérez, according to the story that the father Coloma wrote for the young King Alfonso XIII."
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Today, the story of Pérez is shared all over Europe. In fact, Colgate toothpaste even uses Pérez in their TV commercials.
That's Different: Superstitions
One of the best ways to understand a culture is to learn about what they believe and why. Here are just a few Spanish superstitions.​
Superstitions One of the best ways to understand a culture is to learn about what they believe and why. Here's just a few Spanish superstitions.
Tuesday, the 13th Tuesday (not Friday) the 13th is an unlucky day in Spain.
Beware of Tuesday You should never get married, start a trip, move, or do anything important on a Tuesday.
Purse on a chair Always put your purse on an empty chair, never on the floor or your money will "run away" from you.
Yellow clothing Never give yellow clothing as a gift. (Yellow stands for sulfur and the Devil.) Also, never wear yellow clothing on an important day.
Old broom Never take an old broom into your new house.
Set of knives Never give a set of knives as a wedding gift.
Hats Never put a hat on a bed.
Cactus on windowsill A cactus is placed on a window sill because they believe it traps evils spirits inside and stops them from entering a home.
Superstitions
Superstitions
That's Different: Ring in the New Year
Before the 12 bells of midnight, four bells ring called cuartos (fourths) to alert everyone the new year is coming. Here are a few other unusual actions that are believed to bring good luck.
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The first step you take after midnight should be with your right foot to guarantee a year of good luck. In fact, you should always walk into a room with your right foot first.
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Wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve will help you find love. In one town people even run through the streets in their red underwear on New Year's Day. Brrrr.
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Eating lentils and chorizo (spicy sausage) soup on New Year's Day brings wealth. It is called the "soup of coins," because each lentil represents a small coin.
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If you can eat 12 grapes during the 12 bells of midnight on New Year's Eve you will have a lucky year.
Spain: Fact Finder
Spain: Fact Finder
Fact Finder Spain #1
Do you have what it takes to complete the Spain Fact Finding Mission? We've given you a hint to the answer in the photos above to help jog your memory. The answers are found in both the Spain printable pages and inside Spain: On Location.
1. What two words did Gordon confuse in Spanish?
2. Where can you find Peña de Horeb?
3. Where do many Spanish families like to vacation in August?
4. What is the Spanish word for church?
5. Name two unusual Spanish fiestas.
6. How many people can sleep in the new camp cabin?
7. How is Medea being the hands and feet of Jesus?
8. What is La Marcha Real?
9. What did Sylvia use to teach that Jesus is alive?
10. When did One Mission Society begin its work in Spain?
11. What is paella made with?
Bonus: What beautiful place was once nicknamed "Mirrors of Mancha"?
Fact Finder Spain #2
Do you have what it takes to complete the Spain Fact Finding Mission? We've given you a hint to the answer in the photos above to help jog your memory. The answers are found in both the Spain printable pages and inside Spain: On Location.
11. What is paella made with?
12. How did God answer Paula’s prayer?
13. What is the world's fastest game?
14. What is the name of the OMS children’s English program in Spain?
15. How do you win the game chapas?
16. What event happens in the town of Buñol?
17. Name two popular beautiful Spanish vacation spots?
18. What did Dawn accidentally call the man who helped her?
19. What are the two most common fillings for empañadillas?
20. How many kingdoms are represented on Spain's flag?
Bonus: What beautiful place was once nicknamed "Mirrors of Mancha"?
