The Great Book of Spain: Interesting Stories, Spanish History & Random Facts About Spain

Description

How much do you know about Spain? There's so much to learn about the largest country in the Iberian Peninsula that it could fill several books and you still wouldn't even know it all. In this trivia book, you'll learn several fascinating and fun facts about Spain's history (ancient and modern), pop culture, geography, folklore, and so much more! In The Great Book of Spain, you'll learn: What are the origins of the Spanish language? What did Hannibal and elephants have to do with early Spanish history? Who are some of Spain's greatest and most influential artists? Where are some of Spain's most haunted locales? How did Spain get its national flag? What are some of Spain's top tourist spots? What are the most popular sports in Mexico? What are Spain's major industries? What is Spain's most popular folk dance? And so much more! This book is packed with trivia facts about Spain that will at times make you wonder and at other times freak you out. There is no doubt, though, that all of the facts in this book will fascinate you. Whether you just have a passing interest in Spain, or planning on visiting the country, or you already think you're an expert on the country, you are sure to learn something new on every page of this book. You will amaze not only yourself with your newfound knowledge about Spain, but also your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Open the pages and get started learning more about Spain! THE GREAT BOOK OF SPAIN DON’T FORGET YOUR FREE BOOKS Introduction CHAPTER ONE: SPAIN’S EARLY HISTORY So Easy a Caveman Could Do It? Spain’s Ancient Tombs The Bronze Age Comes to Spain Celts and Iberians A New Player Emerges Here Come the Elephants! Spain Gets Its Name Spain Becomes a Battlefield Emperors, Philosophers, and Poets Were Born in Spain Español Vandalizing Spain Muslims Ruled Spain for Hundreds of Years The Kingdom of Navarre This Woman Wore the Shoes in Her Family 1492 Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers CHAPTER TWO: SPAIN’S MODERN HISTORY Explorers and Conquistadors When a Good Thing Is Too Much Spain’s Most Important King Burn Baby Burn The Modern World’s First World War Spain Supported the American Revolution Dude, Where’s My Empire? Florida Has Some Nice Beaches Carlos’ Way Two Countries Going in Opposite Directions Spain Was Neutral in Both World Wars The Spanish Civil War Dictators Usually Have Mustaches Euskadi Ta Askatasuna Spain and the European Union Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers CHAPTER THREE: SPAIN’S GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, AND INDUSTRY The Pyrenees Mountains separate Spain from France The Pillars of Hercules Did You Know Spain Is a Constitutional Monarchy Unitary State? Llívia is Spain’s Version of Alaska Cars, Tourism, and Wine Are Big Business in Spain Bears, Wolves, and Ibexes From Freezing to Sunburn by Lunchtime Madrid Is Spain’s Capital and Largest City Two Island Chains Belong to Spain What’s Up with Catalonia? The Meseta Central Is Surrounded by Mountains Spain Shares a Border with Five Countries, Sort of La Bandera de España Spain’s Highest and Lowest Points Aren’t on the Mainland Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers CHAPTER FOUR: SPANISH POP CULTURE, SPORTS, ART, AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY! Spanish Cinema Has an Important and Turbulent History Conan the Barbarian Was Filmed in Spain Actress Penelope Cruz Was Born and Raised in Spain Actor Antonio Banderas Is a Native Spaniard The Concept of the Modern Novel Began in Spain Spain Has Produced Some Incredible Artists Time for a Nap You Haven’t Danced Till You’ve Done Flamenco Dog Soup Is a Favorite in Andalusia Sangria and Sherry Bullfighting Was Made Famous in Spain The Spanish Call It Fútbol The Basques Have Sports of their own Spaniards Love to Gamble Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers CHAPTER FIVE: VISTING SPAIN Mérida Is a Little Slice of Ancient Rome This Museum Has the Second Largest Collection of Picasso’s Works Those Spanish Royals Sure Collected a Lot of Nice Art First It Was a Church, Then a Mosque, Then a Church Again Check Out Spain’s Most Controversial Monument Take a Hike! If You’re Feeling Daring If You’re a Night Owl, You’ll Love Spain Ibiza Is Party Central Spain Has Sixteen National Parks Hit the Slopes Madrid’s Version of Central Park Girona Is a Relaxing Locale Put on Your Dive Suit Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers CHAPTER SIX: WEIRD SPAIN—LEGENDS, GHOST STORIES, AND THE STRANGE! El Cid Is Spain’s National Folk Hero The Cursed Metro Station If You’re Bad, El Coco Will Get You The Vampire of Barcelona Don Juan Is a Spanish Legend La Chica de al Curva The Winds of La Mancha A Dead Species Reborn? A Moorish Romeo and Juliet The Creepiest Haunting in Madrid’s History Franco’s Mystic Advisor Are They Really Wearing That? The Greatest and Most Cursed Opera House in Spain Random Facts Test Yourself—Questions Answers DON’T FORGET YOUR FREE BOOKS