Spain by Leah Doyle Buckley

Capital: Madrid

President: Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of the Government of Spain. Born in Madrid on 29 February 1972. Pedro Sánchez has been President of the Government of Spain since June 2018.

Languages: Spanish and English

Population: 46.94 million

When Spain joined the EU: Spain joined the European Union in 1986 and was one of the first countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.

Traditional music:

Jota: The fast tempo jota originally hails from Aragón but is popular - with minor modifications - throughout the rest of Spain. With probable Moorish influences, the jota is typically danced in two's as couples raise their hands above their heads playing castanets.

Fandango: Until flamenco came along, the fandango was Spain's most famous dance. Lively, energetic, and happy, it's a traditional Spanish dance performed in couples.

Flamenco: Attributed to Andalucía's persecuted gypsy culture, flamenco is a passionate form of music and dance combining Jewish, Moorish, and Andalucían influences.

Paso Doble: The paso doble is a quick and lively one-step traditional Spanish dance.

Sardana. Danced in a closed circle by several couples joined at the hands, the Sardana is a popular form of traditional Spanish music and dance from Cataluñ.

Muñeira: Whether alone or in two's, the muñeira - or "Miller's Dance" - is a typical dance in Galicia and Asturias accompanied by soulful bagpipe music.

Bolero: A fast and spirited dance, the bolero - featuring unexpected pauses and sharp turns - is one of the oldest and most traditional Spanish dances.

Sevillanas: Sevillanas are, in many ways, reminiscent of flamenco. Joyful and undeniably happy, a sevillana is a four-part music with an accompanying four-part dance.

Zambra: The zambra actually got its start as a Moorish dance. While Moorish and Jewish music and dance were banned following the Reconquest, the Moors managed to conserve this particular dance by adapting it to traditional Spanish music and dance trends.

Food:

Spain's most common food is the tortilla de patata, or potato omelet, according to Fodor's. Other gastronomical delicacies include seafood paella, chorizo sausage, gazpacho soup, and tapas. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, typically consisting of a soup or salad course followed by the main entrée and a small dessert. The tradition of siesta plays into lunchtime, as many Spaniards tend to gather with their extended families for this leisurely meal, especially on Sundays. Locals also love to snack on tapas in the evening while enjoying glasses of wine or sherry.

Clothing:

Mantilla: a long lace or silk veil that women wear over their heads and shoulders. The mantilla is the Spanish equivalent of the veil worn by Moorish women. The mantilla was made popular because women could not enter a Catholic church without covering their heads.

Peineta: a tortoise-shell comb used to hold the mantilla. Although popular in the 19th century, Spanish and Latin women still wear the peineta during special occasions such as weddings and religious ceremonies.

Traje Corto: short jackets with high waistbands worn with a white shirt by males. Many times the waistband is colored. Men often wear the traje corto with the sombrero de alanche, a wide-brimmed hat.