Spain is the birthplace of Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Velazquez, Picasso.Leading the country believe that met not only with the sun, good food, hospitality and happy life, but also an opportunity to discover the rich heritage of Spanish-cultural monuments of different civilizations, nasladilis unsurpassed beauty and pour Nature, met with the customs of the peoples of many countries, and even took part in traditional folk festivals and events.

In Spain, there are many places to have this oasis in the form of its geographical location, orhidden or in a valley, or at the foot of mountains, and even the middle of the high plateau.In the heart of the Mediterranean Sea lies Balearsky archipelago consisting of a chain of islands.Rocky Bank and Little Bay, closed spaces and beaches attract their opportunities for recreation and entertainment.Ibiza, a small archipelago, the island of investors and operators of the tourist industry.In the late 1960s, it has become famous because of the "hippies" who turned it into a centre of gadflies.Since then, the city did not meet the holiday together.The archipelago is rich beaches, but the most famous is certainly Sas-Salinas, as a very first beach sunbathing Spain.In 1000 kilometres from the Iberian Peninsula and only 115 kilometres from the coast of Africa are seven islands Perennial Vesny forming the Canary Islands archipelago.Canary Islands known since ancient times.Even Greeks placed here Gesperid gardens.The temperature in these places +22 C, unique landscapes that are different from Europe and from Africa, a well-developed tourist infrastructure, which serves as a model for many countries.Warm and transparent sea water - just a paradise for scuba diving classes.

Actually Spain is suitable for all sports.Sailing, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, sport fishing, snorkeling and windsurfing, for which the country has one of the best in the world environment.With great contrasts to equestrian nature walks, Cycling, rowing a canoe, to fly ultralight aircraft and deltaplanah, play golf and tennis.A skiing fans, a wide range of services to the ski station located on the Pyrenees mountains in the north to the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia.

Spain amazingly attractions is its cuisine is the best in the world in quality and diversity of products.And one can not speak of national cuisine, rather, it is a large number of regional, each of which has been influenced by climatic conditions and their own way of life.In the Basque Country in the north is marmitano (potatoes with mackerel) and changurro (mussels with crabs).In Asturias, fabada (bean with pork), Cantabria-dishes of sea food, in Valencia-variety of dishes from rice, and sweet-and halva ice cream.Arts Wine Spaniards have trained Romans, and now Spain is a major producer of quality wine : wine from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Penedes, La Mancha, Vino de Jerez.

Spanish holidays are iskrometnost, joy and popular fiction.They are here all year round.In February carnivals are the giants and demons, mythological characters and orchestras.In March, the national "falyas" where stuffed burning holidays.In July, a famous celebration in honor San-Fermina in Pamplona.The whole world knows how the bulls run through the streets of the city with massive popular participation.

Every year, Spain offers a host of features and performances of international significance.This festival of music and dance, cinema and theater.The festival brings together people from all over the world.A Spanish-hospitable people and take tourists year round.That is why, if you come to Spain once, many are returning here again to re-experience the unique Spanish flavour.

Territory

Spain is located in southwestern Europe, took most of the Iberian Peninsula.In northern borders with France and Austria, on the west by Portugal.In the north bordering the Bay of Biscay, on the east Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.Spain has a number of islands, the most significant of which are the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Climate

Despite the variety of climatic zones, is the dominant type Mediterranean subtropical climate, with mild winters and short dry, hot summer.The climate in Spain, dry, hot enough.Winter-soft.The average winter temperature ranges from 8 to 14 degrees Celsius.Madrid particularly good from late spring to mid-autumn.

Population

The population is about 40 millionpeople with an average density of 78 inhabitants per square kilometre.Capital Madrid.Its government is a constitutional monarchy.

Time

Behind from Moscow at 2:00.

Language

The official language is Spanish (Castilian version).

Religion

The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism.

Money

Euro (EURO), 1 EURO = 100 EURO cent.Bank : 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros.Coins : 2 and 1 euro; 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.Items money in banks : from 9.00 to 14.00 on Saturday from 9.00 to 12.00, Sunday : closed.The main streets of Madrid banks open around the clock.Be careful in obtaining information on the exchange rate, becauseVery often, posters stated rate excluding fees, which are collected from the top.Credit cards, network of ATMs.

Mail and phone

Much cheaper to use cabs and guns "Telefonica (the Spanish phone company), than to call from the hotel.To pay using coins or phone card (Tarjeta telefonica), which can be purchased at the hotel or tobacco shops.For international calls dial 007 (international code Russia) + code (Moscow-095) + the number.From 22:00 to 6:00, as well as holidays and weekends a preferential rate.

National Police : 091
Local police : 092
Urgent medical care : 061
Fire brigade : 080

Shopping, gifts, souvenirs

Shopping is best done in the major cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga and t.d.Samaya largest network of supermarkets in Spain, El Corte Ingles / El Corte Ingles / where it is said the Spaniards themselves, you can buy everything from needles to aircraft.But it is expensive business.Generally best to avoid shopping in the big stores, becausethere is less choice and higher prices.A small shops, you can find good quality products at reasonable prices.Working hours : from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00 (Saturday until 12.00).From 13.00 to 16.00 - Seagull.

Kitchen

Spain is famous for its cuisine, or rather, numerous regional cuisines, each of which has been influenced by climatic conditions and their own way of life.Generally the Spanish cuisine can say only that it is often used such tricks as fighting in wine (red in the south and west and white to the east), fusing with sheep cheese and eggs on the lattice (grill).Specific for all Spanish cuisine is the wide use of green lines and tertyh walnuts.And there is a strong tradition yuzhno-frantsuzskoy and Greek culinary schools.Among the most original dishes soup "eskudella, grilled pork sausage with white beans' s monhete botifarra" ear of the sea feature "bitch de Peix" dessert "chalk and swear" (cream with honey).Our well-known local sauces "sofrito," samfaina, ali-oli (garlic and oil) and "Picada."By all have to try so-called "Krynica (Zarzuela"), from assorted local seafood.In Spain most restaurants, cafes and bars, particularly in resort areas, working until midnight and, in many, the principle of "serve until the last customer leaves."Spanish restaurants are divided into five categories for "forklift" classifications : Category Five banding "has only very high-quality institutions.At the entrance to the restaurant menus posted, which indicated the cost of meals.Almost all restaurants are closed once a week.Most establishments proposes a so-called Menu del Dia-analog integrated lunches or dinners.In general, prices for food in Spain is relatively high.

Transportation

At any time you can call a taxi by phone from the hotel or bar.The taxi stops and on the streets as soon as you lift the arm.Cars most affordable in Europe.Required documents : driver's license (not international) with the driving experience of at least two years.In concluding the contract and the cash payment, made advances 100 to 500, with payment by credit card, mortgage, usually is not.

Tipping

The tips apply to service waiters in restaurants, hotel accommodation, taxi drivers and guides, and is 5-10% of the order value.Paying bribes is not mandatory, but if the customer was satisfied services, tips are a sign of good form.

Visa

Required documents : passport (to be valid for four months from the date of commencement of the anticipated visit if new passport should provide a copy of the old passport if he was), two identical pictures, certificate of employment (on letterhead bearing the seal of the company, including office, a period in the company, income and indicating that the visit coincides with regular paid leave), a certificate for the export of currency (no older than 3 months at the time of visa application) for 50 euros per day, a copy of all internal pages of the passport.

Customs regulations

Upon entering Spain are allowed to bring a few personal items, a portable typewriter, a video camera or two dozen films each.You can bring a portable transistor radio or a tape recorder, if you can see, that is not new subjects.Similarly allowed to import sports equipment personal use, own jewelry, items for use in camping or for the breakdown of the camp.The customs authorities can ask for a receipt for imported goods, which will be presented at the time of departure from the country.Currently, the maximum permitted number of imported tobacco and alcoholic products to one person : 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco; And one bottle of wine, plus another bottle of any alcohol.There are no restrictions on the number of imported or bank cheques in foreign currencies, as well as convertible peseta, as well as the foreign currency banknotes or coins allowed to be imported to Spanish territory.

The embassy of Russia

Russia embassy in Madrid : (91) 4112957
Russia Consulate in Barcelona : (93) 2805432

Approximate flight from Madrid to : Barcelona-55 minutes; Valencia-30 minutes; Alicante-40 minutes; Sevilla-50 minutes; Palma de Majorca, 1:00; Canary Islands 2 hours and 30 minutes.You can obtain a special tourist card (Tarjeta Turistica) that allows unlimited travel on Spanish trains, take no additions.Taxi - Taxi freely if Day at the front glass plate with the green visible inscription "Libre" (Free), and at night, a small green light.Getting paid in accordance metres.Fee increases for travel at night (22.00 - 06.00), weekends and holidays.When travel outside the city and paid back road.Cars, a presentation of identity card, driving licence international sample (from the time of their issuance must be more than a year) and credit cards (and sometimes cash bail).

Tips

To you feel comfortable enough, we strongly recommend that all property placed in safe, which in most hotels are in your room or a reception at reception.Rental safe low and deposit your return in exchange for the key to the safe.The passport and an airline ticket is not necessary to carry with them, so we recommend that you leave them in a safe.Going to Spain, not with your English.Ó÷èòå èñïàíñêèå ñëîâà èëè, ïî êðàéíåé ìåðå, çàïèøèòå èõ ñåáå íà áóìàæêó (óäà÷íî ïîäîáðàííûé ñïèñîê èç 30 ñëîâ ñäåëàåò âàøó æèçíü íåèçìåðèìî ëåã÷å) èëè âîçüìèòå ñ ñîáîé êàðìàííûé (÷òîáû åãî ìîæíî áûëî íîñèòü ñ ñîáîé) èñïàíñêî-ðóññêèé/ðóññêî-èñïàíñêèé ñëîâàðèê.Experience shows that the standard phrase books are virtually useless, ideally knowledge couple dozen basic vocabulary words plus for the urgent need to translate a word.Do not ignore protective creams.If you take them with a credit or debit card, do not forget to grab information on how to cancel in the event of loss (phone your bank, for example).

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