The climate in Spain varies due to its scabrous topography and the position of the country, but overall has a sub-tropical climate because of is location in the temperate zone. This country has been practically divided into two climate zones- Rainy Spain and Dry Spain- by a mountain range known as the Cantabrian Mountains.

Rainy Spain, as you may have guessed, receives a plentiful and heavy amount of rainfall year-round and is located at the north of the Cantabrian Mountains. The benefits of this water are visible through the beautiful and flabbergasting vegetation and flora in Spain. Summers are cool but pleasant and winters aren't harsh. Dry Spain, the climate zone located at the south of the Cantabrian Mountains, is blistering with heat and rain is considerably rare here. Oddly enough, winters are almost as severe as the summers, and it isn't rare for temperatures to dip below freezing.

If you are planning on visiting Spain, the best time to visit would be the summer months, April-October, but try to avoid the torrid months of July and August. During the summer months, light cotton clothing and a hat or cap for your head to protect yourself from the suns damaging rays are recommended. If you decide to visit during the winter months, a warm large coat and some gloves are best suited for the often harsh winds and bitter temperatures.

Spain is known for it's beautiful scenery and open countrysides, so there are many activities outdoors for you to enjoy. You can take a ride in a hot air balloon, hike through the ruged terrain, and even ski in Catalonia. You can go surfing in the low waves, ride a boat throught the long rivers, and explore caves along the Cantabrian Mountains.

Of course you wouldn't want to leave Spain without visiting some of the tourist attractions. One of the most spectacular cites is the Sagrada Familia Barcelona, a Cathedral built in the late 1800's to the early 1900's.

Spain’s arts and culture

are rather unique, some of the best known Spanish arts are the Flamenco and Bull fighting, but what people don’t know is that Spain has had a history full of literature. Several artist have come from Spain as well like Diego Velázquez, a famous Baroque period painter. To the right is his painting Infanta Margarita Teresa

The Spanish are known for their large ties to the Catholic church. They celebrate Christmas, but rather differently. Christmas in Spain started as a large bonfire to Celebrate the Solstice, but now Christmas day is spent in church, with families not eating their feast till after midnight.

Spanish food is one of

the most popular Mediterranean cuisines. There are six different culinary regions all with their own style of food. Common foods in Spain are pig, lamb, sea food and hardy stews. Spain is also known for its candies and cookies.

Spanish Turron a Caramel like candy with almonds

There are eight traditional Spanish dances. Here is a list of them:

Jota Aragenesa - This dance consists of a fast tempo with couples' hands held high above their heads. This dance is mostly due to a Moorish poet who was banished from Valencia in the twelfth century.Sardana - A dance where couples join hands in a tight circle. This dance came from Catalonia.Muñ eira - The dance also known as the "Miller's Dance" is danced in pairs or alone to the sound of bagpipes.Zambra - This dance began as a Moorish dance, this dance began as a Moorish dance but the Moors had to adapt the dance to Spanish customs when the monarchs Fernando and Isabel had power in Spain.Bolero - A traditional dance, it is a quick step with sudden turns and stops.Fandango - This dance is a lively, happy dance danced in pairs.Paso Doble - A quick-step Spanish dance.Flamenco - The most famous of all Spanish dances, the Flamenco is a passionate dance by the gypsies. The Flamenco Dance is oftenly described as a fiery and is very thrilling to watch.

Spain is where the Spanish language originated. As Spanish Conquistidors traveled to new land in search of riches, the language spread. The main factor of the spread in the Spanish language was their urge for other people to assimilate to their culture

Spain has a well-developed public transit system. Railway systems are frequent in Spain and are a good way to get around. Cities have good bus routes, but the buses are small so they might be crowded. Taxis can be fetched from the Taxi Rank, but it would be wise to ask the driver for the special taxi driver license. The recommended tip is 5% to 10%. The metro, or the subway systen, runs through the more populated cities of Spain, such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. You can buy tickets for the metro on a daily, weekly, or monthly timetable

The Royal Spanish Academy is considering taking away the necessity of the accent marks on the words este, aquel, and solo, the Spanish words that mean this, that, and only. The Academy consists of 46 judges meet frequently to debate admissions from the Academy's Pan-Hispanic Dictionary of Questions. This unofficial Dictionary of Questions accepts admissions of questions about adding oftenly used words to the official Spanish Dictionary. Victor GarcÍa de la Concha, one of the judges at the Academy, says, "Words travel much faster today because of internet. To survive a language must be used by a large number of people in a consistent way and be up to date with technological innovations."

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/velazquez_diego.html

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/a/turron.htm

^ "Google Image Result for http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk/maps-of-spain/spain/map-of-spain2.jpg." Google Images. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. <http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:www.map-of-spain.co.uk/maps-of-spain/spain/map-of-spain2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk/murcia_maps.htm&usg=__BNrns-ds8NsFTxXnQlgyJjL9Rmk=&h=322&w=400&sz=42&hl=en&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Cxi451YaCGzsiM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspain%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive>.

^ "Climate in Spain." World Map, Map of the World. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/spain/climate-in-spain.html>.

^ Type your reference here."Clothes and customs in Madrid & Spain." Madrid Spain Tourist & Hotels Guide; Cheap apartments, hostels, accommodation in the city center, maps, tours, tourism, flamenco information. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. <http://www.gomadrid.com/practic/clothes-customs.html>.

^ "Spain Climate Map | Spain Maps." Maps of net - A collection of world, country and city maps. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. http://mapsof.net/spain/static-maps/png/spain-climate-map.

^ Oppenheimer, Andres. "Royal Spanish Academy Ponders Changes to Spanish Language." IHaveNet.com. Web. 8 Dec. 2009. <http://www.ihavenet.com/Royal-Spanish-Academy-Ponders-Changes-to-Spanish-Language-Andres-Oppenheimer.html>.

^ "Spain Transportation." MapsofWorld.com. Compare Infobase Limited. Web. 8 Dec. 2009. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/spain/spain-transportation/>.

^ http://www.pbds.tv/NewYearsParty2009/NewYearsParty2009.html

^ "Climate in Spain." World Map, Map of the World//. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/spain/climate-in-spain.html>.

Ht\tp://z.about.com/d/gospain/1/0/r/H/-/-/Spain_flag.gif

www.dafont.com