50 Pics To Prove That Spain Is Unlike Any Other Country

To get a better understanding of Spain, Bored Panda got in touch with A Lady in London, an adventurous traveler who has already visited 112 countries.

"When I think of Spain, I think of excellent food, vibrant culture, world-class cities, and rich cultural heritage," she told us.

"The things that set the country apart for me are the rich history and diverse culinary offerings."

Indeed, the country's history is as rich as it gets. Remains of Stone Age populations dating back some 35,000 years have been found all throughout Spain.

Celtic people arrived there in the 9th century BCE, followed by the Romans, who dominated Spain from around 200 BCE until the Visigoth invasion in the early 5th century CE.

In the early 8th century, most of the peninsula fell to Muslims (Moors) from North Africa, and it remained under their control until it was gradually reconquered by the Christian kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and Portugal.

Spain was reunited in 1479 following the marriage of Ferdinand II (of Aragon) and Isabella I (of Castile). The last Muslim kingdom, Granada, was regained in 1492, and at about this time Spain established a colonial empire in the Americas.

The country became a republic in 1931 but a civil war ravaged the country from 1936 to 1939 and ended in victory for the Nationalists under Gen. Francisco Franco, who ruled as a dictator until his death in 1975. His successor as head of state, Juan Carlos I, restored the monarchy with his accession to the throne; a new constitution in 1978 established a constitutional monarchy.

A Lady in London thinks you can see the country at various times of the year, but it depends on where you go.

"I love visiting cities like Sevilla in the spring during Semana Santa, a festival that takes place in the run-up to Easter," she said. "The streets fill with processions during the day, and the city comes alive with everyone going to the tapas bars at night."

"Madrid and Barcelona can get busy in the summer season, so I like visiting them in the winter. The Basque country is great in the summer, as cities like San Sebastian have great beaches (not to mention the food!)."

Food is a strong foundation of Spanish culture. The blend of Arab, Roman, Jewish, and Mediterranean cuisine results in a very exciting mix of ingredients and flavors. 

Predominant ingredients of Spanish gastronomy include garlic, tomato, pepper, potatoes, beans, and curated meats. 

The country produces large quantities of high-quality olive oil and wine. 

Spanish people enjoy a style of appetizer and snack known as tapas. Las tapas are usually a collection of small preparations like cold cuts, cheeses, croquetas (croquettes), calamares (squid), and more.