A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008.

LOCATION

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France

CLIMA

temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast. We live in Spain and our group come from region called Catalonia. We would like to show you a

bit different face of Spain. Not just flamenco, bulls and sangria....

this is Spain.....                                 and inside of Spain we have Catalonia....

we are lucky because we have 2 flags

a spanish flag in general

and catalan flag in particular

Maybe you have this tipical image of Spain and FLAMENCO but there are more traditional dances in Spain for example SARDANA, even Barça players like it :)

Guess that if you think of Spain you think about “paella” its truly delicious and our moms prepare it every Thursday :) nevertheless the traditional food and costum in our region is “Calçotada” and except of “Sangria” there are some more tipical drinks like for example “la barreja de la patum”

PAELLA                                 CALÇOTS                                SANGRIA                             BARREJA DE LA PATUM

                                                                                                                                        (home made)

The weather in Spain is hot in summer but we also have winter, snow and cold weather!

If you think about Spain and only see the beaches it's good to know that there is more then that …

The tradions are important for us and we would like you to see some more then just Bull fighting that, tipical for south of Spain....

CORIDA DE TOROS(bull fighting)

In catalonia we are also crazy and we do CASTELLS

In Terrassa we have done the world record with one human tower of 10 levels !!!!

Castells are since this year the cultural patrimoni of UNESCO

and a lot fo more things that we will be happy to explain you during the exchange :)

We have XAVI (is from Terrassa :) )

and the biggest jazz festival in Europe....

And to finish, be aware of the fact that if you come to Barcelona or Terrassa and expect to hear only spanish you will get dissapointed as the 85 % of the population speak catalan as the first language. There is no danger of violence but it's true that some people would like independence for Catalonia and you can find stuff like this everywhere, together with Basc country it's one the the biggest internal problems of Spain....