People

The Spanish people can be divided into five major groups, based on cultural characteristics and geographic location. They are the Castilians of central Spain, the Catalans of the northeast, the Galicians of the northwest, the Andalusians of the south, and the Basques in the region of the Pyrenees. The main ancestors of the Spaniards were Iberians, the early inhabitants, and Celts, who came later and intermingled with them. The Visigoths and the Moors are among other ancestral groups.

Castilian Spanish is the official language of Spain. Three regional languages—Catalan, Galician, and Basque—are also spoken. Most of the people are Roman Catholics, and the church influences nearly all phases of life. Freedom of religion is established by law, and there are small minorities of Protestants, Jews, and Muslims.

Elementary schooling is free and compulsory for eight years, beginning at age six. Secondary education lasts three years, from age 14 through age 16. Students who do not go on to secondary school are required to take two years of vocational training. Advanced vocational training, a two-year course followed by a three-year course, is optional.

University education is preceded by a one-year orientation course. Institutions of higher education include universities, advanced technical schools, and specialized schools. The oldest universities are at Salamanca (founded in 1218), Valladolid (1346), and Barcelona (1450). The largest is the University of Madrid (1508).

Spain's long history of artistic achievements shows a variety of cultural influences. In the south, Spanish culture reflects the long period of Moorish occupation. Of the surviving Moorish buildings, one of the most famous is the Alhambra palace. Many churches were built in styles combining Moorish and Christian elements.

Spanish painters have produced numerous outstanding works, many of which deal with religious subjects. In the 16th century, the religious mysticism of Spain was represented in the works of El Greco, a Greek painter who worked in Spain. Well-known painters of the 17th and 18th centuries include Diego Velzquez and Francisco de Goya y Lucientes. In the 20th century, Pablo Picasso, an originator of Cubism, was outstanding.

The Prado in Madrid is one of the world's great art museums. Other well-known museums are in Barcelona and Toledo. Cave paintings of Cro-Magnon man, which are among the oldest art in the world, are at Altamira in northern Spain.

Music and dance vary from one region to another, with flamenco being the most widely known. Other notable Spanish dances are the bolero and the fandango. The castanets and guitar are popular instruments. Andrs Segovia won international fame as a classical guitarist, Pablo Casals as a cellist.

Bullfighting is Spain's national sport, and bullrings may be found even in small communities. During the San Fermin festival, the men of Pamplona drive bulls through the streets to the ring. Soccer is also a favorite spectator sport. Jai alai is also popular, especially among the Basques.

Spain has many fairs and festivals, most of them centering around religious events. A number of towns honor patron saints, and various holy days are celebrated according to local traditions. Easter Week celebrations are famous for elaborate processions.