Learn more about Spain:
- Myths and Misconceptions About Spain
- Essential Facts About Spain
- Interesting Facts About Spain: Geography
- Interesting Facts About Spain: Politics
- Interesting Facts About Spain: Culture
- Interesting Facts About Spain: Wine
- Spain makes 44% of the world's olive oil, more than twice that of Italy and four times that of Greece. More than a quarter of Spain's oil (10% of the total world production) comes from Jaen. Read Tips on Buying Spanish Olive Oil.
- Nearly three-quarters of the world's saffron is grown in Spain. Read more about Spanish Saffron.
- The original paella was not considered a seafood dish but had chicken, rabbit and pork (and sometimes snails). There is some debate over the origin of the word. Read more about Paella in Spain.
- Tapas is not a type of food but a way of eating it. Tapa means cover and was traditionally a slice of cheese or ham placed over a drink. Read more on Popular Misconceptions About Spain and the origins of Tapas.
- The Spanish (in particular, the people of Cadiz) claim to have invented fried fish. Great Britain had links to Cadiz in the eighteenth century and it is thought that the British imported the idea of fish 'n' chips from there. Read more about Cadiz.
- 'Dominations of Origin', common in wine labeling, is also used in Spain to guarantee the quality of ham, olive oil and even paprika. Read more about Spanish paprika
- Though Spain is more famous for its red wine than white, the majority of its vineyards have white grapes. Read more Facts About Spanish Wine.
- The fortified wine sherry comes from the city of Jerez in Andalusia. 'Sherry' is a corruption of Shariz, the Persian name for the city. In Spanish, sherry is simply called 'vino de Jerez' (Jerez wine). Read more about Sherry Bodegas in Jerez.
- Tomatoes, potatoes, avocadoes, tobacco, and cacao (for chocolate) were all imported into Europe by Spain.
- Spain is one of the top five importers of Scotch whiskey in the world.
