Food, we all love it. Spain has a very rich tradition in the culinary arts. Similar to other places, their geographic location dictates there eating habits. Spain is very big on seafood. This is understandable because they are surrounded by water. Also, the climate of the country allows for fishing weather most of the year. Two main ingredients are almost always found in Spanish cuisine. These are, Olive oil and garlic. Olive oil is known to be a healthy type of oil to consume. Everything that is fried or uses oil in Spain is made with Olive Oil. This allows for the inhabitants to eat "healthy" even if you decide to consume something that was fried. Just like other countries, the Spanish have their own specialty.
Every country is known for at least one specific dish. The Spanish are known for the paella. The Paella is a combination of rice, seafood, meat, vegetables and sometimes beans. This dish originated from Valencia which is on the east coast of Spain. That is why at times it is referred to as the Valencian Paella or La Paella Valenciana, in Spanish. It is also important to note that in Spain a meal is not considered complete without the addition of wine. The large consumption of wine in Spain has a lot to do with the heavy production of it (duke). What's interesting is that the wine consumed during regular meal times is not straight. Sparkling water is added to the wine to give it a kick of refreshing flavor. That is why it is easier to drink it.
Spain's economy is considered the 13th largest in the world (CIA). They have had many years of consistent growth, 16 to be exact (CIA). Not until recently has the economy contracted. While many blame the global economic recession others blame Spain's housing bubble. Currently, Spain has a collapsed real estate market. This is due to debtors owing more than they can afford to pay or make a year. This is similar to the housing bubble that the United States had. As a nation we were handing out "ninja loans." These were loans that did not require a specific income or sometimes even a job. They would just be lent out to individuals that it was clear could not pay it back, in order for lenders to make a percentage from that loan.
In Depth Look
Spain is on the Euro. The euro zone limit of debt tends to be around 3 percent. In 2010 Spain had a budget deficit of 9.2 percent GDP (CIA). This was more than three times the euro zone limit. Eventually, it resulted in Spain cutting severe spending. This only brought the budget deficit of GDP to 6 percent. However, this is still twice as much as the euro zone limit. Spain is trying its best to bailout the company's that have collapsed do to the contracting economy. Through the privatization of certain industries, increasing competitiveness in the job market through reforms and cutting spending, Spain is hoping to fight the economic down turn. What is even more alarming is that Spain's unemployment has reached five million in 2011 (BBC). In contrast, to the bad news of the economic meltdown Spain is currently experiencing export growth. This could keep the Spanish economy afloat.
Spain does not distinguish itself from America, in that we both are economically dependent on the service sector. The labor force by occupation is 71.7% (2009 est.) service sector (CIA).
Spain has had a history of economic isolationism until it became part of the euro zone (Photius). This means that it is part of the European Union (EU). Moreover, it means that it maintains the same currency as seventeen other countries (ECB). This can have drastic effects on an economy because any fluctuations that the euro has, Spain will be effected by. This is a great tool when the euro is strong because it would imply that Spain's economy is also as strong. Unfortunately, being tied down with one currency between seventeen different countries can become a headache. One of the countries on the euro is Greece. Recently, Greece has had a lot of media coverage do to them defaulting in loans. This brings down the euro which consequently brings down the economies of the sixteen other countries. Spain being one of them.
Spain is one of the few constitutional monarchies left in Europe (State). It is officially known as the Kingdowm of Spain (Wiki). The head of state is the Monarch but he appoints a prime minister for the executive branch. Such as a democracy, Spain also has three branches of government. They are the executive, judicial and legislative. The Monarch does not have absolute power he is bound by the consititution. In essence, he is a figure head rather than a essential part to the government. In addition, like a monarch that he is, he is called the King. The King at this moment in Spain is King Juan Carlos l. The prime minister of Spain is Mariano Rajoy (Wiki).
Mariano Rajoy
Juan Carlos l
The political situation in Spain is not that great. There are a lot of terrorist attacks occuring because of a specific group called the Basque Fatherland (State). This is a terrorist organization that is attacking political figures and buildings because they have been denied independence. They are fighting on behalf of the Basque country which is a province of Spain. Regarding people of African descent, there has been a huge increase in immigrant populations to urban Spanish areas. The Africans mainly moving to Spain are from the Northern region of the continent.
Specifically, African from Morocco are the ones that have had a long history of legal and illegal immigration into Spain. This is largely do to their proximity to one another. Interestingly, there are two Spanish enclave cities on northern coast of Africa called Melilla and Ceuta (State). Recently, there has been interest from Spain to re-establish relationships with its former colony, Equatorial Guinea (State). Spain continues to run a large aid program there. This is astonishing considering that most imperialistic country's, when they leave their colonies usually leave them in disarray and unestablished. Spain has not and has continued to help the country.
The following is a major newspaper in Spain called 20 minutes. This link to the newspaper discusses reforms that are being urged to be taken into consideration by the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy.
The Spanish empire established in the 16th century is no stranger to conquest. During this time Spain was considered, ". . .the vanguard of European global exploration and colonial expansion" (Spain: Wikipedia). Much of what Spain conquered was in Latin America and the Caribbean. Considering Spain's geographical location their involvement in Africa was mainly in the Northern region. The Spanish under the Habsburgs funded wars that took place in Northern Africa. What is well documented is the deposition of the governments by the Spanish of the Aztecs, Mayas and Incas in Mexico. Once again, their possessions amounted to very little in Africa. Much of Spanish possessions, colonies and slaves were in Latin American. The little that the Spanish had in the Northern region of Africa were ceded to the Germans during the disaster of 1898 (Spain: Wikipedia).
There are currently no claims by the Spanish in Africa. However, recently there has been a surge of African Diasporic activity in Spain, Madrid to be exact. It has actually specified around the struggle of African women (B.W.I.E.).
A small percentage of the population are Afro-descendants. Spain currently holds 40,397,842, out of the forty million only 1.30% of the population are Afro-descendants (Cultural Diplomacy). Afro-descendants are not well represented in Spain or in Europe as a whole. However, recently there has been more activity than ever before in giving Afro-descendants a voice.
I chose to research the African diaspora specific to Spain because I have visited before. Specifically, Dominicans have their own niche in Madrid. In Madrid there is a place called Cuatro Caminos which is the exact equivalent to Washington Heights in Manhattan. The fact that Dominicans are in Spain was a huge shock to me. That was the catalyst for research about Spain. I hope I can learn more about Afro-descendants in Spain because I am hoping to go abroad there in the Fall. In addition, I am interested because very little can be found about this. It would be great if there were none but there are. I want to educate myself that is the primary goal.
