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Sherry -

This fortified wine is enjoyed around the world. It's synonymous with the region around the city of Jerez de la Frontera—the so-called 'Sherry Triangle'—in Andalusia.

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Tapas -

One of the great culinary joys of visiting Spain is to sample the delicious appetizers known as tapas: small portions of bit-sized snacks that include tortilla, tomato on bread, yummy garlic prawns, fried potatoes with spicy sauce, and sizzling chorizo.

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Soccer -

The Spanish La Liga soccer league is home to world-class clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. And, of course, the national men's side hoisted the World Cup in 2010 and the Euro Cup in 1964, 2008, and 2012.

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Beaches -

Sun-soaked Spain is one of the best beach countries in Europe, with most lapped by the warm, crystalline Mediterranean Sea. One of the most famous destinations is the sands on the Balearic island of Formentera (pictured).

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Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) -

One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and ceramicist Pablo Picasso achieved universal acclaim for his works, among which is 'Guernica' (1937), his powerful anti-war painting depicting the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.

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Flamenco -

The music and dance style that is flamenco is performed all over the world, but has its roots in Andalusia and Murcia. UNESCO has declared flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

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Ibiza -

Music and dance of a different kind is associated with Ibiza, Europe's rave capital. A rite of passage for aficionados of electronic dance music and psychedelic sunsets, a visit to Ibiza can also be about exploring a beautiful and ecologically diverse destination.

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Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) -

The renowned Spanish-Catalan architect's distinctive style—characterized by freedom of form, voluptuous color and texture, and organic unity—is exemplified by several Barcelona buildings, including Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and the incredible Sagrada Família.

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Sagrada Família -

Gaudí's Sagrada Família is one of the most recognized basilicas in Europe. Noted for its Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms, the astonishing structure is part designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Luis Buñuel (1900–1983) -

Born in Calanda, Aragon, Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel made his first picture, 'Un Chien andalou,' in the silent era. Notable films include 'L' Âge d'Or' (1930), with a screenplay co-written by Salvador Dalí, and 'Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie' (1972), which received the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

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Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) -

The great surrealist from Figueres, Catalonia was one of the most celebrated and eccentric artists of the 20th century. Especially known for his work 'The Persistence of Memory' (1931), which features the famous melting pocket watches, Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire included film, sculpture, and photography.

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La Tomatina -

Held annually in the Valencian town of Buñol, La Tomatina is the world's biggest and messiest organized food fight. It dates back to 1945.

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Alhambra -

Among Spain's grandest historic landmarks is the Alhambra in Granada, Andalusia. The 13th-century palace is the country's most significant and well-known example of Islamic architecture. It's listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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Pedro Almodóvar -

Acclaimed as one of the most internationally successful Spanish filmmakers of all time, Pedro Almodóvar has won two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, and four film prizes at the Cannes Film Festival.

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Camino de Santiago -

Millions have followed the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. The routes in Spain and France are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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José Echegaray (1832–1916) -

Spanish civil engineer, mathematician, statesman, and dramatist, José Echegaray was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize for Literature—the first Spaniard to become a Nobel laureate.

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Antonio Banderas -

Born in Málaga, Antonio Banderas is one of cinema's most bankable stars. His films include 'Matador' (1986), 'The Mask of Zorro' (1998), and 2019's 'Pain and Glory,' for which he received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor (pictured) and an Oscar nomination in the same category.

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Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) -

Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language, and one of the world's pre-eminent novelists, Cervantes is best known for 'Don Quixote,' a classic of Western literature.

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Wine -

Spain has more vineyards by area than any other country. No wonder then that some of the finest wines in the world are produced there. Among the most iconic varieties is Riojas. Pictured is the Marqués de Riscal winery, located in the heart of the Rioja wine region. The building was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

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Jamón Ibérico -

An Iberian cured ham found in the west of Spain in the regions of Salamanca, Extremadura, Andalusia, and into Portugal, this ham's distinctive flavor is a result of the sweet-tasting acorns fed to the Iberian black pig breed.

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Clara Campoamor (1888–1972) -

A name unfamiliar to most, Clara Campoamor was a Spanish politician best known for her support for women's rights during the writing of the Spanish constitution in 1931. Her advocacy led to the inclusion of language that sought to guarantee equality between men and women.

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Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) -

As a painter in the court of King Philip IV, Velázquez was one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age. He is equally remembered as one of the great masters of Western art. Pictured: 'Vieja friendo huevos' (1618).

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Penélope Cruz -

Making her acting debut at 16 on television, Penélope Cruz has achieved worldwide recognition for her film roles, productions that include 'Belle Époque' (1992), 'Volver' (2006), and 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2008), which garnered Cruz the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

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Inditex -

How many of you have shopped for clothing and accessories at Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, and Pull&Bear? All these brands and more are owned by Galicia-based Industria de Diseño Textil (Inditex), the biggest fashion group in the world. It operates over 7,200 stores in 93 markets worldwide.

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Rafael Nadal -

Born in Mallorca, the Spanish tennis ace has so far won 19 Grand Slam singles titles in a glittering career that has seen him clinch 85 career titles to date.

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Sangria -

Besides wine proper, sangria is arguably the most famous drink Spain is known for. Traditionally consisting of red wine and chopped fruit, sangria is a favorite festival drink.

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Javier Bardem -

The acclaimed actor, who hails from Las Palmas, capital of Gran Canaria island, is noted for his roles in 'Jamón Jamón' (1992), 'Mar adentro' (2004), and 2007's 'No Country for Old Men,' for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also happens to be married to fellow Oscar winner Penélope Cruz.

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Spanish Civil War -

A dark and tragic chapter in the country's history, the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) was a military revolt against the Republican government of Spain by Nationalists, led by Francisco Franco. An estimated 500,000 people lost their lives in the conflict.

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Spanish language -

Did you know that Spanish is the world's second-most spoken native language (after Mandarin Chinese)? Around 483 million people speak it.

See also: The stars who love to holiday in Spain.

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