The 'Interesting Facts About Your Country' Thread

[Troll_Whisperer]

JEMC said:

The name of my country, "España" (and even the English name for it, "Spain") comes from the fenician word "i-spn-ya". The romans kept that name with "Hispania", which in latin means "Land rich in rabbits".

 

Troll_Whisperer said:

sapphi_snake said:

Troll_Whisperer said:
Contrary to popular belief, in Spain practically no-one likes flamenco or bullfighting. It isn't a very religious country either.

Then why do you continue thatbarbaric practice???!!!

Because it is considered a "tradition" and the few people that do like it (I've never met one, they're mostly in the south) want to keep it for that reason. Also, many people who have never watched a bullfight in their lives defend it, because it's part of the Spanish culture according to them, even though there are like 10 more popular sports (if you can call that a sport) in Spain.

First things first, I don't like bullfighting, although these last days I've enjoyed watching "los encierros de San Fermín".

Secondly, it's not only popular in the south, "Las Ventas" is the 3rd largest plaza of the world, way bigger than "La Maestranza".

Third, bullfighting is also popular in the south of France.

And last, in some places (like Catalonia) we have abolished bullfighting, and quite frankly it will soon disapear as it's not very healty business.

I don't even know where Las Ventas and La Maestranza are, to be honest. Maybe it's just people around me. I am from Bilbao and have family in León and I've never once in my life met someone who watched a bullfight (that I know of).