• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of Spain

Ethnicity

Most of the people living in Spain are ethnically Spanish, but that ethnicity is somewhat of a mix of various ethnic groups. Having incorporated many people over time through invasions and other movements of people, the present-day Spanish ethnicity is most closely related to the Anglo-Saxons, Celts, and French from a genetic viewpoint, but also has significant traces left behind by the Visigoths (Germanic people), Jews, and Moors (North African people). The Roma (gypsies) are a significant minority group in Spain today; the Roma are most closely related to the people of India today.

Language

Castilian Spanish is the only official national language in Spain. This language is a part of the Latin-based languages, derived from the Romans and their language, Latin. Castilian Spanish is closely related to other Latin languages, including Portuguese, French, Italian, and Romanian among others.

Catalan, Galician, and Basque are also official regional languages in different parts of Spain. Catalan and Galician are also Latin-based languages with similarities to Spanish and other Latin languages. However, Basque is a more unique language with no close relatives as its origins pre-date the Roman invasion 2,000 years ago.

Religion

Nearly the entire population of Spain is Catholic, although the country has no official religion. Other small Christian groups, a small population of Muslims, and a small population of Jews also live in Spain.

Catholicism is a Christian religion that is one of the first Christian religions (founded after the death of Jesus in about 30-33 AD). Catholicism believes that there is a single God who created everything, a savior, the son of God, Jesus Christ who is the forgiver of sins, and there is the Holy Spirit, which makes up the last part of the Holy Trinity. Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Much of the faith is based on the life and teachings of Jesus, which is found in the gospels (in the New Testament).

Continue reading on Safari the Globe to Learn the Catholic Church's doctrines, liturgy, symbolism, traditions, & hierarchy

This page was last updated: May, 2014