Personal Contact

My madre espanola! Mercedes was a wonderful host mother last summer in Valencia and truly represented an amazing Spanish woman. For my birthday last year, she bought me a Valencia traditional dancer statue. This is a rewrite of the note she wrote me: 

"Muchas Felicidades y espero fue tienes muy buen dia, y cuando vuelves a America te escribes de nosotros. Besos, Mercedes, Juan Jo y Pluto (El perro de Mercedes) "

I encourage everyone who travels abroad to get to know your host family and enjoy your time with them. Life is different but in general we are all the same; humans who want to live, love and laugh about life. Have a great time :) 

Madrid

Cibeles

Gran Vía

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.

Palacio de Cristal

Retiro

At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others which will be described later during our guide of the city.

En route to Spain's capital of Madrid it's a great idea to see the other side of Spain: Catalunya. The best way to soak up the distinct atmosphere of Catalunya is in its vibrant capital Barcelona. In the center of the city, on the famous boulevard Ramblas Abba Rambla Hotel Barcelona is situated. This hotel can be booked through easytobook.com. Besides hotel accommodations, they offer information on what to do and what to see while you are there.

Environmental Issues

Environment - current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification

Definition: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:

Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain).

Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England.

Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog.

Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire.

Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form.

Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption.

Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat.

Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume.

Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits.

Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar.

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972.

Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health.

Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth.

Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change.

Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems.

Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean."

Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments.

Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it.

Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction.

Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers.

Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs.

Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources.

Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change.

Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed.

Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings.

Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally re grow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land.


Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms.

Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species.

Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste.

Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed.

Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops.

Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion.

Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment .

Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products.

Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans.

Water-born diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply.

Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of March 11, 2010

For Your Safety

Be wary of tricksters

Conmen work in pairs or groups, so be extra careful when approached in street.
Watch out for the classic tricks - people are still falling for them. These include: asking for change, asking for directions, someone 'helping' you with your bags and hustling tricks such as the cup-and-ball game.

Don’t look like a tourist

Dress appropriately. I’m not saying buy a whole new wardrobe, but that University of Denver hooded sweatshirt might be best left at home.
Try to keep maps out of sight. If you need to follow a complicated set of directions, sit down in a bar for ten minutes and write them down.
Look confident. This goes hand in hand with the above point. Look like you know where you are going, even if you don’t.
Keep your voice down. You can spot a tourist from a mile away - for some reason they always talk louder than everyone else. It may just be the fact that they're speaking English and everyone else is speaking in Spanish. Whatever the reason, talking loudly makes you stand out.

Be Secure

Be careful where you put your valuables. Internal pockets are better than external ones. If you do need to put things in external pockets, try to keep your hands over them so you can feel where your valuables are.
Use the security provisions provided by your hotel. Do you really need to take your camera out? If not, leave it behind.
Women - keep your handbag under your arm. Thieves have been known to use scissors to cut shoulder straps and make off with the bag.
Be vigilant when sat in bars and cafes. Don’t leave money in your jacket when you hang it over your chair and keep an eye on your bags when you put them down.

But the best advice is simple - use your common sense. Most of this is pretty obvious stuff and to list every single thing you can do to keep safe would take forever. Take the same precautions you would back home (such as not walking alone down dark alleys), remembering to add into the equation the fact that you look like a tourist and are probably carrying more expensive equipment than you would at home.

Immunizations

All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, prior to international travel. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Spain:

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for extended travel to rural areas where food hygiene is questionable. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.

Travelers who require protection against hepatitis A and are less than two years old, are pregnant, or have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of gammaglobulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) instead of vaccine.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all travelers if not previously vaccinated. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.

Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. Influenza vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester or those allergic to eggs.

Recent outbreaks

A measles outbreak was reported from Seville in March 2011, causing 432 cases by April. In November 2010, a measles outbreak was reported from Granada in southern Spain, causing 59 cases by December (see Eurosurveillance). In February 2010, a measles outbreak in the municipality of Jumilla (Murcia) caused 65 cases, almost all in citizens of Bulgarian and Romanian origin who had not been fully vaccinated. In February 2008, a measles outbreak was reported from the town of Algeciras in the south of Spain, causing 57 confirmed cases by April (seeEurosurveillance). A measles outbreak was reported from Barcelona in the last quarter of 2006, affecting 213 people by January 31, 2007, and from Madrid in February 2006, resulting in 59 cases as of March 16 (see Eurosurveillance andProMED-mail; January 11 and 22, 2007). All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing measles immunity. This does not apply to people born before 1957, who are presumed to be immune to measles. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles or MMR vaccine before travel to Spain. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

An outbreak of Legionnella infection was reported from Madrid in November 2010, causing 51 cases, five of them fatal. The source of the outbreak has not been determined. In July 2010, a Legionnaires' outbreak was reported from Vallgorguina, causing 43 cases. The source of the outbreak was thought to be irrigation systems located in the center of town. An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was reported in June 2010 from Alcoy city (province of Alicante), caused by colonization of two self-service car-washing facilities. Outbreaks were also reported from Alcoy in August and October 2009, related to asphalt spreading machines (see ProMED-mail, July 8 and 18 and October 25, 2010). In June 2006, a Legionella outbreak occurred in Pamplona in northern Spain, affecting 149 people as of June 14. Most of the cases occurred close to the city center. The source of the outbreak has not been confirmed, though four cooling towers in the area tested positive for Legionella and have been closed. See NATHNAC, Eurosurveillance, and ProMED-mail (June 5, 2006) for details. A much larger outbreak occurred in Murcia in July 2001, chiefly affecting the the northern neighborhoods of the city. A total of 420 cases were confirmed, including four deaths. The source of the outbreak was never determined. See theWorld Health Organization, Eurosurveillance, and ProMED-mail (October 17, 2001) for details. An outbreak linked to two contaminated cooling towers was reported from Zaragoza in June and July 2004, affecting at least 30 people. A separate outbreak related to a contaminated cooling tower occurred in the municipalities of Vic and Gurb (Central Region of Catalonia) in October and November 2005, causing 55 cases (see Eurosurveillance).

Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial infection which typically causes pneumonia but may also involve other organ systems. The disease is usually transmitted by airborne droplets from contaminated water sources, such as cooling towers, air conditioners, whirlpools, and showers. Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted from person-to-person. For further information on Legionaires' disease among travelers to Spain, go to the European Working Group on Legionella Infections.

A measles outbreak was reported in November 2010 from Granada in southern Spain, causing 59 cases by December (see Eurosurveillance). In February 2010, a measles outbreak in the municipality of Jumilla (Murcia) caused 65 cases, almost all in citizens of Bulgarian and Romanian origin who had not been fully vaccinated. In February 2008, a measles outbreak was reported from the town of Algeciras in the south of Spain, causing 57 confirmed cases by April (see Eurosurveillance). A measles outbreak was reported from Barcelona in the last quarter of 2006, affecting 213 people by January 31, 2007, and from Madrid in February 2006, resulting in 59 cases as of March 16 (see Eurosurveillance and ProMED-mail; January 11 and 22, 2007). All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing measles immunity. This does not apply to people born before 1957, who are presumed to be immune to measles. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles or MMR vaccine before travel to Spain. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

An outbreak of an uncommon infectious disease, probably tick-related lymphadenopathy, was reported from Spain in August 2008. For details, go toProMED-mail, August 11, 2008.

An outbreak of tularemia occurred between June and December 2007 in a rural area in the province of Palencia and in the provincial capital city of León in the province of Castilla y Leon, located in the northern part of Spain. A total of 507 cases were laboratory-confirmed. About one-third occurred in farm workers or people whose jobs involved contact with the environment, such as gardeners, rangers, and lake and reservoir maintenance staff. About one-quarter were caused by direct contact with rodents (see Eurosurveillance and ProMED-mail, August 11, 2007). A previous tularemia outbreak was reported from Castilla y Leon in November-December 1997, apparently related to the handling of infected hares (see Eurosurveillance). The 1997 outbreak resulted in 534 cases. Tularemia may be acquired by direct contact with infected animals, by mosquito or tick bites, or by inhalation. Symptoms may include fever, swollen glands, and skin lesions. Severe cases may be complicated by pneumonia or sepsis.

An outbreak of mumps was reported in August 2006 from Navarra, in northern Spain, following a local festival. As of February 2007, more than 1300 cases had been identified and new cases were still being reported. See Eurosurveillance andProMED-mail (January 11, 2007) for further information. All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two doses of MMR or mumps vaccine or a blood test showing mumps immunity. Those born before 1957 are presumed to be immune. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of MMR vaccine.

An increase in the number of cases of viral meningitis was reported from the Autonomous Region of Madrid during the first nine months of 2006, chiefly affecting those under 15 years of age (see Eurosurveillance). Two deaths were recorded. Most cases were caused by enteroviruses. An increase was also observed in other regions of Spain. Viral meningitis is a mild illness which is spread by direct contact with the respiratory secretions or feces of an infected person. No travel precautions are recommended except for careful attention to hand washing and personal hygiene, especially after using the toilet, before eating, and after changing diapers. The chief symptoms of meningitis are fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, drowsiness or confusion, and nausea and vomiting. Anyone who develops these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

An outbreak of rubella was reported from the autonomous region of Madrid during the first weeks of 2005. Most cases occurred in young adults of foreign origin, chiefly from Latin America. For further information, go to Eurosurveillance. All travelers to Spain should make sure they have been vaccinated against rubella, which is one of the routine childhood immunizations.

Five cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) have been identified in Spain. The disease is acquired by eating beef from cows with a related infection known asbovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease). At present, the risk of acquiring variant CJD from European beef appears to be extraordinarily low, at most about one in 10 billion servings. The Centers for Disease Control does not advise against eating European beef, but suggests that travelers who wish to reduce their risk may either abstain from beef while in Europe or eat only solid pieces of muscle meat, such as steak, rather than products like sausage or chopped meat that might be contaminated. There is no evidence of any risk from pork, lamb, milk or milk products. For recent updates, go to ProMED-mail.

Other infections
Trichinellosis (outbreak reported from Huesca in March 2011, affecting six people who ate sausages made from wild boar meat; outbreak reported in January 2007, caused by consumption of home-made sausage (chorizo) made from the meat of two wild boars (jabalà ) killed on a private hunt held in Castile and León; see Eurosurveillance)
Anthrax (chiefly the communities of Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, and Estremadura)
Brucellosis (incidence declining in most areas, but remains significant in Andalusia, Castille-La Mancha, Aragon, Castille-Leon, and Extremadura)
Q fever
Echinococcosis (hydatid cyst disease) (chiefly Guadalajara, Soria, Segovia, and Caceres)
Mediterranean spotted fever (mainly Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, and Estremadura)
Visceral leishmaniasis (20 to 80 human cases reported each year; especially severe in AIDS patients; chief reservoir is dogs; most canine cases reported from the regions of Andalusia, Palme Mallorca, Valencia and Catalonia)
Tick-borne relapsing fever
Rabies (no recent human cases, but reported in insectivorous bats; any person who has contact with a bat should contact local health authorities for rabies prophylaxis; rabies also reported in dogs, cats, and horses in the Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa; see Eurosurveillance for details)
Toscana virus (common cause of aseptic meningitis between May and October; see Emerging Infectious Diseases)
Scorpion stings
Black widow spider bites

For further information, see Weekly Epidemiological Record, 1996.

For disease statistics and updates on recent outbreaks, go to the Boletin Epidemiologico Semanal (in Spanish).

Food and water precautions

Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.

All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.

If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.

General advice

Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from your personal physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.

Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.

Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.

Ambulance Services

For general emergencies in Spain, call 112. For ambulance services, call the following numbers:

Samur - 092
Uvimovil - 061
Ambulances Cruz Roja - 91 522 2222
Ambulancias Sasu - 91 355 1039
Physicians and hospitals

For an on-line guide to physicians, hospitals, and emergency medical services in Spain, go to the United States Embassy website.

Medical facilities (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

Good medical care is available in both Spain and Andorra. Regulations regarding medications may vary from those in the United States. Spanish regulations do not permit the international shipment of medication, so please do not ship medication from the United States to Spain. U.S. citizens who plan a lengthy trip to Spain should bring their medication or obtain a prescription for that medication from a Spanish physician...

Traveling with children

Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.
All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).

Be sure to pack a medical kit when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections.

Maps

Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.

Registration/Embassy location (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)
Americans living in or visiting Spain or Andorra are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid or at the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or Andorra.

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, is located at Serrano 75; telephone (34)(91) 587-2200, and fax (34)(91) 587-2303. U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, Consulate General, or one of the Consular Agency listed below can obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or Andorra. Additional information is available through the U.S. Embassy’s Internet homepage at http://madrid.usembassy.gov/.

The U.S. Consulate in Barcelona is located at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23-25; telephone (34)(93) 280-2227 and fax (34)(93) 205-5206. Visitors to Barcelona can access additional information from the Consulate General’s web page at http://barcelona.usconsulate.gov/.

There are six Consular Agencies in Spain, which provide limited services to American Citizens, but are not authorized to issue passports.
Fuengirola near Malaga, at Avenida Juan Gomez Juanito #8, Edificio Lucia 1C, 29640, Fuengirola, telephone (34)(952) 474-891 and fax (34)(952) 465-189, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
La Coruna, at Canton Grande 6, telephone (34)(981) 213-233 and fax (34)(981 22 28 08), hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Las Palmas, at Edificio Arca, Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7, telephone (34)(928) 222-552 and fax (34)(928) 225-863, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Palma de Mallorca, Edificio Reina Constanza, Porto Pi, 8, 9-D, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Telephone (34)(971) 40-3707 or 40-3905 and fax (34)(971) 40-3971. Hours 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Seville, at Paseo de Las Delicias 7, telephone (34)(954) 231-885 and fax (34)(954) 232-040, hours 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Valencia, at Doctor Romagosa #1, 2-J, 46002, Valencia telephone (34)(96)-351-6973 and fax (34)(96) 352-9565, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For Andorra, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Barcelona.
...and most important HAVE FUN :)

Theater & Music

Spanish Opera Theater

If glamming up for a night of listening to opera stars test the multi-octave range of their vocal chords, Spain won't leave you disappointed. Spanish characters like El Cid and Cármen, international opera competitions like Valencia's Operalia and Spanish opera singers like the wildly famous Plácido Domingo have a huge presence on the international opera stage, so it's no surprise that opera is hugely popular in Spain.

Whiel you can find top-notch opera in Spanish theaters across the country, some of the most famous Spanish opera theaters are the Teatro Real (Madrid), the Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona), the Teatro Maestranza (Sevilla) and the Palau de les Arts (Valencia). 

Spanish Zarzuela Theater

A popular style of Spanish theater throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, zarzuela - one of Spain's most unique theater genres - has enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity over the course of the past few decades. It emerged as a way to keep King Felipe IV and his court entertained, therefore it comes as no surprise that Madrid is the core of zarzuela theater.

What is zarzuela? Zarzuela is a Spanish theater form incorporating a bit of everything- music, dance, singing, talking - in what could be described as a light opera. Centered around popular Spanish culture, particularly the daily ups and downs of traditional Madrid life, zarzuelas are typically light-hearted and serve as a entertaining glimpse into Spanish popular culture of the 17th and 18th centuries.

You can find zarzuela performances in Spanish theaters throughout the company, but to see the art in its birthplace, head to Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela; the theater, built in 1856, is widely known as  the place to go. 

Spanish Flamenco Theater

Another way to enjoy Spanish theater is though flamenco. It may have flourished in seedy bars and isolated gypsy communities, but nowadays Spanish theater performances are constantly adapted and transformed by flamenco masters into stunning flamenco shows. Major Spanish theaters often put on and sell out flamenco interpretations of anything from classical music to works of Spanish literary giants like Federico García Lorca, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and Lope de Vega.

While many first-time travelers to Spain think of passionate flamenco as being Spain's so-called "national" music, traditional Spanish music is far more complex. In fact, flamenco music didn't even formally hit the Spanish music scene until around the beginning of the 19th century, centuries after the evolution of other traditional Spanish music. However, while most of Spain's regional dance and music fly well beneath the international music radar, flamenco has become a recognizable sensation around the globe.

Traditional Spanish Music - History

Spain's traditional music is essentially a multi-faceted mosaic of the many cultures of Spain's long and colorful history. For this reason, the traditional music and dance vary as you travel from region to region. The traditional music of the Islas Canarias (Canary Islands), for example, boasts influences from the archipielago's mysterious indigenous Guanche civilization while the bagpipe music of Galicia andAsturias speaks volumes about these northern regions' rich Celtic heritage.Traditional Spanish music throughout Spain's vastly diverse regions first flourished while the country was still under Moorish rule. For much of these period (up to eight centuries, in some areas), Spain's Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities coexisted rather peacefully and various facets of their respective culture were free to develop. With the Reconquest, the development of traditional Spanish music came to a temporary standstill, as the ultra-Christian Spanish monarchy (Fernando and Isabel were called the "Catholic Kings," after all) eventually banned Sephardic and Islamic music.
The Renaissance and Baroque periods were clutch for the evolution of traditional Spanish music. However, the classical music typical of the Renaissance fell into the shadow of the light-hearted folk music of the Baroque. The zarzuela, an immensely popular light Spanish opera, is based on popular music and culture.
During the 35-year dictatorship of 20th century Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, regional music and dance were banned. Intent on creating a uniform and nationalist country, he wanted to do away with all things regional- languages, literature, festivals, music, etc. His death in 1975 sparked a huge boost in regional pride, which has in turn yielded a major revival of Spanish traditional folk music.

Traditional Spanish Music & Dances

Spanish culture is jam-packed with traditional music and dance- in fact, at one point there were over 200 traditional dances documented in Cataluña alone! Below you'll find a brief run-down of some of Spain's most popular music and accompanying dances.

• Jota. The fast tempo jota originally hails from Aragón but is popular - with minor modifications - throughout the rest of Spain. With probable Moorish influences, the jota is typically danced in two's as couples raise their hands above their heads playing castanets. 

• Fandango. Until flamenco came along, the fandango was Spain's most famous dance. Lively, energetic and happy, it's a traditional Spanish dance performed in couples.

• Flamenco. Attributed to Andalucía's persecuted gypsy culture, flamenco is a passionate form of music and dance combining Jewish, Moorish and Andalucían influences. 

• Paso Doble. The paso doble is a quick and lively one-step traditional Spanish dance. 

• Sardana. Danced in a closed circle by several couples joined at the hands, the sardana is a popular form of traditional Spanish music and dance from Cataluña.

• Muñeira. Whether alone or in two's, the muñeira - or "Miller's Dance" - is a typical dance in Galicia and Asturias accompanied by soulful bagpipe music.

• Bolero. A fast and spirited dance, the bolero - featuring unexpected pauses and sharp turns - is one of the oldest and most traditional Spanish dances. 

• Sevillanas. Sevillanas are, in many ways, reminiscent of flamenco. Joyful and undeniably happy, a sevillana is a four-part music with an accompanying four-part dance.

• Zambra. The zambra actually got its start as a Moorish dance. While Moorish and Jewish music and dance were banned following the Reconquest, the Moors managed to conserve this particular dance by adapting it to traditional Spanish music and dance trends.

Exchange Rates

Conversion Rate: 1 euro = 1.4823 US dollars

Sample Conversions: 

Pasta: Spain: $2.36 vs. US: $1.26

White rice: Spain: $3.57 vs. US: $1.85

12 oz box of cheerios: Spain: $2.92 vs. US: $3.50

2 liter coca cola: Spain: $2.19 vs. US: $1.50

1lb. coffee beans: Spain: $7.11 vs. US: $7.00

Loaf of white bread: Spain: $6.23 vs. US: $2.00

Pound of chicken: Spain: $2.03 vs. US: $1.59

Gas: Spain: $4.55 vs. US: $3.75

Thinking of Spain, people all over the world only think of one thing –FUN! Spain’s location is probably one of the best things here. This country lying in the Iberian Peninsula in the Southwest of Europe and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries would include France and Portugal. Spain will be known as one of the more famous countries as it influenced a lot of place throughout the globe. In fact, Spanish is one of the widest-spoken languages in the world. Living in Spain, you will see friendly people, relaxed environment, wonderful cuisine and colorful festivities. 

Spain is proud as its economy ranks among the top 10 in the world. It is also one of the most diverse, as there are so many foreign investors that had been attracted to their economy. Most importantly, their tourism sector has increased in the past couple of years. Up until now, the global real estate bloom has definitely made a great impact on the economy of Spain. 

Spain is a part of the European Union which uses the Euro as their currency. Its exchange rate is at 1 Euro per 1.45 USD. To prepare you, cost of living in Spain is quite expensive. It may even cost around 20% more than the UK when you compare the cost of living in the two places. Partly this is also affected by the location where you choose to live. Madrid, Barcelona and Pamplona are among the cities that may have a higher cost of living. 

Housing Costs

Housing in Spain is affected by inflation due to the past recession. Though prices have seemingly increased, most people still find it more affordable to live here. If you are looking for a place to stay in, you will find al lot of apartments for rent here. As with any other European country, you can expect that most residents will surely find apartments that are affordable. A person living in Spain may pay around €200 to €350 per month but the price range depends on the location where you choose to live. For more expensive residence areas, you prices here cost €1000 to €3000 per month for an apartment rental.

Transportation Costs

Owning a car may be a little expensive when you are here in Spain. Gasoline prices are at €0.89 per liter. For servicing the car, mechanics can cost around €40 per hour. Public transport is easily accessible in Spain. Buses and trains are available in Spain for a cheap fare. These would more or less cost around €2 for a single trip ticket. Monthly passes are available for €45 to €50. For travelling, residents do not spend more than €8 per day for their transportation. You can set a budget around $240 per month when you travel in Spain. 

Average Cost for Monthly Utilities

Your monthly charges are made up of many things. These include your telephone bill, electricity bill, internet fee, gas and TV. These are the expenses that you have to pay for monthly besides from all of the other expenses that you have. If you want to know how much you are going to pay monthly, here’s a breakdown. Electricity bills amount to €70 per month or more depending on the appliances that you use. For the water bill, these are included in the bills that you pay for in your apartment. The telephone bill costs around €20 at least plus the calls that you make exceeding the free minutes. Internet will cost you around €30 per month. For cable TV, it is often charged at €60 per month. You can more or less estimate around €300 per month on your monthly utilities. 

Maid Services

In Spain, maid services are quite common. These are known as housekeeping services here. If you plan on hiring a maid there, you can hire maid services per hour. The average salary is at €60 per day in Spain. For full-time maids, you can pay them €750 per month. This includes babysitting, cleaning, sweeping, cooking and the laundry. Maid services here are quite affordable for most but a full-time is something that is not really that necessary. 

Cost for Food and Drinks

Cost of food here depends on your lifestyle. Generally, food is cheaper here compared to UK. Eating at home and cooking your own food is basically cheaper than eating out. Grocery in Spain would roughly amount to €350 per month considering that you have bought everything that you need. When you dine out, you will pay around €10 to €15 per person. Drinks run at €1.50 per glass. If you eat in high-class locations, you can find that food and drinks cost €50 at least. A tip when buying in the market is that vegetables and fresh fruits costs cheaper when you buy them from the market. Check out local produce whenever you shop for food here in Spain. 

Healthcare Costs

Spain has one of the best when it comes to healthcare. They have quality doctors and equipment that you can rely on for your health. Public hospitals are all funded by the government. As for some private hospitals, these also do not cost that much. If you go for a doctor’s visit in Spain, you will pay around €20. This rate is for those who have health insurance. For those who do not have any, they will pay around €50 to €100 per visit. Health insurance is really needed when you live in Spain. This will add to your expenses at around €300 per month for your health insurance. 

Clothing Costs

One thing that is surprising about Spain is that shopping is pretty affordable. Prices here are cheap and basically cheaper than what you expected. There are a lot of department stores which sell locally made garments here. You can also shop for imported clothes but these cost a lot more expensive. Set aside a budget of €2500 per month when you want to go on a shopping spree here in Spain. 

Current Affairs 2011

2011        Jan 2, Four Argentines were arrested in Spain for allegedly transporting almost a ton of cocaine in a private plane. They included Gustavo and Eduardo Julia, sons of the late former head of the Air Force Jose Julia, and Gaston Miret, son of Jose Miret, the former Air Force brigadier who was secretary of planning during Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship. The cocaine was almost pure with a value of more than 30 million euros (about $39 million).
    (AP, 1/7/11)

2011        Jan 6, Spain's second most important lottery dished out euro840 million ($1.1 billion) in new year joy across a country struggling to emerge from recession, with the top prize tickets being sold in a working class area of Madrid.
    (AP, 1/6/11)

2011        Jan 8, In Spain tens of thousands of people marched in the Basque region to protest the government policy of shipping separatist prisoners convicted of terror to jails far from their homes.
    (AP, 1/8/11)

2011        Jan 10, The militant Basque separatist group ETA declared a permanent cease-fire in what it called a firm step toward ending its bloody decades-long independence fight, but Spain's government quickly dismissed the announcement and demanded ETA disband outright.
    (AP, 1/10/11)

2011        Jan 11, Police in Spain and France arrested two suspected members of ETA, suggesting the government in Madrid will keep up pressure on the violent Basque separatist group despite the latter's declaration of a permanent cease-fire.
    (AP, 1/11/11)

2011        Jan 18, A court in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia suspended a ban by the city of Lleida on face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings. The ban was suspended while the court studies an appeal lodged by a Muslim association. Only about 3 percent of Lleida's population is Muslim and only a handful of women actually wear body-covering burqas or face-covering niqab garments.
    (AP, 1/18/11)

2011        Jan 18, Spanish police said they have arrested 25 people, including Spaniards and Colombians, and dismantled what they claim is the biggest and most sophisticated cocaine laboratory known to date in Europe. The operation began Dec. 7 and followed two years of investigations.
    (AP, 1/18/11)

2011        Jan 21, The Spanish government said it is drawing up a new plan to restructure the country's regional savings banks, the weak link in its banking system and a major cause of concern over the public finances.
    (AFP, 1/21/11)

2011        Jan 27, Spain arrested Malik Imtanan Sarwar (30), Pakistani man, in Barcelona. Sarwar was said to be linked to a cell that forged passports for al-Qaida-linked groups. Police had been looking for him since seven members of the cell were arrested in Spain in December and three more in Thailand.
    (AP, 1/28/11)

2011        Jan 28, Spain's Cabinet approved a plan to raise the retirement age by two years to 67 for most workers, a key structural reform aimed at reassuring markets that are uneasy over the country's finances.
    (AP, 1/28/11)

2011        Jan 31, A major Spanish savings bank born from a merger of seven institutions, Banco Financiero y de Ahorros, announced plans to list on the market to tap private capital.
    (AFP, 1/31/11)

2011        Feb 2, Spain’s PM Zapatero signed a solemn “social pact” with unions and employers, covering pensions, collective bargaining and more.
    (Econ, 2/5/11, p.62)

2011        Feb 5, In Spain several hundred Basque separatists held small street rallies, hung posters and painted political graffiti on walls throughout the troubled northern region to support a new political party to be launched next week.
    (AP, 2/5/11)

2011        Feb 6, Rock guitarist Gary Moore (58), a former member of influential Irish band Thin Lizzy, was found dead at a hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol. Thin Lizzy had global hits in the 1970s with songs like "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Whiskey in the Jar." Frontman Phil Lynott died in 1986, but with a different lineup the band continues to tour today.
    (AP, 2/6/11)

2011        Feb 7, In Spain Basque separatists launched Sortu (“Create”) a new political party they say rejects violence by the armed group ETA, in an unprecedented step designed to move the troubled region toward peace.
    (AP, 2/7/11)(Econ, 2/26/11, p.56)

2011        Feb 21, British detectives named the country's 10 most wanted fugitives who have bolted to the "Costa del Crime", fleeing the urban ganglands for the Spanish sunshine.
    (AFP, 2/21/11)

2011        Feb 24, In Spain a powerful explosion at a military academy in Hoyo de Manzares killed five soldiers and wounded three when a mine de-activation training drill went awry.
    (AP, 2/24/11)

2011        Feb 25, Spain said it will lower highway speed limits, cut train ticket prices and use more biofuel under an emergency energy-saving initiative because of soaring oil prices brought on by the unrest in Libya.
    (AP, 2/25/11)

2011        Feb 26, In Spain Austin Bice (22), a San Diego State University exchange student, was last seen outside the Riviera concert venue and discotheque in Madrid. Bice’s body was pulled out of the Manzanares River in western Madrid on March 8.
    (AP, 3/6/11)(AP, 3/8/11)

2011        Feb 28, Spanish nuns in Zaragoza first reported €1.5 million ($2 million) were stolen, then lowered the figure to €400,000 ($556,000). Plastic bags stuffed with cash were stolen from a convent, whose cloistered nuns include one who is a well-paid artist. Sister Isabel is well-known in Spanish art circles for realist-style portraits and still-life paintings. Police later said a judge will probe the possibility of tax evasion.
    (AP, 3/9/11)

2011        Mar 1, Spain announced it had narrowly beaten its target for slashing the public deficit in 2010, critical to the eurozone's fourth largest economy regaining confidence in world financial markets.
    (AFP, 3/1/11)

2011        Mar 1, Spanish police arrested four suspected members of the armed Basque separatist group ETA they believe may have been behind several attacks in recent years.
    (AP, 3/1/11)

2011        Mar 7, Spanish drivers slowed down under a new speed limit designed to reduce energy use, angering some motorists but pleasing others who say every euro saved helps a nation slammed by Libya's oil chaos and Europe's financial crisis.
    (AP, 3/7/11)

2011        Mar 10, In France the suspected leader of the Basque separatist group ETA's armed cells and three other alleged members of the organization were arrested in Willencourt in northern Pas-de-Calais region. They included Alejandro Zobaran Arriola (29), who an Interior Ministry statement described as the head of ETA's "military apparatus." Another was the alleged logistics chief, Mikel Oroz Torrea (31).
    (AP, 3/11/11)