Test 2 03 04 2015 The Iberian Peninsula is actually a part of Europe and is actually considered all together due to the Pyrenees Mountains which inhibited the spread and trade of foods The proximity to Africa made the interactions easier with Africa than Europe Spain and Portugal are the only two countries on the Iberian Peninsula There are several rivers that run through Portugal however Oporto is the most famous due to its home at the Port of Wine The center of Spain is called Meseta which is a large barren 2000ft plateau which is ringed by the Sierra Nevada Mountains Green Spain is on the north to northwest of Spain and has sufficient rain to keep it verdant Agriculture The terrain and weather hinder agricultural efforts in both Spain and Portugal however wheat corn potatoes apples rye can be grown on the Meseta Wine and grapes are grown in both countries Portugal for its port and Rose and Madeira Wine Spain for its sherry and many others The Mediterranean climate and rocky soil in the south make it ideal for the growth of olives Which is a large business Livestock production is limited to sheep s and pigs Cork trees are abundant and help to grow income but are not edible History and Culture After the romans had come and gone the Germanic tribes began to take over much of the peninsula and then the Moors taking over in 711 CE form North Africa Christians began to rid the state of the Moors Islamic in 1139 making Portugal a city state El Cid became a Spanish hero for his military exploits despite sometimes fighting for the moors and other times for the Catholics He is best known for freeing Valencia The Catholics eventually beat the Moors in Granada in 1492 forcing them back to Africa Exploring and Colonizing Sea voyages were lead by caravels Caravels sturdy vessel with lateen sails triangular with a low mast Prince Henry the Navigator first Portuguese leader to show support and invest in the development of trade with West Africa Magellan led the first circumnavigation of the world from 1519 to 1522 but was killed in the Philippines Bartolommeo Diaz sailed around the cape of good hope in 1488 Vasco da gamma credited with opening trade routes with India Colonies included Brazil Goa and Macao In Spain Ferdinand and Isabella sponsored the voyages of Columbus Cortez and Pizarro Portugal gained its independence from Spain in 1668 The Inquisition Inquisition period when Spain required non Catholics to convert or leave the country torture was sometimes a part of the imprisonment process in Spain Peru and Portugal A civil war broke out in 1936 1939 General Franco emerged as a dictator and held power until his death in 1975 both Portugal and Spain were able to remain neutral in WWI and WWII The Language Portuguese is the official language of Portugal and always has been with Spain maintaining its language called Castilian Spain has mainly different dialects in its own country including Catalan Galician Basque A unique characteristic of Catala is the practice of speaking with a lisp or with the instead of s when before the letters of e or I Adopted when a king because a king had a lisp The Religion The dominant religion in Portugal and Spain is Catholicism There was a Jewish following and the most famous person is Maimonides a philosopher Muslim influence due to the conquering of the Moors Symbol is prominent in southern Portugal and Spain where the Cordoba sits dating back to 758 CE The Arts The architectural heritage is seen through out southern Spain One of the most exciting sights is Alhambra at Grande and over looks Granada and serves as a symbol of the Moors occupation of Spain A huge distinction in building is the tiles and stones that inhabit the buildings of Spain and Portugal They represent the love and beauty for the peninsula A unique part of Portuguese culture is Fado Fado a form of blues from libson a heartfelt vocal accompanied by a classical guitar and a bass or an acoustic guitar or both it is also the subject of paintings o Eca de Quieros and Jose Mulhoa are famous for this Flamenco a type of dance brought on by the Gypsies in the 1500s that captured Spain Bullfighting is a national sport in Spain and Portugal Another famous tradition related to bullfighting is the running of the bulls in Pamplona this is a hazardous festival featuring unfettered bulls running through the town Holidays usually reflect the strong catholic faith Food Patterns Portugal The extensive trading that Portugal did lead to exotic dishes being brought in from outside the Peninsula Spices and foods from china India South Africa Goa Corn tomatoes pineapples potatoes pumpkin squash beans and coffee Dry salted cod was used for a long period of time Breakfast usually a cup of coffee with milk plus bread and jam Milk is not a beverage thought to be consumed by itself Lunch and dinner are very substantial Quit SIMPLE meals Pork and fish are the most important sources of protein in Portuguese meals pork sausages are popular and so is smoked ham Fish are available the most common is salted dried cod Bachalhau they combine salted dried cod with greens vegetables and seasonings Peppers garlic onions and tomatoes plus potatoes are particularly important ingredients They are always cooked Kale is the main ingredient in Julienne slivers in caldo Verde a coup featuring pork sausage with potatoes and garlic Chorizo is a sausage spiced with paprika and chilies to be sweet or hot Eggs are served in different ways however desert flan is the favorite Flan baked custard dessert usually containing Carmel in both Spain and Portugal Wines tea and coffee Spain Food is more adventuresome and somewhat fancier than Portugal Breakfast Spaniards may start the day with a Churro with a strong coffee or hot chocolate Churro fried quick bread similar to a doughnut but extruded into a fluted thick stick before frying comes from central and Latin America The most familiar dish served is paella Paella traditional rice dish colored and flavored by saffron and topped with cooked vegetables seafood and meats Made in a wide shallow pan with sloping sides The vegetables are saut ed then rice and veg are added and then the meat is added to the top Saffron orange and yellow spice the stigma of purple crocus adds color and flavor Cocido stew consisting of three traditional parts soup cooked vegetables and boiled meats This is often consumed for the midday around 2 30 pm Spaniards generally have a large rest period in the hot afternoon
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