People and Values

Reflection
Spanish culture and society are a reflection of Spain’s unique position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean and the many peoples who have occupied Spain throughout its history.
Europe’s third-largest country, Spain has a turbulent past marked by imperialism, civil war and fascism. Since the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, the country has experienced rapid and remarkable cultural, political and social changes. Spain is a member of the European Union, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Trade Organization, as well as many other international bodies and Ibero-American organizations such as the Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI or Ibero-American States Organization).
The country is composed of 17 autonomous regions (administratively called comunidades autónomas or autonomous communities), including Andalusia, Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country (Euskal Herria), and the Canary and Balearic Islands, as well as two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) and small islands off the coast of Morocco collectively known as Places of Sovereignty. Spanish regions have their own cultures and some have their own official languages as well, including Catalan, Galician, Basque and Valencian. Spaniards identify strongly with their home region and even with their specific province of origin. Foreign visitors should be sensitive to this and demonstrate respect for the different cultures.
People and Values
Personal character and integrity are highly valued traits, as is modesty. The family, both nuclear and extended, is the central social unit in Spain. Like many collectivist cultures, Spanish society deeply values group affiliation – to a family, an organization, or a community. However, this does not extend to ideas of greater social responsibility; Spaniards can also exhibit a fierce individualism and are distrustful of the government and authority.
Spaniards hold formal education in high regard, and they may openly inquire about your education. At the same time, do not boast of your education; many Spaniards believe those who attended a quality school did so through nepotism.