If you are interested in moving to Spain, or even just traveling in the country for a while, you will want to have some basic knowledge. Spain is divided into fifty provinces. The main large cities in Spain are: Madrid, Barcelona. Valencia, Seville, Malaga and Bilbao. Once you decide upon which area you are going to live in or visit, you should try to find out as much about it as you can. Travel magazines, newspapers and the world wide web will give you a lot of information.

In order to enter Spain, you will need a valid passport from your country of origin, if you are not from a country that is a member of the European Union. Citizens of some countries may also have to obtain a visa. If you are a citizen of a member country of the EU, you will not need to show a passport, but you will have to have a national identification document. In order to find out the exact requirements in your case, you should contact the Spanish consulate in your own country. They will by happy to assist you in determining your requirements.

Make sure you understand the customs regulations of Spain before you visit. You will save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you do. You can bring your personal items, such as cameras, jewelry, video equipment and the like without any customs duty. Make sure you get a receipt for them upon entry.

On other items, there may be custom charges as well as limits on how much you can bring in. Some items that are limited in this way are cigarettes, perfume and wine. Custom duty will apply if you are over the limit. There is no limit on the amount of cash you can bring into Spain, regardless of whether it is Euros or a foreign currency.

Pets can be brought into Spain, as long as they have the proper documentation. You must be able to show a certificate of origin and a health certificate, and any documentation indicating that your pet has had all the necessary vaccines, especially rabies. All of these must be signed by your vet.

In getting to know the region you are interested in traveling to, you will find that there are different variations in the food, depending on the region. The food of each region is influenced by the geography and culture of that region. For example, you can see the influence of the Moors in the use of spices such as cumin and saffron in some of the areas' cuisine. The countryside peasant areas will each have rich local stews and soups, full of the vegetables from the local farms.

In the Valencia region, Paella is the "national" dish. Its or gins are from the Spanish Civil War. It contains local game, fish and vegetables and, of course, rice. Paella has now expanded beyond Valencia and everyone in Spain loves it. If you want to get the best food in Spain, and usually the least expensive, eat where the locals eat. Avoid touristy restaurants and head for the small local tavernas or restaurants for food that is fresh and good.

The currency of Spain is the Euro. It is best to exchange your currency for Euros as soon as you arrive in the country, since most places only accept Euros. You will certainly need Euros for the cab or bus trip from the airport, so you should buy some Euros at the airport. You can also exchange currency at banks and large hotels. You should also be able to use credit cards and travelers checks for anything but small change.