Spaans leren in de regio van Salamanca

Some facts and history about the region of Salamanca and some suggestions about interesting places to visit:

The province of Salamanca is located in the southwest corner of the Castile & Leon region directly bordering Portugal. It is located about 2 hours north west of Madrid and about 4 hours to the nearest beach (in Portugal). Gold-hued Salamanca is also one of many dazzling UNESCO World Heritage sites in Spain. It is home to two grand cathedrals, spectacular Renaissance palaces, beautiful plazas and one of the oldest universities in Europe. Show the province of Salamanca on the map.

Geography & climate
In this western area of the Iberian Peninsula two characteristics prevail above all others that make it unquestionably unique: its diversity and its environmental quality. This has allowed the protection of a vast part of this territory, which has been included in the Natural Habitats Network of Castile and León and in the European Network Natura 2000. So, get ready to enjoy and discover amazing places and landscapes of great beauty such as the snow covered mountain peaks of “ Sierra de Bejar”, the deep valleys by the “Arribes del Duero”, green and yellow lands of crops, shady forests, lands of clear horizons, interweaving mountain valleys, small crystal clear streams and majestic rivers… these are images that will charm you across the lands of Salamanca.
The weather in Salamanca is typically continental, with cold and dry winters and hot summers. The average temperature is 3.7ºC in January, reaching in days of great snowfall many degrees below zero. However, during the summer the average temperature is 24.2ºC, occasionally reaching a maximum of 35ºC or even 40ºC.

History
Like most parts of Spain, the province of Salamanca was occupied by the Romans and Visigoths and this is clearly reflected in the history of its capital city. The city of Salamanca was a Visigothic settlement, invaded by the Muslims (8th century), while later on it was repopulated by “ Serranos”, Castilians, Toresanos, Portuguese, Galicians, Mozarbs and Jews. In 1218 Alfonso IX, king of Leon, was the founder of the “Estudio General”, which was the starting point of the University. It was then restructured by Alfonso X, king of Castile and Leon, in 1254. Considering the date of its foundation, it was the first University in the kingdom, and for the quantity and quality of the teaching imparted by its prestigious professors, it was one of the first in Europe.

The city reached its highest splendour during the 16th century, when it became one of the major centres of culture in Spain. Salamanca is a university town in the midst of a province of cattle raisers and farmers. During the last quarter of the 19th century, the Faculty of Law became prominent. Worth mentioning are the names of personalities like Miguel de Unamuno, Gil Robles, Mariano Andres and Pedro Dorado Montero, among others who studied or taught at this prestigious academic center.

A few facts about this region’s industry & agriculture:
• throughout the province hunting and fishing are plentiful;
• the city of Béjar is famous for its textile industry;
• the most important part of local agriculture is the growing of grain.
The capital city is enormously popular with people all over the world who want to learn Spanish. Salamanca is also renowned for its lively nightlife and high concentration of students, both Spanish and international.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region of Salamanca are:
The Old City of Salamanca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Salamanca is known both for its monumental sights and the University of Salamanca.

Some of the most important cultural traditions in Salamanca are:
• The processions during the Holy Week before Easter, especially in Salamanca
• Carnaval del Toro (Carnival of the Bull) that takes place in February in Ciudad Rodrigo, a quiet small town which is half an hour away from Salamanca.It is is the most famous carnival in the province. And dating back to the years of the Catholic Monarchs is the oldest festival of its kind in Spain.
• La Mariseca in mid-August -- One of the most interesting, albeit also one of the most peculiar, festivals in Salamanca. La Mariseca is a symbolic act announcing the upcoming Feria de Salamanca (Our Lady of the Valley Celebration).
• Feria de Salamanca / Virgen de la Vega  (Our Lady of the Valley / Salamanca Fair) between September 8-21--To celebrate the Virgen de la Vega, one of the city's most beloved patron saints, "Salmantinos" (as the locals are called) go to the Catedral Vieja (Old Cathedral) where her image, a graceful bronze statue dating back to Romanesque times, sits front and centre on the altar. Along with a floral offering ceremony, there is a beautiful procession that will surely impress you.

Salamanca cuisine
Salamanca cuisine is deeply influenced by the geographical diversity of a province that ranges from pastures and wheat fields to mountainous highlands. A common feature shared with the rest of Castile is the roast, be it suckling pig (Cochinillo) or goat (cabrito). Yet the real local staple is pork, appearing in the vast majority of the region's dishes. There is the limón of Ciudad Rodrigo, a cold platter prepared from meat, chorizo (spicy Spanish sausage), egg and lemon, and eaten during Carnival season.
Moors and Jews alike left their mark on the local confectionery and pastries. Good examples include the amarguillos (almond cookies) and mazapanes (marzipan) from the Convent of Santa María de Dueñas, and the buns and biscuits made by the nuns in Alba de Tormes, to say nothing of the bollo maimón, a kind of sponge cake.
Many good restaurants are to be found en route, where the region's varied fare may be enjoyed to the fullest.