On the Iberian Peninsula lies the Kingdom of Spain. The territory of Spain also includes the Canary Islands on the coast of Africa, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and several islands in the Alboran Sea.
The Spanish mainland shares a border with Gibraltar, France, Andorra and Portugal. The two Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Mellia are surrounded by Morocco. As a result, Spain is the only European country with a direct land border to an African state.
Spanish cuisine and recipes are infused with Mediterranean influences. Depending on the region, there are other traditional dishes. Paella is a classic Spanish dish. A rice dish that has its origins in the city of Valencia.
The original Valencian paella includes white rice, green beans, chicken, rabbit, garrofó (a variety of lima beans or butterbeans) and spices. The yellow colour comes from saffron.
More than 3 percent of the Spanish people share the same surname, García. García is a surname with patronymic origin and was a common first name in the early Middle Ages on the Iberian Peninsula.
Many of the most common Spanish surnames are derived from Germanic first names. For example Fernández (Fredenand or Fridnand), González (Gundisalvus) or Rodríguez (Roderic).
