Spain Facts
What is the oldest continuously operating university in Spain?
Universidad de Salamanca
The name "Madrid" comes from what language?
Arabic -- from the 9th-century Arabic settlement of Mayrit (مَجْرِيط), which translates to "place of abundant streams" or "water source"
Name a Spanish soup that is often made with bread.
Examples: Sopa castellana, gazpacho (sometimes), etc.
In what neighborhood is the Royal Academy of Spanish (Real Academia Española)?
Retiro (near the Prado)
What do I study?
Linguistics! (syntax–semantics interface)
What was the cause of the blackout (apagón) on 28 April 2025?
The blackout was caused by a voltage problem, which led to a cascade disconnection of several generators due to their protection systems tripping.
Founded in 1851, this water-management company is named after a Spanish queen.
Canal Isabel II
What small dish, commonly served in bars, is often made with pickled anchovies, olives and onions?
Gildas
Which university was originally founded in Alcalá in 1293 (or 1499) before being moved to Madrid in 1836?
La Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Before moving to Madrid in 2024, where in the US did I live?
Seattle, Washington
Who is the highest-selling Spanish singer of all time?
Julio Iglesias ... with an estimated 109.2 million equivalent album sales and up to 250 million records sold globally throughout his career
Serving from 1979 to 1986, who was Madrid's first democratically elected mayor?
Enrique Tierno Galván
According to legend, what did a Spanish king require his knights be served with their beer to prevent them from getting too drunk?
A tapa!
Today we have Bachillerato, but in the 1990s, we had a different term. What was this different term?
Curso de orientación universitaria (COU)
Where do I currently live?
Nueva Numancia / Vallecas
What play written by José Zorrilla was inspired by the early 17th C. play El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra?
Don Juan Tenorio (1844)
On what date did the Madrid Metro officially open?
17 October 1919
What cut of meat common in Spain shares its name with a famous Mexican dish?
Taco
In what year was the IES Las Veredillas founded?
24 June 1976
What do I want to be when I grow up?
University Professor
During an economic downturn in the 19th century, what did Queen Isabella II offer to sell in order to raise money for the Spanish government?
Crown lands/properties -- she offered to sell or transfer royal property and patrimony (part of the Crown’s assets) to help the state, which eventually led to arrangements where much royal property became state property and the monarchy received an allowance.
Lope de Vega (1562–1635) was born in Madrid. What neighborhood was he born in?
Barrio de Palacio (Centro) -- There is a plaque at Calle Mayor 46 that commemorates his birth.
The world's best restaurant is located in Barcelona. What is it called?
Disfrutar
Which President of the Community of Madrid oversaw the launch of the bilingual education program in public schools beginning in 2004?
Esperanza Aguirre
What is my favorite tapa?
Calamares a la andaluza