Ecuador, the land of the Incas and the equator. It is a country with a rich history and a thriving culture. With influences mainly from Hispanic cultures, Ecuador is vibrant and varied. Varied in culture, but also definitely in landscapes. Ecuador is the country with one of the greatest biodiversity and has much to offer.

• Ecuador is located in the middle of the equator and owes its name to that as well.
• It all started with the indigenous Indian tribes and the Incas.
• From Indians with colored ponchos to rumbling volcanoes, Ecuador has it all.

Spanish Word for "Equator"

Officially, the country is called: República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador). It got this special name due to the fact that it is located in the middle of the equator. This has given it not only a high temperature throughout the year, but also the name of the country. In fact, the Spanish translation of equator is ecuador. Ecuador is located in western South America and borders Colombia to the north and Peru to the east and south. As many as 14 different languages are spoken in the country, but only one is an official language; 94% of Ecuador's population speaks Spanish, with the rest speaking vernacular languages. Like any country, Ecuador has a number of major cities. The largest city is Guayaquil, however the capital is Quito. With its historic cities and rich Inca history, among other things, Ecuador is now on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The current presidential republic has left a great trail in world history.

Ecuador's history goes back to before the 15th century. The Incas were very important to Ecuador, but before they arrived, the country was filled with different Indian cultures. Most of the tribes words on the coast and in the highlands. The two most important tribes were the Quitus and the Caras. When the Incas settled in Ecuador in the 15th century, the empire expanded rapidly. The center of the Inca empire was Cuzco. In the 16th century, Ecuador was conquered by Spanish conquistadores and was a Spanish colony for about 300 years. The first city to become independent was Guayaquil, yet not all of Ecuador became independent immediately and for a short time the country remained part of the Republic of Greater Colombia. It wasn't until 1830 that Ecuador gained full independence when the Republic of Greater Colombia fell apart. From this time on, the country was very unstable and had many different leaders. Today it is a thriving, presidential republic.

The small but oh so versatile country of Ecuador has it all. From living volcanoes to beautiful waterfalls in the Amazon and from indigenous Indian tribes with colorful ponchos to colonial cities. Plus through-the-mountains-walking llamas and a jungle with monkeys. Ecuador has something for everyone and you will never be bored. The country can be divided into four zones: the Galapagos Islands (which are also part of Ecuador), the coast in the west, the Andes mountains in the middle of the country and the Amazon rainforest in the east.

Ecuador is one of the poorest countries in South America. As many as 45% of the population lives below the poverty line. In addition, there is high illiteracy, despite free and otherwise compulsory schooling for children aged 6 to 14. Because of poverty, children leave school early to go to work, a problem found in many poor countries. But despite the poverty, it is a beautiful country with very friendly and hospitable people. Ecuador also has some great things to offer tourists; besides the big cities of Guayaquil, Quito (capital) and Cuenca, the Sangay National Park and the special Galapagos Islands are very popular. Ecuador is vibrant and alive! Ecuador has it all!

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It is named after a Spanish place and it is huge. Picasso' s "Guernica" painting is considered a very impressive painting. There is a story behind it, as well as in it. The painting holds you and makes you feel what the painter is trying to convey. 'Guernica' is different.

• Picasso's painting makes a lot of sense to you. It not only tells the story behind it, but makes you feel it. 'Guernica' by Picasso has traveled a lot but now hangs in the 'Museo Reina Sofia' in Madrid.
• The story behind it is about a bombing during the Spanish Civil War. It was the first terror bombing in Europe where the fascists wanted to break the resistance of the Republicans in this way.
• The painting is not realistic and has many underlying thoughts. Picasso mainly wanted to express different feelings with this.
• Picasso's real name is Pablo Ruiz Picasso, but he became famous only by the name Picasso. He lived to be 91 years old.

Pablo Picasso created "Guernica" in 1937. The painting is a whopping 3.49 meters high and 7.76 wide and is made of oil paint, which Picasso used to create most of his paintings. 'Guernica' is considered the most controversial and impressive work of all Picasso's paintings. It is named after the Spanish town of Guernica in the Basque country (Basque: Gernika), where a bombing took place. This was the trigger and story for the painting.

During a major conflict in Spain (Spanish Civil War July 17, 1936 - April 1, 1939) between the Fascists and the Republicans, the Fascists sought to break their enemy's resistance through a series of bombings of the Basque town of Guernica. On April 26, 1937, one bomb was dropped by the German Luftwaffe close to the town's weekly market. People fled and took cover in shelters. When after a while everything was calm again, everyone came out to help the wounded and at that moment the entire squadron arrived to bomb Guernica. There was complete chaos and panic. Those who tried to flee through the fields were shot at by single-seater planes, shelters were not sheltered from the 250-kilogram bombs, and the bombing took no less than two and a half hours. All the panic and chaos of that day is reflected in Picasso's painting. And that is exactly what he wanted to achieve.

Pablo Picasso wanted to convey the feeling of the bombing, rather than just the image. The key words of the painting, as well as the bombing, are: panic, fear, death, sadness and, above all, chaos. It had to be felt when looking at the work. The surrealist painting consists of only black, white and gray to express the war and a background of lines and planes mixed together to emphasize the chaotic. The man with the broken sword represents a dead soldier and indicates death. The horse is the symbol of innocent casualties in war and shows how much fear there is at such a time. The mother with her dead child shows the grief for the victims of the war and the bombing, and the burning lamp at the top of the painting represents the explosions of the bombs.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso, that's the official name of the famous Picasso. So, according to the Spanish naming system, he had two surnames: Ruiz from his father and Picasso from his mother. Why he became famous only under the name Picasso is probably because at some point he started putting only this part of his name under his works. He was a painter, sculptor, graphic artist, draftsman and ceramicist. Pablo Ruiz Picasso had mistresses all his life, including alongside his wife or primary partner, and he has four children by three women. Picasso was one of Spain's best-known painters and left behind many works.

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Spain is known for its vibrant nightlife until early in the morning. It starts later in the evening over dinner in a tapas bar or restaurant and then it's time for a drink. After that, the real party can begin until deep into the night! Of course, in Spain every occasion is considered a party!

Hotspots for going out

Spanish Fiestas

In Spain there are many holidays ´fiestas´ that are celebrated extensively. The Spanish fiestas are great fun to visit. Spaniards make a party out of everything, so when it is really festive you don't know what you are experiencing! There are many national holidays every year, but many cities or areas have their own. Spanish parties and fiestas are celebrated extensively in all cities and towns with lots of food and drink and often bands. There are also many traditional activities, depending on what holiday it is and what area. People are constantly outside and enjoying themselves together with their friends and family.

Before partying, of course, there must be food. Spaniards love to eat, and then eat a lot. They can dine for hours together, at home or somewhere in a restaurant and enjoy themselves with friends and family (make up something else for it, is also exactly the same in the paragraph above). One of the Spanish habits is to drink beer or wine with a meal. They also often drink sangria. When it is time to party, it is fun to first go to the shot bars "chupiterías" to start with shots of "chupitos" . After that, the clubs are visited until the early hours of the morning!

Hotspots for going out

There are many bars and pubs in Spain where you can spend the nights but of course there are also the real club lovers. Hence a small overview of the places with the best clubs.

The coastal towns that are very popular are: Lloret de Mar, Salou, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar. These places are full of tourists in summer, especially young people. They come to these areas to party every day and recover on the beach the next day. In summer it is full of parties with famous DJs. There are different styles in the clubs and bars so there is something for everyone.

The Spanish islands are also known for their clubs, especially the party island of Ibiza. Many international DJs come here every year. The chicest clubs are located here and it is more for people who have more money. Nevertheless, many young people also go there to party, some even for a few days. Of course, it is as expensive as you make it. Entrance and drinks in the clubs can be quite expensive and often there is a strict door policy. The island of Mallorca is super popular among young people for partying, and the Canary Islands also have many entertainment venues.

The big cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia have many choices when it comes to going out. From small bars to mega big clubs with multiple halls or floors. If you take a city trip to one of these cities, it is definitely worth visiting a few clubs as well!

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In the 16th century, Spain was the leader in fashion. Spanish clothing styles influenced the entire world and traditional dress was widely known for its elegance and decoration. As Habsburg Spain grew, Spanish fashions such as Spanish capes, vertugados and corsets became popular throughout Western Europe. Vertugados were bell-shaped hoop skirts made of boning, cloth and intricate constructions with thread under the woman's clothing. This style was cumbersome for Renaissance women, mainly because it took hours to get dressed as a woman.

Spanish traditional dress was heavily influenced by the Moorish culture, which dominated parts of the Iberian Peninsula from 711 to 1492. Moorish culture introduced the needle and with it popularized beautiful embroidery. They also popularized the use of jewelry (often as buttons), heavy perfume and necklaces. The color black became popular for special events and both men and women wore heavy gold necklaces with precious stones. In addition, Spanish clothing was often made of expensive and heavy fabrics and decorated with gold or silver threads.

Unfortunately, this Spanish fashion and associated clothing failed to evolve with the rapidly changing times. As a result, Spanish clothing became obsolete and gave way to French Dominance. Cities such as Paris were more innovative and began to take over the position as the leader of European fashion from the 17th century.

Today, Spanish fashion is very modern, but traditional Spanish clothing is still used for special occasions. Flamenco dancers still wear their typical Spanish dresses in red, black or white with their hair in a bun and a rose behind their ear. Male Flamenco dancers wear traditional costumes consisting of black or red shirts with classic pants. Nevertheless, clothing style in Flamenco is also subject to fashion trends.

Costumes of traditional Spanish bullfighters have also remained unchanged over the years. They are elaborate costumes inspired by flamboyant 18th-century Andalusian dress. Known as traje de luces ("costumes of light"), they are easily distinguished from others by the use of sequins, gold and silver threads and detailed embroidery.

In addition to Spanish costumes for special occasions, each region in Spain has its own traditional attire and Spanish dresses. They are not worn often, but you can often catch a glimpse of them during regional celebrations and parades.

Much of the traditional Spanish clothing is for special occasions and celebrations. The most common pieces still used today are: the mantilla, the peineta and the vest. The mantilla is a traditional Spanish veil often worn during religious celebrations and Spanish weddings. It is a light scarf made of lace or silk that is worn over the head and/or shoulders. The peineta is a large, decorative comb placed in the hair to hold the mantilla. It is a brownish comb with a special appearance and long pins to make the veil even higher. It is used on special occasions and originated centuries ago making it a traditional piece of Spanish clothing. The Spanish gilet comes from the Spanish word jileco, orchaleco in modern Spanish. It is a sleeveless coat and an important piece in traditional dress. In the 19th century, it was an embroidered bodice shaped like the body part of a coat, used for neat occasions. Today they are used for extra warmth outdoors.

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Spain´s national holiday is very international

Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492. This historic event marks an important change in the course of the history of the Western world, such as the long-standing contact between Europe and the Americas. The day is officially celebrated in different ways and has different names throughout much of Latin America, the United States and Spain.

Spanish law established the day as Fiesta Nacional de España, or the national day of Spain, although many Spaniards still call it Día de la Hispanidad, which was the former name of this holiday. The law further explains that the day is commemorated because it symbolizes the expansion of the Spanish language and culture beyond European borders. Spanish is spoken as a native language by 414 million people, only 46 million of whom live in Spain.

When the day was first celebrated in Spain in 1914, its original name was "Fiesta de la Raza," hoping to create a holiday celebrating the unity between Spain and Ibero-America. Just a few years later, Spanish priest Zacarías de Vizcarra suggested the change from the term raza to hispanidad. Indeed, celebrating Columbus' first voyage across the Atlantic, an event that launched the European conquest and colonization of the Americas, did not always inspire a sense of unity.

Oct. 12 is still known as Día de la Raza in some Latin American countries, including Mexico. Other Latin American countries, which have commemorated the day as el Día de la Raza, have changed the name in recent years to honor diversity or celebrate resistance to colonization. In Costa Rica, the day is known as Día de las Culturas (day of cultures), in Argentina it is Día del respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (day of respect for cultural diversity), in Venezuela Día de la Resistencia Indígena (day of indigenous resistance) and in Bolivia Día de la Descolonización (day of decolonization). In Cuba, this day is not celebrated.

Many U.S. states also recognize Oct. 12 as a holiday, where it is usually referred to as Columbus Day. But not always; views on how the day should be called change here as well. The state of South Dakota in the United States, for example, now celebrates Native American Day on the second Monday in October.

In 2010, the United Nations declared Oct. 12 as Spanish Language Day, to celebrate cultural diversity and to encourage the "equal use" of the UN's 6 official languages throughout the organization.

Oct. 12 is seen in different ways in the United States and Spanish-speaking countries and thus has been renewed many times throughout history. Today, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world by native speakers and is spoken as an official or primary language in 21 different countries. 

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In southern México in the Mexican state of Chiapas is the National Park "Cañón del Sumidero. Inside the park is a narrow and deep canyon called Cañón del Sumidero, for which the park is also named. It is one of Chiapas' most popular tourist attractions. The canyon has vertical walls that can be as high as 1,000 meters at some points. A river also flows through the 13-kilometer-long canyon.

• A non-touristy town that connects people to the beautiful park. Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the entrance to Chiapas as well as to México's piece of natural beauty.
• The narrow, deep canyon in México National Park has peaks as high as one kilometer.
• A stalactite that looks like a seahorse and a colored cave: Sumidero Canyon has been nominated one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Surrounding the canyon is the México National Park, which covers nearly 22 acres of land with pure nature. Adjacent to the park is the Mexican state's largest city, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, which after arriving in Chiapas makes you feel immediately connected to its natural beauty. The Mexican state of Chiapas has only one city, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and this is the most developed, populous and therefore most important municipality in the state. Unlike many other areas, the city is not a tourist attraction, but primarily an important place that offers tourists access to the state. With a major airport and bus terminal, Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the entrance to Chiapas

Sumidero Canyon was formed by cracks in the earth's crust and erosion from the Grijalva River, which still flows through it. This process began about 35 million years ago; this makes the Sumidero Canyon the sister of the American Grand Canyon near the Colorado River. The Grijalva River begins in Guatemala, then flows on to Chiapas, through the 13-kilometer-long canyon, and finally empties into the Usumacinta River. In addition to the Grijalva River, the Cañón del Sumidero México Natural Park has other streams, many of which are seasonal. Some consist of waterfalls on the sides of the canyon and underground currents, which have created caves. The canyon itself is narrow but deep and is characterized by vertical walls between 200 and 700 meters high, but with peaks as high as 1,000 meters. The width of the canyon ranges from one to two kilometers.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

The national park in México was nominated one of the seven natural wonders of the world in 2009. This is due in part to the canyon, which possesses many wonderful natural wonders. For example, the canyon has as many as thirty rapids, five waterfalls, three beaches, two freshwater springs and is the habitat for endangered species such as the Central American river turtle and the American crocodile, which, by the way, you can spot on the banks. The canyon walls contain small caves, rock formations and other striking natural beauty. One of the most famous caves of the area is the "Cueva de Colores" (Cave of the Colors). This cave gets its name from the natural filtration of magnesium, potassium and other minerals, which form beautiful colors on the walls. There is also a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, usually surrounded by flowers and burning candles placed there by visitors. The "Cueva de Silencio" (Cave of Silence) gets its name from the fact that no echo or any other form of resonance is formed there. In another small cave there is a very special dripstone called 'Caballito de Mar' (Seahorse). The dripstone is so named because it looks like a seahorse.

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The European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, or in Dutch, the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, better known as ERASMUS, is a European Union project developed to promote cultural exchange between students from countries of the European Union, the three countries of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Switzerland and Turkey. The name "Erasmus" was chosen in honor of the theologian, philosopher and humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The exchange program was created in 1987 as a product from initiative of "AEGGEE Europe," a multi-national student organization. The initiative was welcomed by the European Commissioner of Education and strongly supported by the Presidents of France (F. Mitterrand) and Spain (F.Gonzalez). In 1995 the program was included in the framework of the 'Socrates Plan' and was definitively established in 2000, when it was approved by the 'Socrates Plan II'. (The 'Socrates Plan' is an initiative of the European Commission in the field of Education) In 2007, the 'Socrates Plan' was replaced by the so-called 'LLL' (Life Long Learning).

The aim of the Erasmus program is "to enhance the quality of education in Europe and strengthen its dimension by promoting international cooperation between universities, encouraging mobility in Europe and improving transparency and full academic recognition of courses and certifications throughout the Union."

To benefit from the opportunities offered by the Erasmus program, all you need to be a student of a university or Bachelor's degree program who has completed the first year as well as a citizen of one of the countries covered by the program. Students can study and earn credit for three months to a year in a European country other than their home country. Another option is participating in an exchange program where you do an internship in a host country and the work you do may also be included in your curriculum vitae. Nowadays, many colleges and universities also give you credits (study points) for this.

Erasmus in Spain

There are also Erasmus scholarships to help students cover some of the extra costs of living abroad. The scholarships depend on the country you are in, and in Spain they even vary by autonomous community. The scholarships almost never cover the total extra costs, but they do give you some extra help from about 200 to 800 per month.

The opportunities offered by the program have made Erasmus a unique life experience for many young people in Europe. It gives them the chance to experience -often for the first time- what it is like to live abroad. It will increase their knowledge of other cultures within the European Union and give them the chance to meet students from other countries and learn about living, socializing and integrating in the country of their temporary stay. Spain is the destination of choice for Erasmus students. As many as 6 of the 10 most popular cities for Erasmus students are Spanish places: Granada, Valencia, Madrid, Seville, Salamanca and Barcelona. In conclusion, the concept of Europeanism is beginning to catch on among young people of the European Union with the help of these multi-national experiences.

The Erasmus program was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation in 2004 as "one of the most important cultural exchange programs in the history of mankind."

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Like almost every country in South and Central America, Costa Rica welcomes its rich flora and fauna. Especially the wildlife is a true paradise of colors with various reptiles, amphibians and birds. Book a guide and experience the fauna of Costa Rica in a special way, or go into nature yourself and discover all the unique species!

• Spot more than 800 species of birds without chasing them in the land of rich flora and fauna!
• Get an encounter with one of the largest snakes harmless to humans, measuring up to 3.5 meters long!
• Learn about the special Quetzal bird, which not only has a stunning appearance, but also carries a wonderful story.

The Animals of Costa Rica

As mentioned above, the wildlife is really worth a careful look. The animals of Costa Rica are perhaps the most impressive in the world and you can spot them through a guide by taking exciting, beautiful tours. Of course, this requires you to be patient and calm, so you don't scare that one special strawberry frog or chase one of the 850 bird species.

Costa Rica has a large number of eco-systems, which makes it possible for many different species to live in the country. Costa Rica is home to as many as 259 species of mammals, over 200 species of reptiles and even 150 species of amphibians, not to mention those 850 species of birds that brighten the country with their bright colors. As many as 135 species of snakes live in Costa Rica, 17 of which are venomous. The largest snake in Costa Rica can grow up to 3.5 meters in length; the for-humans-dangerous boa constrictor, a strangling snake. Besides snakes, Costa Rica also has a number of crocodile and lizard species that don't care about tourists and live quietly in their own beautiful world.

Also, Costa Rica should be proud of a fauna like this and the country is doing everything it can to preserve it. For example, the country has a national park that is one of the most important protected areas, called Santa Rosa. The park is located by the sea, so every year hundreds of thousands of turtles come onto the beach to lay eggs. This true spectacle takes place between September and December.

Costa Rica's nature is home to an awful lot of beautiful and unusual birds. It is one of the countries with the most birds in such a small area. There are more than 850 species of birds that occur in this country, that number is 10 percent of the total number of birds in the world and that while Costa Rica is only 0.01 percent of the total world surface! The country is home to birds such as herons, owls and cuckoos, as well as bird families that are not so common such as the glossy birds, muskies, mouse woodpeckers and toucans.

 

The Quetzal Bird

One of the special birds found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica is the Quetzal. This bird is best known as the symbol of the flag of Guatemala, but it was also very well known in the past. For example, this species of bird was part of an Indian legend; if someone killed the bird, that person risked a death sentence. In addition, the bird was also popular among the Mayans; the animal was known as a symbol of freedom. The Quetzal's appearance is also quite special because of its striking colors. The birds' head is a shiny green, as are its back and wings. The breast of this bird is red and the tail feathers are white. The difference between males and females is that the color in females is somewhat lighter and less conspicuous. The beak of the female birds is black while that of the males is yellow, by the way, this beak is very short but incredibly strong.

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We all know that Spaniards often find themselves outdoors above average, especially in spring and summer, when evening temperatures are still above 20 degrees. Spaniards go to cafes, grab a terrace in the many, beautiful squares or have their Spanish beer on their own terrace at home. There are plenty of places to relax in the healthy outdoors. Yet in the late 1990s, young people came up with a new idea!

• Bring a bottle and enjoy the Spanish atmosphere with young people in town squares. A botellón is meant for cozy summer evenings.
  Guitars and sometimes an entire keyboard are brought along to make the (flamenco) music themselves for the ultimate Spanish feeling.
  Rules keep social gatherings from getting out of hand.

The botellón phenomenon is very famous in Spain, but is now slowly flying over to countries such as Belgium and Ireland. The origin of the botellón is in the Spanish autonomous state of Andalusia, where people began buying alcohol in stores in the late 1980s and taking the bottles outside to enjoy the pleasant temperature even in the evening. Botellón is the Spanish word for "bottle". Especially Spanish young people adopted this habit. It is said that the main reason for buying bebidas yourself is that this way you can go out cheaper. Over the years, it became more and more popular and friends gathered every weekend in summer and spring in parks and town squares to have a drink together. In many cases a guitar is brought along to bring in that real Spanish atmosphere. Friends sing with each other, clap to the rhythms of flamenco and dance. It's all about conviviality, being with friends, relaxing outdoors and enjoying a small drink. Beer, spirits and wine mixed with soft drinks (typically Spanish) are alcoholic beverages often used for a botellón in Spain. After a botellón, young people return home or continue their party at a bar or nightclub.

Not everyone in Spain agrees with the phenomenon these days, as it can sometimes cause some inconvenience. To keep everyone happy, the rule is that botellón can no longer be held everywhere. Some parks are closed at night and police walk around to keep it quiet. Nowadays it is forbidden to consume alcohol on the streets, but it is allowed to gather in town squares. It is therefore tempting for many young people to take a small drink anyway. Spaniards love conviviality and enjoying life. They keep the fun going in the streets even at night, and tourists can sometimes join in with the music and dancing they produce in the process.

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Chocolate, which is said to be 4,000 years old and dates back to the pre-historic "Theobroma" cacao tree from the tropical rainforests of South America, has not always been the globally beloved, sweet treat of modern times. Rather, it was a bitter, yet luxurious beverage consumed exclusively by wealthy members of the communities of the ancient Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs. The history of chocolate is unknown to many, such as the fact that thanks to the voyages of Spanish settlers in the 15th and 16th centuries, mass-valued cocoa beans were brought to Europe. This was initially developed as a hot Spanish drink with a sweet taste and gradually evolved into the delectable refreshment consumed by millions worldwide today.

• Cocoa beans used to be used as currency, people even paid their taxes with them.
• Golden cups from which the chocolate drink was consumed were discarded after only the first use to continue to honor the value of the drink.
• Thanks to the Spanish colonists, chocolate is now available worldwide and popular everywhere.

The History of Chocolate

Both the Maya and the Aztecs considered these cacao beans to be very valuable. Consequently, they were used as a form of currency among both communities, and the Aztecs even paid taxes to their emperors in the form of these seemingly incredibly valuable beans.

Although chocolate, or rather the cocoa beans used to make chocolate, are usually considered a consumer good, it took on a significantly larger role among the Maya and Aztecs. Not only were the beans used as currency, they had been given divine powers by the gods of the first inhabitants of Latin America, who used them in religious rituals. As a sign of love for the divine creation of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, the beans were exchanged between bride and groom during Mayan wedding ceremonies. In fact, the Aztec god supposedly came from heaven to recover the stolen cacao tree from paradise. The beans were sincerely treasured by the two pre-Colombian civilizations.

In addition to their financial and religious functions, however, the beans were also used in the more commonly known ways. The beans were the main ingredient in a thick, cold, unsweetened drink and produced a chocolate drink that was considered so valuable that the ancient elite, who were privileged enough to drink it, threw away the golden cups from which it was drunk after only the first use.

The many, and sometimes bizarre, ways of using chocolate also continued in Spain in the 16th century. According to Spanish colonist Hernán Cortes, chocolate was primarily intended as medicine. Chocolate was a highly valued remedy for curing the sick; it was prescribed for patients suffering from fever, indigestion and general, physical pain. The Spanish clergy recognized the nutritional value of chocolate, as it was recommended as a supplement during fasting. However, the Spanish aristocracy was not pleased that the sick could enjoy the rich chocolate drinks and, like the Aztec emperors before them, took great pleasure in their privilege of being able to consume newly-sweetened, sugarcane-based, rich beverages.

Chocolate in Spain

When it was finally seen as a food item in the 19th century, courtesy of the culinary expertise of Englishman Joseph Fry, pieces of chocolate gradually began to spread. Chocolate in Spain, however, is still best known in the liquid forms churros y chocolate and chocolate caliente. Tasting the taste of Spanish chocolate remains a popular tourist activity. Had the Spanish colonists not accidentally discovered chocolate more than 5 centuries ago, this delectable product might have remained a Latin American secret forever.

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