General Mixed Trivia: Spain Trivia Quiz

Answer: Olive oil

Nearly 45% of the global production of olive oil come from Spain, which is more than double the quantity that Italy produces. Andalusia alone accounts for more than 300 million olives.

Answer: Granada

The Umayad Empire formed mainly by the Moors, the Muslim people from northern Africa, conquered Hispania. The Iberian Peninsula was renamed as al-Andalus in classical Arabic. In 1492, the Reconquista ended with the capture of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold. One of the world's famous sites, Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Granada.

Answer: Restaurant

Sobrino de Botin was established in 1725 and it is believed to be the world's oldest continuously operating restaurant. It was founded by Frenchman Jean Botin and his wife, originally called Casa Botin. After his death in 1753, his nephew Candido Remis took over the restaurant, who changed the name to Sobrino de Botin. In Spanish, Sobrino means nephew.

Artist Francisco de Goya had worked as a waiter in the restaurant before he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Answer: Japan

About 700 residents share the surname of Japon in Coria del Rio. The distinctive tradition can be traced to a Japanese samurai of noble descent named Hasekura Tsunenaga (1571-1622), who set up diplomatic links with Europe and even met the pope.

In 1613, accompanied by 20 fellow countrymen, they travelled from the Japanese port Tsukinoura across the Pacific to Mexico, and then sailed to Europe. They were the first Japanese to cross the Atlantic. On reaching Seville, they were received by the Spanish king. They then visited France and to Rome for an audience with the pope. In 1615, Tsunenaga was baptised into the Catholic church as Francisco Felipe Faxicura in Spain. Japanese embassy was set up in Europe to establish cultural and trading links. Tsunenaga returned to Japan in 1621.

Answer: Road accident

Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) died at the age of 73 from a tram accident in Barcelona. On June 7, 1926, he took a walk to the Sant Felip Church for his daily prayer. He lost consciousness after being hit by a tram while walking along the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes between Girona and Bailen streets.

He was only later transported in a taxi to the hospital, as passers-by thought he was a beggar. On the following day, he was recognized by the chaplain of the Sagrada Familia, his condition had deteriorated to a stage that he could not recover from treatment.

Answer: 2008-2012

Spain won their second European title in 2008 beating Germany 1-0 in the final. In 2010, they won their first FIFA World Cup title in South Africa, defeating Netherlands 1-0 in the final. They successfully defended their European title in 2012, winning it for the third time, beating Italy 4-0 in the final.

In 2024, they won their fourth European title when they beat England 2-1 in the final.

Answer: Seville

Known as La Feria de Abril, Sevilla hosted this annual festival since 1847. The fair begins two weeks after the Easter Holy Week in April, for one week from midnight on Saturday and ending on the following Saturday.

The fair is held in Los Remedios District in Seville. The fair features parades of carriages and riders, casetas (decorated marquee tents for parties, dancing, eating and drinking), amusement parks (games and rollercoasters) and bullfights.

Answer: Canary Islands

Teide (3715 m) is a volcano located on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is the highest point in the islands of the Atlantic, third-highest volcano in the world.

Answer: Tenerife

On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (present-day Tenerife North Airport). KLM Flight 4805, which started its take-off run in dense fog, crashed with Pan-Am Flight 1736 on the runway. A total of 583 passengers (all 248 on KLM, 335 on Pan Am) were killed in possibly the worst disaster in aviation history. Only 61 passengers in the front section of Pan Am survived the collision.

Answer: Cable car

All the above are inventions by Spaniards, and also include classical guitar, flamenco and gyroplane. Leonardo Torres Quevedo (1852-1936) was an engineer and inventor known for many of his engineering innovations.

In 1887, he registered his first patent for a cable car which he called "A system of funicular aerial road of multiple cables". In 1907, he invented the cable car which was used for public transportation in Monte Ulia (San Sebastian, Basque Country).