11 things to know before visiting Spain

A Spanish fisherman protests the construction of an artificial reef near the disputed British territory of Gibraltar in August. The area is not the only territorial issue in Spain.Catalonia is gunning for independence, with a referendum in the cards for 2014.

HIDE CAPTION

What to know before you go

<<

<

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

>

>>

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• People typically don't eat dinner in Spain until after 10 p.m.
• It's hard to keep up with all the fiestas throughout the country
• Spain has at least one common thread: bulls
• Catalans yearn for independence from Spain

World-renowned chef, best-selling author and Emmy-winning television personality Anthony Bourdain has returned for the second season of CNN's showcase for coverage of food and travel. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" is shot entirely on location and airs on CNN International at 9 a.m. Hong Kong, repeated the following Friday at 10 p.m. HK and Sunday at 9 a.m. HK. Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook.

(CNN) -- It's got what many believe is the greatest club football team ever assembled -- FC Barcelona.

Not to mention one of the planet's greatest collections of art -- at the Prado museum in Madrid.

Then there's the food, which this year we suggested was thegreatest cuisine in the world right now.

What makes Spain such a cultural powerhouse?

Size doesn't hurt. It's Western Europe's second-largest country (after France) in terms of area, and the world's third-largest exporter of wine, fruits and vegetables.