Spain is a large, vibrant, diverse country with something for everyone, whether visitors or residents, adults or children. These are some of the most interesting facts about this most interesting European country, and they are particularly relevant to kids.

4,000 miles of coastline

If you like the beach, you’ll love Spain. The country has more than 4,000 miles of sandy beaches, ranging from deserted coves to long stretches of sand packed with holidaymakers from end to end. With 511 Blue Flag beaches in 2011 - more than any other country in the world - there’s plenty of choice. And with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year, you’ll be able to spend as much time as you want to soaking up the rays and swimming in the crystal clear waters.

The name game

In Spain, the naming process is very interesting, and you get to enjoy two celebrations a year - your birthday and your name day. Most Spanish children are given two names - a name of the parent’s choice and the name of a saint, as Spain is a Catholic country. On the saint’s day, children celebrate ‘el dia de mi santo,’ or ‘the day of my saint.’

The double naming doesn’t stop there though as Spanish children also have two surnames - one from their father, and one from their mother. This isn’t sexual equality as the surnames are taken from the grandfathers on each side. For example, Jose Rodriguez Garcia’s father’s surname is Rodriguez, while his mother’s is Garcia. He marries Maria Lopez Garcia, whose father is called Lopez, and whose mother is Garcia. Garcia is a common surname in Spain - like Smith or Brown in the United Kingdom - so it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re related.

Jose and Maria’s children will be called Rodriguez Lopez, with the father’s name always coming first, so the Garcia surname disappears. Whether the children are boys or girls, the Rodriguez surname will continue to the next generation, but the Lopez will be dropped with the next marriage.

The world’s biggest food fight

Spain is home to La Tomatina. It takes place in Bunol, in Valencia, and it’s the biggest food fight on the planet. On the last Wednesday in August, visitors and locals pelt each other with tomatoes, in the culmination of a week of partying and celebration.

Around 20,000 people take part in La Tomatina ever year, pelting 90,000 pounds of ripe tomatoes at each other. It started in the 1940’s when a group of friends had a tomato fight in the village square. A number of locals joined in and they had so much fun they decided to make an annual event of it. It’s now one of the biggest fiestas in Spain, and one of the very few that has no religious or political significance. It’s just good old-fashioned fun, which is what the Spanish people do best.

Spain is a very family-oriented country and children are at the centre of life, but that doesn’t mean that Spanish children grow up to be spoiled brats. ‘Madre’ - or mother - rules the roost with an iron hand in a velvet glove, and her children will always make sure they don’t incur her wrath. Young or old, Spanish children always respect their parents, and will never misbehave in their presence.

Spain is a country of contrasts with a big, welcoming heart. No wonder both children and adults find it such an interesting and fun place to be, whether they stay for a vacation or make their home there.