| Spain - The facts about
Spanish life and living in Spain |
| |
|
Hard
currency - the coins
The
euro coins are issued in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20, and 50 cents,
1 euro and 2 euros. The new coins – 50 billion of them –
have one side common to all 12 member countries and a reverse side
specific to each country. The common European face of the coins represents
a map of the European Union against a background of transverse lines
to which are attached the stars of the European flag. The 1,2 and
5 cent coins put emphasis on Europe's place in the world while the
10, 20 and 50 present the Union as a gathering of nations. The 1 and
2 euro coins depict Europe without frontiers. |
| |
|
The
notes
Notes are issued in 5,10,20,50,100,200 and 500 euros although the
€200 and €500 notes will not be in everyday circulation.
The 14.5 billion banknotes will look the same throughout the euro
area. Altogether, the banknotes and coins being produced total over
€664 billion. The designs on the notes are symbolic of Europe's
architectural heritage. They do not represent any existing monuments.
Windows and gateways dominate the front side of each banknote as symbols
of the spirit of openness and cooperation in the EU. The reverse side
of each banknote features a bridge from a particular age, a metaphor
for communication among the people of Europe and between Europe and
the rest of the world. All notes carry ultra-modern, advanced security
features. |
| |
|
Has
the euro affected prices ?
In general, yes. It has been common practice to 'round-up' prices
to the nearest decimal and there is evidence of this happening all
over. It was thought that this 'hiking' of prices would have an
effect on the cost of living. However, most people don´t appear
to be worried and prices don´t seem to have gone up too much.
In fact, some prices have actually gone down. The euro seems to
have been accepted by the Spanish, with great success. The euro
has been fantastic for other EU citizens visiting Spain.
All
vending machines have now been converted for euros and it has proved
a good time for many companies to install totally new machines,
such as the new computerised systems for the parking at airports
etc. The multi-language system uses the latest technology - and
strangely enough the machine rounds down the euro and gives change.
See our cost of living guide here.
And
what´s happened to the peseta ?
All over Spain there were special celebrations to mark the withdrawal
of the national currency and monuments have been erected in its
memory. The cost of destroying 33,000 tonnes of peseta coins was
shared between two companies who recycled the coins into boat propellers,
beer barrels and refrigeration tubing. Banknotes were pulped by
the Banco de España and converted into ´briquetas´.
Some elderly Spaniards still refer to pesetas, especially when dealing
with property prices. |
|
|
