Sports and Leisure Comparison Paper

Samantha Craig, Melissa Garcia, Sandra Orosco, Chakeista Ellis

Span/114

1/24/2016

Introduction

Spain and Argentina have many things in common besides both being Spanish speaking countries. Sports is a very common topic among many people and is very popular. This paper will cover what sports and leisure activities are exclusive to these countries and which ones are shared in both countries. It will also identify the cultural importance and entertainment value of the sports in their particular region.

Identify the sports and activities that are popular in each country

Spain and Argentina have several sports and activities that are popular. Spain enjoys several sports such as basketball, golf, pelota, soccer, tennis, and water sports. Some activities that are popular among people in Spain are bullfighting, cycling, fishing, and hiking, horse riding, and shooting. Pelota is a game in which a hard ball is moved from the person's glove to a high wall. It is common to see the audience making bets. Spain is known for its passion for soccer and bullfighting (Spain-Madrid, 2016). Soccer is called football in Spain. "It would be perhaps more accurate to say that religion is like soccer in Spain; such is the devotion expressed by the Spanish to their beloved sport" (Macleod, 2016).

Argentina enjoys several sports such as volleyball, hockey, boxing, tennis, polo, basketball, and water sports. Soccer is the most popular and most loved game in Argentina. Both players and fans are very devoted to this sport as are the players and fans in Spain (Embassy of Argentina in Australia, 2016). Argentina also enjoys activities such as fly-fishing, rock climbing, skiing, rafting. There are many outdoor activities to take part in when in Argentina. It doesn't matter what time of the year it is, and there is always something to do in both countries (Rough Guides Limited, 2016).

Cultural Importance and Entertainment Value

In Spain, sports is a vital aspect of their culture it is looked at as a way of bringing people together and facilitating a sense of community. In Argentina, sports are seen as almost like an addiction to the population of this country. They enjoy the rivalry that comes with playing games, and the also enjoy the sense of community that it provides as well because the people come together as one to cheer on their team and enjoy good food and the cultural appeal as well. In Argentina and Spain, they both love football or as American people refer to as Soccer. Spain's football team is considered to be one of the best in the world. Whereas with Argentina football is important and the top sport for this country as well it is not taken as seriously. They split the season in the half to have two winners so that they can foster more sportsmanship. Bull fighting is another important part of the culture of Spain it is an old tradition steeped in history. In Argentina, they do not practice the art of bullfighting.

In Argentina and Spain, they have many ski resorts for tourist to visit. In Argentina alone they have 14 resorts. Tennis is a common sport between the two countries as well but it not as the main stream as some other sports that they play. Both countries share a love of water sports. Both countries have such beautiful coast and bodies of water throughout and around the respective countries that water activity is only natural. Water activity is popular among the younger crowd fostering friendships and allowing the children to have life long memories. These countries are so very different but yet have many common traits. They are beautiful and steeped in history that is only cultivated more by the bond that is formed among the people through the bonding of sports and other activities practiced in these countries.

Resumen Spanish

En España y en Argentina hay deportes que son populares e importantes para los países y luego hay un montón de deportes de ocio que disfrutan las personas en las diferentes estaciones del año. El fútbol es un deporte muy popular y que trae un poco de Competitividad pero también trae una comunidad. En España también hay un deporte popular que es la tauromaquia . Ha sido una tradición desde hace muchos años. Ambos países están rodeados de grandes cuerpos de agua, así que los deportes acuáticos también son un gran negocio . No es la pesca y esquí acuático volar. Sólo la línea en Estados Unidos ambos países tienen un montón de deportes . Hay voleibol, hockey, boxeo, polo y un montón de otros deportes . Otra gran actividad deportiva es el esquí y la Argentina cuenta con hasta catorce estaciones de esquí. No importa qué época del año es que siempre se puede encontrar algo que hacer en cualquiera de los países de España o Argentina . La pasión es fuerte en no importa lo que la población pone su foco en.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many things that can bring different countries and cultures together. Spain and Argentina just like many other countries share a love for leisure activities and sports such as football, soccer, and basketball. Each country also has a high entertainment value on sports favorite to their region Argentina is known for their vast amount of ski resorts while Spain loves the bullfighting which also holds cultural importance.

References

Embassy of Argentina in Australia. (2016) Argentina in Brief. Retrieved from http://www.argentina.org.au/sport.htm.

Macleod, A. P. (2016). Soccer in Spain. Retrieved from http://gospain.about.com/od/sportinspain/a/soccer_spain.htm.

Rough Guides Limited. 2016. Argentina-Outdoor Activities. Retrieved from http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/south-america/argentina/outdoor-activities/.

Spain-Madrid. (2016). Sport and Pastimes. Retrieved from

http://enjoy-argentina.org/adventure-travel-argentina-nautical-sports.php

http://www.paddleinspain.com/

http://etopmost.com/most-popular-sports-in-spain

http://www.topendsports.com/world/countries/argentina.htm