Moving to Spain

I did some checking and according to the CIA World Factbook every country in the world uses the International System of Units (metric system) but three.  Those exceptions using the Customary Units of Measurement System (inch, pound, gallon, etc.) are Liberia, Burma, and the United States.

If you plan to move to Spain you will have a choice when it comes to weights, measurements, and distances.  Get familiar with meters, kilograms, and kilometers or prepare to do mathematical gymnastics every time you go to the market, plan a trip, or check the temperature outside. 

For instance, let’s say you are flying off to Dubrovnik for a romantic get-a-way weekend and the airline will allow up to two checked bags with a maximum weight of 15 kilos per bag.  Hmm, that would be 15 kilos x 2.2046 pounds equals…equals…tic tock tick tock (buzzzz).  “Thanks for playing!”

Actually, if you stop and think about it the metric system makes a lot of sense over what we use in the U.S.  It is based on multiples of 10 which are much easier to compute than fractions.

Let’s see.  Today it is 20 Celsius which is 20x2+30 minus a couple which makes it about 68 degrees Fahrenheit.