Conversion Charts

You may not realize that America uses different measuring systems than the rest of the world! Yep, our "Standard" system is only standard to us. In most places around the world, including Spain, expect to see Metric measurements. This can affect all kinds of calculations, from cooking, to ordering food, to driving speed, to weather temperature. To help you out, I included some handy conversion information in the cultural section my Welcome to Rota book, which is copied below:

METRIC CONVERSIONS

            Like most of the world, Spain uses the metric system for weights and measures. America is one of the only countries that uses the so-called ‘Standard’ system. So you cannot expect any Spanish person to understand pounds, feet, or miles. Instead, you will have to get used to using (or at least guessing) at metric quantities when you want something.

1 kilo = 2.2 pounds

1 meter = 1.1 yards, or 3.3 feet

1 kilometer = 0.62 miles

1 mile = 1.6 kilometers

60 kilometers/hour (speed limit on most of base) = 37.3 miles/hour

120 kilometers/hour (speed limit on highways) = 74 miles/hour

1 liter = 1.06 quarts (gas prices are listed in Euros/liter)

1 gallon = 3.785 liters

1 cup liquid = 240 ml

330 mL (soda/beer can size)= 11.2 oz

750 mL (wine bottle size) = 25.4 oz

1 cup dry (flour or rice) = 150 grams

1 oz = 30 g (to convert to grams, multiply ounces by 30)

1 foot = 30 cm (to convert to centimeters, multiply inches by 2.5)

TEMPERATURE CONVERSIONS

	Temperature Fahrenheit	Temperature Celsius
Water Freezes:	32° F	0° C
Cold day:	40° F	4° C
Room Temp:	68° F	20° C
Hot Day:	90° F	32° C
Water boils:	212° F	100° C
Bake:	350° F	180° C
	400° F	200° C
Broil:	500° F	260° C

What I forgot to include in the book was charts to convert clothing and shoe sizes! These are also important to know ahead of time, whether you are shopping for yourself or for children, because a Spanish shopkeeper will not know what you mean by needing a dress that is size 6, or having a child that is size 4 T. Spain uses 'European' clothing sizes, that include much of Europe, but are different from sizes used in the UK. So, enjoy these charts for your shopping needs:

Women's Clothes:

Spain          UK          USA

32                  4             0

34                  6             2

36                  8             4

38                 10            6

40                 12            8

42                 14           10

44                 16           12

46                 18           14

Women's Shoes

US     UK               Europe

4        2 1/2            35

5        3 1/2            37

6        4 1/2            38

7        5 1/2            39

8        6 1/2            40

9        7 1/2            41

Men's Shirt Sizes

US General           US / UK       Europe

Small                     34                87

Medium                 36                91

                              38                97

Large                     40                102

X-Large                 42                107

                              44                112

                              46                117

Men's Shoes

US     UK               Europe

7        5 1/2            39

8        6 1/2            41

9        7 1/2            42

10      8 1/2            43

11      9 1/2            45

12      10 1/2                    46

13      11 1/2                    47

Children's Clothes Sizes:

US               UK               EUROPE

12-18 m       12 m           80 cm

18-24 m       18 m            80-86 cm

23/24 m       24 m            86-92 cm

2T                2-3               92-98 cm

4T                3-4               98-104 cm

5                  4-5               104-110 cm

6                  5-6               110-116 cm

6X-7            6-7               116-122 cm

7 to 8           7-8               122-128 cm

9 to 10         8-9               128-134 cm

10                9-10             134-140 cm

11                10-11           140-146 cm

14                11-12           146-152 cm

Children’s Shoes

Inches         US     UK     Europe

5.38             6.5     5.5     23

5.56             7        6        23.5

5.75             7.5     6.5     24

5.88             8        7        24.5

6.06             8.5     7.5     25

6.25             9        8        25.5

6.38             9.5     8.5     26

6,47             10      9        26.5

6,67             10.5   9.5     27

6.83             11      10      27.5

6.98             11.5   10.5   28

7.14             12      11      28.5

7.30             12.5   11.5   29

7.46             13      12      30

7.77             1        13      31

7.93             1.5     13      31.5

8.09             2        1        32.5

8.25             2.5     1.5     33

8.40             3        2        33.5