The History of Spain
The Iberian Peninsula, like most Mediterranean countries, has been invaded many times. The Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Celts, the Romans and the Visigoths, six different invaders, take us only to the year 711. Then the good guys arrive. They were the Arab and Berber invaders, now popularly known as the Moors, who called Spain 'Al Andalus'.
Spain's History at a Glance:
1100 BC - Phoenicians began colonising Spain. Modern cities such as Cadiz and Malaga were founded by the Phoenicians around this time.
400s BC - The Carthaginians conquered much of Spain.
200sBC - Spain became an important part of the Roman Empire following the Punic Wars.
AD573 - The Visigoths completed their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
711-718 - The Moors conquered most of Spain. Many Spaniards converted to Islam, and Moorish culture began to flourish.
1000s - The Christian reconquest of Spain began.
1479 - Aragon and Castile were united under Ferdinand V and lsabella I. The following year the Spanish Inquisition was established.
1492 - The Kingdom of Granada was conquered, ending Moorish rule in Spain . Christopher Columbus initiated Spanish claims in the Americas, where Spain quickly established a huge colonial empire.
1512 - The Kingdom of Navarre was absorbed into the unified Kingdom of Spain. Spanish culture flourished and Spain became a world power.
1588 - The English navy defeated the Spanish Armada, beginning a period of slow decline for Spain.
1714 - Britain gained Gibraltar from Spain.
1808 - Napoleon I of France invaded Spain and captured Madrid. Spanish, English, and Portuguese forces did not drive the French from Spain until 1814.
1810-1825 - Most of Spain's American colonies won their independence.
1898 - Spain lost the rest of its important overseas possessions following the Spanish-American War.
1931 - King Alfonso Xlll fled from Spain, and the country became a republic.
1936-1939 - Spanish Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco defeated Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. Buoyed by strong economic growth, the government eased censorship restrictions. Protests erupted in Barcelona and Madrid, and regional separatist groups gained strength.
1975 - Franco died and was succeeded by King Juan Carlos. Spain became a constitutional monarchy.
1980s - Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Community (now the European Union), increasing its ties with the rest of Europe.
1992 - The Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona.
1994 - Spain threatened to block expansion of the European Union until a compromise guaranteed protection of Spanish fishing rights.
1996 - Following a general election the conservative Popular Party, led by Jose Maria Aznar, formed a new government, bringing to an end 13 years of rule by the Socialist Workers' Party.
1999 - Spain became a founder member of the single European currency, the euro.
2000 - Renewed campaign of violence by ETA. Popular Party won general election led by Jose Maria Aznar.
2002 - Introduction of euro notes and coins.
2004 - Madrid train bombings. Change of government. Troops withdrawn from Iraq.
