- Spanish History
- Spanish culture
- Destinations
The history of Spain is one of the most passionate histories you may find. The modern world would not have been what it is today if the Spanish had not gotten in the way. A small territory sitting on the Western extremity of Europe, Spain has accrued a history so interesting, it greatly differs from the rest of the countries of the European continent.
The Iberian Peninsula became the target of various civilizations: the Carthaginians and the Romans fought for her control, the Arabs conquered and ruled for over 700 years, followed by the Christian Kings. The Catholic Monarchs were the ones who initiated the largest empire the world has ever seen with the conquest of the Americas. The empire grew with each ruling generation, reaching its peak with King Felipe II (Phillip II). He was ruler of various Spanish realms ranging from the islands of the Philippines (named in his honor)all the way to the Americas, the unified Spanish-Portuguese territories, the Netherlands, Italy and areas of today’s Germany.
Despite its glorious past, Spain eventually became victim of its own wealth and the empire that was once in expansion began to decline: the Spanish economical and political decadence era began with continuous exterior foreign wars and civil revolts. The independence achieved by the Spanish territories of the Americas and the 19th century loss of the last Spanish overseas colonies (Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines) ended up shaping the world into the one we know today.
Discover more regarding the fascinating role Spain has played in the “theater” of World History!
- Spain before the Romans and Roman Conquest
- The Middle Age in Spain: Goths, Arabs, Reconquest
- 1492: Spanish Conquest of Native America
- Spanish Inquisition
- Spanish Empire
- New monarchy: Bourbons
- Spanish American War
- Spanish Civil War
- The Democracy
- La movida
- Spanish Flag
- Spanish Art: from Velázquez to Picasso
- The Spanish Constitution
Read also the Spanish version
