Content area
Full text
BACKGROUND
Land and Climate
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, in Europe. It is about the same size as Thailand, or twice the size of the U.S. state of Oregon. Much of central Spain is a high plateau surrounded by low coastal plains. The famous Pyrenees Mountains are in the north. Other important mountain ranges include the Iberians, in the central part of die country, and die Sierra Nevada, in the south. The Ebro (564 miles, or 910 kilometers) is Spain's longest river.
The northern coasts enjoy a moderate climate with frequent rainfall year-round. The southern and eastern coasts have a more Mediterranean climate, with long, dry summers and mild winters. Central Spain's climate is characterized by long winters and hot summers. Spain's territory also includes the Balearic Islands and die Canary Islands (a popular tourist retreat), as well as die cities of Ceuta and Melilla, both located on the nordiern coast of Morocco.
History
Foreign Rule, Columbus, and Reconquest
Civilization on die Iberian Peninsula dates as far back as 2000 BC, with some of die earliest settlers coming from North Africa and Western Europe. Various peoples have migrated to the area over die centuries, including Iberians, Celts, and Basques. Rome began to exercise its influence around 218 BC and controlled die entire peninsula by the first century AD. In the centuries after die Roman Empire fell, the area now known as Spain was ruled first by the Visigodis, Germanic tribes who invaded in the fifth century, and then by die Muslim Moors, who invaded from North Africa in 711.
Christians fought the Muslim Empire for die next several centuries and gradually regained territory. Two Christian kingdoms, Castile and Aragon, emerged. The marriage of Isabel I (Queen of Castile) to Fernando II (King of Aragon) united die kingdoms in 1469. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed under die Spanish flag to die Americas. That same year, most Jews and Muslims were expelled from Spain, and the "reconquest" was completed.
The Spanish Empire During die 16th century, Spain was one of die largest and most powerful empires in the world. Its territories in die Americas were extensive and wealthy. One of Spain's most famous rulers was Philip II (1556-98), who fought many wars in the name...