Spain’s fascinating past is the result of several cultures and eras coming together over the course of many centuries. The different prehistoric tribes who settled the Iberian Peninsula are the ancestors of this language. The Roman invasion in 218 BC left an indelible mark on the region, establishing the framework for the development of the Roman language, Roman law, and the urbanization of the region.

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths took control of the peninsula and remained in power until the advent of the Umayyad Caliphate in the eighth century. The Islamic authority lasted for centuries, and it was during that time that many important cultural exchanges took place and beautiful buildings were built. Slowly but surely, Christian countries reclaimed land from the Islamic caliphate from the eighth through the fifteenth centuries, a period known as the Reconquista. Unification of Spain occurred in 1492 after the marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, with royal support from Spain, added significance to this year. The Spanish empire was immensely prosperous and influential as a result of its exploration and colonization efforts. However, after that, Spain’s global power declined, which, along with rising religious tensions, triggered the Thirty Years’ War and ultimately brought down the Habsburg dynasty.

War and political unrest plagued Spain throughout the nineteenth century, culminating in the Peninsular War against Napoleon’s soldiers. The Spanish Civil War in the twentieth century brought forth the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. After Franco’s death in 1975, Spain made the transition to democracy, ushering in a new era in the country’s long and eventful history. Reflecting the lasting echoes of its past, modern-day Spain is a thriving tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions.