The indigenous people of Spain were the Celts and the Iberos.
The Romans had a very important influence in Spain,
and before the Romans the Greeks and the Carthaginians. After the Romans came the Visigoths, and they remained in Spain for nearly 300 years. From 711 the Muslim Moors from North Africa conquered Spain and stayed for about 800 years. The Alhambra is an important building from this time and the Mezquita (mosque) of Cordoba.

1492 Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic monarchs, took power. They ommissioned Christopher Columbus to sail west. He discovered America. Spanish explorers brought treasure back from America and Spain became very powerful. Spanish settlers moved to South America which is why Spanish is still an important world language.

1519 Charles I of Spain was around at the same time as Henry VIII in England. The Spanish court was very important.

In 1558 Philip II, Charles’ son, took power. He was married to Mary Tudor, Henry’s daughter, but she died. There were wars between England and Spain. Sir Francis Drake repelled the Armada.

Two very famous Spanish artists are El Greco and Velasquez. Others include Goya, Dali and Picasso.

In 1605 Cervantes published “El ingenioso hidalgo D. Quijote de la Mancha”, the most important novel of Spanish literature. Spanish golden age in art, poetry, theatre goes for nearly 200 years. Among the characters created by Spanish writers is Don Juan, who later was recreated in Moliere’s plays as well as Lord Byron and many other European writers.

Spain lost much of its power and influence at the beginning of the 19th century because of the independence of its former colonies. In 1898 there was a war with USA.

14th April 1931 is a magic date for the history of modern Spain and still many people remember this day as the most important of 20th century. Spain became a Republic and this day was the beginning of a new era. But in July 18th 1936 General Franco rebelled against the legal government of the Republic and after three years of a bloody civil war he won with the support of Hitler and he ruled Spain for a long time. When he died in 1975, King Juan Carlos became Head of the State and Spain a parliamentary monarchy. Government is decentralised and there are 17 regional governments.