Spain, located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, boasts a rich and complex history that spans millennia. Home to ancient civilizations such as the Iberians, Celts, and Visigoths, Spain witnessed the arrival of the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians before the Roman Empire’s dominance from 218 B. C. to the 5th century A. D. The Visigothic Kingdom succeeded Roman rule until the Umayyad Caliphate’s conquest in 711, introducing Islam to the region. The subsequent centuries witnessed the Christian Reconquista, a gradual campaign to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula, culminating in the capture of Granada in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. This pivotal year also marked Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas, heralding Spain’s era of exploration and empire-building. The Habsburg dynasty and the subsequent Bourbon rule brought Spain to the height of its global influence, with territories spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia. However, the 19th century brought political turmoil, including the Napoleonic occupation and a series of short-lived republics. Spain’s involvement in the Spanish-American War in 1898 resulted in the loss of its remaining colonies. The 20th century saw political turbulence, with the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) leading to Francisco Franco’s authoritarian regime until his death in 1975. The subsequent transition to democracy, led by King Juan Carlos I and Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez, marked Spain’s integration into the European Union in 1986. Spain’s diverse cultural heritage is evident in its regions, each with unique traditions and languages such as Catalan, Basque, and Galician. Modern Spain is known for its vibrant festivals, art, and architecture, including iconic landmarks like the Alhambra, Sagrada Família, and Park Güell. The country’s economic growth, fueled by tourism and industries like agriculture and technology, reflects its resilience and adaptability in the contemporary global landscape. See globalsciencellc for Spain Recent History.