The Iberian Peninsula. History of Spain

The Iberian Peninsula, the south-western extremity of Europe, is surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is 582 thousand km2.

The Iberian Peninsula is the most western and southern of the three peninsulas of Europe. On its territory are four countries - Spain, Andorra, Portugal and Gibraltar. The largest of them, occupying the main part of the territory, is Spain.

The peninsula was discovered by the Phoenicians almost a thousand years before our era. It is possible that the name of the main country is of Phoenician origin. "Shore of rabbits," as they called their Pyrenean colony, sounded like Phoenician "And spanking." Perhaps this is where the roots of the word "Spain" originate.

In the III century BC the powerful army of Carthage superseded the Phoenicians, but the Romans captured the Iberian Peninsula in the II century BC and founded here the provinces of their empire - Lusitania and Iberia.

In I in BC. These provinces were ruled by Guy Julius Caesar. This warrior, like Alexander the Great, left brief but reliable descriptions of the conquered countries. We can say that he opened the Iberian Peninsula for Europeans.

The rich history of the Iberian Peninsula, on whose land many peoples have passed, left traces of their culture here, has led to the fact that practically the whole of Spain is one huge historical museum in the open air. And if you consider that this "museum" is surrounded by a ring of the best resort zones in Europe and beautiful sea shores, the desire of millions of tourists to go on a trip to Spain becomes understandable.

Here they merged into one explosive mixture of bullfight and flamenco, sherry and malaga, ancient centuries-old traditions and modern cities. To understand the spirit of the country, which makes people often make unexpected acts, it is necessary to visit here.

A small provincial Madrid, transformed one morning in 1561 by the wave of the hand of King Philip II into the capital of a mighty state, instantly filled with the proud Spanish nobility, artists, officials, musicians, artisans, monks and poets. The kings built luxurious squares and palaces, decorated them with their own statues and fountains. So Madrid gradually became the Madrid, which we know, and to get acquainted with which thousands of tourists come.

Business prudish city with the onset of twilight is changing. Millions of night lights illuminate the ghostly silhouettes of ancient cathedrals, fountains and palaces from the darkness. Madrid is filled with carelessness and fun. Thousands of people, tourists and local residents take a traditional Spanish evening walk - "Paseo".

And in the old capital with the sonorous name of Toledo, time seemed to stop. In this city the 16th century still reigns. Remained the same old narrow streets, buildings and cathedrals, and even fortress walls. And the same masters in numerous workshops that make armor, crossbows and cold steel right before your eyes from the glorified Toledian steel. Foreigners greedily posing in front of cameras in helmets and with halberds at the ready, swinging swords or daggers, trying on armor. But in the end it all ends with the purchase of small folding knives with the branded inscription "Toledo".