Since ancient times Spain has been a melting pot of different cultures from across the world. In fact ,a major portion of the history of Spain has been molded, by the numerous foreign races that have migrated to the country either for military or trading purposes . The Iberians,a sect belonging to Libya were the first to settle on the Peninsula,paving the way for numerous races,who would settle on the Peninsula in the future. The Iberian settlement soon brought in its wake the Aryan race of the Celts. The mingling of these two races gave birth to a third race called the Celtiberians who were to later sub-divide into three major tribal groups called the Cantabrians,Asturians and the Lusitarians . The following period witnessed the coming of the Phoenicians into Spain . The wealthy mines of Spain lured this trading class into opening many trade centers in Spain including Cadiz . The Phoenicians could not trade long in peace as the country soon attracted the Greeks who outnumbered the Phoenicians and soon established control over the entire country. But the country was yet to witness another long era of foreign rule when the Greeks were defeated by the Romans in the Second Punic War. The period that followed the war witnessed 600 years of Roman rule which brought in its wake culture,law,municipal administration and Christianity into the country. As the Roman Empire started decaying the Arabs gained control of the Peninsula and only after 800 years of Islam rule could Christianity be once again established on the Peninsula .
The history of medieval Spain records the unification of the two northern Christian empires of Aragon and Castile through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1462. In 1492 their unified forces overthrew any last remnant of Arab rule and ushered in a new unified Spain . The Catholic king and queen began a new era of reformation in all quarters aiming to establish a Kingdom of Spain to which end they sponsored the voyages of explorers like Christopher Columbus. Columbus 's discovery of America ushered in the New World for Spain . With this discovery Canary Islands,the Kingdom of Naples and Navarro came under Spanish control. The Renaissance truly saw Spain flourishing in all sectors especially in art and architecture and by the end of the 16 th century Spain had established itself as the supreme power in the world with European politics being dictated by it.
A brief history of Spain after its glorious era shows that the country soon headed for a rapid decline in all quarters following imminent political trouble from various groups. 18 th century proved disastrous for Spain when the War of Succession to the Spanish Throne(1701-1714) gave rise to political turmoil in the country. The end of the war saw the Bourbon dynasty coming to the throne of Spain and a signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 with the British. This treaty formally restored the Rock of Gibraltar in British hands but the issue has ever since become a point of dispute between the two countries which continues to this day. The successive years saw Napoleonic Invasion followed by Joseph Bonaparte's rise to the throne of Spain in 1808 . He could not rule for long as mass public revolt and the united military forces of Spain , Portugal and England forced him to restore the crown to Ferdinand VII of the Bourbons. This period in Spanish history is known as the Spanish War of Independence and in world history is known as the Peninsula War. It was during this war period that Spain and Portugal shared a common history .
The First Republic of Spain came into existence with the abdication of Amadeo of Savoy in 1873 . The brief existence of the Republic was fraught with political turmoil and finally following a military uprising in 1875 it was dissolved and Alfonso XII was acknowledged King of Spain. Heir apparent Alfonso XIII succeeded him in 1886. Before the official crowning of the new king in 1902,a brief war with the US ,led Spain to lose its last overseas territories in Cuba ,Puerto Rico and the Philippines .
The beginning of the 20 th century gave rise to the Second Republic of Spain . This Republic could not last for more than 5 years and its term spelt doomsday for the Spanish people with a tumultuous Civil War ensuing in 1936 which lasted for three years. The year 1936 also saw the beginning of the dictatorial rule of General Franco. With Franco's death in 1975 came the young prince Juan Carlos I to the throne. He reformed the country to follow Western democracy and a new constitution was adopted in 1978 which called for constitutional monarchy in the country. The years between 1980-82 saw Catalonia ,Basque Country, Galicia and Andalusia successfully proclaiming self-government. In the general elections of 1982 the PSOE came to power which would go on to to rule the country for the following 11 years under PM Felipe Gonzalez . Democracy in Spain with an active support from the monarchy has proved fruitful for the country's economy.
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history of the present
Flag of Spain shows that it was adopted in the 1970's. The flag shows three bands with the top and bottom bands colored in red,the middle band which is yellow in color depicts the Coat of Arms and is influenced by King Ferdinand. The Coat of Arms is influenced by the Pillars of Hercules which show Gibraltar and Ceuta on either side of the Eastern part of the Strait of Gibraltar .
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