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History
of Andalucia
It is know that as far back as 50,000 years ago
man was living on Gibraltar, however, in slightly more recent times
tribes from North Africa began to occupy this region of southern Spain
around 8,000 BC. The coast of the region was populated by the great
trading nation of Phoenicia who founded the city of Cadiz in 1100 BC.
Making Cadiz the oldest city in Europe. The first direct link between
the United Kingdom and Spain began around this time as the ancient Tartessus
Kingdom was trading with the Scilly Isles which they called the “Tin
Islands”.
The exported tin was used in the manufacture of bronze. The Tartessus
Kingdom existed successfully alongside the Phoenicians; however, the
city of Tartessus suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth around
600 BC. Scholars believe this could have been due to a great flood and
for this reason Tartessus is sometimes referred to as the lost city
of Atlantis. By this time the Greeks had established trade with Spain
and by 500 BC the Carthaginians had become established on the peninsular.
The Romans eventually overthrew Carthage and colonised southern Spain
In their usual efficient way the Romans built a network of roads and
developed the Andalucian region into a highly productive and wealthy
colony. Olive oil and wine were amongst the major exports to Rome. Whilst
still under Roman control, Spain became a Christian country in the Fourth
century. The Roman Empire fell and Andalucia began to fall foul of the
ravaging tribes from Northern Europe. The Visigoths eventually triumphed
and ruled the region for almost two hundred years. The government and
organisation of the region was totally lacking resulting in the invasion
of the Moors from Africa and Arabia in the year 711.
The Moors established the region as a world famous centre of learning,
culture, medicine and sophistication. They ruled the region with a tolerant
and all embracing attitude for a period of 800 years. We are reminded
of their presence to this day by such wonderful monuments as the world’s
third largest Mosque in Cordoba (the Mezquita) and the Alhambra Palace
complex in Granada.
The Christian nations began to retake Spain in the Thirteenth century.
After almost 200 years of conflict King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel finally
took control of the last Moorish foothold in southern Spain. In 1492
Bobadil, the King of Granada, walked down from the palace on foot with
the keys to the Alhambra Palace on a silk pillow and handed them over
to the King and Queen of Spain in total surrender. During the Sixteenth
and Sevententh centuries Spain benefited from it’s New World conquests
and plundering. Most of this wealth was used to fund the wars between
Spain, northern Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Spain’s, and with
it Andalucia’s, fortunes began to fall.
The Spanish War of Succession and the Napolionic invasion had further
devastating effects on the region even though they were one hundred
years apart. In the Twentieth century Spain lost the Philippines and
Cuba which led to further economic decline and political instability.
The result being the Spanish Civil War. In 1936 General Franco overthrew
the Republic and controlled Spain until 1975. International blockades
were lifted and Spain began to flourish again with a new democracy and
a new Monarch, King Juan Carlos II.
In 1982 Spanish government became decentralised and Andalucia became
an Autonomous Region. Since joining the European Union Spain has seen
a dramatic improvement in the standard of living. Andalucia has seen
prosperity eliminate poverty in it’s countryside. People have
regained their pride and maintain their culture which exists alongside
the modern day improvements of our fast changing world. Andalucia remains
atmospheric, enthralling and enchanting.
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