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The Iberian Peninsula
When the Roman Empire collapsed the Visigoths created a kingdom of their
own on the Iberian Peninsula. The Arabs conquered that kingdom in the
beginning of the 8th century but resistance against the Muslim
invaders continued in the north and several Christian petty kingdoms were
created. These kingdoms were often merged together to form larger kingdoms
while they also re-conquered the lands controlled by the Muslims (the Reconquista). Aragon and Castile were the most important kingdoms and when
they were united 1479 by Isabel and Fernando the Kingdom of Spain was
created. In 1492 the last Muslim state, Granada, was conquered. Portugal and
Navarre were unified with Spain during the 16th century but
Portugal regained its independence after a rebellion 1640. |
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