General

Spain is the country located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with Gibraltar. Because of its location, Spain has been subject to many external influences. Not only has it been influenced by other countries itself; Spain has also contributed to many other regions. Although there were many positive aspects for Spain, there were also a few bad aspects and occasions.



Historic
During the Second Punic War, an expanding Roman Empire captured Carthaginian trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast from roughly 210 BC to 205 BC, leading to eventual Roman control of nearly the entire Iberian Peninsula; this lasted over 500 years, bound together by law, language, and the Roman Road. Another important aspect was the Reconquista, or the Reconquest. This was the centuries-long period of expansion of Spain's Christian kingdoms; Reconquista is viewed as beginning with the battle of Covadonga in 722. The Christian army's victory over the Muslim forces led to the creation of the Christian Kingdom of Asturias along the northern coastal mountains. As for religion in Spain, roman Catholicism is the largest in the region. According to several other sources, 76% are Catholic, 5% take on other religions, and 19% of the people identify themselves as having no religion.