History of Andalusia

A resume of andalusian history

The cities of Malaga and Cadiz were founded about 3000 years ago.

Starting from the second century before Christ, Spain turns a roman province for more than 600 years. The roman province Hispania experiences the peak of roman culture and brings out two important roman emperors with Traian and Hadrian.
In the 5th century the western Goths found their empire with Toledo as seat of government.

In 711 the Arabs and Berber win over the western Goths followed by 800 years of Arabic reign. Cordoba turns seat of the caliphate Al-Andalus and rises to the economical and spiritual centre of the Iberian Peninsula. After the fragmentation of the Arabic empire the Reconquista begins with the reconquest of Spain ending in 1492 with the taking of Granada.

Spain takes a leading role in Europe. America is discovered and the Golden Age begins at the end of the 16th century providing a cultural highlight with Seville as the new centre. After the victory over the Napoleonic conquerors in the beginning of the 19th century the most liberal constitution in Europe so far passes law in Cadiz. The following years are loaded with conflicts between the magnet ship and the anarchically influenced rural population in Andalusia. When Franco takes Spain in a surprise attack in 1936 thousands of political opponents have been killed and Spain struggles into 30 years of international isolation and inner-political monoculture.

King Juan Carlos overtakes power in 1975 and leads Spain back into democracy. 1981 Andalusia switches to autonomy indicating independence from the centralistic Madrid, but the terms of ownership don't change. Today 2% of the people in Andalusia own 52% of the land.


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