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Spaniards

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Spaniards are an ethnic group native to the country of Spain. They belong to the broader Southern and Western European populations. This group shows a high degree of continuity with other Indo-European-derived ethnic groups in the region. Spain is also home to many diverse national and regional identities. These identities were shaped by a very complex history. Many people in Spain identify with specific regions, such as the Castilians, Aragonese, Catalans, Andalusians, Valencians, Balearics, Canarians, Basques, or Galicians.

Llengües d'Espanya
Llengües d'Espanya

Language is a major part of Spanish identity. Many languages and dialects in Spain are direct descendants of Latin. This was the language imposed during Roman rule. Spanish, also known as Castilian, is the most widely spoken language. It is the only official language used across the entire country. Other common regional languages include Catalan and Galician. These are Romance languages, meaning they come from Latin. Basque is unique because it is the only surviving indigenous language of Iberia.

The history of the peninsula began with very early humans. Paleolithic peoples may have arrived as far back as 40,000 years ago. Later, the Iberians emerged as a culture between the 4th and 3rd millennia BC. They initially settled along the Mediterranean coast.

The Lady of Elche, once polychrome stone bust discovered by chance in 1897 at L'Alcúdia, believed to be a piece of Iberian sculpture from the 4th century BC, National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid (20098349590)
The Lady of Elche, once polychrome stone bust discovered by chance in 1897 at L'Alcúdia, believed to be a piece of Iberian sculpture from the 4th century BC, National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid (20098349590)

Celts also settled in Spain during the Iron Age. Some tribes in North-central Spain are called Celtiberians because they had contact with the Iberians. Other groups like the Tartessians and Turdetanians lived in the southwest. These groups were influenced by the seafaring Phoenicians.

Roman rule changed the region forever. The Roman Republic conquered Iberia during the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. They called the land Hispania. This period involved a process of linguistic and cultural Romanization. Most local languages evolved from Vulgar Latin, the common speech of the Romans. Hispania became an important part of the Roman Empire. It produced famous figures like the Emperor Trajan.

Traianus Glyptothek Munich 336
Traianus Glyptothek Munich 336

After the Western Roman Empire ended, Germanic tribes migrated into the peninsula. The Suebi, Alans, and Vandals established independent realms. Eventually, the Visigoths integrated these territories into the Visigothic Kingdom. This kingdom unified the former Roman provinces legally and politically.

In 711, the Visigothic Kingdom was conquered by the Umayyad Islamic Caliphate. This force arrived in the peninsula and established a rule called al-Andalus. This period saw the rise of the Caliphate of Córdoba. During its Golden Age, it was a major power in the region. Small Christian pockets remained in the north. These areas eventually became the kingdoms of León, Castile, Aragon, Portugal, and Navarre. For seven centuries, these kingdoms expanded southwards. This movement is known by historians as the Reconquista. It ended in 1492 when the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada was captured.

Reinos Antiguo Régimen
Reinos Antiguo Régimen

The late 15th century was a turning point for Spain. The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile created a dynastic union. This union is considered the point where Spain emerged as a unified country. In 1512, the conquest of Navarre took place. Spain also experienced the Iberian Union. Between 1580 and 1640, the Spanish Habsburg kings ruled both Spain and Portugal. During the early modern period, Spain built one of the largest empires in history. This was one of the first truly global empires.

Imperios Español y Portugués 1790
Imperios Español y Portugués 1790

This empire left a massive cultural and linguistic legacy. Today, there are over 570 million Hispanophones, or Spanish speakers, in the world. This makes Spanish the second-most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese. During the Spanish Golden Age, the arts flourished. The painter Diego Velázquez became a renowned artist. The famous literary work *Don Quixote* was also published during this time. Spanish culture also spread to the Western Hemisphere through Hispanic America.

Map of the Spanish Diaspora in the World
Map of the Spanish Diaspora in the World

Even today, Spain is a diverse place. From 2000 to 2010, it had one of the highest per capita immigration rates in the world. This continues to shape the nation's many identities.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Map of the Spanish Diaspora in the World.svg
Map of the Spanish Diaspora in the World.svg
File:The Lady of Elche, once polychrome stone bust discovered by chance in 1897 at L'Alcúdia, believed to be a piece of Iberian sculpture from the 4th century BC, National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid (20098349590).jpg
The Lady of Elche, once polychrome stone...
File:Cabeza masculina romana de Azaila (M.A.N. 32644) 02.jpg
Cabeza masculina romana de Azaila (M.A.N....
File:Traianus Glyptothek Munich 336.jpg
Traianus Glyptothek Munich 336.jpg
File:Reinos Antiguo Régimen.svg
Reinos Antiguo Régimen.svg
File:Imperios Español y Portugués 1790.svg
Imperios Español y Portugués 1790.svg
File:Iberia 300BC-en.svg
Iberia 300BC-en.svg
File:Conversation in a Sevillan Courtyard José Jiménez Aranda.jpg
Conversation in a Sevillan Courtyard José...
File:Llengües d'Espanya.svg
Llengües d'Espanya.svg
File:FuenteDeLasCibelesp4v2.jpg
FuenteDeLasCibelesp4v2.jpg
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