Iberian Peninsula

Satellite view of the Iberian peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is the southwest part of Europe. Like other peninsulas, it is mostly surrounded by sea. To the south and east of the peninsula is the Mediterranean Sea. To its north and west is the Atlantic Ocean. It is the third largest peninsula of Europe with an area of 582,860 km². The name Iberia is the Ancient Greek name for the region which the Romans called Hispania. Hispania is now used for Spain, while Iberia is used for the whole region.

Origin

The word Iberia was also used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans for another territory at the opposite side of Europe, Caucasian Iberia, which is near the Black Sea.

Countries

• Portugal, most of the west of the peninsula
• Spain, most of the peninsula, including the center, east and northwest
• France, a very small territory of the nation France is on the east side of the peninsula
• Andorra, a very small nation at the northern edge of the peninsula in the Pyrenees between Spain and France

Territories

• Gibraltar, a tiny British territory in the south, bordering Spain

Iberian Peninsula Media

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  Northeast Iberian script from Huesca

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  Iberian schematic art in Peña Escrita

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  A model recreating the Chalcolithic settlement of Los Millares

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  An instance of the Southwest Paleohispanic script inscribed in the Abóbada I stele.

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  Roman conquest: 220 BCE – 19 BCE

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  Islamic rule: al-Andalus c. 1000

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  Two warriors embrace before the siege of Chincoya Castle (Cantigas de Santa Maria).

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  Moorish and Christian Reconquista battle, taken from The Cantigas de Santa María