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 area which the Romans called "Hispania". The word "Hispania" is now used for Spain, and the word "Iberia" is used for the whole area.
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 & territories
The Iberian Peninsula is divided into:
- Spain, most of the peninsula, including the center, east and northwest
- Portugal, most of the west of the peninsula
- Andorra, a very small nation at the northern edge of the peninsula in the Pyrenees between Spain and France
- Gibraltar, a tiny British territory in the south, bordering Spain
- France, a very small territory of the nation France is on the east side of the peninsula
Iberian Peninsula Media
Northeast Iberian script from Huesca
Iberian schematic art in Peña Escrita
A model recreating the Chalcolithic settlement of Los Millares
An instance of the Southwest Paleohispanic script inscribed in the Abóbada I stele.
Roman conquest: 220 BCE – 19 BCE
Islamic rule: al-Andalus c. 1000
Two warriors embrace before the siege of Chincoya Castle (Cantigas de Santa Maria).
Map of the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa (inverted) by Fra Mauro (ca. 1450)
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