Spain has one of the longest and richest histories in Europe, marked by the coexistence of cultures, empires and revolutions that shaped the Western world. IBERIANS, PHOENICIANS AND ROMANS The first inhabitants — Iberians, Celts and Basques — were contacted by Phoenicians (9th century BC) and Greeks. Roman Hispania (218 BC - 476 AD) left aqueducts, theatres and cities like Mérida, Tarraco and Itálica. AL-ANDALUS (711-1492) For nearly 800 years much of the Iberian Peninsula was Muslim territory. Córdoba became one of the most cultured cities of the medieval world. The Reconquista ended with the conquest of Granada in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs. WORLD EMPIRE (1492-1898) The discovery of America by Christopher Columbus opened a Golden Age: Spain ruled territories on four continents, from the Philippines to the Caribbean. The Habsburgs and Bourbons ruled successively. 20TH CENTURY AND DEMOCRACY After the Civil War (1936-1939) and Franco's dictatorship (1939-1975), Spain peacefully transitioned to democracy. Today it is a parliamentary monarchy, a member of the EU since 1986.