مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Spain; from the aspect of political geography

Abstract :

Spain located in a very strategic point at southwest Europe is one of two countries having a coast on Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Being of Gibraltar on the south coast of the country increased its strategic position. The geo-history of Spain has significant role not only for Ottoman Empire but also for the world. Spain changed the world’s history by discovering America. Spain has important effects on new commercial routes, decadence of Ottoman Empire, 1st Vienna defeat, the lost of Inebahti Sea Battle, and even giving capitulations. The pioneer role of Spain that founded Central and South America countries for initiating colonialism, capitalism, mercantilism, and slave trade is striking. It is a tragedy in terms of human values that Spain eradicated Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations. The military of Spain which interfered with conflicts among church, aristocracy, bourgeois, labor and villager classes caused a turbulent history in the country. The first global war which occurred in 1898 against USA and caused the lost of Cuba, Porto Rico, and Philippines was significant in terms of the country’s history and that pushed the country to decadence. Spain that broke its connections with outer world at the Franco regime era became an EU member in 1986 and started it economic development. Being in trouble with separatists of Bask, Catalan, and Galicia, Spain is being observed in recent years since it is leading the Civilization Alliance with Turkey in the international area.