Iberian Peninsula Part of sw Europe occupied by Spain and Portugal, separated from Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar and from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees Mountains. The early Iberian inhabitants were colonized by Phoenicians and then Carthaginians until the 2nd century bc, when Rome dominated. Fourth-century Visigothic incursions were followed by the Moorish invasions from North Africa. By the 13th century, the Christian reconquest of the Peninsula was virtually complete. Area: 596,384sq km (230,264sq mi).

IBERIAN PENINSULA

This entry comprises three subentries:

Iberian Peninsula: Overview

Iberian Peninsula: Portugal

Iberian Peninsula: Spain