IMPORTANT DATES about 1100-1000 BC Phoenicians began colonizing Spain. Modern cities such as Cádiz and Málaga were founded by the Phoenicians around this time. 400s BC The Carthaginians conquered much of Spain. 200s BC Spain became an important part of the Roman Empire following the Punic Wars. AD 573 The Visigoths completed their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. 711-718 The Moors conquered most of Spain. Many Spaniards converted to Islam, and Moorish culture began …showed first 75 words of 334 total…

…showed last 75 words of 334 total…in Barcelona and Madrid, and regional separatist groups gained strength. 1975 Franco died and was succeeded by King Juan Carlos. Spain became a constitutional monarchy. 1980s Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Community (now the European Union), increasing its ties with the rest of Europe. 1992 The Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona. 1994 Spain threatened to block expansion of the European Union until a compromise guaranteed protection of Spanish fishing rights.