The History Of SpainWritten by Jason Herbert
The History of Spain, and how it all begun.The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited around 8000,000 BC and has long been subject to foreign influences. The history of Spain starts from 11th century BC, it was colonized by sophisticated Eastern Mediterranean civilizations, starting with Phoenicians then Greeks and Carthaginians. The Romans arrived in Spain in 218BC to fight Carthaginians, this sparked off Second Punic War. They harvested peninsulas agricultural and mineral wealth and established cities with aqueducts, temples and theaters. In early 5th century AD with fall of Roman Empire, Visigothic invaders from North assumed power. They were off poor political organization but this made it easy prey to Moors from North Africa. In 8th century of history of Spain peninsula came almost entirely under Moorish rule. Europes only major Muslim territory, civilization of Al Andalus excelled in mathematics, geography, astronomy and poetry. In 9th and 10th centuries Cordoba was Europes leading City. From 11th century, northern Christian kingdoms initiated a military reconquest of Al Andalus. The marriage of Fernando Aragon and Isabel of Castile in 1469, so called Catholic Monarchs, led to Spanish unity. They took Granada, last Moorish kingdom in 1492. In same year Columbus discovered America, opening way for Spanish conquistadors, who plundered civilization of New World of history in Spain.
| | Train to Los MochisWritten by David Westbrook
The start to perhaps most glorious train ride in North America, and certainly in all of Mexico, starts in city of Chihuahua, which lies in northern Mexico state that's its name sake. The city of Chihuahua is a pleasant town that lies at an elevation of approximately 4550 feet. The city is worth a visit if for no other reason than to catch train to Los Mochis. However, you would be missing quite a lot if you did not allow yourself a few hours here. Since train leaves from Chihuahua early in morning, you might as well arrive mid-day before your travels and see what city has to offer.You might start your site seeing at one of museums. The regional museum (Museo Regional, has exquisite fine art rooms. The child's room features scenes from Little Red Riding Hood, while bathroom has frogs playing among reeds. On art side, there is also Museo de Arte Popular, which is worth a visit. If your tastes run more historical you might want to visit former house of Benito Juarez which is now Museo de Casa de Juarez. If you feel spirits of revolutionaries in Chihuahua, it is of little wonder as Pancho Villa once captured town by disguising his men as peasants on their way to market. The Good Sunday Market is certainly worth a visit. The train journey to Los Mochis is spectacular and while it may be best done from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, due to numerous sites on Los Mochis end, it is a must for any traveler headed south through Mexico. The journey takes you across Sierra of Tarahumara Indians who are famous for their running abilities. In their native tongue, they are known as Raramuri which literally translated means "those who run fast."
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