This concise, illustrated volume explores the remarkable history of Spain -- a thriving centre of Islamic civilisation for many centuries until its conquest by the Christian kings. Before long, this European country became one of the world's greatest empires, with traces of its culture, religion, and language appearing around the world. Among other historical topics of importance, the author recounts astonishing events of the 20th century in which Spain battled its past, descended into a bloody civil war and years of dictatorship, and emerged, almost miraculously, as a fully democratic state.