The Reconquista was a series of long, intermittent campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslim Moors who had controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula since the early 8th century. It spanned several centuries, beginning around 711 CE with the initial Muslim conquests and culminating in 1492 with the fall of Granada. 

Here are the key aspects of the Reconquista:

1. Initial Muslim Conquests: In 711 CE, Muslim forces from North Africa, under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigothic Kingdom in Spain. This led to the rapid Islamic expansion over most of the Iberian Peninsula.
2. Early Christian Resistance: Despite rapid Muslim advances, small Christian kingdoms remained in the northern parts of the peninsula. Notable early resistance included the Battle of Covadonga in 722, where Christian forces led by Pelagius successfully defended the region of Asturias, setting the stage for future Christian efforts to reclaim land.
3. Formation of Christian Kingdoms: Over the centuries, several Christian states emerged as centers of resistance against Muslim rule. These included the Kingdoms of León, Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and Portugal. Because the Reconquista was not a continuous military campaign but rather a series of wars and political maneuvers, these kingdoms expanded at different times and speeds.
4. Key Battles and Developments: Important events during the Reconquista include the capture of Toledo in 1085, marking a significant shift in power; the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, which was a major victory for the Christian forces; and the gradual reclamation of Andalusia.
5. The Fall of Granada: The final stage of the Reconquista was the capture of Granada in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. The fall of Granada signified the end of Muslim rule in Iberia and the formal completion of the Reconquista.
6. Consequences and Impacts:
   • Cultural and Religious Shifts: The Reconquista led to significant cultural and religious transformations in Spain, including the forcible integration of Muslim and Jewish populations and the imposition of Christianity as the dominant religion.
   • Spanish Unification: The unification of Castile and Aragon through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, and the completion of the Reconquista, laid the foundations for the modern Spanish nation-state.
   • Exploration and Expansion: The conclusion of the Reconquista in 1492 coincided with the sponsorship of Christopher Columbus’s voyage, marking the beginning of Spain’s overseas expansion and the age of exploration.

The Reconquista had profound effects on the social, religious, and political landscape of Spain, affecting its development and identity for centuries.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.