Geography & Religion

How might the location of a country influence its religious experience?

Looking at the map above, you can see how Italy seems to be pulling to the east while, Spain is drawn to the west. Trade relations went in those respective directions, as well.

"La geographia manda", or "Geography controls everything"

Spain location was influential in both Spanish and European religion

Muslim Spain

At the beginning of the Middle Ages, Spain was invaded by a Muslim group. Eventually almost the entire Iberian Peninsula was overtaken and the new leaders constructed a large mosque in Cordoba in order to help bring a sense of national identity to the area. Over time many Christians were converted to Islam.

Life and Society

Over the next fives centuries, customs and traditions were influenced by the vast cultures who lived there.

• Goods and Ideas were exchanged between such places as Spain, Egypt, Syria, Zanzibar and Indonesia.
• Music, arts and architecture were reflective of the Islamic values

Centres of Learning

The first university was established in Cairo in 971 (200 years before a university was established in Europe)

Subjects covered:

• medicine
• science
• translation of books and essays

Religious Tolerance

Muslim Spain were tolerant of other religions as was instructed by Sayyid, the second Caliph; "fight to protect them [i.e. non Muslims]

Reconquista

By the early 100's, the caliphate was broken up into smaller principalities or states, due to poor leadership. The once small section of land owned by the Christians in the north was expanded southward. This was the beginning of the reconquista. The spaniards became the strongest fighters in Europe because of their tight formation on the battle lines.