Spanish Empire
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The Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire that existed between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it ush
The conquest of the Canary Islands (1402–1496)
The return of Columbus, 1493
Spanish colonial swords in the Museum of the Royal Houses
Crowns and kingdoms of the Catholic Monarchs in Europe (1500)
Juan Carlos I
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Juan Carlos I is a member of the Spanish royal family, who reigned as King of Spain from 1975 until his abdication in 2014. Although chosen by Francisco Franco as his successor, Juan Carlos helped dis
Spanish Empire
…1873–1874, 1931–1939 Dictatorship 1939–1975 Democratic transition period 1975–1976 Head of state • 1492–1516 Catholic Monarchs (first) • 1975–1976 Juan Carlos I (last) History • Christopher Colombus discovers the Americas 12 October 1492 • Spanish colonization of the Americas begins 1493 • Conquest of Navarre…
Juan Carlos in 2013
Juan Carlos (left) and Alfonso with their father Juan, Count of Barcelona, in 1950
Juan Carlos, Sofía and their three children in 1975
Juan Carlos and Francisco Franco in 1969