Andalucia occupies the southern most part of Spain and was the battleground between Muslim and Catholic forces from 711 AD when the Muslims overtook the entire Iberian peninsula until 1492 AD when the Christians captured Granada for the last time.  The Arab influence is everywhere: from the food, the monuments, and the architecture to the genetic makeup of the people.  The name Andalucia derives from the Moorish name for the Iberian peninsula "Al Andalus".

The history of the military conflict between the Muslims and Christians is also demonstrated by the fortified towns within the region, many of which carry "de la Frontera" after their name to designate the town as a border town to the opposing force. 

In the province of Cadiz, Rota is a village on the Costa de la Luz of 25,000 residents which swells to 80,000 in the summertime.  Originally the home of farmers and fishermen, Rota today is being transformed by the town managers into a Spanish resort area.  During their occupation, the Arabs called the town "Rabita Ruta", meaning Frontier Fortress. 

In the 1950's, Spain invited the US to lease land, buildings, and equipment on their Naval Base located between Rota and El Puerto de Santa Maria.  Therefore many local Spaniards speak a smattering of English and some restaurants cater to the North American palate.

El Puerto de Santa Maria, east of Rota in the province of Cadiz, is also know locally as simply "Puerto".  Located at the mouth of the river Guadalete, Puerto boasts the most famous bullfighting ring of the area. 

Originally the major port to export sherry from Jerez, many of the old sherry warehouses have been converted into businesses or residences while preserving the original charm of their exterior and portals.

Northeast of Rota resides Jerez de la Frontera, internationally famous as the capital of the sherry industry and for the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre, an independent school of horse training and horsemanship. 

Sherry, the Englishman's attempt to pronounce Jerez ("Heir-ez"), is the result of arresting the fermentation of the special grapes used to make sherry by adding a secret high alcohol brew.  The result is a fortified wine which is blended to make the types of sherry Fino, Oloroso, Pedro Jimenez, Cream and others.  The process is similar, but not exactly the same as used to make Madeira and Port wines.

During the winter, at noon on Thursday the Real Escuela offers a 90 minute spectacle of horsemanship.  Single riders demonstrate different durrage steps.  Carriage horsemen display their skills with multiple carraiges and tacks.  All items in the tack room, including leather harnesses and cloth tassels, are produced by the students who study horsemanship during their four year stay here.  On Mondays and Wednesday, the school provides tours of the stables and exhibitions of training sessions.  Seeing this endeavor  and its museum was a real treat!

Relics from Cadiz which are confirmed to be more than 3,000 years old grant Cadiz the claim as Europe's oldest city.  Jutting from the mainland in the shape of a wooden spoon, Cadiz was originally called Gadir by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC.  Later occupied by Carthaginias, Romans, Moors and attacked regularly by the English in the 16th century, the old town section of the city now stands on the ruins of multiple previous towns.

Originally settled in the 8th century by the Muslims, Granada became the central and final focal point of the Muslim occupation of the Iberian peninsula, rivaling Cordoba.  Between the 13th and 15th centuries, Granada was the international center of culture for the area.  After falling to Isabel and Ferdinand in 1492, Granada continued to thrive during Renaissance times. 

Cordoba was the first Arab center of power and culture in Spain and maintained its dominance until challenged by Granada.  Its great mosque, the Mezquita, was originally built in the heart of the Jewish district between 785 and 787.  Four additional extensions were added in the next eight centuries.