Spain, a Western European country rich in Mediterranean flavors and Arab influence, is actually a few countries packed into one. With its location in the southern end of Europe and just a hop away from North Africa, Spain serves as Europe’s link to the Arab world. This link has been running strong for centuries: With large swaths having been ruled by the Moors for centuries as al-Andalus (origin of the name of today's southern Andalusia region), evidence of Arab influence is still in full display in Spain today.

One of the best display of Moorish influence here is Andalusia's Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex constructed in the mid-14th century by the Moorish rules of the emirate of Granada...

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