The Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula is in the southwestern corner of Europe. It is mostly made up of two countries, Spain and Portugal. The peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides. The Atlantic Ocean is to the west and the Mediterranean Sea is to the east. A tall mountain range called the Pyrenees connects it to the rest of Europe.

Land and Rivers

The Iberian Peninsula has mountains, beaches, and dry plains. Big rivers like the Tagus and the Douro cross the land. In the middle sits a wide area called the Meseta where it is hot and dry in summer. Sandy beaches line the coasts, and people love to visit them. The peninsula has many old cities full of castles and stone buildings.

History and People

People have lived on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years. The Romans, Celts, and Moors all lived here long ago. They each left things behind like buildings, foods, and words. Today, the people speak Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, and Basque. Famous foods from here include paella, tapas, and olive oil. Soccer, called football, is loved by almost everyone.

Fun Facts

• The Iberian Peninsula is about 230,000 square miles in size.
• The tiny country of Andorra is also on the peninsula, high in the Pyrenees Mountains.
• The Rock of Gibraltar, owned by Britain, is at the southern tip of the peninsula.

Did You Know?

The Iberian Peninsula is only about 9 miles away from Africa at its closest point, across a narrow strip of sea.