Cartagena

Cartagena's history is directly linked to the sea. Its important bay made it a focus of attention for many people. Asdrúbal built a new city, CartHadaschat, on top of the ancient Iberian city called Mastia which later came to be controlled by the Romans who called it CartagoNova in 209 B.C. Today many centuries later Cartagena is still an important military base as well as a tourist destination thanks to its hundred metres of Mediterranean coastline. The surrounding countryside, irrigated by the Tajo-Segura river is agriculturally very rich.

The ancient city was located on a peninsula facing the bay. It was originally cut off by a lagoon, (which has now dried up) and by a series of hills topped by castles and forts giving it a strong strategic position. It was for this strategic advantage that Asdrúbal used it as a base for operations in Africa as well as conquests on the mainland. CartagoNova was also used as a base for Aníbal's campaigns against the almighty Romans who finally managed to take control by force.

The city's prestige and importance grew under the Romans. Roman governors used to stay in CartagoNovato take advantage of its mild climate in winter something which further raised the city's profile. Even coins were minted there. During the following centuries there were many battles over Cartagena. In 773 A.D. the Arabs used it to guard the coastline and it became one of their principal territories until king San Fernando took control in 1243 and included it in the kingdom of Castilla. It returned to Arab control once again before being reconquered by king Jaime I.

In 1706 during the war of succession Cartagena was taken by the English but shortly afterwards it was reconquered by king Felipe V.

Cartagena is also famous for being home to many distinguished personalities. One them being Isaac Peral who invented the submarine which is named after him.