during the history of spain many different people have lived there. the phoenicians came in 1100 bc, followed by carthaginians, romans, vandals, visigoths and moors. it was not until 1492, when the catholic monarchs got power, that spain became a united country. jews and moors, who had lived happily there for many years, were driven away. spain became very rich because it conquered many overseas countries, especially in central and south america. however, spain fought many wars and lost much of its treasure. it was very poor in 1936 when the civil war was fought. general franco became a harsh dictator until 1975 when juan carlos i was brought back to spain and made king. there is now a democratic government.