Islam on the Iberian Peninsula 711-1492
Al Andalus was the name given to the territory under Muslim control on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages between the Muslim invasion in 711 and their expulsion in 1492.
Led by Tàriq ibn Ziyad and Mussa ibn Nussayr, the Muslim forces disembarked on April 27th 711 Gibraltar and on July 19th defeated the Visigoth King Roderic at the Battle of Guadalete.
Between 711 and 716, the Muslims took control of the whole of the Iberian Peninsula apart from the mountainous Pyrenean and Cantabrian regions.
This was often achieved through pacts with the leaders of the collapsing Visigoth settlements, who, unable to offer much resistance, came to agreements with invading forces in return for privileges.