In view of this heavy influence from areas afar and near Spain, the culture of the region has been enhanced and has received a full flow of beliefs and practices of other cultures.

It must be asserted that the culture of a particular country or area is relevant to the beliefs and accepted norms of the people living that area or those of people who have arrived there. The way people dress, the food that they eat, religion, entertainment, hobbies, education styles, artistic and deco influences, etc. are all according to their tastes and their ways of thinking. Also, climatic conditions and history too do play a vital affect in the formation of culture.
Visualization, creativity and expression are deep-rooted in particular cultures, and have served as enlightenment to the world. In Europe, one can say that Spain has had this role because of the fact that the Moors had a tremendous influence on Art and Architecture there.

Though there were several others in that region that were responsible for the development in culture observed there, it is said that the Moors had the greatest contributions to make. Those whose eyes are caught by certain creations related to particular cultures cannot forget the impact it has, and this demonstrates some of the deco that the Moors had left behind. This is because of the fact that they are thrilling to observe.

Particular cultures exemplified these characteristics, and came to be recognized for them; the Moors are certainly recognized for the designs the left on structures before their dominance ended. Prior to the Moors there were other cultures that dominated the art and Architecture in Spain.

These were also as dominant as the Moors art because they were also spread throughout Spain and survived in other parts of the region. However, Moorish art spread through Spain and left and indelible mark that is still observed more than 500 years later. Today, marking their influence so many centuries ago, a mosque has been erected in Granada that reflects their artistic style.

It must be noted as well that this artistic style has its roots in a conquest of Muslims in around the early 700s. This was a time when knowledge began to flourish in North Africa, and it Spread up towards Spain. This I why this period of Islam is sometimes called the Hebrew Enlightenment. It must also be noted here that Jews during this period had lived peacefully beside Muslims (Cobb, 1972, 32-40).

The Jews had spread up towards Europe in earlier days, and the Muslims traveled up as well without clashing with them. It was during this time when Muslim contributions to science, medicine and mathematics began to surge. Arabian scientists were some of the earliest to bring knowledge into Spain. Astronomy was also one of the subjects on which they focused, and it is a science well studied by the Arabs of those days because they could use the stars to determine direction. It was due to all this intellectual influence in and around this period that Universities began to spring up. The result of this was a strong regard for education, and so, knowledge began to blossom (Ghiles, 1983).

Being in a convenient location, Spain was a gateway to Europe because it is from here that many invaders entered and then spread their influences around Europe. It must be asserted here that aside from Spain receiving Moorish influence, this influence was passed on to other parts of Europe. Hence, in a manner of speaking, Arab intellectual influence had in fact reached other parts of Europe. Not only did the Arabs invade Spain leaving their marks from which Spain’s culture was enhanced, but other groups such as Iberians, Celts, and Basques also landed here. As asserted earlier, it is actually, Spain strategic location that allowed it to become the focal point of pre-classical and classical civilizations. In the early 700s, Arabs were successful at expelling the dominating Germanic tribesmen in the area. It was from this point onwards that Muslim Spain, which is also known as Al-Andalus in Arabic was a very culturally rich place. In spite of the troubles that the Muslim Empire seemed to suffer through external as well as internal obstacles, the Golden Age of the Muslim Empire is considered to be during the reign of Haroun al Rashid between 786 and 809 AD (Carew, 1992, 248-77).
During this time, Baghdad became the center of cultural and Islamic traditions (Hawting, 1986).

Through the years 827 to 1091 AD Islam spread to Spain, Sicily, North Africa, Syria, Palestine and South East Asia. The Shiites sects as well as the Sunni sects had been responsible for the establishment of the social cultures in these areas. With the advent of the Crusaders, the region of Palestine and Israel became divided and so has the social relationships between the different religions (A Concise History of Islam and the Arabs 2004).

The Muslim empire in other areas that had not been affected by the Crusaders remained under the power of the Muslims and these are the Muslim regions that exist today. These areas include Iraq, Turkey, Syria, parts of South Asia like Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Turks of Mamluke as well as the Mongols ensured that the legacy of the Caliph remained in these areas. It had been the Mamluke that forwarded the legacy of the Muslims under the Ottoman Empire and retained its glory in the Middle East till the First World War (Roberts, 2001).

During the Arab influence in Spain and other parts of Europe, Christians and Muslims sometimes managed to live side by side. However, there were conflicts that arose. In addition to this, similar sentiments existed between the Jews and Muslims. When there was peace in the region, it resulted in science and arts flourishing, which was typically the case.

Hostilities were not rampant everywhere, and as a result the presence of the Moors brought significant development to the people there. It is because of peace prevailing among the inhabitants of Spain that it was the brightest part of Europe. By the word ‘brightest’, it means that a large part of Europe was sunk in darkness. This darkness was in the form of ignorance that was caused largely by conflict. Had Muslims, Christians and Jews in these parts along with other warring factions made peace, they too would have benefited the way that Spain did (Carew, 1992, 248-77).
During the Moorish period in Spain, Poet-King Mu-Tamid had succeeded in establishing an assembly of several great intellectuals. The most famous Arab poetry as well was recorded during this period. The caliph had to flee from Syria for Toledo in 750, resulting in the center of the Islamic world being transported to Spain. Further, the result of this change was that there was an increased presence of Moors in the peninsula. This increase in the number of these people meant that there was construction of beautiful palaces, mosques, and fortresses (Carew, 1992, 248-77).

These stand till today in the southern regions Spain. As opposed to the rich culture that the Moors had brought to the South, in the North there were tiny Christian states that survived in the lofty mountains. These were largely the ones that had been defeated and retreated to the mountains. Eventually, these seemingly poor states developed into prolific kingdoms through time. It was the re-establishment of these kingdoms that led to a re-conquest from Spain. Fierce battles from here on saw the Moors retreat to the southern portion of Spain (Carew, 1992, 248-77).
The kingdoms that were at the center of the conflict on the Christian side were kingdoms of Castilla and Aragon. With the famous marriage of Ferdinand II and Isabella I, the Moors expelled from Granada in 1492. Spain then remain in control of these kingdoms and blossomed with the heritage it had already received through the Moors. 1492 being a significant year for the Spanish meant that their place would increasingly be recognized politically speaking, as the Spanish had discovered the New World. By this time, the Moorish contribution to Spain and other parts of Europe had diminished and were being forgotten. However, when one researches some details that have come to man in contemporary times, there are particular things that have their roots in Moorish history.

An example of this includes cosmetics that are so widely known today. Not just are cosmetics used in Spain or in Europe. They are used throughout the world, and one can trace the origins of the perfection of this item to the Moors. The man responsible for this, during the Moorish rule in Spain, was Al-Zahrawi (936-1013 CE), a physician. In his medical encyclopedia, he published work that was used as the main text in universities from the 12th to the 17th century (Carew, 1992, 248-77).

Among the 30 volumes of his encyclopedia, it was Al-Zahrawi’s 19th volume that he had devoted purely to cosmetics. For work conducted during his time, it is truly enlightening, as his work contains contributions to medicated cosmetics include under-arm deodorants, hair removing sticks and hand lotions. In addition to these, there are details of hair dyes, methods of turning blond hair to black and hair care. Also, there are descriptions of suntan lotions and their ingredients and benefits as well. For improving one’s breath he even recommended cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and chewing on coriander leaves. In addition to this he also suggested fried cheese in olive oil seasoned with powdered cloves as a remedy for bad breath (Brunson, 1992, 27-84).

Aside from correcting mouth odor, Al-Zahrawi included methods for maintaining stronger gums and removing blackness from teeth. Aside from these smaller cures that he proposed, Al-Zahrawi focused on cosmetics, as he believed it was a major and definite branch of medication. In his volume entitled (Adwiyat Al-Zinah), he particularly deals with perfumes, scented aromatics and incense. Some of the earliest lipsticks and deodorants by assumption include perfumed stocks rolled and pressed in special moulds (Brunson, 1992, 27-84).

Further, it must be noted that Al-Zahrawi used oily substances called Adhan for medication and beautification. It must be particularly noted here that it is on the basis of his religion that he was able to incorporate a great many remedies. An example of this is the fact that there are several Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) which directly refer to personal cleanliness, appropriate dressing, and care for hair and body. It was around these principles of the prophet that Zahrawi described the care and beautification of hair, skin, teeth and other parts of the body (Brunson, 1992, 27-84).
From a greater medical perspective, Zahrawi was a Moor who brought precise medical treatment for ailments such as epilepsy. For this ailment, he recommended Ghawali and Lafayfe and Muthallaathat. These are made from camphor, musk and honey (Brunson, 1992, 27-84).

In addition to getting technical when combating epilepsy, Zahrawi also had in his armor a means of keeping clothes fresh by putting them in an incense-filled. In modern times as well, people do the same so that their clothes remain fresh and have a pleasant fragrance (Brunson, 1992, 27-84).

In addition individuals such as Zahrawi making indelible marks in the history of cosmetics and other medically related remedies, it must be asserted that there a great many achievements of the moors in Spain, as they were the ones during a period of 800 years that developed and enlightened Spain and other parts of Europe. Indeed, during Moorish rule in Spain, Cordoba had erected 600 mosques, 300 public baths, 50 hospitals, and 70 public libraries.

In sharp contrast to this region, it must be noted that much of Europe was living in a dark age. However, eventually, the enlightenment from Spain had spread to other parts of Europe with the passage of time. Some of the Moors also spread into these regions along with other settlers in Spain. However, with Spain having a significant number of outsiders settling, it must be asserted that there are numerous distinct ethnic minorities (Chandler, 1992, 151-81).

In view of this, today there are considerations for these nations among which the Moors are. The Spanish state encompasses all these minorities, and in the 1978 Constitution, the state recognizes all such minorities. It must be asserted here that the major ethnic groups that existed in Spain include the Basques, Catalans, Galicians, Andalusians, Valencians, Asturians, Navarrese, Aragonese and also a significant number of Gypsies.