The Muslim Conquest of Hispania began in 711 AD when an army led by Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from North Africa. They quickly defeated the Visigothic king Roderic at the Battle of Guadalete, leading to the rapid expansion of Muslim rule across the Iberian Peninsula. Within a few years, most of Hispania fell under Umayyad control. The conquest established the Al-Andalus region, where Islamic culture flourished for several centuries. This period saw advancements in science, philosophy, and architecture, significantly influencing European history. The Muslim presence in Hispania lasted until the Reconquista, which culminated in 1492.