Study abroad Programs in Cadiz

Jerez is a city in the province of Cádiz, which is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It's population is roughly 191,002 according to estimates in 2003. It is one of the original centers of Flamenco art and music. Jerez is where sherry originates, and as a result Jerez is world famous for it's wines. It is also a city that is greatly influenced by the many cultures that have passed through, such as the Romans, Moors, Christians, and Jews. Jerez has a very large jewish population. When Alphonso X. conquered Jerez in 1264 he assigned land to the Jews. Ever since then it has been one of the largest Jewish populations in the region.

The city of Cádiz (p. 133,242), the capitol city of the province of Cádiz, is just south of Jerez. The city has a rich history, and may be one of the most ancient cities in Western Europe. First founded by the Phoenicians, it came under Carthaginian control around 500 b.c. It became a base of operations for Hannibal's conquest of Southern Iberia. Then in 206 b.c. the city fell to the Romans, and Cádiz blossomed into a successful naval base. In the 5th century, after Rome had fallen, Cádiz was overtaken by the Visigoths, who thusly destroyed much of the city. Next, Cádiz was ruled by the Moors from 711 to 1262. They were then overtaken by Alphonso X. Christopher Columbus sailed from Cádiz on his second and fourth voyages, and it was the home of the Spanish Treasure Fleet. Since then, several attempts to overtake Cádiz were thwarted, but it remained a very attractive target to enemies of Spain such as England, the Moors, and Napoleon's France. Nowadays, Cádiz is a bustling city on the coast with many beaches, monuments, theatres, and landmarks.