As many countries do, Spain has its own Marine Corps. It is organized as part of the Navy, called the Armada Española. But, did you also know that the Spanish Marine Corps was established as far back as in 1537, making it the oldest Marine Corps still in existence. It was founded during the early days of Spain’s golden age. 45 years earlier, Columbus discovered the new continent to the west and riches in many forms were brought back to the homeland, making Spain a very wealthy nation. Quite a bit of which was spent on building a formidable military. That included a considerable navy to defend its old and new colonies around the Mediterranean as well across the Atlantic and elsewhere.
But, did you also know that Spain’s most famous Marine is also its most famous author? His name, of course, is Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the novel Don Quixote. He took part in the battle of Lepanto against the Ottomans where he sustained serious wounds and also later battles at Corfu, Navarino/Pylos (Greece) and in Tunisia before retiring.
Would you like to read more about the Spanish Marine Corps, go to their website here: Presentation Marine Corps.
Interested in learning more about the Spanish Navy (Armada Española)? You can find them here: Armada Española.
They are also on several social media including facebook: Armada Española Facebook and are quite active on several of them.
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