Final answer:
Knowing the geography of Spain (Iberian Peninsula) is key to understanding its first peoples and history due to its isolation from the rest of Europe and its African influences. The diverse climate and geographical features of Spain also influenced regionalism and economic development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Knowing the geography of Spain, specifically the Iberian Peninsula, is key to understanding its first peoples and history. Geography played a significant role in isolating Spaniards from the rest of Europe, with the Pyrenees acting as a barrier and Africa being only a short distance away across the Strait of Gibraltar. This led to a unique blend of African and European influences on the Iberian Peninsula. Additionally, the diverse climate and geographical features of Spain influenced the social and economic development of different regions, fostering regionalism. For example, the Mediterranean coast had good soil and a subtropical climate, which allowed for the cultivation of olives, oranges, rice, and sugar.