Meaning & use
Iberian Peninsula
Last updated
Meaning
proper nounproper
The large piece of land in southwestern Europe, surrounded by sea on three sides, that contains Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar.
Grammar: Used with the: the Iberian Peninsula, not Iberian Peninsula.
Patterns
- on the Iberian Peninsula
- across the Iberian Peninsula
Spain and Portugal share most of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Moors ruled large parts of the Iberian Peninsula for centuries.
Summers on the Iberian Peninsula can be extremely hot and dry.
Common combinations
- on the Iberian Peninsula
- Several rare wildcats live only on the Iberian Peninsula.
- across the Iberian Peninsula
- A heat wave spread across the Iberian Peninsula this week.
- the south of the Iberian Peninsula
- Olive groves cover the south of the Iberian Peninsula.
- history of the Iberian Peninsula
- She is writing a book on the history of the Iberian Peninsula.
- cross into the Iberian Peninsula
- The army crossed into the Iberian Peninsula in the spring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Iberia
- A shorter, slightly more literary name for the same region, often used in history writing.
- Spain and Portugal
- Names the two main countries rather than the landmass, so it leaves out Andorra and Gibraltar.
Word family
- Iberian adjective
- relating to the Iberian Peninsula, its people or its ancient culture
- Iberia proper noun
- another name for the peninsula
- peninsula noun
- a stretch of land almost surrounded by water
Commonly confused: Iberian Peninsula or Italian Peninsula?
Iberian Peninsula vs Italian Peninsula
This is the boot-shaped landmass containing Italy, not the one with Spain and Portugal.
Practice
Which two countries take up most of the Iberian Peninsula?
Choose one answer.
Spain and Portugal occupy almost all of the peninsula. France borders it to the north but is mostly outside it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Iberian Peninsula”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.