1. Historical Context:
   1. Arabian Conquest Timeline: Between 639 and 788 AD, the Arabs conquered North Africa, reshaping the region’s demographic and cultural landscape.
2. Migration and Demographic Changes:
   1. Fleeing South: Many Africans fled south of the Sahara to escape enslavement, leading to a distinct demographic divide in Africa, with non-blacks predominantly in the north and blacks in the south.
   1. Modern Demographics: This historical migration explains why today, the further south you travel in North Africa, the darker the population becomes.
3. Conversion to Islam:
   1. Religious Transformation: Those who remained in North Africa largely converted to Islam as the Arabs established their rule.
4. Key Conquests and Occupations:
   1. Egypt (639 AD): The Arabs occupied Egypt, marking the beginning of their North African campaign.
   1. Libya (643 AD): Tripoli, in present-day Libya, fell to the Arabs shortly after Egypt.
   1. Morocco (681 AD): By 681 AD, the Arabs had occupied southwestern Morocco, though the modern names of these countries did not exist at the time.
5. Governance and Expansion:
   1. Musa ibn Nusayr: Appointed governor of North Africa in 698 AD, Musa planned further expansions, including an invasion of Spain.
   1. Strategic Decisions: Musa hesitated to invade Spain immediately to avoid exhausting his forces, demonstrating strategic foresight.
6. Situation in Spain:
   1. Visigothic Rule: For 200 years, Spain had been under the control of the Visigoths, Germanic ancestors of modern Spanish identity.
   1. Decline of the Roman Empire: This period saw the collapse of the Roman Empire, with the Goths and other Germanic tribes seizing control over large parts of Europe, including Britain.
7. Reconnaissance and Initial Invasion:
   1. First Expedition: Musa sent a reconnaissance mission of 500 African converts to Islam into Spain, led by Tariq ibn Ziyad. They successfully plundered a port and renamed it Tarif, leading to the term “tariff.”
8. Major Invasion:
   1. Tariq ibn Ziyad: In 711 AD, Musa sent a larger force of 6,700 African soldiers and 300 Arab translators into Spain, led by Tariq ibn Ziyad.
   1. Gibraltar: The force occupied a part of Spain and renamed it the Rock of Tariq (Jebel Tariq), known today as Gibraltar.
9. European Accounts:
   1. Monk’s Description: A contemporary European monk described the invaders vividly, noting their black skin and fierce demeanor, which highlighted the significant presence of dark-skinned Africans in the invasion force.
10. Historical Consequence:
    1. Arabian Control: The Arabian invasion had lasting consequences, including cultural and religious transformations across North Africa and parts of Spain.
    1. Legacy: The demographic shifts initiated during this period continue to influence the population distribution in Africa today.
11. Conclusion:

Long-Term Impact: The Arabian invasion was a pivotal event that shaped the course of North African and European history, leaving a legacy that is still evident in the cultural and demographic landscapes of these regions