The first references of history and culture in Cantabria, northern Spain date back to 200b.c. Through the writings found they have discovered that Cantabria was a town that fought together with the the carthaginians against Rome. It later defended it´s territory agains the roman invasion in 29b.c. That was the fall of this territory for a while. Later the history of Cantabria as well as the rest of the Iberian Penninsula, the arabs, the reconquest, the Civil War, and from the 1970´s and 1980´s the growing rates of tourism.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cantabria gained back it´s indepence throughout the visigoth era. Unfortunately the tranquility didn´t last too long, as in 714 the muslims invaded this region. They did not invade the entire region because the people from Cantabria fled to the mountains to defend themselves from the invadors. This is one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of the people from Cantabria. With the help of the romans, the population of Asturias, and the christian resistence to the muslim invasion, they came to Cantabria to fight them off with everything they had, in honor of their land against the arabs. It is the time period of Don Pelayo, of the battles of Picos de Europa, and the Covadonga lakes.

Alfonso I and Alfonso II were who insisted on fighting for their land year after year, decade after decade. This is how the mountains began being populated by christians that escaped from the muslims. The Astur-Cantabra Crown little by little started regaining their land from the muslims, and during the Reign of Alfonso III the border was already in the Ribera del Duero. From then on until the 15th century, the arabs began losing not only the north, but the rest of the penninsula as well.

After the muslim era, the christians began gaining back their lands, and the Liebana population came about. The church gained power and for this reason in the 12th century many monasteries throughout Cantabria, Asturias, Leon and Palencia were built. From this era the monasteries like that of Santo Toribio, Santa Maria de Piasca in Liebana and the Monastery of Santa Juliana in Santillana were built. Cantabria was lead by the Christians.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, cities of importance like Laredo, Castro Urdiales, Santander or San Vicente de la Varquera won their priveledge, and thier economy through agriculture, livestock, fishing, and naval industry having one of the most important shipyards in the world.

During the 12th and 13th centuries the naval industry in Cantabria as well as the Basque Naval industry influenced wars, English and French, as well as the defense of Castilla from the English that wanted the Crown and intended to come in through Cantabria´s coast.

During the 15th and 16th centuries cities like Laredo, Santander and Santillana became the economic motors for this area, the region began to grow little by little until it became one of the main regions in Spain. From it´s shipyards many ships left to the Americas, and the industrial development during the following centuries marked the growing development of this shipyard.

In the 20th century the loss of the spanish colonies forced Cantabria to modify it´s style of living, meaning that it´s naval industry took a turn into the chemical industry.

In 1981, Cantabria constituted itself as an Autonomous Region. One of the most beautiful coasts in Northern Spain.