The Moors: The Moors were a group of Muslim peoples of North African origin, primarily from the regions of modern-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. They played a significant role in the history of the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) during the Middle Ages. The Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula began in the 8th century when they crossed over from North Africa and established a series of Islamic states. These included the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba and the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties. The Moors were known for their contributions to science, art, and culture during this time.