The historical empire that ruled over a vast territory stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to the Middle East was the Umayyad Caliphate. Established in 661 CE, it expanded rapidly and became the largest empire of its time, controlling significant areas of North Africa, Spain, and parts of Asia. The Umayyads were known for their administrative efficiency, cultural achievements, and the spread of Islam. Their capital was Damascus, which became a center of Islamic culture and governance. The empire eventually fell due to internal strife and the rise of the Abbasids, who shifted the focus to Baghdad.