Spanish Armada Tie

The Spanish Navy (in Spanish, Armada Española) is the maritime arm of the Spanish Military, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path from the Far East to America across the Pacific Ocean (Urdaneta's route). For three centuries the Spanish Navy formed part of a vast trade network that sailed the Pacific from Asia to America and the Atlantic from America to Europe escorting the galleon convoys. The Spanish Navy was the most powerful maritime force in Europe from the early 16th to the mid-17th centuries, and one of the strongest in the world until the early 19th century. As of 1987, the Armada was made up of 47,300 personnel, including Marines, of which about 34,000 were conscripts[1]. As of 2002 all branches of the Spanish armed forces were completely professionalized.[2]. The main bases of the Spanish Navy are located in Rota, Ferrol, San Fernando and Cartagena. See also: Structure of the Spanish Navy in the 21st century.