Spain had valuable mineral resources such as gold, silver, copper, and iron, and the Romans wanted access to them. Mines throughout the peninsula extracted these resources for use in Roman coinage, the construction of public works, sculpture production, arms, and armor production, and jewelry production.
Agriculture
Spain had excellent agricultural land and a Mediterranean climate suitable for growing various crops, including grapes, olives, wheat, and barley, some of which were new to the Romans and were introduced throughout their empire. These agricultural products were transported to feeding Roman territory.
Trade
Spain was an important trading center connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and providing an outlet for goods from Western Europe. Roman traders established ports along the Spanish coastline to facilitate the exchange of goods and control the flow of agricultural goods, livestock, slaves, and precious metals.
Strategic Location
Spain's location allowed the Romans to control the western Mediterranean, making it strategically vital for both military and commercial reasons. The peninsula served as a staging point for military campaigns in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, and Roman fleets based in Spanish ports patrolled the coast and protected Roman trade routes.
