siglos

Siglos is the Spanish term for centuries, defined as periods of 100 consecutive years. The word siglo comes from Latin saeculum, meaning an age or era, and it is used in Spanish to designate specific hundred-year periods (for example, el siglo XVI) as well as to refer to multiple centuries (los siglos XIX y XX).

Counting and boundaries: In the Gregorian calendar, the first century spans years 1–100, the second 101–200, and so on. The 21st century is commonly considered to be 2001–2100, though popular usage often cites 2000–2099. In Spanish-language practice, siglo XX is often associated with 1900–1999, while siglo XXI corresponds to 2000–2099 in many references; some authors, however, align century boundaries with the astronomical convention starting at year 1. This variation reflects differences between formal chronologies and common speech.

Usage in history: Centuries are used to organize and compare broad historical developments, such as political structures, economic systems, cultural movements, and technological change. Well-known examples include the Siglo de Oro (Golden Age) in Spain, roughly spanning the 16th and 17th centuries, celebrated for its literature, theater, and arts. The concept of siglos is not limited to Spain; century-based periodization is common in many cultures and languages, sometimes adapted to local calendars or historical frameworks.

Notes: While centuries provide a convenient framework for analysis, real-world events do not align perfectly with 100-year blocks. Historians often examine cross-century continuities and ruptures, using siglos as a starting point rather than a rigid boundary.