The Maghreb (المغرب العربي al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī; also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb), meaning "place of sunset" or "western" in Arabic. It is generally applied to all of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia but in older Arabic usage pertained only to the area of the three countries between the high ranges of the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Historically some writers also included Spain — especially during its period of Muslim domination — in the definition. Partially isolated from the rest of the continent by the Atlas Mts. and the Sahara, the Maghreb has long been closely tied in terms of climate, landforms, population, economy, and history to the Mediterranean basin, more so than the rest of Africa, although it has important historical ties to sub-Saharan Africa, in terms of populations, commerce and religious influences. The region as a single political entity was united only during the first years of Arab rule (early 8th century), and again under the Almohads (1159–1229). The Arab Maghreb Union was established in 1989 to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of North Africa. Its members are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and recently, Mauritania. Envisioned initially by Muammar al-Qaddafi as an Arab superstate, the organization is expected eventually to function as a North African common market, although economic and political unrest, especially in Algeria, have hindered progress on the union’s joint goals.