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the less remote islands, is divided into 49 provinces, named after their respective capitals except the last six in the table, viz.: Navarre, capital Pamplona; Biscay, Bilbao; Guipúzcoa, St. Sebastian; Álava, Vitoria; Balearic Islands, Palma; Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The area and population of the provinces and of the ancient divisions, according to official estimates in 1870, are given in the Almanach de Gotha for 1875 as follows:

PROVINCES.

NEW CASTILE.

1. Madrid.
2. Toledo..
8. Guadalajara...
4. Cuenca..

Total

5. Ciudad Real....

6. Burgos..
7. Logroño..
8. Santander
9. Soria.
10. Segovia..
11. Ávila...
12. Palencia...

Area, eq. m. Population.

2,997 487,482 5,556 842,272 4.869 203,638

and burned by the sun. Although high moun- | of the Atlantic are preferred to those of the tain ridges line and traverse this region, it has Mediterranean.-The kingdom, inclusive of few rivers, not sufficient to fertilize it. The temperature is subject to extremes; the winters are cold and the summers burning, but the spring and autumn are pleasant. The southern zone, which comprises Andalusia, Murcia, and southern Valencia, is exposed to the influence of the burning winds from Africa, and to the reflection of the rays of the sun from the naked and rocky mountain walls. The valleys in this zone are deeper and the plateaus less extended and better supplied with water than in the middle zone; the soil is more diversified and better adapted for agriculture. The temperature, delicious in autumn and in spring, is tropical in summer, and more rainy than cold in winter. Two kinds of winds are very troublesome. The gallego, a N. and N. W. wind, blowing from Galicia, is cold and piercing, and causes painful affections of the eye. The southern provinces are visited by the solano, the sirocco of Italy.-Spain is one of the most fruitful countries of Europe. Wheat, maize, barley, hemp, and flax are extensively cultivated, especially in the eastern and northern provinces. Saffron and other dye plants are chiefly found in the interior. Mulberry trees are largely cultivated for rearing silkworms in Valencia, Murcia, and Gra- 13. Valladolid... nada. In the south there is a great variety of the finer fruits, including the almond, date, fig, orange, citron, pomegranate, pineapple, and banana. Large forests, especially of evergreen oaks, including the cork tree, are still found in 16. Salamanca.. Asturias, the Pyrenees, the Sierra Morena, and the Sierra Nevada; but on the whole Spain has less timber than any other of the large countries of Europe, owing to the want of cultivation. The culture of the vine is general; but only the coast districts of Jerez, Rota, and Malaga, in Andalusia, and of Benicarlo and Alicante in Valencia, furnish considerable quantities for exportation. The quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, and insects are mostly of the same kinds as those of S. France. Wolves, lynxes, 22. Badajoz....... foxes, and wild boars are still to be found on the high mountains; but the bear, which two centuries ago was common, is only to be met with in the Pyrenees. The Barbary ape, the only monkey naturalized in Europe, inhabits the rock of Gibraltar. Descended from breeds which the Moors introduced, the Spanish horse has preserved the fire, docility, grace, and vigor of the Arabian. Those of Seville, Granada, and Estremadura are most valued. The asses and mules are superior; the former rival those of Egypt, but mules are preferred for transportation. The bulls used for bull fights are found wild in the Sierra Morena. Sheep are everywhere extensively raised, a considerable proportion belonging to the merino breed. Hogs are bred in large numbers; those of Estremadura, Galicia, and Asturias are celebrated for the delicacy of their flesh. There are important fisheries on the coasts; the fish

14. Leon..
15. Zamora...

18. Corunna..
19. Lugo....
20. Orense.
21. Pontevedra.

6,726 288,781

20,178

1,277,123

LA MANCHA.

7,840

264,649

OLD CASTILE.

5.651

858,560

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PROVINCES.

CATALONIA.

87. Barcelona

88. Tarragona...

Area, sq. m. Population.

2,985 762,555
2,451 850,895
4,775 330,348
2,272 825,110

6,607 401,894
5,878 274,623
5,494 252,201
928,718

89. Lérida

40. Gerona..

Total...

12,488

1,768,408

ARAGON.

41. Saragossa.....

42. Huesca.

43. Teruel...

Total

17,979

NAVARRE.

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shows a small decrease, from 277,788 to 264,649. The largest ratio of increase is in the eastern provinces, where Lérida has advanced from 151,322 to 330,348, Valencia from 388,759 to 665,141, and Barcelona from 442,273 to 762,555. The thinnest population is found in the interior provinces of Leon, the two Castiles, and Estremadura; and the densest in the north, Galicia, Asturias, the Basque provinces, Navarre, Aragon, and Catalonia. The entire population is distributed among 169 ciudades (cities), 4,707 villas (towns), 30,386 lugares (villages), and 10,788 aldeas (hamlets). The principal cities are Madrid, the capital, Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Granada, Cadiz, and Saragossa. Spain is believed to have been in former times much more densely inhabited than during the last two centuries. Under the dominion of the Romans, the population, according to some calculations, was upward of 30,000,000; and in the 14th century it is believed to have amounted to 24,000,000. Most of the inhabitants belong to the Spanish race, a mixture of the descendants of the old Iberians and Celts with the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Suevi, Goths, and Moors, with a general predominance of the Roman element, although the several provinces show in some respects marked differences in the national character. National amusements are music, singing, and dancing, the last named often assuming, especially in the favorite fandango and bolero, a passionate and sensuous character. From the Romans the Spaniards have inherited a fondness for bull fights, which are still the greatest popular festivities, and equally delight all classes. The men are generally well built, and have a dark but clear complexion, black hair, eyes full of fire, sharp features, and gestures measured and solemn. The women are well formed and distinguished for noble carriage. Besides the Spaniards proper, there are three other races, the Basques, the Modejars, and the gypsies. The Basques, probably the descendants of the ancient IbeThe Canary islands, which geographically be- rians, numbering (besides those in France) long to Africa, are included by the Spaniards about 650,000, and forming the majority of in their European possessions. Besides them, the population in the Basque provinces and the town of Ceuta, on the coast of Morocco, is in Navarre, have retained their ancient lanincluded in the European province of Cadiz, guage, manners, and customs. (See BASQUES.) and the Presidios, likewise on the N. coast of The Modejars, about 60,000 in number, are Africa, are included in the European province the descendants of the Moors; they are chiefof Granada. In population Spain ranks sev-ly found in Granada and Castile, and many of enth among the powers of Europe, being surpassed by Russia, Germany, France, Austria, Great Britain, and Italy. The increase since 1700 is shown in the following table:

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them still preserve the customs of their forefathers. The gypsies or Gitanos, numbering about 50,000, and scattered throughout Spain, speak a peculiar dialect current only among themselves. Spain has a very numerous nobility; according to some they form the 21st, according to others even the 15th part of the population. The higher nobility (titulados, grandes) own immense possessions, while the lower class (hidalgos) are in many instances poor.-Agriculture, although still very imperfect, has made of late considerable progress. Wheat, which at the beginning of the century

was not yet grown in sufficient quantities for | panies has greatly increased of late years. At home consumption, forms now a considerable the close of 1866 there were 65 credit and article of export. Wine and oil constitute other commercial and industrial associations, the chief riches of some of the provinces. with a nominal capital of $37,900,000. In Agriculture has made especial progress in Bis- 1867 there were 27 railroad and other public cay, Navarre, and Aragon, and all the arable works associations, with a nominal capital of ground near the roads has been cultivated. $204,480,000. The number of banks was 23, But the most careful cultivation is found in capital $35,600,000. A decree of March 19, the huertas or irrigated lands of Granada, 1874, founded a new national bank, with which Murcia, and Valencia, which are regarded as the old privileged Spanish bank and the prothe gardens of Spain, and produce all kinds vincial banks were to be consolidated.-The of fruits, vegetables, and plants. The farmers first railroad in Spain was opened in 1848, are for the most part wretchedly poor, and from Barcelona to Mataro, 181 m. Notwithare obliged to obtain money at exorbitant standing the mountainous nature of the counprices by mortgaging their crops. Certain try, their extension has been pursued with privileges, very injurious to the interests of some vigor; but in consequence of the wretchagriculture, are enjoyed by the proprietors ed state of Spanish industry, the want of good (called mestas) of large migratory flocks of inland roads, and frequent political disturbsheep, especially merinos. They are not only ances, the financial condition of the railroads allowed to drive their flocks over village pas- is unsatisfactory, and their progress has been tures and commons, but the proprietors of less rapid lately than in any other European such cultivated lands as lie in their way are country. In 1867 only 26 m. of new railroads obliged to leave for them a wide path; and were opened; in 1868, 72 m.; in 1869, 6 m.; no new enclosures can be made in the line in 1870, 36 m.; in 1871, 20 m.; in 1872 and of their migrations, nor can any land that 1873, 60 m. Some of the main lines were not has once been in pasture be again cultivated yet completed in 1875. The aggregate length till it has been offered to the mesta at a cer- of the railroads on Jan. 1, 1874, was 3,364, tain rate. Only about 53 per cent. of the m. In 1867 the number of passengers carried soil is under cultivation.-Manufacturing in- was 10,357,351. The total length of telegraphi dustry in former centuries was very prosper- lines in 1871 was 7,287 m.; number of stations, ous. In the middle ages, the wool and silk 193; number of despatches, 996,912. The tissues of Seville, Granada, and Baeza, the number of post offices was 2,347; of letters, cloths of Murcia, and the arms of Toledo en- 78,174,000. There are several canals, some of joyed a high reputation. The expulsion of them on a magnificent scale, but mostly unthe Moors and Jews, the monopoly given to finished and unfit for navigation. The chief the royal manufactories, the onerous taxes of these are the Imperial canal, begun by weighing down private industry and aggrava- Charles V., and extending along the right ted by the avidity of the fiscal agents, com- bank of the Ebro, and the canals of Castile, bined to undermine this prosperity. Seville Manzanares, Murcia, Albacete, and Guadarrain 1519 counted 16,000 silk workshops, em- ma. The aggregate length of the canals in ploying 130,000 workmen; in 1673 it had only 1874 was 430 m., of which 131 m. were navi405 manufactories. The manufactories of Se- gable. The number of the boats on the latgovia, in which formerly 25,000 pieces were ter was 332.-The most important articles of annually produced, made in 1788 only 400 export are wines, specie, metals, especially pieces. In recent times industry has greatly lead, raisins, olive oil, flour, cork, soap, wool, improved again, especially by the influx of brandies, and salt; and the imports comprise foreign capital, as a considerable portion of sugar, cotton and cotton goods, woollen, silk, the former property of the clergy has passed and linen goods, iron in bars, codfish, machines, into the hands of French and English capital- cacao, guano, and coal. In 1849 a protective ists. The cotton industry, which is concen- tariff was adopted in place of the former protrated chiefly in Barcelona and other places hibitive system. A decree of the regency, in Catalonia, employs 1,200,000 spindles, and dated Aug. 1, 1869, introduced a new tariff, supports about 100,000 men. Metallurgic in- which abolished all prohibitions and reduced dustry has been developed in Guipúzcoa, Bis- considerably the duties on most articles. It cay, Aragon, Catalonia, and Granada; silk provided also for a further reduction to take goods are manufactured at Barcelona, Man- place on July 1, 1875. The imports and exresa, Tarragona, Toledo, Seville, and Valen- ports from 1867 to 1869 inclusive, according cia; woollen stuffs at Segovia, Arevalo, Col- to official reports, were as follows: menar (on the Manzanares), and Alcoy; linen in Galicia and Catalonia; leather at Barcelona, Cordova, Burgos, Toledo, Granada, and Madrid; and glassware at Barcelona. There are manufactories of firearms in the Basque provinces, Catalonia, and Segovia, and cannon founderies at Seville, Lierganes, Trubia, and Barcelona. The number of stock com754

VOL. XV.-14

1867

1868

1869.

YEARS.

Imports.

Exports.

$76,800,000 $56,600,000 110,200,000 53,300,000 84,900,000 51,200,000

The trade of Spain is chiefly with France, Great
Britain, and Cuba. In 1867 the value of im-

ports from France was $33,648,000, from Great | but the mobilization of the entire reserve re-
Britain $26,112,000, and from Cuba $7,680,000;
of exports to France $15,936,000, to Great
Britain $16,224,000, and to Cuba $9,936,000.
The merchant navy in 1867 consisted of 4,363
sailing vessels, tonnage 345,186, and 151 steam-
ers, tonnage 45,484; total, 4,514 vessels, of
390,670 aggregate tonnage. In the same year
9,640 vessels, of 1,532,000 aggregate tonnage,
entered the ports.-The government of Spain,
which has undergone many changes since 1812,
is now a constitutional monarchy. The consti-
tution of June 1, 1869, vests the legislative pow-
er in a cortes, as representative of the sovereign
Spanish nation. The king, who is inviolable
and not subject to responsibility, sanctions and
promulgates the laws, and exercises the execu-
tive power through the state ministry. In Jan-
uary, 1875, the ministry was composed of a
president and eight ministers, the departments
being foreign affairs, finance, interior, justice,
commerce and public works, war, marine, and
colonies. The cortes is divided into a senate
and the congress. The requirements for a sen-
ator are to be a Spaniard, to be 40 years of age,
to be possessed of civil rights, and either to
have been the occupant of a high political, ec-
clesiastical, or literary position, or to be one
of the large taxpayers. One fourth of the
senate is removed each time that general elec-
tions for deputies are held. The lower house, |
the congress, which is wholly renewed every
three years, is composed of at least one depu-
ty to each 40,000 of the population. To be
eligible as a deputy one must be a Spaniard,
of age, and in possession of civil rights. The
cortes must meet for at least four months
every year. Each house nominates its own
officers. The provinces, districts, and com-
munes of Spain are governed by their own
special laws, and this principle of provincial
and municipal self-government has generally
been recognized by all the governments. Every
commune of at least 60 members has its
own elected ayuntamiento, which is pre-
sided over by an alcalde. Each province has
its own parliament, the deputacion provin-
cial, the members of which are elected by
the ayuntamientos. The courts of justice
comprise the supreme tribunal at Madrid, 15
audiencias territoriales (courts of the second
resort), and 499 courts of ordinary jurisdic-
tion. The army of Spain, according to the
military law of Feb. 17, 1873, is divided into
the active army and the reserve. The former,
the numerical strength of which is established
annually by a law, is recruited wholly by vol-
unteers from 19 to 40 years of age, who enlist
for a term of at least two years, after the ex-
piration of which they may reenlist for at
least one year. The reserve is formed of all
who have reached their 20th year, excepting
those who serve in the active army. The time
of service is three years, and no substitutes
are accepted. The reserve of a province may
be mobilized by a decree of the government,

quires a national law. Whenever the number
of volunteers is insufficient to fill the active
army, the reserve may be mobilized. In 1875
the Spanish army was in process of reorgani-
zation on the basis of these provisions. The
military force in Spain was to number about
216,000 men. To this number should be added
about 60,000 men in Cuba, 9,400 in Porto
Rico, and 9,000 in the Philippines; total, 78,-
400, making the whole strength of the Spanish
army 294,400. As it has been common with
most of the governments which have followed
each other in rapid succession to make mili-
tary appointments for political reasons, the
number of officers of the highest military
rank is disproportionately large. There is a
school of infantry cadets at Toledo, a school
of cavalry cadets (established in 1851) at Al-
calá de Henares, a special school of artillerists,
an academy of engineers, and a school of the
general staff at Madrid, and a general military
school at Toledo. Spain has 125 fortified
places, among which are 25 of the first order.
The navy, which in former times commanded
all seas, and afterward greatly declined, has
only recently begun to improve again. The
fleet in 1874 consisted of 20 vessels of the first
class (7 ironclads, 10 screw frigates, and 3
wheel steamers), 21 vessels of the second class
(10 wheel steamers, 9 screw steamers, and 2
screw transports), and 161 vessels of the third
class (20 screw steamers, 54 gunboats, 10 wheel
steamers, 4 screw transports, and 73 brigs);
total, 202 vessels with 894 guns. Besides
these are the following vessels not classified:
5 steamers with 5 guns, a monitor with 3
guns, 2 despatch boats with 6 guns, 1 floating
battery, and 1 sailing transport.
The navy
was manned in 1874 by 9,700 sailors and 5,000
marines.-The finances of Spain have long
been in a wretched condition, and there is no
longer any hope among Spanish statesmen for
a permanent improvement. The apparent sur-
plus of receipts which appeared in several of
the budgets presented to the cortes was gen-
erally found to be fictitious, and since 1867
even the budget estimates have invariably left
a large deficit unprovided for
Even the ex-
tensive sale of national and church property
has failed to restore the equilibrium and to
arrest the threatening increase of the national
debt. In the budget for 1871-'2 the revenue
was estimated at about $113,500,000, and the
expenditures at $121,000,000; and the minis-
ter of finance declared that the state was on
the verge of bankruptcy, which could be
averted only "by the most strenuous exer-
tions, devoted both to raise the revenue by the
imposition of new taxes and otherwise, and to
depress the expenditure to the lowest possible
point." A report of the minister of finance
in May, 1873, estimated the public debt at
$1,511,000,000. The payment of interest on
the foreign debt was suspended on July 1,
1873. According to the Madrid "Official Ga-

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