LEON, an ancient and large episcopal town of Spain, and capital of the kingdom of that name, built by the Romans in the time of Galba. It has the finest cathedral church in all Spain. It was formerly more rich and populous than at present, and had the honour of being the capital of the first Christian kingdom in Spain. It is seated between two sources of the river Esla, in W. Long. 5. 37. N. Lat. 42. 36.