LEON, a city of Spain, in the province of the same name, and capital of it, as it was of the ancient kingdom of Leon before its union with Castile. It is situated on a kind of peninsula, formed by two rivers, the Torio and the Bernesga. It contains a population of about 7000 souls, who are employed principally in spinning thread, and making it into coarse linen. The country around it yields wheat, barley, and particularly flax; and they have meadows where the cattle are pastured, and, what is not usual in Spain, where they make hay. It is the see of a bishop, and, among various public buildings that attract attention, the most remarkable is his cathedral, a most beautiful specimen of the Gothic style of architecture. It contains thirteen parish churches, nine monasteries, four hospitals, 1500 houses, and 6170 inhabitants. Lat. 42. 45. N. The inhabitants make worsted stockings and caps, in forty looms; leather and leathern gloves; and have some tanneries.