ALICANTE, a city of Spain, in the new province of the same name, with a port on the Mediterranean Sea. The city forms a half moon on the sea-shore, and is defended by a castle built on a rock about 400 feet in height; and the bay in which vessels are anchored is well protected by various batteries. The commerce of this port, though still considerable, has much declined during the last eight or ten years. Two lakes on the coast furnish a large supply of salt made by spontaneous evaporation, which is shipped chiefly to England and Sweden. A fertile plain called the Huerta, near the city, which has been furnished with the means of irrigation at a vast expense, is covered with vines which produce excellent wines and raisins; with mulberry trees, which rear silk-worms; and with great quantities of almonds, olives, and figs, that supply articles for foreign commerce. On the coast near this city, the island of Plana, a barren rock, supplies the most beautiful marbles in great variety. The coast furnishes large quantities of barilla, which is one of the most important branches of the commerce of the city. As the exportable commodities engage the principal attention of the agriculturists, the quantity of corn grown is insufficient for the consumption of the city and its vicinity, though rice might be raised in great quantity; and the wheat is brought partly from La Mancha, and partly by sea from Africa and from Italy. The castle of Alicante is in Long. 0.30.51. W. and in Lat. 38. 20. 41. N. This city contains 1 cathedral, 3 parish churches, 6 hot springs, and 19,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of a bishop, and has manufactories of linen and woollen cloths, and of esparto matting. The harbour is but a roadstead in a deep bay, and only small vessels approach the quay. English and other European consuls reside here.