SALAMANCA, a province of Spain, bounded on the N. by those of Zamora and Valladolid, E. by that of Avila, S. by that of Caceres, and W. by Portugal; area, 8158 square miles. It is for the most part mountainous; but contains many fine plains and valleys, a large proportion of which, as well as the slopes of the mountains, is covered with forests of oaks and chestnuts. The River Tormes enters the province in the south-east, flows first north and then west into the Douro, which forms a portion of the N.W. boundary of the province. The west part of the country is watered by the Aguada, another affluent of the Douro, and the south by the Alagon, which rises here, and flows southwards to join the Tagus. The River Alagon has in some places auriferous sands. The other important minerals obtained here are iron, copper, lead, rock-crystal, and saltpetre. Corn of various kinds, wine, oil, honey, almonds, and other fruits, are among the productions of the country. From the neighbourhood of Ciudad Rodrigo a great quantity of madder is exported to Portugal. Besides Salamanca the capital, the chief towns in the province are Alba, Tormes, Barcia, Salvatierra, and Ciudad Rodrigo. Many important historical events have taken place here, especially during the Peninsular war. Pop. (1857) 280,722.