SANTANDER, the capital of the above province, on the shore of the Bay of Biscay, at the mouth of the rivers Cubas and Fijeros, 85 miles N. of Burgos, and 207 N. of Madrid. It stands on the north side of a large open harbour, and is sheltered towards the north by a small ridge of hills, beginning at the entrance of the harbour, and stretching westwards. The town was once surrounded by walls, of which scarcely a trace now remains, as the buildings have extended far beyond its original limits. There is a cathedral here, not very remarkable for architectural merit, and disguised by a tasteless modern cupola; several other churches, hospitals, a town-hall, theatre, custom-house, college, and several schools. A cigar manufactory occupies the precincts of a suppressed nunnery; tanneries, breweries, sugar-houses, candle factories, cooperages, &c., are also among the manufactories of the place. The harbour is large, deep, and safe, affording good anchorage, and easy of access. There are fine quays, always busy and crowded. The number of vessels that entered in 1856 was 447, tonnage, 51,788; that of those that cleared in the same year 408; tonnage, 56,375. Santander carries on a considerable trade, almost entirely with Cuba, to which island it exports the flour of Castile, receiving in return sugar, coffee, and rum. Cacao is also brought from La Guayra, and small quantities of fish from Norway, Shetland, and Newfoundland, in exchange for timber, hides, oil, and rice from Spain. The total value of the imports in 1856 was L.976,611, and that of the exports L.263,353. The custom returns for 1855 amounted to L.184,047. Santander is joined by railway with Alar del Rey, about 70 miles off in the interior, and steamers ply regularly between this port and Nantes, Bayonne, Liverpool, and Hamburg. Several improvements are being carried out in the harbour, by increasing its
depth, and erecting a mole and a lighthouse. Santander (called by the Romans Portus Blendium) was, at an early period, an important seaport; but afterwards fell into decay, and only recovered its position after the discovery of America, when it was licensed to trade with that continent. Charles V. landed here in 1522, to take possession of the Spanish crown; and Charles I. of England re-embarked here in 1623 after his visit to Spain. Pop. about 20,000.