SEGOVIA, a province of Spain, in Old Castile, bounded on the N. and N.E. by those of Burgos and Soria, S.E. by those of Guadalajara and Madrid, S.W. by that of Avila, and N.W. by that of Valladolid. Area, 2670 square miles. The surface of the country is much varied; it belongs to the central table-land of Spain, and has a considerable extent of level plains, especially in the central and northern portions. Along the south-eastern boundary extend the lofty snow-clad mountains, here known as the Sierra Guadarrama and the Somosierra, separating Old from New Castile. The province is watered by numerous affluents of the Douro, which take their rise in these mountains, and flow in a north-westerly direction. The largest of them are the Riaza, Duraton, Cega, and Eresma. The average height of the plain in this province is not less than 3000 feet above the sea. Its appearance is dull and monotonous in the extreme, being entirely destitute of meadows and trees. It is, however, a good agricultural country, in which wheat, rye, barley, peas, hemp, flax, vines, &c., are raised. On the lower slopes of the mountains there are considerable pine-forests; and on the mountain-pastures, sheep, cattle, mules, pigs, &c., are reared. Mines have been wrought in some parts of Segovia, but not with much success, or to any large extent. There are also quarries of
granite, limestone, and chalk. The majority of the inhabitants are employed in agricultural or pastoral pursuits. Weaving is carried on to some extent, as also is paper-making, tanning, and the manufacture of earthenware. Pop. (1857) 162,082.