AVILES, San Nicolas de, a town of Spain, province of
Oviedo, about a league from the sea-coast, in Lat. 43. 34. N. Long. 5. 58. W. It has a considerable trade by means of its port, which affords good anchorage for all classes of vessels; and has been chosen as the terminus for the great North of Spain Railroad to Madrid. A line of steam packets between Falmouth and Aviles will thus bring London and Madrid within four days of each other, should that line ever be completed. There are here some copper works, and in the neighbourhood are veins of iron and coal, which, however, have not been worked. The stone quarries are extensive and productive. Aviles has two parish churches, a theatre, and an excellent public school, with an attendance of 400 pupils. Pop. 5600.