OLD, a large division of the kingdom of Spain. It is of irregular shape, and is bounded by New Castile in a considerable part. A small portion of it reaches the shores of the Bay of Biscay; and Leon and Estremadura bound it on the western side. Its superficial extent is 1488 square leagues, and it contains a population of 970,763 souls. It is divided into the four provinces of Burgos, Soria, Segovia, and Avila, which are described in their alphabetical stations in this work. It is crossed by the two great rivers the Ebro and the Duero, and has a few other rivulets, which run into them; but, generally speaking, it is a peculiarly arid district. It produces, however, in favourable seasons, abundance of grain; but in a summer of great drought its crops of corn are miserably deficient. A very great proportion of the Merino flocks, and those which bear the finest wool, are shorn in this province; but being migratory, they may be said to feed all over the kingdom, passing their time in travelling from north to south, and back again, according as the pasture in various climates becomes fitted for their grazing. There is wine sufficient grown in this province for its own consumption; and some, but not a sufficiency of olive oil. The whole province is very bare of trees, in consequence of which it is much exposed to the drying heats of the sun, and probably enjoys less rain. Its manufacturing industry was very considerable in the sixteenth century; but it has been gradually declining since that period, and few traces of it are now remaining. Besides the four provinces specified, Old Castile has a portion of the coast called Cantabrica within its limits. From this division a considerable trade is carried on through the ports of Santander and Santona, from which chestnuts are exported to Holland, and lemons and oranges to France. There are also docks, in which large vessels, and some ships of war, are built at Guarnizo, on the river Santander. The royal residences of the Escorial and Ildefonso are in this province.