one of the new provinces of Spain, in the north-west of the ancient province of Murcia. The extent of the actual province is small; Pop. 19,000; but the judicial audiencia of Albacete embraces Murcia, Ciudad Real, and Cuenca, including a population of nearly one million.

Its chief town of the same name is a place of great traffic Albahurim from its central situation, and its importance as the seat of the high court of appeal. From the extent and celebrity of its steel-manufactures, it has been called the Sheffield of Spain, but the designation is but comparatively applicable. An important article of export is saffron, which the province produces in great abundance. Pop. of the town 13,143.