a province of Spain, forming, by the division of 1833, the southern half of the old province of Estremadura, or what is generally called Lower Estremadura. It is bounded on the N. by Cáceres, E. by Ciudad Real, and S.E. by Cordova, Sevilla, and Huelva, and W. by Portugal, embracing an area of 596 square leagues. It contains 15 partidos, 162 ayuntamientos, 4 cities, 123 towns, and 45 villages; pop. in 1849, 336,136. See ESTREMADURA.

fortified city of Spain, the capital of the above province, and the see of a bishop. It is situated about 5 miles from the Portuguese frontier, on a slight elevation near the left bank of the Guadiana. The height is crowned by the ruins of a Moorish castle. A strong wall and bastions, with a broad moat and outworks, and forts on the surrounding heights, make the city a place of great strength. The river is crossed by a magnificent granite bridge, originally built in 1460, repaired in 1597, and rebuilt in 1833. The city is well built, and contains an arsenal, a cathedral, 6 churches, and several hospitals and schools. Its 5 monasteries are all secularized; one is occupied as infantry barracks; and of its 8 nunneries 4 are closed. Badajos from its importance as a frontier garrison has been the scene of numerous sieges. The last and most severe was in 1812, when it was stormed by the British troops under Wellington, and carried with dreadful loss. It had been surrendered in the previous year to Soult by the treachery of Imaz the commander of the garrison. The legitimate trade and manufactures of Badajos are inconsiderable; but much contraband traffic is carried on with Portugal. Pop. 11,480.

Badajos is the Pax Augusta of the Romans, corrupted by the Moors into Paragoussa, Baragas, Badaros.