one of the four provinces into which the ancient Spanish principality of Catalonia was divided in 1833. It is bounded N.E. by Gerona, N.W. by Lleida, S.W. by Tarragona, and S.E. by the Mediterranean. Area, about 220 square leagues. Pop. (1849) 533,695. See CATALONIA.

Barcelona, capital of the above province, and formerly the capital of Catalonia, is a strongly fortified city and seaport on the shore of the Mediterranean, between the mouths of the rivers Besos and Llobregat. Lat. 41° 22' N. Long. 2° 9' E. It stands in a plain of great fertility, which is covered with villas and gardens. The Montjuich hills lie to the west, and on the other side the view is bounded by the sea. On the north-east the city is defended by the citadel, fortified on Vauban's plan; and on the south-east by the fortress of Montjuich, which occupies a commanding position. The ramparts embrace about three-fourths of the town, forming a terrace from which there is a magnificent view of the city and its environs. A fine promenade called La Rambla divides the city into two parts, the high and the low town. The buildings, chiefly of brick, are irregular, and usually from four to five stories in height, with numerous windows and balconies; and the fronts are occasionally decorated with fresco-painting. The streets are generally narrow, but some of the plazas or squares are handsome, especially that of the Palacio, which contains the governor's palace, the exchange, and the custom-house. Among the more remarkable of the other public edifices, may be mentioned the cathedral, an ancient and majestic building in the later Gothic style; the churches of Sta Maria del Mar, Sta Justo y Pastor, and San Miguel; the Casa de la Diputacion, or court of the chief justice, which contains the archives of Aragon, a most precious collection of historical documents; the Casa Consistorial; the Palacio Real, or ancient palace of the kings of Aragon; the Palacio de la Reina; the palace of the marquises of Aitona; the theatre, and the prison. At the highest part of the city, in the Calle del Paradis, are some magnificent columns and other Roman remains, which, however, are almost hidden by the surrounding buildings.

The public institutions of Barcelona are numerous and important. The university, originally founded in 1430, was suppressed in 1714 by Philip V., and transferred to Cervera; but it was restored in 1841, and is now in a flourishing condition. The education comprises languages, philosophy, jurisprudence, and medicine. There are two academies of literature and science, and several public libraries. The Museo-Salvador, besides a fine collection of objects in natural history, contains a valuable library with a considerable number of scientific MSS., and an archeological collection comprising a rich cabinet of coins and medals; forming altogether the most complete establishment of its kind in Spain. Besides this, there are two smaller museums, and several colleges and educational seminaries. Among these is an admirable institution, with a most extensive scheme of education, comprehending arithmetic and mathematics, modern languages, navigation, experimental philosophy and chemistry, practical agriculture and botany, architecture, painting, sculpture, engraving, mechanics, and commerce. This institution, which is liberally supported by the Board of Trade, affords gratuitous instruction to upwards of 2000 pupils. Among the other important institutions are the Casa de Caridad or house of industry, a foundling and deaf and dumb institution, and several hospitals for the sick. The Montes de Piedad, or pawnbroking establishments of Barcelona, are, in fact, mutual benefit societies. The Monte de Piedad de N. Sra. de la Esperanza has this peculiarity, that loans on deposits are made without interest to necessitous persons. In 1849 the number of persons that availed themselves of its benefits was 5686.

Barcelona is the see of a bishop, the seat of the captain-general of Catalonia, and of an audiencia. It is an important military station, and possesses a naval arsenal, a cannon foundry, and barracks. In a commercial point of view it is the industrial centre of Catalonia. Its trade declined greatly after the emancipation of the Spanish American colonies, but afterwards revived; and notwithstanding the disastrous consequences of the French invasion, it is still the chief commercial emporium of Spain. According to Mr Ford, it is the "Manchester of Catalonia, which is the Lancashire of the Peninsula." The exports consist chiefly of wrought silks, laces, ribbons, calicoes, hats, paper, soap, steel and ironware, fire-arms, &c. The chief imports are the produce of America, consisting of cotton, sugar, coffee, cinnamon, indigo, bees' wax, horns, hides, &c. The number of vessels that entered its port in 1849 was 1896, with a tonnage of 140,369; of these 1372 were Spanish vessels. The harbour is protected on the south by a mole, with a lighthouse and a battery at its extremity. The depth of water within the mole is from 18 to 20 feet; but a bar, which has frequently but ten feet of water, prevents the entrance of large ships. There are consuls here from all the principal states of Europe and America. Population by census of 1842, 121,815. Steamers ply regularly to Marseilles and Cadiz. The Spaniards ascribe the founding of Barcelona to the Carthaginians under Hamilcar Barca, after whom it was called Barcino. It was the theatre of hostilities, both during the Moorish sway in Spain, and in the wars subsequent to that period. During the War of the Succession it adhered to the house of Austria. The seizure of Montjuich, and the subsequent capture of Barcelona by the Earl of Peterborough, formed one of the most brilliant achievements of that remarkable man. At the close of the war it was reluctantly reconciled to the dynasty of the Bourbons. At the commencement of Buonaparte's attempt to seize on the government of Spain, the French troops obtained possession of the fortress; and thus, during the continuance of that war, the city was held in unwilling subjection to the enemies of the cause which its inhabitants most zealously espoused.

Barceloneta, a large suburb to the S.E. of the city, contains 11,000 inhabitants. (Madoz, Diccionario de España.)

New; a seaport town, capital of the province of the same name, in Venezuela, South America, founded in 1634. It stands on the left bank of the Neverti, about three miles from the sea. The town is ill-built and unhealthy, but has a considerable trade in horses and cattle. Lat. 10° 6' 52" N. Long. 64° 47' W.