a town of Spain, province of Malaga, on the coast of the Mediterranean, 30 miles W.S.W. from the town of Malaga. Few towns on the coast of Spain enjoy a more delightful air or a more charming prospect: from the summit of the Sierra Blanca, behind the town, is seen the mountainous coast of Africa, and to the right rises the rock of Gibraltar; farther on, the town of Estepona, half concealed by wooded hills. The streets are regular, broad, and clean. In the centre stands an ancient Moorish fortress, commonly called the Castillo, within whose enclosure is the cemetery and several religious edifices. There are two public schools and an hospital; the parish church is a large, handsome edifice of modern construction. The schools occupy the ex-convent of San Juan de Dios. On the coast near Marbella are the ruins of the Castle of St Luis, destroyed by the French in 1812. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in fishing; and the sardines taken on this coast are of excellent quality. Marbella rose into importance some years ago upon the discovery of iron in the Sierra Blanca; it is smelted here, and sent on to Malaga to be refined. The principal iron-works are the property of the Heredias of Malaga, and give support to upwards of 130 families, independently of those engaged in the mines. The commerce consists in the importation of oil, wheat, and barley, and in the exportation of sardines and other fish, figs, raisins, and wine, which, though in no great quantity, is of excellent quality. Pop. (1845) 5105. Marbella is the Sarduba of Pliny and Pomp. Mela, which, according to Bochart, is its Phenician equivalent, meaning "City of Salt."