a town of Spain, in the province of Gerona, about 15 miles N.W. of the town of that name, and 85 from Barcelona. It lies on the left bank, and about two leagues from the source of the River Flavia, on a small plain at the foot of the volcanic hill Montsacopa, and on the north of the small circle formed by that hill and six other extinct volcanoes in the vicinity. In spite of its proximity to the Pyrenees, the climate is remarkably temperate. The houses of the town are built of the light porous trap that abounds, made into a concrete by being mixed with gypsum in large moulds, basaltic stone forming the foundation. The streets are narrow and ill paved, but regular. The parish church, San Esteban, is a spacious and fine edifice, contrasting with the tasteless architecture of the other buildings of the town. There are, besides, seven other churches; one primary school, well endowed, in a building intended for an hospital; a grammar school, a school of design, and six smaller schools; an ex-convent of Carmelites, now a barracks; a workhouse, a good modern theatre, and a small wooden circus for bull-fights. The town is remarkable for its copious supply of water. There are ten fountains within the walls, and outside the city they are very numerous, forming convenient lounging and dining places in summer for the inhabitants. The surrounding country is woody and fertile, producing the cereals, legumes, wine of inferior quality, and oil. Cows and sheep are reared; and there is abundance of small game. The chief industry of the town is the production of coarse woollen and cotton fabrics, now falling into decay, the coarse woollen caps, which formerly constituted an important branch of manufacture, being now little worn. There are manufactures also of linen, paper, and leather to a small extent; and a ribbon factory, remarkable in Spain as being lighted with gas made on the premises, a convenience entirely wanting in the towns of the province. Olot is a very ancient town. There are remains of an aqueduct and bridge of Roman construction. In 1427 it was entirely destroyed by an earthquake. It figured and suffered much in the war of independence, being a strong point, and passed alternately into the hands of French and Spanish, until the latter dismantled the fortifications. In the last civil war it was much coveted, and frequently attacked by the Carlists, but unsuccessfully. Among its remarkable men the celebrated jurist Fontenella may be mentioned. Pop. (1849) 9988.