(anc. Tarraco), a seaport of Spain, capital of a province of the same name, in Catalonia, at the mouth of the Francoli, 45 miles W.S.W. of Barcelona. It stands partly on a limestone rock, from 500 to 600 feet high, between the river and the sea, and partly on the low ground beneath it. The lower town is protected by a series of bastions along the river and the harbour; and the upper town is encircled by ancient ramparts, some portions of which are of Cyclopean structure. The upper town is irregularly laid out, and has narrow unpaved streets; but many of the houses are very handsome. In the lower town, on the other hand, the streets are broad and regular, crossing each other at right angles. Besides its remains of antiquity, which include a theatre, amphitheatre, circus, and aqueduct, Tarragona is chiefly remarkable for its cathedral, a fine edifice, partly in the Norman style, with many interesting monuments and works of arts. The archbishop's palace is a handsome modern building, with an Ionic portico in front. The harbour is protected by a stupendous mole, begun in 1790, and carried out 1300 yards into the sea. A considerable trade is carried on; but the harbour only admits small coasting vessels. The ancient Tarraco was originally a Phoenician settlement. It was enlarged and fortified by Publius and Cnecius Scipio as a fortress against the Carthaginians; and it afterwards became the capital of the Roman province called by its name. After the fall of the Empire, it was taken by the Goths; and at a later period was laid in ruins by the Moors. In the eleventh century, the modern town was founded on the site of the former. In 1705, it was captured by the English, but afterwards abandoned; and in 1811 it was taken and sacked by the French under Suchet. Pop. 13,014.

The province of Tarragona is bounded on the E. by that of Barcelona, N. by that of Lerida, W. by those of Ternel, Castellon-de-la-Plana, and Saragossa, and S. by the Mediterranean; area, 1866 square miles. It is partly occupied by mountains covered with vast forests, and partly consists of extensive and fertile plains, producing grain, wine, oil, hemp, and fruits. It has also some important mines and quarries, which yield lead, copper, silver, limestone, and sandstone. Manufactures are extensively carried on, especially those of silk, velvet, cotton, and woollen fabrics, paper, leather, cordage, and brandy. Pop. (1857), 339,012.