a province of Spain, Old Castile, bounded on the N. by those of Leon and Palencia, E. by those of Burgos and Segovia, S. by those of Avila and Salamanca, and W. by that of Zamora; area, 2984 square miles. It is throughout a flat country, except where a few hills interrupt the uniformity of the surface; and it belongs to the basin of the Douro, which flows from E. to W., and within the limits of the province receives from the N. the Pisuerga. The other rivers of the province are of smaller size, and the most important of them are the Duratón, Cega, Eresma, Zapardiel, and Trabancos, joining the Douro from the south; the Esguida, joining the Pisuerga, from the east; and the Valderaduey, with its affluent the Seguillo, which cross the extreme north-west of the province, and join the Douro from the N. near Zamora. The country watered by these rivers is of great fertility, and produces corn, so excellent in quality and abundant in quantity, that it is sometimes called one of the granaries of the peninsula. Besides the ordinary kinds of corn and pulse, the province produces hemp, flax, fruits, red and white wine, oil, madder, &c. Some of the hills are covered with fine forests of oak and other timber, which is used for building, for firewood, and for making charcoal. The pastures are extensive; and large numbers of horses, cattle, and sheep are reared; while honey, wax, and silk are also among the productions of the country. The woollen fabrics made here were once highly esteemed; but this branch of industry has now very much declined, and the only manufactures at present in the town are those of paper, earthenware, leather, and hats. Some trade is carried on, facilitated by the canal of Castile, which traverses the province. Pop. (1857) 244,033.

a town of Spain, capital of the above province, on the left bank of the Pisuerga, at its confluence with the Esquiva, which flows through the middle of the town, 100 miles N.W. of Madrid. The site is a small valley, enclosed on all sides by rugged and steep though not very high hills. The town is surrounded by walls, and entered by four principal gates. It contains some imposing streets and squares; but has, on the whole, a very dull and deserted aspect. There is here an ancient palace, as Valladolid was before Madrid the residence of the court; but it is not very remarkable except for a splendid staircase and two fine quadrangles. The cathedral, begun in 1585, would be, if completed according to the original design of Herrera, a magnificent specimen of Greco-Roman architecture; but it has never been finished; and the only one of the four towers that was completed, having fallen to the ground in 1841, has never been rebuilt. The interior is still very fine, though it has been injured by incongruous additions, and deprived of many of its rich ornaments and plate by the French. Two of the finest specimens existing of Gothic architecture are to be seen at Valladolid, the convent of St Paul, with its magnificent sculptured portal, and the Dominican college of St Gregory, now used as the residence of the governor. Both of these were very much injured at the command of Bonaparte, but enough still remains to show what their former beauty must have been. The college of Santa Cruz, a fine classical building, contains a collection of paintings and sculptures from the suppressed convents, and has some of great value, though many of them are worthless. Another convent, San Benito, also remarkable for the beauty of its architecture, is now used for barracks. Besides those that have been suppressed, Valladolid has still many convents, sixteen parish churches, and several chapels. The university, founded in 1346, is one of the best in Spain: it excels chiefly in law, and has about 1300 students. Among the other public buildings of the town are the court-house, town-hall, theatre, various schools and academies, a public library of 14,000 volumes, general and military hospitals, lunatic asylum, and poor-house. Along the banks of the rivers there are several Valladolid public walks, adorned with trees and fountains. The principal articles manufactured here are silk cotton and woolen cloth, paper, leather, hats, earthenware, silver-work, and jewellery. A considerable trade is carried on in wine, oil, and silk, which are produced in the vicinity. Valladolid was called by the Romans Pinacia; but when the Moors conquered Spain they changed its name to Belad-Walid, or the Land of Walid, whence comes the modern name. Under Charles V. and Philip II. it was a prosperous city, and the capital of the kingdom; but from the time that the court was removed to Madrid it began rapidly to decay. In December 1808, it was taken and sacked by the French; and in the January following Bonaparte resided here for some days, and caused the destruction of many fine buildings and works of art. At Valladolid Columbus died in 1506, and here Philip II. was born. Pop. (1857) 41,913.