SPAIN.
A kingdom of Southwestern Europe, forming, with Portugal, the Iberian peninsula. Capital, Madrid; pop., 397,816. Thirty-one towns have over 50,000 pop.
Continental Spain has an area of 191,100 square miles. Population, 16,061,859. Number of Provinces, 49. Length of coast line, 1,370 miles. Object of greatest interest, ruins of the Alhambra, at Granada. This is the only state in Europe permitting slavery in its colonies.
Climate varies greatly. Average temperature at Madrid, 58°. Rainfall in the Sierras averages from 25 to 35 inches; on the table lands of Castile, 10 inches.
About 80 per cent. of the soil is classed as productive, though only 34 per cent. is under cultivation. The vine is the most important culture, and large quantities of oranges, raisins, nuts and olives, are grown and exported. Leading cereals: wheat, rye, barley and corn. The wine product averages yearly 320,000,000 gallons; value, $95,000,000. Average number of oranges exported, 960,000,000.
The mineral productions are of vast importance. The Cordova lead mines are the richest in the world, and the mercury mines of Almaden are second only to those of California. Average yearly lead product, 92,300 tons; value, $8,000,000. Mercury, 1,090 tons; value, $1,199,000. Copper, 21,300 tons. Tin, iron and salt are abundant.