ALBACETE, capital of a Spanish province is in a fertile plain where the Balazote unites with the canal of Maria Cristina, which flows into the Jucar, 16m. to the north. Pop. (193o) 41,885. Albacete comprises the picturesque old upper and lower town mostly erected after the city became a provincial capital in 1833. Chiefly a market-town for saffron and other agricultural produce and for live-stock, it also manufactures matches. Al bacete formerly had an extensive trade in cutlery, from which it was named the Sheffield of Spain, and its daggers are still held in high repute by Spaniards.