JAEN, an inland province of southern Spain, formed in 1833 of districts belonging to Andalusia ; bounded on the north by Ciudad Real and Albacete, east by Albacete and Granada, south by Granada, and west by Cordova. Pop. (1930), area, 5,848 sq.m. Jaen comprises the upper basin of the river Guadal quivir. The Sierra Morena, which divides Andalusia from New Castile, extends along the northern half of the province, its most prominent ridges being the Loma de Chiclana and the Loma de Ubeda ; the Sierras de Segura, in the east, derive their name from the river Segura, which rises just within the border; and between the last-named watershed, its continuation the Sierra del Pozo, and the parallel Sierra de Cazorla, is the source of the Guadal quivir. The loftiest summits in the province are those of the Sierra Magina (7,103 ft.).
In a region which varies so markedly in the altitude of its sur face, the climate is naturally unequal; and, while the bleak, wind swept highlands are available only as sheep-walks, the well watered and fertile valleys favour the cultivation of the vine, the olive and all kinds of cereals. The mineral wealth of Jaen has
been known since Roman times, and mining is an important in dustry, with its centre at Linares. Lead chiefly, but also iron, copper and salt are obtained. There is some trade in sawn timber and cloth; esparto fabrics, alcohol and oil are manufactured. The main line Madrid-Cordova-Seville is joined south of Linares by two important railways—from Algeciras and Malaga on the south west, and from Almeria on the south-east. The eastern half of Jaen is inaccessible by rail. In the western half are Jaen (q.v.), the capital, with Andujar, pop. (1930) 21,094, Baeza 16,329, Bailen 9,554, Linares 42,17o, Martos 23,815 and Ubeda 27,657.