FIGUERAS, a town of north-eastern Spain, province of Gerona, 14 m. S. of the French frontier, on the Barcelona-Perpig nan railway. Pop. (193o) 14,089. Figueras is built at the foot of the Pyrenees, on the N. edge of El Ampurdan, a fertile and well-irrigated plain, which produces grain, fruit and forage crops, and derives its name from the seaport of Ampurias, the ancient Emporiae. The town, which is modern and rather dull, with leather, cork, glass, iron and other factories, is chiefly remarkable for the castle of San Fernando, built by Ferdinand VI. (1746 ' 759), on a hill 1 m. N.W. This irregular, pentagonal structure, with accommodation for io,000 men and Soo horses, is still a key to the frontier owing to its position and rocky approach. In 1794 Figueras was surrendered to the French, but it was regained in 1795. During the Peninsular War it was taken by the French in 1808, recaptured by the Spaniards in 1811, and retaken by the French in the same year. In 1823, after a long defence, it was once more captured by the French.