HUESCA, wrska, Spain. (1) A province of northern Spain, formed in 1833 of districts once belonging to Aragon; bounded on the north by France, west and southwest by Sara gossa, southeast by Lerida and northwest by Navarre. The Pyrenees traverse the northern part, reaching an altitude at Monte Perdido of 10,997 feet. The principal rivers are the Ara gon in the northwest; the Gallego in the west; the Noguera Ribagorzana in the east, and the Cinca in the centre. Agriculture and cattle raising are the chief industries. The forests are abundant and there is considerable mining of lead, copper, iron, salt, cobalt, limestone and granite. Some manufactures of soap, leather, pottery and cloth are also carried on. The chief towns are Huesca, the capital, Jaca, Bar bastro and Frag-a. Area, 5,848 square miles. Pop. (est.) 249,265. (2) A city, capital of the province of the same name, on the river Isuela, 45 miles northeast of Saragossa, with which it is connected by rail. It is a very old town, as its many winding streets, medieval houses and ancient walls testify. The important build
ings are the splendid Gothic cathedral dating from the 15th century; the church of San Pedro, in the Romanesque style, dating from the 12th century; and the former university edifice, occupied by a secondary school since 1845, when the university took up its head quarters at Saragossa. Huesca is the seat of a bishop and the episcopal palace is another fine structure. Manufactures of cloth, pottery, bricks and leather are carried on and there is important trade in wine and produce. Under the name of Osca it was an important town in Roman days. Sertorius founded a school there for native chiefs. It was later the scene of the death of Sertorius at the hands of Perpenna (72 B.c.). Under the Moors it was strongly fortified in the 8th century, but in the 11th it was regained by Pedro. I of Aragon and became the capital of Aragon. In the follow ing century, with the removal of the capital to Saragossa, it began to decline in prestige.