ARAGON, an ancient kingdom in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, com prised in the modern Spanish provinces of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza. Its area is 18,294 square miles. It is drained by the Ebro and its tributary streams, which traverse a central plain. The northern and southern por tions are mountainous and the climate varies according to the elevation above sea-level. It is often very sultry in the plains and valleys while generally cool at higher elevations on the mountain slopes. Wheat, corn and other crops of the cooler climes are grown in the more elevated portions while the olive and vine thrive in the warmer valleys. Copper, lead, salt and sulphur are mined in small quantities in Teruel. Manufactures are in a backward state, coarse linens and woolens being almost the only products. Agriculture is carried on in a primitive fashion; indeed, the burdens posed on the farmer and agriculturist leave him little incentive to improve his methods or extend production. Trade is hampered with like restrictions. The total population of the region to-day is 971,515. Zaragoza is the chief city, with a population of 112,000. Aragon formed a part of the Roman province of His pania Tarraconensis, fell to the Visigoths in the 5th century and to the Moors in 711 A.D.
A few of the Christian inhabitants fled to the fastnesses of the north where they managed to maintain a degree of independence. This small state was long ruled by Gothic counts, who joined it with Navarre. Ramiro I secured its complete independence in 1035 and it began its 450 years of existence as a kingdom. It was in constant conflict with the Moors and gradually wrested from them important towns and fortresses. By 1118 the kingdom had at tained its full territorial growth in the Penin sula, and in 1137 it was, joined to Catalonia through the marriage of the respective sovereigns. The new state extended its power to the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Sicily and Naples, all of which came under its sway before 1340. Barcelona became the commercial rival of Genoa and constant war was waged between them. Aragon, was united with Castile in 1479, Ferdinand of Aragon having married Isabella of Castile in 1469. Aragon became definitely merged in the new Spain in 1516 when Charles I ascended the throne. See SPAIN; SICILY.