VALEN'CIA, Npan. pron. vit-Ifin'the-A. The name of a former kingdom of Spain, comprising the present provinces of 'Valencia, Alicante. and Castellon de in Plana. The region is bounded on the north by Aragon and Catalonia, on the east by the Mediterranean. on the south by Murcia. and on the west by Murcia, New Castile, and Aragon. Area. 8830 square miles. The surface is of a broken mountainous character, with some small plains scattered along the coast and in the up lands of the southwest. The plains bordering the Mediterranean abound in lagoons, from many of which salt is derived in large quantities. There are few good harbors. The most important rivers are the Segura, Gnadalaviar, Jilear. and Mijares. The rainfall varies greatly, and the cold north winds and the hot southwest winds are very dry. The temperature varies from the extreme summer heat of the lower coast plains and valleys to the extreme winter cold of the inland mountain regions. With this variation in temperature and rainfall there is a wide variety of agricultural products. Wheat and other cereals are grown in fairly large quantities. hut their yield is sur
passed by that of the vine, rice. sugar. and fruits, among which the exports of oranges and figs have the lead. The stock-raising interests of the section are important. The mining industry is not very large, lignite, iron, lead, and zinc being produced in small quantities. In manufactures Valencia ranks next to Catalonia and has extensive textile establishments. iron and copper foundries, distilleries, sugar mills, and potteries. The fisheries and the curing of salt fish also employ a considerable portion of the population. The inhabitants, who preserve many traits of the Moorish admixture, in 1900 num bered 1.587,533. Upon the dissolution of the Caliphate of Cordova in the early part of the eleventh century, Valencia became an independent kingdom. Toward the close of the century it passed under the rule of the Almoravides, who were supplanted half a century later by the Almohades. In 1238 the city of Valencia was taken by James I. of Aragon, who soon became master of the region.