ASTURIAS, (from Basque asta, rock + era, river; literally 'the country of the dwellers by the rocky river'). A former divi sion of Spain, now included in the Province of Oviedo, bounded on the north by the Bay of Biscay, east by Santander, south by Leon, and west by Galicia. The low hills of Leon and Old Castile rise gradually to the mountain chain which forms the southern boundary. towering to a height of nearly 9000 feet in the summit of Torre de Cerredo. The northern slopes are broken by steep and (lark valleys or ehesms, which are among the wildest and most pic turesque in Spain. The climate is damp, as the clouds and fogs of the Atlantic hang continually about the snow-capped mountains. The prin cipal kinds of wood are oak, chestnut, and silver and Scotch firs; in the more remote d6triets the forests are superb. Pasturage is found along the slopes in the narrow valleys, sup porting an excellent breed of horses and cattle. In the wider valleys, barley, wheat, maize, figs, olives, grapes, and oranges are cultivated; along the coast are excellent fisheries. Cop per, iron, lead, cobalt, arsenic, antimony, and coal are found in the province.
Asturias became a place of refuge for the Goths in the Eighth Century. Here the famous Pelayo was made king in 718, and his suc cessors, continuing the fight against the Arabs, became kings of Lea in the Tenth Century. The Asturians still boast of their independence as free Hidalgos and are simple in manners and brave; hut less industrious and sociable than their neighbors in Biscay and Galicia. They have been termed the Swiss of Spain, and they are equally faithful and fond of money. The Va queros form a distinct caste in the province, intermarrying among themselves and leading a nomadic life, wintering on the seacoast and summering on the hills of Leytariegos. Oviedo, the capital. has, since 1833, given its name to the whole province. The other important towns are the ports of Gijon and Aviles. The area of the Province of Oviedo is 4091 square miles, with a population in 1897 of 612,663.
The eldest son of the Spanish King bears the title of Asturias.