Spain - Revision history

Admin: /* 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. */

2025-12-14T04:09:50Z

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:09, 14 December 2025
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	Archbishopricks 8, Bishopricks 45, Universities 16.</blockquote>		Archbishopricks 8, Bishopricks 45, Universities 16.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote>Spain, Lat. Hispania, from their King Hispanus, is one of the most considerable Kingdoms of Europe, called heretofore Hesperia and Iberia, from the River Iberus. It is separated from France towards the North-East by the Pyrenean Hills; on all other sides it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Streights of Gibraltar, and the Atlantick Ocean; so that it lies in the Form of a great Peninsula, joined to France by a Neck of 80 Spanish Leagues over. Spain extends from 35 to 44 Degrees of Latitude, and from the 9th to the 24th Degree of Longitude: its greatest Length from East to West is 190 German Miles, or 800 Italian: its Circuit is 2480 Italian Miles, and is 460 Miles greater than France was 50 Years agon. The Air of this Country is generally very good, and the Soil fertile, were it but as well cul•ivated. Ancient Historians affirm, that it abounded with whatsoever Ambition or Necessity required, being full of Men and Horses, replenished with Mines of Gold and Silver, Brass, Iron, Lead Quick-silver and Salt; produc'd Corn, Wine, and Oyl in abundance, and was so extreamly fruitful, that if any Place for want of Water was less useful, yet even there Flax and Hemp thrived very well. Nonius relates out of Livy, that Spain in a few Years sent into Italy 600000 pound weight of Silver unwrought, Argenti Oscensis xl. millia of coarse Silver 40000, and of Gold about 10000 pound weight, and besides all this a vast quantity of minted Money. The Mines opened by Han¦nibal yielded every Year 400 pound weight. The old Spaniards were noted to be very Factious, but withall Prudent, Stout, Faithful, Hospitable, and great Lovers of Learning, as appeareth in their Country-men the Seneca's, Lucan, Mela, Columella, and Hyginus. But the Reason of its not being in its former flourishing condition, is, the Fewness of its Inhabitants, occasioned by the Infoecundity of their Women in comparison of those of other Countries, the Banishment of the Moors and Jews, the Inquisition, and the many Colonies and Armies they have abroad; but above all, the Discovery of the West-Indies h•ve been the greatest means of dispeopling the Country, by reason of the great Numbers whom the desire of Riches have prompted to leave their native Country; so that it's observed, that there were never 1000 natural Spaniards in any of their Armies. Indeed the Riches that are from thence imported into Spain, are almost incredible; for a Computation having been made in 1618, it was found, that since the time of their first Discovery they had furnish•d fifteen hundred and thirty six Millions of Gold, though the fi••• Expence of that Enterprise did not amount to above 12000 Ducats. This is a most prodigious Sum; but the need Spain hath of Foreign Merchandizes exhausteth the greatest part of a•• these Treasures, which made Henry IV. of France say, that the Abundance of Pistols in Spain was a sign of their Riches, but that the Necessity of Transporting them elsewhere, was a Mark of their P•verty.

			The Ancients divided Spain i• o three great Parts, called by them Terraconensis, Boetica, and Lusitanica. Hispania Terraconensis was the greatest of the three, and the most Eastern, which on the East was bounded by the Pyren•an Hills, on the North by the Bay of Biscay, on the West by the Atlantick Ocean and Lusitania, and on the South by the Mediterranean Sea and Boetica. Hispania Boetica was the most Southern part, and was bounded on the East and South by the former and by the Ocean, and on the West and North by the same Ocean and Lusitania. The Romans divided it into Citerior and Ʋlterior.

			The first Inhabitants of Spain were the Celtae, a People of Gallia Comata, between the Garonne and the S•ine, whence came the Name of Celtiberi; after them, the Phoenicians possessed themselves of the most Southern Parts of the Country, and may well be supposed to have been the first Civilizers of this Kingdom, and the Founders of the most ancient Cities, as Diodonus Siculus and Strabo affirm. After these followed the Grecians, who from Marseilles sent many Colonies into Hispania Terraconensis. The Carthaginians were the next, who after they had been by the Romans dispossest of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, at the end of the first Punick War, about the Year of Rome 512, by the Isle of Gades which was theirs before) entred Spain about four Years after, and in less than twenty Years under Amilcar, Asdrubal, and Hannibal the Son of Amilcar, they destroyed Seguntum, built New Carthage, and conquered all the Nations of this Country, as far as the Pyrenean Hills and the Mediterranean, and might easily have subdued the rest, but that Hannibal chose rather to revenge the Injuries of his Country, and to ruin Rome by an Invasion of Italy. The Jealousie of the Carthaginians ruined his Design in Italy, and the Romans prevailed in Sp•in under Cornelius Scipio, about the Year of Rome 545. And the Inhabitants of this Country having been broken b• the Carthaginians, did the more willingly and easily submit to the Romans, under whom they continued till about the Year 400, about which time the Goths, the Vandals, the Suevi, Alani, and Silingi, upon occasion of Constantine's withdrawing his Forces out of that Kingdom to the East, invaded Spain, and parted it amongst them; but the Goths not long after continued •ole Masters of it; and Wallia King of the Westrogoths in the Year 416, after Athanaricus, Alaricus, Athaulphus, and Sigericus, was the first that fixed his S•at in Spain, and he and his Successors extirpated the Vandals, or drove them ove• the Sea into Africa. The Goths under a Succession of 31 Princes, continued here till the Reign of Roderick, when the Moors were invited into Spain by Count Julian, whose Daughter the King had abused; who having gained several Victories over his Forces, himself was at last slain in a Battel fought with them in the Year 713; after which the Moors obliged the Goths to retire to the Mountains of Leon, Asturia, and Galicia, where Pelagius established a Kingdom in the Year 717 inspight of the Moors; and Charles Martel having defeated the Moors in France, A. C. 732, and Charlemagne done the same in Spain A. 778, encouraged the Goths to leave their Mountains, who in process of time drove the Infidels out of their Country. True it is, that this was not done all on a sudden, as taking up the space of seven or eight hundred Years, that is, till the Year 1492, during which time were formed those fourteen Kingdoms into which it is now divided, whereof three are towards the North, viz. Navarre, Biscay, and Asturia; three towards the West, Galicia, Portugal, and Algarbia; three towards the South, Andalusia, Grenada, and Murcia; three towards the East, Arragon, Catalonia, and Valentia; and two in the midst, Leon and Castile. All which Kingdoms were afterwards reduced to three, viz. Castile, Arragon, and Portugal. Arragon was joined to Castile in 1474, by the Marriage of Ferdinand King of Arragon with Isabella the Heiress of Castile, who chased the Moors from Grenada. Joan, one of their Daughters, was married to Philip of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, &c. and Charles born of this Marriage, inherited these Kingdoms, and after the Death of Ferdinand his Grandfather, succeeded also to that of Arragon in 1516. The best Ports in Spain are the Groin in Galicia, on the Ocean Carthagena, in the Kingdom of Murcia on the Mediterranean, Setubal, St. Sebastian, St. Andero, Les Passages, St. Mary near Cales, and Polo•, where Columbus embarked for America. Its principal Rivers are the Ebre (Iberus) which falls into the Mediterranean, Guadalquiver Lat. Betis, which runs by Sevil, and falls into the Ocean, Guadiana Lat. Anas, which runs under ground for a League, the Tagus, and the Durius. The Sand of the River Tagus is mixt with Gold. This Kingdom is also noted for its Horses; t•ose of Asturia, which the Romans called Astorcones, were the strongest, and those of Portugal the swiftest; whence the Ancients feigned, that they were conc•iv'd by the Wind.

			Spain contains eight Archbishopricks, and 45 Bishopricks, and if we joyn those of Portugal, 11 Archbishopricks and 56 Bishopricks, about 20000 Parishes, with a vast number of richly endow'd Abbeys and Monasteries. The Archbishop of Toledo has a yearly Revenue of three or four hundred thousand Ducats, the other Prelates fifty or sixty thousand a-piece, and some a hundred thousand. The Christian Faith was very early preached in this Nation by St. James, or, as some think, more probably by Saint Paul. Arianism entred with the Goths, and continued till 588. They never heard of the Roman Rites till after the Year 1083, when a Frenchman being made Archbishop of Toledo, endeavoured the Introduction of that Service, and was at first opposed in it by the Clergy and People; and it had been well for Spain if it had never been received, seeing it has cost that Nation so many of its People, no less than three thousand Families having been destroyed by the Inquisition in one Diocese in three Years, not to mention the loss of the Ʋnited Netherlands, and the ruin of Flanders. So that the Inquisition, which was introduced by Pedro de Gonzales in 1478, may well be look'd upon as one cause of the ruin of this once potent Kingdom, together with the Expulsion of the Jews and Moors, (Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492 expelling seventeen hundred thousand Families, and Philip II. in 1520 nine hundred thousand Moors) and the Peopling of America, which happened much about the same time.

			The King of Spain hath the most Land of any Prince of the whole World; upon which account some of their Predecessors have boasted that the Sun never sets in their Dominions, as having Possessions in all the four Parts of the World. In Europe, besides Spain, he hath the Spanish Netherlands, the Dutchy of Burgundy, and the Franche Comté, though the Conquests of France have depriv'd him of the two latter: In Italy he hath the Dutchy of Milan, the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, Final, Orbitello, and many other Places, besides the Isles of Majorca, Minorca, and Sardinia: In Africa, on the Coast of Barbary, he hath Oran, Larache, Mahamora, Pennon de Velez, Marsalquivir, Melilla. The Canary Islands are his, and the greatest part of America: In Asia he possesseth the Philippine Islands, and several other considerable Places mentioned elsewhere in this Dictionary.

			The Kings of Spain have the Title of Catholick since Ferdinand the Fifth, who receiv'd it from Pope Alexander the Sixth, after the taking of Granada. No Religion but the Roman Catholick is suffered here. The Spanish ancient Aera was that of Augustus until 1351. The Succession of the Spanish Monarchs is reckon'd thus; from the Year 412 to 713, thirty four Kings of the Visigoths; from the Year 409 to 585, ten Kings of the Suevi, who were Masters of Galicia and some other Provinces. The Kingdoms of Spain were re-united under Ferdinand V. King of Arragon, who succeeded John II. in 1479, and married Isabella Queen of Leon and Castile. Since that time, Philip I. Archduke of Austria, was King in 1504, Charles I. in 1516, Philip II. in 1555, Philip III. in 1598, Philip IV. in 1621, Charles II. in 1665.

			There are five Knightly Orders in Spain, That of the Golden Fleece, which is chiefly bestowed upon Princes and Lords that are Strangers; that of St. James or San Jago, that of Alcantara or Calatrava, that of St. Salvador de Montreal, and that of Monteza which is not much esteemed.

			There are ninety three Grandees Places in Spain, though there be not so many Grandees, because it often happens that several of these are entailed upon one and the same Family. Some are Grandees during Life only; and others are so hereditarily, by reason of some Lands to which this Dignity is annexed. All the Grandees have the Privilege of being covered in the Kings Presence, and are distinguish'd into three Ranks; the first is, of those who cover themselves before they speak to the King; the second, of those who put on their Hats after they have begun to speak to the King; and the third is, of those who only put on their Hats after having spoke to him and being return'd to their Places; who though they have the Right of putting on their Hats then, yet never do it till the King gives them a sign so to do, which he never fails of.

			The Kings of Spain have several Councils, viz. the Council of State, the Council of War, the Council of Castile, the Council of Arragon, of Italy, of the Knightly Orders, of the Chamber, of the Revenue, of the Croisade, and of the Inquisition, which hath nine Tribunals, that of Toledo, Grenada, Sevil, Corduba, Murcia, Cuenza, Logrona, Lerena, and Valladolid, and a soveraign Court at Madrid, the President whereof is called the Inquisitor-General. They judge without appeal of four Crimes, viz. Heresie, Witchcraft, Sodomy, and Polygamy.

			The Court of Spain is different from the other Courts of Europe, which are generally more magnificent. The King gives Audience but one Day in the Week; the rest of the time he keeps himself shut up in his Palace, in the Courts of which any may walk, they being full of rich Merchants Shops, and resemble Cloisters of Religious Houses. No married Man besides the King lies in the Palace, and all the Women who live there are either Widows, or the Queens Ladies of Honour, or those belonging to the Infanta. The King and Queen Dine apart, and are to be seen but at certain Days in the Week. The Infant or first Son of Spain is called Prince of Asturia, because Pelagius I. reigned there. The King assembles the States to swear Fealty to this Prince, and recognize him as lawful Heir. All Offices of the Court are given, and none sold. There are three sorts of Guards, viz. the Burgundian, because the Kings of Spain derived most of their Grandeur, and the Order of the Golden Fleece, from Burgundy; the German Guard chosen by the Princes of the House of Austria; and the Spanish, appointed by the ancient Kings of Castile: They all ride on Horse-back, and carry •aunces; besides which there are a hundred Men at Arms, and fifty call'd the Guard of Espinosa, who lodge nighest the King's Person; these are all Natives of a Borough called Espinosa, an Inhabitant whereof discovered a Plot against the King. Besides the Orders of Knighthood, there are those called Gentlemen of the Mouth, who are dispensed with from going to War, and have leave to come into the Kings Suppers and Dinners; but the greatest Honour is to be Gentleman of the Chamber, of which there are three sorts, some who actually serve, others who attend but serve not, and some who neither come in nor serve. All have the Privilege of a Key to open what Doors of the Palace they please, there being no Ushers, and the Gates kept always shut. The Widows who attend the Queen are all of Quality, and clad in white, as it's the Custom in Spain. Not only the Grandees, but also others of Quality, are cover'd in the Queens Presence whilst they speak to the Ladies: The Grandees Ladies have also great Privileges; the Queen rises up when they come in, and offers them Cushions: Ambassadors Ladies and Wives of Grandees eldest Sons, have the same Privilege; and upon the failing of Heirs Male, the eldest Daughter succeeds to the Honour of Grandessa. The Offices of Judicature and Places in the Army, are all given and not sold. The Governours of Provinces and Towns continue generally three Years, but those of the Indies seven. The King sends Viceroys to Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Arragon, Valentia, Catalonia, Navarr, New Spain, and Perou, and a Governour to the Netherlands, who has Power to send and receive Envoys to Milan, Majorca, and Minorca, besides many Captain-Generals to Africa, the Indies, and other Places, who have sometimes the Titles of Viceroys, and preside over all Affairs. The Civil Government in Cities is most the same with that of France. One may appeal from any Court to the Council, and from all lower Councils to the supreme Council of Madrid, which are all held in different Apartments of the Palace, and disposed so that the King can hear what is debated in each; besides which, he has a weekly Account of what passeth in them. The Council of Castile, which is the most considerable of all Spain, is called the Royal Council, and has Jurisdiction over all, except Navarre, Arragon, Valence, and Catalonia; the President of this Council, and the ancientest and most experienc'd Counsellors, form the Chamber Council, to be a Member of which, is the greatest Honour that Gown-Men can attain to. The Council of State consists of ancient Governours, Generals of the Army, and Ambassadors. Besides these, are a Council of War, the Inquisition, and several other. Most People believe, that the King of Spain's greatest Revenue consists in the Gold and Silver brought him from the Indies, which is a mistake; for this Wealth belongs to the Merchants and others that pay the Workmen at the Golden Mines of Potosi and the Silver Mines of Mexico; so that the King receives little more than a Million and a half of Gold, which is about four Millions of French Livres; a great part of the rest is sent for England, France, &c. for Cloth, Linnen, and other Goods which the Spaniards have from thence. As for Customs, the King has about 14 per Cent. for any Goods sold in Spain, which with the Excise upon Wine and mark'd Paper raises great Sums.

			The Spaniards are noted for their Gravity and Seriousness, slow in their Counsels and Deliberations, but resolv'd and constant in the Execution of what they have once resolv'd upon: They are very fit for and excel in Liberal Arts and Sciences, especially in all those that require great Attention, Perseverance, and Penetration of Mind, as appears in their Arias Montanus and Antonius Nebrisensis; but undervalue Mechanical Arts, which they judge unfit for and misbecoming Gentlemen. They are very good Soldiers, very hardy, patient, and courageous. Their Armies are very well disciplin'd, and their Infantry is better than their Cavalry. It's observed, that the Parts of Spain towards the South and East, especially along the Coast of the Mediterranean, have been very fruitful in learned Men, but that the Inhabitants of the other Parts are more dull and heavy, which is attributed to the Air. The Spaniards in general are accus'd as being defective in Philology, though some few have also excelled in that. The Histories written in their own Language are of a very good Stile, but partial both as to Church and State. Their Poets are of no Esteem, and their Antiquaries, who derive their Original from Tubal and Japhet, are counted Fabulous. Their Pulpit Men are their best Orators. Their Philosophers are all Peripateticks. They have had good moral Divines and Commentators upon Scripture, but few noted for Controversie. Nu. Anton. Biblioth. Hisp. Voss. de Histor. P. Rupiv. Instruction pour l'Histoire. Balet Judgment des Scavans. See Joh. Pistorii & Andr. Schotti Hispan. illustrat. tom. 4. Luc. Marineus. Siculus de reb. Hisp. Memor. Lud. de Mayerne Hist. Gent. Hispan. Joh. Vasaeus Chron. Hisp. Joh. de Laet Com. de Hisp. Roderic Ximen•us de reb. Hispan, and especially Joh. Moriana Hist. de reb. Hispan. And as to the Antiquities of Spain, Joh. Margarinus Paralip. Hisp.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. ===		=== 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. ===

Admin: /* 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. */

2025-04-12T17:04:45Z

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

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 In Navarre is of note, the Citie of Pampelona famous for her fortification, and not for her negocation.
-Corduba is accounted the most fertile soile of all Spaine, and hath Corduba for a principall Citie; from whence commeth that excellent Cordovant leather, knowne to us. 2. March•…na. a principall breeder of the best Genets in Spaine: also 3. Medina Sidonia, whose Duke was principall Commander of that pretended Invincible Armado 1588. Also Lucardi Barameda a great Haven-towne, X•…res which yeelds the Wines knowne, Sherry Sackes, because the Spaniards are found to pronounce x as sh in English: and also [[Sivill]] which requireth (according to my Methode) for her worth and eminency of Trade a Chapter by it selfe.</blockquote>
+Corduba is accounted the most fertile soile of all Spaine, and hath Corduba for a principall Citie; from whence commeth that excellent Cordovant leather, knowne to us. 2. March•…na. a principall breeder of the best Genets in Spaine: also 3. Medina Sidonia, whose Duke was principall Commander of that pretended Invincible Armado 1588. Also Lucardi Barameda a great Haven-towne, X•…res which yeelds the Wines knowne, Sherry Sackes, because the Spaniards are found to pronounce x as sh in English: and also [[Sivill]] which requireth (according to my Methode) for her worth and eminency of Trade a Chapter by it selfe.
 ===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.===

Admin at 16:11, 6 April 2025

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	* ...Biar.		* ...Biar.
	* ...Xativa.		* ...Xativa.
	* ...Alicante.		* ...[[Alicante]].
	* ...Montesa.		* ...Montesa.
	* ...Marvi•dro.		* ...Marvi•dro.
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	Origuella, Orcelis, another small City, is in like manner the Seat of a Prelate, and subject to the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Valencia, from whence it is distant 78 Miles to the South, and 14 from Murcia, standing in a pleasant Valley on the Confines of the Kingdom of that Name.		Origuella, Orcelis, another small City, is in like manner the Seat of a Prelate, and subject to the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Valencia, from whence it is distant 78 Miles to the South, and 14 from Murcia, standing in a pleasant Valley on the Confines of the Kingdom of that Name.

	Alicante, Alone, is a Sea-port Town, wherein a very great Commerce is maintain'd for Wine, and all other kinds of Fruits which the Country affords. It stands on the Foot of a Mountain, on which a strong Castle is erected, at the distance of 42 Miles North-east of Murcia, and 60 South of Valencia. The Road is extremely convenient for all sorts of small Vessels, in regard that this Haven not being very deep, cannot receive those of a larger size.		[[Alicante]], Alone, is a Sea-port Town, wherein a very great Commerce is maintain'd for Wine, and all other kinds of Fruits which the Country affords. It stands on the Foot of a Mountain, on which a strong Castle is erected, at the distance of 42 Miles North-east of Murcia, and 60 South of Valencia. The Road is extremely convenient for all sorts of small Vessels, in regard that this Haven not being very deep, cannot receive those of a larger size.

	CATALUNNA, Catalonia, or Catalaunia.		CATALUNNA, Catalonia, or Catalaunia.

Admin: /* 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. */

2025-03-23T18:48:34Z

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 23 March 2025
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	The other States of the King of Spain are near France, part of Flanders. In Italy, the Dutchy of Milan, Final, Orbitelle, the protection of Piombin, of Portolongon: The Kingdoms of Naples, of Sicily, of Sardinia: Oran, Marsalquivir, Melille, Pennon de Velez, Ceuta, along the Coasts of Barbary upon the Mediterranean, the Isle of Pantaralee. The greatest part of America: Several Islands and Places in the East and West-Indies.</blockquote>		The other States of the King of Spain are near France, part of Flanders. In Italy, the Dutchy of Milan, Final, Orbitelle, the protection of Piombin, of Portolongon: The Kingdoms of Naples, of Sicily, of Sardinia: Oran, Marsalquivir, Melille, Pennon de Velez, Ceuta, along the Coasts of Barbary upon the Mediterranean, the Isle of Pantaralee. The greatest part of America: Several Islands and Places in the East and West-Indies.</blockquote>

			=== 1691. A most compleat compendium of geography by Laurence Echard. ===
			<blockquote>THE Kingdom of Spain lies on the W. of Europe, and on the S. W. of France; in form of a Peninsula, being incompassed on three sides with Sea. Situated between the 7th and the 22 degr. of Lon. and between the 36th and the 44th of Lat. being in length from Cape Creus in Catalonia, to Cape Finestro in Gallicia 630 miles; and in breadth from Gibralter in Andaluzia, to Cape Pennas in Asturia 480 miles. Together with Portugal, it made up the Roman Diocess of Spain, sometimes called Iberia and Hesperia, and afterwards Mus Arabia, and now Spain; by the Natives, La Espanna; by the French, L'Espagne; by the Italians, La Spagna; by the Polanders, Hispanska; by the Germans, Spanien; and by the Dutch, Spangien.

			It was first conquered by the Carthaginians, then by the Romans, then by the Vandals, immediately after by the Goths, after that by the Saracens and Moors, and divided into several Kingdoms, till Anno 147 B. Ferdinand drove out the Moor• and erected a Monarchy, which still continues. So that the present Government is under its own King, who has many Dominions and more Titles, particularly that of the Catholick King. His Royal Seat is Madrid.

			The Inhabitants descend from the Goths, Moors, Iews, and old Spaniards, all Roman Catholicks. Their Language, the vulgar Spanish or Castilian; a manly Tongue, composed of French, Latine, Gothish, Arabick and old Spanish. In Biscay they speak the old Cantabrian, and the Arabick in some of the Mountains in Granada. Their chief Commodities are Sacks, Sugars, Oyl, Metals, Rice, Silk, Orenges, Raisins, Wool, Cork, Rosin and Lamb-skins. It contains 14 Provinces, which are as following.

			* 1. Kingdom of Gallicia, but part of the old Gallicia, the most N. W. Province 170 m. l. and 140 br. ch. T. Compostella, Mondonedo, Coranna and Lugo.
			* 2. Province of Asturia, part of the old Gallicia; on the E. of Gallicia, 135 m. l. and 60 br. divided into two parts, viz. 1. Asturia de Oviedo, ch. T. Oviedo; and 2. Asturia de Santillina, ch. T. Santillina. Oviedo is ch. T. of both.
			* 3. Province of Biscay, and Cantabria, part of the old Tarraconensis; on the E. of Asturia 120 m. l. and 74 br. divided into three parts, viz. 1. Ipusco or Guipuscoa, ch. T. Placentia; 2. Biscay, ch. T. Bilbo; and 3. Alava, ch. T. Salvatierra. Bilbo is ch. T. of the whole.
			* 4. Kingdom of Navarr, part of old Tarraconensis, on the S. E. of Biscay; 96 m. l. & 88 br. ch. T. are Pampalune, Estella, Olita, and Tudela.
			* 5. Kingdom of Aragon, part of Tarraconensis and Carthagenensis; on the S. E. of Navarr. 180 m. l. & 120 br. ch. T. are Saragossa, Iacca, Balbastro and Huesca.
			* 6. Principality of Catalonia, part of old Tarraconensis, on the E. of Aragon; 180 m. l. & 130 br. ch. T. are Barcelona, Taragon, and Tortosa. In this is the Country of Rousillon, under the French; ch. T. Peripignan.
			* 7. Kingdom of Valencia, part of old Carthagenensis; on the S. W. of Catalonia; 178 m. l. and 70 br. ch. T. are Valencia, Alicant, Segorbe, and Origrella.
			* 8. Kingdom of Murcia, part of old Carthagenensis; on the S. W. of Valencia; 96 m. l. & 70 br. ch. T. are Murcia, Cartegena, and Lorca.

			* 9. New Castile, part of old Carthagenensis with a little of Lusitania; on the N. W. of Murcia 230 m. l. & 220 br. ch. T. are Madrid, Toledo, Alcala de Henares, Cuenca and Cividad Real.
			* 10. Old Castile, part of old Gallicia and Carthagenensis; on the N. of new Castile; 190 m. l. & 145 br. ch. T. are Burgos, Valadolid, and Segovia. In this lies the Province of Rioja; ch. T. Logronno.
			* 11. Kingdom of Leon, part of old Gallicia and Lusitania; on the W. of old Castile; 165 m. l. & 110 br. ch. T. are Leon, Salamanca, Toro, and Astorga.
			* 12. Extremadura part of old Lusitania and Betica; on the S. of Leon; 194 m. l. & 120 br. ch. T. are Placentia, Alcantra, Merida, and Coria. This Pr. by some is made in Leon, and by others in Castile.
			* 13. Kingdom of Andalusia, or Vandalitia, part of old Betica, with some of Carthagenensis; on the S. of Extremadura and new Castile; 286 m l. 140 br. ch. T. Sevil, Cadis, Cordova, and Iaen.
			* 14. Kingdom of Granada, part of old Betica; on the S. E. of Andalusia; 220 m. l. & 70 br. ch. T. are Granada, Guadix, and Malaga.

			The Spanish Isles lie in the Mediterranian, on the S. of Catalonia; they are 1. Majorca, 2. Minorca,

			(these were the old Baleures) and 3. Yvica. Ch. T. are the same again.

			Rivers of chiefest note are five, viz. 1. Tego▪ 2. Ebro, 3. Douro, 4. Guadiana, and 5. Guadalquiver.

			Principal Mountains (besides the Pirenean Hills) are, 1. Siera Morina, and 2. Nevada.

			Archbishopricks 8, Bishopricks 45, Universities 16.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. ===		=== 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. ===

Admin at 02:15, 16 January 2025

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	==History==		==History==
	==Geography==		==Geography==
			==Maps==
			<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150" showfilename="yes">
			File:1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - Spain and Portugal.jpg
			</gallery>
	==Demographics==		==Demographics==
	==Economy==		==Economy==

Admin at 03:10, 13 January 2025

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	In Navarre is of note, the Citie of Pampelona famous for her fortification, and not for her negocation.		In Navarre is of note, the Citie of Pampelona famous for her fortification, and not for her negocation.

	Corduba is accounted the most fertile soile of all Spaine, and hath Corduba for a principall Citie; from whence commeth that excellent Cordovant leather, knowne to us. 2. March•…na. a principall breeder of the best Genets in Spaine: also 3. Medina Sidonia, whose Duke was principall Commander of that pretended Invincible Armado 1588. Also Lucardi Barameda a great Haven-towne, X•…res which yeelds the Wines knowne, Sherry Sackes, because the Spaniards are found to pronounce x as sh in English: and also Sivill which requireth (according to my Methode) for her worth and eminency of Trade a Chapter by it selfe.</blockquote>		Corduba is accounted the most fertile soile of all Spaine, and hath Corduba for a principall Citie; from whence commeth that excellent Cordovant leather, knowne to us. 2. March•…na. a principall breeder of the best Genets in Spaine: also 3. Medina Sidonia, whose Duke was principall Commander of that pretended Invincible Armado 1588. Also Lucardi Barameda a great Haven-towne, X•…res which yeelds the Wines knowne, Sherry Sackes, because the Spaniards are found to pronounce x as sh in English: and also [[Sivill]] which requireth (according to my Methode) for her worth and eminency of Trade a Chapter by it selfe.</blockquote>

	===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.===		===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.===

Admin at 06:25, 28 December 2024

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	* 2. Inbalda, or Idubalda, which extends it self from the Pyreniae towards Portugal: And		* 2. Inbalda, or Idubalda, which extends it self from the Pyreniae towards Portugal: And
	* 3. Seira Nevada, which from East to West crosses Granada, and are very high Hills.</blockquote>		* 3. Seira Nevada, which from East to West crosses Granada, and are very high Hills.</blockquote>

			=== 1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval. ===
			<blockquote>Spain is a Great Peninsula, two hundred Leagues in length, and the same in breadth, in the most Western part of Europe, betwixt the ninth and twenty fourth Degree of Longitude, and between thirty five Degrees and a half, and forty Degrees and a half of Northern Latitude. This Peninsula is upon the Ocean, and upon the Mediterranean-Sea; towards the North-East, it borders upon France, for the space of above a hundred Leagues, the Pyrenean Mountains between both.

			Several things concur to the making Spain thinly inhabited; its Fertility, Mountains, the barrenness of its Women, the banishment of the Moors, of whom above eight hundred thousand were constrain'd to depart thence, in the Year 1610, the great number of persons that are sent to Colonies, and the Wars abroad. From whence it proceeds, that never above seven thousand natural Spaniards were ever seen together in any Army. The Heat reigns there more than the Cold; those Provinces which lye South-East, are more fertile than the rest. The Mountains without Trees, and the mighty Rocks are there called Sierra. This Country has but scarcity of Corn, but abounds with the strongest Wines, the most delicious Fruits, and the sweetest Oyls of Europe. The Gold and Silver, which is brought into Spain from America, is very capable of purchasing it all the other Conveniencies of Life. In the Year 1618. it was verified, that since the first discovery of this New World by Columbus, the Spaniards had drawn from thence above fifteen hundred thirty six Millions of Gold. These are immense Sums, but, as the Traders of Europe have the best share in them, they have not enrich'd Spain, proportionably to what it has been weakned by the Colonies, that have been sent thither. Moreover, the necessity of having foreign Commodities drains and exhausts the better part of those Riches. This made Henry the Fourth of France say, That the Spanish Pistolls spoke their Riches in their own Dominions, but, carried elsewhere, did but shew their Poverty. Mines there are of Copper, Quick-silver, Lead, Iron, and Salt, in Spain: those of Gold and Silver have been spared, since they have had the conveniency of those of America. The Horses of this Region are generally in esteem, those of Andalousia above all others; yet they travel commonly in this Countrey upon Mules and Asses, by reason of the Mountains.

			No Prince whatsoever has so much Land, as the King of Spain: He may, with justice, style himself the greatest Territorian of the Universe, if I may use that Term. True it is, that his Dominions lye separated from one another, and dispers'd in the four parts of the World. Some of his Predecessours have boasted, that the Sun never set in their Dominions, and that the extent of their Territories was only to be measured by the Course of that Planet. In some Letters, which the Kings of Persia have address'd to them in the foregoing Age, there is, To the King, who has the Sun for a Hat. Among other Titles, they wear that of Catholick, particularly since Ferdinand the Fifth, and that of the King of Spains; they have taken up this last but of late years. These following are those which Philip the Fourth took in the Pleinpouvoir, which he gave in the Year 1659, to Don Lewis de Haro, for the treating of a Peace between France and Spain. Dom Philip, by the Grace of God, King of Castile, Leon, Arragon, the two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Portugal, (this Title was left out in the Plein-pouvoirs, of the Peace of Nimmeghen) Navarre, Grenada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Maillorca, Seville, Sardaigna, Cordova, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, the Algarbes, Algezire, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the East and West-Indies, the Islands and Terra firma of the Ocean-Sea, Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, (which is no longer allow'd him by the French King, since the Cession of the Franche Compte) Brabant, Milan, Count of Hapsbourg, Flanders, Tirol, Barcellonna, Lord of Biscay, and Malines.

			The principal Order of Knighthood, in Spain, is that of the Golden Fleece, the others are those of St. James, of Calatrava, of Alcantara, and Montese: the Kings of Spain have attributed to themselves great Masterships and Jurisdictions of 'em, under the Name of Perpetual Administrators. There are, moreover, above fourscore Grandees, who are much the same with the Dukes and Peers of England; this Dignity of Grandee is setled upon Lands, and falls to Females.

			The Spaniards esteem Arts as disnonourable; upon which account most of their Artificers are strangers. They have always maintain'd the reputation, of being Faithful and Loyal to their Prince; they are slow in their Resolutions, and their Tediousness and Procrastination makes them often lose good Occasions. Some of 'em have the vanity to say, That their Country furnishes the World with Generals of Armies; That God spoke to Moses, upon Mount Sinai, in the Castillian Tongue; That the Lord of the Universe must be a Spaniard born, and other such great Words.

			Spain, sometimes called Iberia, Hesperia, Mus-Arabia, was subject to strangers during a long while: the Celtae, Rhodiots, Phenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Swabians, Goths, and the Moors, have commanded and domineer'd there, over all, or in some parts. Its first Division was into two parts; the one on this side, the other on that side the Ebre, which then bounded the Empires of Rome and Carthage; since, what has been called Ʋlterior Hispania has only comprehended Betica and Lusitania. In each part the Romans establish'd fourteen Convents or Benches of Justice. During the decay and fall of the Domination of the Moors, there arose five Kingdoms, Leon with Castile, Aragon, Navarre, Portugal, and Grenada. After which, the whole Country fell under the sway of the King of Castile, the King of Portugal, and the King of Arragon. It is principally by these three Titles, that the King of Spain has possess'd all his States, wherein are eight Vice-Roy-ships. In our time the King of Castile has been a peaceable Possessour of all these Kingdoms, tho', that since Pelagius, the Succession of these Kingdoms has fallen ten times upon Females: In the Year 1640, Portugal proclaim'd the Duke of Braganza King.

			The principal Rivers of Spain, are the Douere, abounding in Fish; the Tagus, renowned for its golden Sands; Guadiana, which is said to run under Ground; Guadalquiber is the deepest; Iberus, famous for its Name: All of them have their Source in Castile, and are not Navigable, like many Rivers in other Countreys. Guadiana has given the Spaniards occasion to say, That their Land affords the richest Bridge upon Earth; that it daily feeds above ten thousand Cattel, and that a great Army may march over it in Battalia: the Ancients seem to have admirably well called this River Anas, by reason that it enters and rises out of the Earth, as a Duck does in the water. Some Moderns say, this River is hidden by the Mountains; others do assure us, that these are Breakings up of the Ground, which are made for the watering the neighbouring Lands, that are very lean and hungry: Certain it is, that this happens towards the Sources of Guadiana, and not towards Merida, as the old Carts represent it. This is one of the Wonders of Spain; the two others are, a City incircled with Fire by Walls of Flint, which is Madrid; a Bridge, over which Water is seen to run; which is the Aqueduct of Segovia. One may say of the Cities of this State, that they have some appellation for Excellence; Sevil the trading, Grenada the great, Valencia the fair, Barcellonna the rich, Saragossa the satisfied, Valle dolid the Genteel, Toledo the ancient, Madrid the Royal City. There are eight Arch-Bishopricks, forty five Bishopricks: the Arch-Bishopricks are Toledo, Burgos, Compostella, Sevil, Grenada, Valencia, Saragossa, and Taragonna. King Richard the First establish'd there the Roman Catholick Religion, which is the only one allowed of in the Kingdoms, the Inquisition having been introduced against all other Beliefs. Some Churches are at Toledo, where they still perform the Mus-Arabick Office, which is that which the Christians, who liv'd amongst the Arabians, used. Several of their Sea-Ports are very considerable, the Passage, Saint Andre, la Corune, Cadiz, Cartagena, Alicant, &c.

			There are reckoned in Spain fifteen great Parts, most of which had the Title of Kingdoms in the times of the Moors: Five upon the Ocean, Biscaya, Asturia, Galicia, Portugal, that hath its King, Andalousia: Five upon the Mediterranean-Sea, Granada, Murcia, Valencia, Catalonia, the Isles of Majorca and Minorca; Five within the Inland of the Country, Aragon, Navarre, the two Castiles, Leon.

			Biscay has Woods which furnish it with the conveniency of building Ships. It has so great a quantity of Mines, and Iron-Forges, that the Spaniards call it the Defence of Castile. It is separated from France by the small River of Bidassoa, which forms a little Island, Celebrated for the conclusion of the Peace in the Year 1659. between the Crown of Spain and France. The Biscayans, who are the ancient Cantabrians, have great Priviledges, and boast of never having been subdued. The Land (as well as in the Kingdom of Navarre) is well Cultivated, because there is neither Tax, nor Tythes, nor Right of Importation. Its Capital Cities are Bilbao, St. Sebastian, both driving a great Trade, especially in Wooll: Great Ships cannot come up to Bilbao but at High-Water. The Port of Saint Sebastian is of easie access, its entrance is defended with two Castles, that of the East upon a Height, that of the West on a Level upon a Rock. Saint Andero, and le Passage, are two excellent Sea-Ports in this Country, Fonterabia the strongest place, Guatari the Country of Sebastian Can, he who first went round the World in the Ship called the Victory.

			Asturia breeds Horses much esteemed for their strength; it is the Title of the Prince of Spain, whose younger Brothers are called Infants since the Reign of King John the First. It has serv'd for a retreat to the Gothick Kings, and to several Bishops, during the irruption of the Moors, wherefore Oviedo, its Capital City, is called the City of Kings and Bishops.

			Galicia is more Populous than Fertile; Compostella is known for the Pilgrimages of those who go thither to visit the Relick of Saint James, the Patron of the Spaniards; la Corune for the goodness and spaciousness of its Harbour. The Silver Fleet, rich above thirty Millions, arrived there in the Year 1661. to avoid meeting with the English, who, for the surprizing it, lay at watch upon all the Avenues of Cadiz. They reckon in this Country above forty other Havens, whereof that of Vigo is the most considerable.

			Andalousia is so beautiful, so abounding in Wines, Corn, Olives, that it passes for the Granary and Store-house-of the Kingdom. Sevil is the Magazine of the Riches of the New-World: 'Tis a Town so well Built, that there is a Spanish Proverb which runs, Qui en no ha visto Sevilla, no ha visto maravilla. It still keeps the remains of the City Italica, the Native Town of Adrian.

			Corduba, which gave Lucan and the two Seneca's to Antiquity, was much more considerable under the Moors than it is at present. Its principal Church was formerly the greatest Mosque of the Mahometans after that of Mecca. San-Lucar, at the Mouth of Guadalquivir, is a Town of great Trade. The Ships, which bring Gold and Silver from the West-Indies, have sometimes cast Anchor near the Tower of the Port, which is sometimes call'd the Tower of Gold: This casting Anchor is more commonly performed at Cadiz, and the Port Saint Mary, which is near it. Xeres de la Fontera is in the Neighbourhood of the Place where the Moors entirely defeated the Goths, in the Year 712. After which, they had the means of Ravaging all Spain as they did. The Spaniards have been observ'd to have made no scruple of having Alliance with those Infidels, because some of their Divines have maintain'd, that they might be made use of as of Horses and Elephants. Gibraltar gives its Name to the famous Streight, which communicates the Ocean and Mediterranean-Seas, and which separates Europe from Africa. Palos is the Haven, where Columbus embarked for the first Discovery of the New-World; Cadiz, as we have said, is the most usual place of Resort for the Fleets, which come from the West-Indies, by reason of the conveniency of its Harbour. It is of such importance, that the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, recommended the preservation of it above all things to his Son, Philip the Second, with that of Flushing and la Goulete. Antiquity shews here a Temple, dedicated to Hercules, with two Pillars, either of Brass or Silver, which are said to be the Pillars of that Hero, as well as the two Mountains of the Streights of Gibraltar. Julius Caesar is said to have wept in this Temple, at the remembrance of the Prodigious Conquests, which Alexander the Great had made at the Age of thirty three Years, and whereof the consideration carried him to such high Enterprises, as that of Xenophon's Cyrus had done Scipio. The Name of Andalusians was given to the Moriscoes, who were driven out of Andalousia and Granada; that of Tagarins to those of Aragon and Catalonia.

			The Kingdom of Granada under its last Moorish Kings, who lost it in the Year 1421. was much Richer, and more Populous, than it is at present; it was also much more fertile: The Moors had a thousand Inventions to Water their Lands with Rivulets and Trenches, by causing Water to be brought thither from great Ponds, which they made in the Mountain• which are at the foot of la Sierra-Navada. The Situation of this Kingdom, and the Disposition of its Towns, are conformable to the Description Julius Caesar gives thereof. The City of the same Name is the greatest of Spain: The abode in it is so pleasant, by reason of the pureness of its Air, and its admirable Fountains, that the Moors placed Paradise in that part part of Heaven which is upon its Zenith. Malgus is known for the excellent Wines which it furnishes the World withal. Almeria for its Commerce and its Harbour. Monde for the Victory of Julius Caesar over Pompey's Sons: He killed upon the place thirty thousand of his Enemies, and afterwards made the Circumvallation of the Town, with the Arms and Bodies of the Dead.

			Murcia is called the Garden of Spain, by reason of its excellent Fruits. Its Town of the same Name drives a great Trade in Silk. Carthagena is a good Sea-Port.

			Valentia is the most agreeable Country of all Spain. The City of the same Name has also those of Beautiful, Great, of Valencia del-Cid, since its being taken by Rodrigo from the Moors. Alicant is known for the Transportation of its good Wines. Upon the Coast are seen, in a place called Morvedre, the Ruins of the ancient Sagonte, the destruction whereof, by Hannibal, gave occasion to the second Punick War.

			The Principality of Catalonia, the most important Province of Spain, produces Wine, Oyl, Corn, and Fruits in abundance. The Neighbourhood of the Pyrenees furnish it with very fine Marble, Jaspar and Azure. Those who make Spain the Head of the Catholick King's Dominions, say, Catalonia is one of its Ears, and Portugal the other. Ten Cities are reckoned in this Province, seventeen Vigueries, or great Baily-wicks, with above a hundred Walled Towns, whereof the most part were taken and re-taken in the late Wars. Barcelona, the Capital City, has good Edifices, by reason of the conveniency it has of being furnished with Stone from Mount-Juy. Tarragona, whereof the greatest part of Spain has born formerly the Name, is more Ancient and Strong than it is Beautiful. Tortosa upon the end of the Ebre. The French gained, near this Town, a famous Victory over the Sarazens in the time of Charlemain. Larida has susteined several Sieges, and seen several Battels fought in our time; Caesar formerly defeated, near this place, Aframius and Petreius of Pompey's Party. Gironne is a Principality, whereof the Eldest Sons of the Kings of Aragon bore the Title. Cordene, a famous Dutchy, has a Mountain of Salt, which seems of all sorts of Colours, but becomes white when it is pounded. Problet, a rich Monastery, was the Sepulchre of the King's of Aragon: That of our Lady, at Montferrat, is known for its great Solitude, for its Pilgrimages, and the Presents that are made there. Roses, the strongest and most important of the Sea-Towns.

			The Isles of Majorca and Minorca, are the ancient Baleares, where the Inhabitants were heretofore as good Slingers, and great Pyrats, as it this day. They obliged their Children to fight for their Break-fast with their Slings; notwithstanding their activity, they were constrain'd to demand help of Augustus against the Rabbets, which harassed their Country. The Books of Raymundus Lullius are read and studied in the University of Majorca, as Aristotle's, Des-Cartes's are in other places. The Isle of Minorca has good Havens, whereof the most considerable is that of Mahon, with Avenues, well Fortified. The Territory of Yvica has this particularity of killing Serpents, which are in great numbers in the Isle Formentera.

			Aragon has no good Towns but Saragossa. Ainsa and Benavari have been the Capita•s of two small Kingdoms, Sobrarbe and Ribagorce: Monzon is a place where the States of Aragon did formerly assemble.

			Navarre consists in six Merindades or Governments, whereof the Capital is Pamplune. There is, on this side the Pyrenees, one of those Governments, which is call'd of Low-Navarre, in the hands of the French King. The French say, That the Genealogy-Table shews the Rights, which his most Christian Majesty has over the Kingdom of Navarre, which was Usurp'd from his Predecessors about the Year 1512. without any other ground than that of Vis & Arma.

			Old-Castile has receiv'd its Name from a Castle, whose Figure is seen in the first Quarter of the Arms of the King of Spain. Burgos is the Metropolitan City thereof, with a strong Castle and a fine Church. Valladolid has been the abode of the Kings: the Ruins of the ancient Numantia are still seen towards the Sources of the Donere near Soria, where is kept the Great Standard of the Kingdom. The Inhabitants of Calahorre were formerly in such esteem for their Fidelity and Loyalty, that the Emperor Augustus Caesar chose his Life-Guard out of those People. Both Castiles, as well as all the other Inland Provinces, are extraordinary full of Mountains.

			New-Castile has the Capital Cities of the Kingdom, Madrid and Toledo. Madrid is adorn'd with beautiful Fabricks, as being the most usual Seat of the King. Toledo is very ancient, in the midst of Spain, where some Gothick Kings had then their abode. Its Clergy is reckoned the richest of Christendom; the Swordblades which are made in this Town are in very great esteem. The Escurial, standing seven or eight Leagues from Madrid, passes, amongst the Spaniards, for an eighth Wonder of the World; it costing, King Philip the Second, above twenty Millions of Gold; but 'tis true, that this expence was not extraordinay for a Prince, who is said to have spent above seven hundred Millions of Gold during his Reign. In the Year 1671. this admirable House was very much endamaged by a Fire. Badajox is upon the Frontier of Portugal in Estramadura. The small Territory of la Manche is made the Native Country of Don Quixot.

			The Kingdom of Leon was the first, which the Christians did establish after the Invasion of the Moors. Its Town, of the same Name, has a Cathedral Church renowned for its Beauty: That of Toledo is esteemed for its Riches, of Sevil for its Bigness, of Salamanca for its Strength. The City of Salamanca has a Celebrated University, which has the Priviledg of Teaching the Hebrew, Greek, Arabick and Chaldean Tongues. Mention is made of the Vallies of Vatuegas, Inhabited by a kind of Patoacas, or Savage People, never heard of in Spain before the late discovery of 'em in the Mountains of the Kingdom of Leon. The occasion this: An Hawk of the Duke of Alva's, which he very much valued, flew over those Mountains, and his Man not being able to find her at first, they were sent back by the Duke to seek her. Clambring from one Hill to another, they hapned, at last, upon a large and pleasant Valley, where they spied a Company of Naked, Savage People, hemm'd about amongst many Craggy Rocks; the Savages, gazing a while upon them, ran into their Caves, made in the hollows of the Rocks, the best Houses they had; which being observed by the Falconers, they return again to their Lord, telling him, that instead of a Falcon, they had brought him news of a new World in the midst of Spain, and of a Race of People which came in with Tubal, so strongly affirming what they said, that they obtained belief. And the Duke, shortly after, went with a parcel of Musketeers, and subdued them easily, they having no offensive Weapons but only Slings. They Worshiped the Son and Moon, fed upon nothing that had life, but had good store of excellent Fruits, Roots, and Springs of Water, wherewith Nature was well contented. And though their Language was not altogether understood, yet many of their Words were purely Basquish. Reduced in this Discovery to Christianity, but easily discernable from all other Spaniards, by their tawny Complexions, occasioned by the reverberation of the Sun-beams from the Rocky Mountains, wherewith on all sides they are encompassed. The People must necessarily have been some remnant of the ancient Spaniards, who hid themselves amongst the Mountains for fear of the Romans: Their Language and Idolatry speak them to be such. For had they either fled from the Goths or Moors, there had been found some Cross, or other Monument of Christianity, as in other places; or some such mixture in their Speech, as would have savoured somewhat of the ancient Romans. The Duke of Alva, by whose means this Valley was discover'd, was the same, who, out of Vanity, had himself call'd an whole Army, composed of one sole Person.

			The other States of the King of Spain are near France, part of Flanders. In Italy, the Dutchy of Milan, Final, Orbitelle, the protection of Piombin, of Portolongon: The Kingdoms of Naples, of Sicily, of Sardinia: Oran, Marsalquivir, Melille, Pennon de Velez, Ceuta, along the Coasts of Barbary upon the Mediterranean, the Isle of Pantaralee. The greatest part of America: Several Islands and Places in the East and West-Indies.</blockquote>

Admin: /* 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. */

2024-12-22T05:13:28Z

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:13, 22 December 2024
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	ASTƲRIE, or Oviedo, hath for its chief place, Oviedo; which gave name to the Territory, which conjoyns with that of Leon.		ASTƲRIE, or Oviedo, hath for its chief place, Oviedo; which gave name to the Territory, which conjoyns with that of Leon.

	GALLICIA, a Mountainous Countrey, like Asturie; hath for its chief places, 1. St. Jago de Compostella, or St. Jago, in honour of St. James, who here lieth interr'd; it is honoured with the See of an Archbishoprick, and an Ʋniversity; and in one of the Churches are kept the Relicks of St. James, which are much reverenced: 2. Bajona, seated at the Mouth of the River Minius: 3. Coronna, not far from the Promontory of Nerius: 4. Mondonnedo; 5. Luge; and 6. Tuy, seated on the River Minho.~~</blockquote>~~		GALLICIA, a Mountainous Countrey, like Asturie; hath for its chief places, 1. St. Jago de Compostella, or St. Jago, in honour of St. James, who here lieth interr'd; it is honoured with the See of an Archbishoprick, and an Ʋniversity; and in one of the Churches are kept the Relicks of St. James, which are much reverenced: 2. Bajona, seated at the Mouth of the River Minius: 3. Coronna, not far from the Promontory of Nerius: 4. Mondonnedo; 5. Luge; and 6. Tuy, seated on the River Minho.

			The Air of the whole Country of Spain is generally good and healthful, and the Soil fertil enough, were it well cultivated; but the thinness of its Inhabitants since their setling in America, is the chief cause thereof.

			The whole Country is Catholick; It hath 11 Archbishops, 56 Bishops, 20 or 25000 Parishes, and abundance of very rich Abbeys and Monasteries.

			* 1.29In Spain are five great Rivers, viz. the Douro; the Tagus, or Tago; the Guadiana; the Guadalquiver; and the Ebro, or Iborus. The Douro is esteemed for force, the Tagus for its renown, the Guadalquiver for its riches, the Ebro for its name, and the Guadiana, not having wherewith to answer the others (for shame) hides it self under ground.

			* 1.30The chief Hills in Spain, are Seir Morena, being a chain of Hills, declining from the midst of Spain towards the Streights of Gibraltar; and upon these Hills it was, that Cervantes, the Wit of Spain, made the Scene of the many Warlike exploits, atchieved by the flower of Knight Errantry, Don Quixot de la Manche.

			* 2. Inbalda, or Idubalda, which extends it self from the Pyreniae towards Portugal: And
			* 3. Seira Nevada, which from East to West crosses Granada, and are very high Hills.</blockquote>