- Jaén
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/hah en"/, n.a city in S Spain, NNW of Granada. 78,156.
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▪ Spaincity, capital of Jaén provincia (province) in the comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of Andalusia, southern Spain. It lies on the northern side of the Sierra Jabalecuz and north of Granada. Known to the Romans as Aurinx, the city was the centre of the Moorish principality of Jayyán and was reconquered by Ferdinand III of Castile and Leon in 1246. Buildings from these periods include the castle of Santa Catalina, mentioned by 12th-century Arab chroniclers, and the cathedral, begun in 1540 by Andrés de Vandelvira and completed in the 18th century. Jaén's economy is based primarily on the production of olive oil, foodstuffs, and local manufactures. Pop. (2006 est.) 113,748.provincia (province) in the comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of Andalusia, south-central Spain. It is surrounded by the Sierra Morena to the north, the Segura and Cazorla ranges to the east, and the Parapanda, Lucena, and Segura mountains to the south. The western part of the province is composed of plains that lead to the fertile Guadalquivir River valley. There are several irrigation dams and hydroelectric plants on the Guadalquivir.The economy is based on the cultivation of olives, followed in importance by grapes and cereals, and on mining (lead at Linares, iron, copper, uranium, and salt). Industries, which are concentrated in Andújar, Linares, La Carolina, and the provincial capital, Jaén, include the manufacture of automobiles, agricultural machinery, foodstuffs, chemicals, and ceramics. The chief towns and cities, apart from Jaén, are Linares, Andújar, Ubeda, and Martos. Area 5,211 square miles (13,496 square km). Pop. (2007 est.) 664,742.Vicente Rodriguez* * *
Universalium. 2010.
