Cádiz

I

Introduction

Cádiz (ancient Gadir; later Gades), city and seaport in southern Spain, capital of Cádiz Province, on the Gulf of Cádiz (an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean), near Gibraltar. It lies at the tip of a narrow isthmus that forms the western boundary of Cádiz Bay. The large harbour is divided into an outer bay and an almost completely landlocked inner harbour. Population 128,554 (2007) .

II

Economy

Shipping, shipbuilding, and fishing are the principal industries, and a Spanish military base is located in the city. A large part of Spain's trade with the countries of South and North America moves through Cádiz. Exports consist largely of sherry, cork, olives, figs, salted fish, and salt. Machinery, iron, coal, timber, coffee, cereals, and other foodstuffs are the major imports. Tourism is important to the local economy.

III

Places of Interest

Cádiz is a picturesque city, with white buildings in the Moorish style, and beautiful promenades. It has a cathedral dating from the middle of the 13th century. In the church of Santa Catalina is the unfinished painting of The Marriage of St Catherine, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, who fell and died while working on the picture. The medical school of the University of Seville, a navigation school, and a theological school are here. Valuable Roman and Carthaginian antiquities are on exhibit in the Cádiz Archaeological Museum.

IV

History

A

Founding and Early Development

Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe, was founded circa 1000 bc by the Phoenicians. By 600 bc it was a flourishing market for amber and tin. The Carthaginians captured the city circa 501 bc and lost it to the Romans at the end (201 bc) of the Second Punic War. The city was destroyed by the Visigoths in the 5th century ad. In 711, it was taken by the Moors, who rebuilt it. Alfonso X, king of Castile and Léon, captured the city in 1262.