Cádiz, city, capital and principal seaport of Cádiz provincia, in the comunidad autónoma ("autonomous community") of Andalusia, southwestern Spain, on a long narrow peninsula extending into the Gulf of Cádiz (an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean). With a 6- to 7-mile (9.5- to 11-kilometre) circumference, hemmed in by the sea from which it is protected by walls, the city has only one land exit. Traditionally founded as Gadir (meaning "an enclosure") by Phoenician merchants from Tyre as early as 1100 BC, it was occupied by the Carthaginians about 501 BC. Credence was given to the city's Phoenician origins by the discovery in 1980 and earlier of Phoenician sarcophagi at two separate sites.

The loss of the Spanish colonies in the Americas dealt a blow to the trade of Cádiz from which it never recovered. Its decline was later accelerated by the disasters of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and by its antiquated harbour works. After 1900, considerable improvements were made in quayside construction, and recovery proceeded steadily. In the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 Cádiz fell to the Nationalists almost at once and served as an important port of entry for reinforcements from Spanish Morocco. In 1947 the city suffered great damage from the explosion of a naval arms store.

Industrial development is rather limited, but important naval and mercantile shipbuilding yards and various factories exist on the mainland, and there are tuna fisheries off the coast. The city is primarily a commercial port, exporting wine (principally sherry from Jerez de la Frontera), salt, olives, figs, corks, and salted fish; and importing coal, iron and machinery, timber, cereals, coffee, and other foodstuffs. Several shipping lines call there, and passenger traffic is important. A military airfield and a Spanish-U.S. air base are nearby 

THE CAPITAL AND THE PROVINCE

Nowadays, Cádiz, with a population of about 164,000 inhabitants, is a small, white and blue coloured coastal city, divided into two sections which are separated by the walls of Tierra Gate. One of these sections is a modern, industrial area with wide avenues and promenades looking out onto the Atlantic, while the other contains the typical white narrow streets with their evocative gardens and small squares, decorated with the traditional plant pots bursting with flowers.

The city contains many attractions to interest the visitor. These includes the beautiful Alameda de Apodaca, a viewpoint out across the sea; Genovés Park; the picturesque San Sebastián Castle; the delightful district of La Viña; the Plaza de España with its magnificent monument to the 'Cortes' of Cádiz; the historic Church of San Felipe Neri; the Cádiz Art Gallery which has a beautiful painting of the Immaculate Conception, the work of Murillo; the Municipal History Museum: the Baroque Hospital de Mujeres, wich has a work by El Greco of 'St. Francis in Ecstasy'; and the Church of La Santa Cueva containing works by Goya and for which Haydn composed a famous oratory. However, perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of all is to simply take a leisurely stroll through the sunlit streets and squares full of the happy and friendly people of Cádiz.

The Cathedral contains many interesting works of art, and the visitor will also have the opportunity of visiting the tomb of Manuel de Falla, one of Cádiz's most illustrious sons.
As far as the province is concerned, the traveller may wish to visit the international tourist resort of Algeciras, with its cosmopolitan port. Other towns and cities that can be visited include Tarifa, one of the southernmost towns on the Iberian Peninsula; Vejer de la Frontera, a totally Moorish-looking hill town perched atop a picturesque vantage point, San Fernando, which has the Pantheon of Famous Sailors and a Space Observatory; Puerto Real and the forest of Las Canteras; El Puerto de Santa María with its magnificent mansions and its important wineries; Rota, an important naval base; Sanlúcar de Barrameda, famous for its 'manzanilla' (a very pale dry sherry), king prawns and aristocratic mansions. Perhaps the most famous Andalusian town of all is Jerez de la Frontera, known as Atea Regia in Roman times. It is surrounded by a fertile plain and is full of palatial residences. famous wineries. Moorish remains, unforgettable corners and small gardens. The traveller should visit its Alcázar (Moorish palace), the Cartuja (Carthusian monastery), the Colegiate Church and its magnificent zoo. Traditional celebrations and festivities include the Horse Fair held in May and the Festivities of the Grape Harvest in September.

According to the latest census, the province has just over a million inhabitants and is divided up into four clearly defined regions. These are the coastline, with its beaches and sand dunes, natural harbours and excellent vineyards; the extremely fertile farmland area with enormous pastures, large rural holdings, the world-famous wines and fine stocks of horses and bulls; the mountainous area known as Campo de Gibraltar, where cereal crops are grown, an industrial and border area; and finally the main mountainous area where olive trees grow and the romantic legend of the 'bandoleros' (highwaymen) lives on.