Palencia

City and capital of the province of Palencia, northern Spain, on the River Carrión; population (2001) 79,800. Industries include rolling stock, agricultural machinery, textiles, pottery, and soap; it has a bell foundry. There is a Gothic cathedral, begun in 1321, which contains paintings by El Greco and Zurbarán. The first modern university in Spain was founded here in 1208, but was transferred to Salamanca later in the same century.

Palencia

Province of northern Spain in Castilla-León autonomous community; area 8,029 sq km/3,100 sq mi; population (1995 est) 186,000. It is situated on a high plateau, south of the Cantabrian Mountains, and has a severe climate. Palencia includes the fertile valleys of the River Carrión and other tributaries of the River Duero; products include cereals (partly used as poulty feed), wool, wine, and honey. The capital is Palencia.