The population consisted of 9,087,821 males and 9,530,265 females. The legal population in 1900 was 18,831,574.

The population of Ceuta (13,000) is included in that of Cadiz. Besides Ceuta, Spain has, on the African Coast, Alhucemas (pop. 353), Chaferinas (652), Melilla (8,956), Peñon de la Gomera (321), and Riode Oro (130). The North African possessions are used chiefly as convict stations. The Basques in the North, numbering 440,000, differ in race and language from the rest of Spain; there are 60,000 Morescoes in the South, 50,000 gipsies, and a small number of Jews.

The following were the populations of the principal towns in 1900, viz. :—

Statistics published by the Instituto Geographico y Estadístico of Spain show that the population according to occupation in 1889 was as follows:Agricultural, 4,854,742; industrial (textile and mineral), 243,867; commercial, 194,755; arts and trades, 823,310; domestic servants, 409,549; merchant marine, 115,764; professional (legal, medical, &c.), 84,510; public employees, 97,257; asylum inmates, &c., 91,226; religious (Catholic), 72,077; private and railway employees, 49,565; teachers, &c., 39,136; leisure classes, 29,918; hotel keepers, &c., 14,449; pupils at schools and colleges, 1,719,955; not stated, 8,728,519; total, 17,568,599.

The movement of population in 5 years was as follows:

In 1899 there were 53,862 emigrants; in 1900, 63,020; in 1901, 56,906; in 1902, 51,593; in 1903, 57,261. Emigration from Spain is chiefly to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Religion.

The national Church of Spain is the Roman Catholic, and the whole population of the Kingdom adhere to that faith, except (in 1887) 6,654 Protestants, 402 Jews, 9,645 Rationalists, 510 of other religions, and 13,175 of religion not stated. The Constitution requires the nation to support the clergy and the buildings, &c., of the Church, and for this purpose the State expends annually about 41,000,000 pesetas. Efforts are being made for a reduction of the Church estimates. The relation between the Church and the State, and the position of the religious orders are regulated by the Concordat of 1851. A restricted liberty of worship is allowed to Protestants, but it has to be entirely in private. The communities of the religious orders are numerous and influential in Spain. Many of them have schools, and about 5,200 of their members are engaged in teaching boys of the upper and middle classes, while, within many of their establishments, industries of all kinds are carried on. For the purpose of ascertaining whether the orders were duly

authorised, and whether they complied with the fiscal and other laws, the Government required their registration before. June 5, 1902. The total number of religious communities throughout the country is 3,115, containing 50,933 members. Of these, 2,586 communities are for women, with 40,188 members, and 529 for men, with 10,745 members. The number of those which sought and obtained registration was 2,611, the registration being of a permanent and definite character in the case of 1,201, and of a provisional kind for 1,410. Registration was temporarily withheld in the case of 150, pending further examination of their titles and description. Of the 354 which remain the greater part are orders of the Concordat and exempt from registration. Three communities did not apply for registration, of which one, a monastery for Franciscans, openly refused to apply. The new law respecting non-State schools is regarded as also aiming at the regulation of the orders. (See below.)

Instruction.

The latest census returns show that a large proportion of the inhabitants are illiterate. In 1860 200 per cent. of the population could read and write; 4.6 per cent. could read only; and 75 3 per cent. could neither read nor write. In 1889, 28.5 per cent. could read and write, 3'4 per cent. could read only, and 68.1 per cent. could neither read nor write.

By a law of 1857 an elaborate system of primary education was ordained : education was to be compulsory, there was to be a primary school for every 500 inhabitants, and instruction was to be on a rigidly uniform plan. This system has not been rigidly enforced, but various improvements have been effected. There is now a Minister of Education, with a council; there are ten educational districts, with the universities as centres, 49 inspectoral districts, and numerous local educational authorities The public and primary schools are supported mainly by the municipalities, the total sum spent in each of the last three years on primary education, including a small contribution by Government, being about 1,000,000l. Most of the children are educated free. On July 1, 1902, a law was passed for the regulation of non-official schools, whether belonging to corporations or private persons, whether self-supporting or in receipt of Government or municipal subventions. This law requires such schools to be authorised by Government authority, and provides for their periodical inspection, for the enforcement of rules respecting sanitation and discipline, and for the appointment of properly qualified teachers.

In 1901 there were 25,340 public schools (9,313 for boys, 7,612 for girls, and 8,423 for both boys and girls), the total number of pupils being 1,617,314. At the same time there were 6,181 private schools, with 344,380 pupils. Secondary education is conducted in institutions,' or middle-class schools, somewhat like universities in their organisation; there must be one of them in every province in addition to private schools. These are largely attended, but the education is inefficient. These institu tions prepare for the universities, of which there are nine attended by about 16,000 students. The universities are at Barcelona (54 professors and 1,887 students), Granada (40 professors), Madrid (95 professors and 5,118 students), Salamanca (19 professors and 1,200 students), Santiago (35 professors), Sevilla (27 professors), Valencia (39 professors and 1,728 students), Valladolid (35 professors), and Zaragoza (47 professors). Each university has two or more of the faculties of philosophy, law, mathematics and physics, medicine, and pharmacy. There are besides, a medical faculty at Cadiz, and a law faculty at Oviedo. Government also supports various special schools -engineering, agriculture, architecture, fine arts, music, &c. In 1903 the total sum set apart for education in the budget was 43,122,259 pesetas.

Finance.

The revenue of the Kingdom is raised by a system of direct and indirect taxation, stamp duties, Government monopolies, and income from State property. The direct taxes are imposed on landed property, houses, live stock, industry, commerce, registration acts, titles of nobility, mortgages, and mineral produce. The indirect taxes are derived from foreign imports, articles of consumption, tolls, bridge and ferry dues.

The total revenue and expenditure (exclusive of extraordinary budgets) in six financial years have been as follows, the figures for 1904-05 showing the estimates:

In January, 1904, the outstanding debt of Spain amounted to 9,667,839,737

pesetas, summarily described as follows:

Debt to the United States, 5 per cent.

Pesetas.

3,000,000

1,013,292,100

6,428,456,392

1,506,522,500

715,000,000

For Works and Roads, 24 per cent.

To officials, no interest

Total

354,000 1,214,745

9,667,839,737

For the interest of the debt in 1905 the estimated amount required was 387,395,938 pesetas, and for amortisation 9,090,804 pesetas.

At the rate of 25 pesetas to the pound sterling the debt here stated would amount to 386,713,5901., and the annual charge to 15,859,4707., the capital of the debt being equivalent to 207. 16s. per head of population, and the charge to 17s. per head.

Defence.

I. FRONTIER.

The Spanish frontiers are defended by the following fortified places :On the north and north-west coast, Fuenterrabia, the fortified port of Passages, and the military ports of Santoña and Santander, Ferrol, Coruña, Vigo; in the Basque country, between the coast and the Ebro, are Bilboa and Vitoria ; in the country on the left bank of the Ebro are Pamplona, Tafalla, Jaca, Venasqua, Monzon, Puycerda, Seo de Urgel, Balaguer, and Lerida; between the Segré and the Mediterranean are Cardona, Hostalrich, Campredon, Ripoll, Gerona, Olot, Cartelfollit, Figueras; on the Mediterranean, Palamos, Barcelona, Tarragona, Málaga, Almeria, Carthagena, and Alicante; on the Ebro are Logroño, Tudela, Zaragoza, Mequinenza, and Tortosa; south of the Ebro are Burgos and Morella. Along the Portuguese frontier are Toro, Ciudad Rodrigo, Valencia de Alcantara, Albuquerque, and Badajoz ; Tarifa and Algeciras in the Strait of Gibraltar, and Cadiz at its entrance.

II. ARMY.

Under the military laws of July 1, 1885, and December 4, 1901, the armed forces of Spain consist of-1. A permanent army; 2. A first or active reserve; 3. A second of sedentary reserve. All Spaniards past the age of 19 are liable to serve in the active army for three years, then for three years in the first or active reserve, and for six years in the second reserve. By a payment of 1,500 pesetas any one may purchase exemption from service.

The regular army of continental Spain is organised in 8 army corps, of which two contain each 3 divisions of infantry, three contain each 2 divisions, and three contain 1 division. Of cavalry, three of the army corps have each 1 division, and two have each 1 brigade. In the Balearic Islands, the Canaries and Ceuta there are altogether 3 divisions of infantry, and at Melilla 1 brigade. At Ceuta the force is normally 3,562 men, and at Melilla 2,725. The army, including the forces in the Balearic Islands, the Canaries, and Africa, is composed as follows:

Infantry.-67 regiments and 56 regiments reserve.
Chasseurs.-18 battalions.

Cavalry.-28 regiments and 14 regiments reserve.

Artillery.-16 regiments of field or mountain artillery, 11 battalions fortress artillery, 1 regiment of siege artillery, 4 companies of workmen. Engineers.-4 regiments.

There is also 1 regiment of pontooners; 1 battalion railway troops; 1 battalion of telegraphists; 1 brigade for topographic service; 1 section of workmen ; 8 artillery depôts; 9 engineer depôts; 16 administrative companies; 6 sanitary companies.