Sevilla

Sevilla, conventional Seville, ancient Hispalis, city, capital of the provincia (province) of Sevilla, in the Andalusia comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of southern Spain. Sevilla lies on the left (east) bank of the Guadalquivir River at a point about 54 miles (87 km) north of the Atlantic Ocean and about 340 miles (550 km) southwest of Madrid. An inland port, it is the chief city of Andalusia and the fourth largest in Spain. Sevilla was important in history as a cultural centre, as a capital of Muslim Spain, and as a centre for Spanish exploration of the New World. Pop. (2008 est.) 690,160.