Jaén, Spain

Jaén is a city in south-central Spain, the capital of the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is the agricultural and trade centre for the province. Industrial establishments in the city include chemical works, tanneries, distilleries, and textile factories. After the Moorish invasion of Spain during the 8th century, the city, then known as Jayyan, was developped as a trade centre. Remains of the Moorish fortifications and citadel still stand. Jaén is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric. Among the many points of interest is the Renaissance style cathedral, begun in 1532 and completed in the 18th century. Its population is 112,921 (2002), about 1/6 of the population of the province.