Badajoz

Badajoz, town in south-western Spain, in Extremadura, on the Guadiana River near the border with Portugal. It is the capital of Badajoz Province. Trade is largely with Portugal. Foodstuffs, alcoholic beverages, and blankets are the chief products of Badajoz. The see of a bishop, the city has a 13th-century cathedral with paintings by Luis de Morales, who was born here. Badajoz was an important Moorish town in the 11th century. After becoming a part of the kingdom of Castile in the 13th century, the city withstood numerous attacks by the Portuguese. In 1811 during the Peninsular War it was captured by the French, who held it until the following year, when it was taken by the British. In the Spanish civil war, the Nationalists under General Francisco Franco captured Badajoz in 1936 and executed hundreds of the inhabitants. Population 143,748 (2006 estimate).