Guipuzcoa , one of the Basque provinces of Spain, bordering on the bay of Biscay, France, and the provinces of Navarre, A lava, and Biscay; area, 728 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 180,743.

The coast is indented with numerous harbors. The principal rivers, all of which are small, are the Deva, Urola, Oria, and Bidassoa. The surface is an alternation of mountain, hill, and valley, and the scenery is highly romantic and picturesque. The climate is humid, mild, agreeable, and healthful. From the mountainous nature of the country, however, agriculture is prosecuted with difficulty. The chief minerals are iron, argentiferous lead, copper, marble, and gypsum. The province is traversed by a railway which passes through Tolosa. The principal manufactures are of iron. The inhabitants are honest, industrious, and brave. (See Basques.) The chief towns are St. Sebastian, the capital, Irun, Tolosa, and Fuenter-rabia. The Pheasants1 island in the Bidassoa is celebrated as the place where the peace of the Pyrenees was concluded in 1659 between France and Spain.