Ferrol, a seaport city of Spain, on the N. arm of the bay of Betanzos, in the province and 12 m. X. E. of the city of Corunna; pop. about 23.000. Its harbor, which is defended by Forts Palma and San Felipe, is one of the best in Europe. The town is well built, and protected on the land side by formidable fortifications. It has an immense marine arsenal, covering nearly 24 acres, with a basin and docks, which are among the finest in Europe. The marine barracks afford accommodation for 6.000 men. In connection with the arsenal there is a school for seamanship and engineering; there is also a naval observatory. Ferrol has a few manufactures, but being a military port, foreign merchant vessels are excluded from it. it was but a small fishing town prior to 1752. when its fortifications were begun by Ferdinand VI. The English failed in an attack upon it in 1799, but it was taken by the French in 1809 and 1823.