Cartagena
or CARTHAGENA, a fortified town and seaport of Spain, in the province of and 31 miles S. S. E. of Murcia, with a harbor which is one of the largest and safest in the Mediterranean, sheltered by lofty hills. The town is surrounded by a wall; the principal streets are spacious and regular. When Spain was in a more flourishing condition Cartagena carried on a more extensive commerce than now, having also a greater population. It is still a naval and military station, with an arsenal, dockyards, etc. Lead smelting is largely carried on, and there are in the neighborhood rich mines of excellent iron.
Esparto grass, lead, iron ore, oranges, etc., are exported. Formerly very unhealthy, it has been greatly improved by draining. Cartagena was founded by by the Carthaginians under Hasdrubal about 288 B. C., and was called New Carthage.
It was taken by Scipio Africanus, 210 B. C., and was long an important Roman town. It was ruined by the Goths, and revived in the time of Philip II. 'Pop. about 105,000.