n.
Autonomous community (pop., 2001: 1,197,646), province, and historic region, southeastern Spain.
It covers 4,368 sq mi (11,314 sq km), and its capital is the city of Murcia . It was an independent Moorish kingdom until its annexation by Castile in 1243. The autonomous community was established in 1982. The Segura River flows through its centre, irrigating rich farmland and orchards. The ports of Cartagena , Mazarrón, and Aguilas have grown with the development of shipping and mining along the coastal plain. Principal crops are grain, olives, grapes, and melons.