RONDA

town, Mlaga province, in the Andalusia comunidad autnoma (autonomous community), southern Spain. It lies in the Ronda Mountains west of Mlaga city. The town is situated on two hills divided by a deep ravine (El Tajo de Ronda) containing the Grande River, which is an affluent of the Guadiaro River. The ravine is crossed by several bridges, notably an arch structure 300 feet (90 m) high built in 1761. The town occupies the site of an ancient Iberian settlement and was known in Roman times as Acinipo. It was occupied by the Moors from the 8th to the 15th century. Both Roman and Moorish remains survive, including a Roman theatre and an underground staircase (restored in 1911) built from the town to the river by the Moors to prevent water blockades in times of war. Ronda was reconquered by the Roman Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella on May 20, 1485. Ronda is an agricultural (grapes and grain) trade centre, and flour, leather, brandies, clothing, and chocolates are manufactured there. Pop. (1981) 31,383.