Spanish Castilla y León
Autonomous community (pop., 2001: 2,456,474) and historic region, northern Spain.
Established in 1983, it encompasses the provinces of Valladolid, Burgos, León, Salamanca, Zamora, Polencia, and Segovia and covers an area of 36,380 sq mi (94,224 sq km). Its capital is Valladolid . It occupies the elevated Central Plateau and is drained by the Douro River , which bisects the region. The Cantabrian Mountains rise to the north. The area's population experienced periods of decline in the 20th century, with notable emigration from the countryside to the provincial capitals. Its economy is largely agricultural. See also Castile .