Autonomous community (pop., 2001: 276,702), province, and historical region, north-central Spain.
Covering 1,944 sq mi (5,035 sq km), it was known until 1980 as Logroño; its capital is Logroño city. Historically belonging to old Castile , La Rioja's population is concentrated in the irrigated farmland (grapes, cereals, horticultural produce) along the Ebro River and its affluents. Upper Rioja produces some of Spain's finest wines. A highway runs through Lower Rioja linking Bilbao , Zaragoza, and Barcelona .