MATAR

port town, Barcelona provincia, in the comunidad autnoma (autonomous community) of Catalonia, northeastern Spain, on the Mediterranean coast. The town originated as the Roman Iluro and is divided into an older, Moorish sector on a rise surrounded by walls and a modern sector. The first railway in Spain was built (1848) between Matar and Barcelona city, 18 miles (29 km) southwest. Its church of Santa Mara has a Baroque altar and fine paintings by Antonio Viladomat and Pedro Montana. Wine, carnations, and potatoes are produced and exported; hosiery and underwear, knitting machinery, soap, paper, chemicals, and bus and truck bodies are manufactured. Nearby is the carbonated mineral spring of Argentona. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 101,501.