Vitoria (Spain)

Vitoria (Spain), city, northern Spain, capital of the Basque Country autonomous region and Álava Province, on the Zadorra River. It is a commercial and manufacturing center situated in an agricultural region. Principal products include processed food, machinery, and wood items. The settlement, probably established by the Visigoths in the late 6th century, was captured by Alfonso VIII of León and Castile in 1200. In 1813, during the Peninsular War, it was the scene of a battle in which British and allied troops under the duke of Wellington defeated the French. Population (2006 estimate) 227,568.