Huelva, city, southwestern Spain, capital of Huelva Province, in Andalucía. The city is situated near the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers, inland from the Gulf of Cádiz. It is the main port for shipping copper ore and pyrites mined nearby and also is a major fishing and tourist center. Manufactures include chemicals and processed food. Christopher Columbus visited the adjacent monastery at La Rábida before setting out (1492) for the New World from the nearby port of Palos de la Frontera. Population (1998 estimate) 139,991.
