Silica with a large pore volume, a large specific surface area, a narrow pore distribution, low contents of unwanted metal impurities, and excellent physical properties such as high heat-resistance and water-resistance is provided. The silica has a mode pore diameter (D.sub.max) of 20 nm or less, and a solid-state Si nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter called solid-state Si NMR) spectrum of the silica includes a chemical shift (.delta. ppm) of Q.sup.4 peak meeting the following inequality (I). -0.0705.times.(D.sub.max)-110.36>.delta. (I)The silica with such properties can be suitably used in fields of which particularly excellent heat resistance and water resistance are required, and moreover controlled pore properties, and the fact that physical properties scarcely change over a long period of time are required among the above-mentioned applications.