ASTI, a city of Montferrat in Italy, seated on the
Tanara, and capital of the county of the same name.
It is a bishop's see, and well fortified with strong walls
and deep ditches; and is divided into the city, borough,
citadel, and castle, which contain altogether 22,000 in-
habitants. There are a great many churches and con-
vents, as well as other handsome buildings; and its ter-
ritory is well watered, beautiful, and fruitful. It was
repeatedly taken and retaken by the French and Au-
strians during the late wars. E. Long. 8. 15. N. Lat.
44. 58.