KASAN, a stadtholdership or government of the Russian kingdom of the same name. It extends in north latitude from 54. 13. to 56. 44. and in east longitude from 47. 12. to 51. 39. It is bounded on the north by Wiatka, on the east by Orenburg, on the south by Simbirsk, and on the west by Nishegorod, and is divided into twelve circles or local governments. The whole extent is 22,960 square miles.
The face of the country is undulatory, not hilly, except
that, in the south-east, some of the projections of the Ural Mountains enter the province; and on the right bank of the Wolga there are some calcareous hills, more remarkable for the extensive and lofty natural caverns in them than for their height. Being watered by two great rivers and a vast number of brooks and rivulets, and interspersed with woods, meadows, and corn-fields, it has a cheerful aspect, in spite of some districts which are covered with sand or wild heaths. The river Wolga, which runs through the whole province, receives the other streams, and conveys their water to the Black Sea. It is navigable throughout its whole extent, and abounds with fish, particularly with sturgeon, which produce much isinglass and caviare, and form an important part of food for home consumption, as well as for exportation to other districts, though chiefly to Moscow.
The number of inhabitants is 1,293,250, the greater portion of whom are of the Russian race; but there are still many of the Tartar family, and, what appears singular, they are represented as being better instructed than the Russian peasantry. They live in villages by themselves, and have been provided by the government with schoolmasters and books. They mostly practise agriculture, but some engage in handicraft employments, and they are generally peaceable and industrious. The Russians all adhere to the orthodox Greek church, and many of the Tartars have been converted to the same faith; but others of the latter yet retain their profession of Mahomedanism. There are still some remains of the Finnish race, who are a wretched set of people, without information, and generally indolent. There are but few nobles. There are 9200 small proprietors of land, and near 300,000 slaves, the property of the crown.
The husbandry is conducted upon the same plan as in most parts of the Continent, the rotation being a fallow succeeded by rye or wheat in the second year, and these crops by oats or barley in the third year, when the same course is repeated. The corn scarcely yields five times the quantity sown; but enough is raised for bread, as well as for distillation, and some is exported. A large quantity of hemp is grown, and some flax. The woods produce much excellent timber. They mostly belong to the crown, but some of them to private proprietors. There are manufactures both of linen and woollen goods, mostly of a coarse kind, but suited to the climate and the condition of the people. The meadows raise numerous herds of cattle, where hides and tallow are the most valuable of the exports. There are mines yielding copper, and others iron, and from the latter much steel is made. A large quantity of potash is made, and forms a material article of export. The river Wolga is the chief means of transport, and a certain source of commercial occupation and wealth.