ANHALT-KOTHEN, an independent duchy in Germany. It consists of four fragments, intermingled with the territories of surrounding princes. The most compact portion are the three bailiwicks around the capital. The duchy is on both sides of the river Elbe, though only one of its towns, Roslau, comes in contact with that stream, the others reaching it by the rivers Ziethe, the Saale, the Ruthe, or the Wipper. The land is generally a level plain, in some parts with a sandy soil, but for the most part well cultivated, especially on the left side of the Elbe, and very productive. The extent of the dominion is 324 square miles, or 149,800 acres. It is divided into nine aunts or bailiwicks, and comprehends four cities, one market-town,
and 106 villages and hamlets. The inhabitants in 1817 were 32,454, nearly all Protestants, the Lutherans having 19, and the reformed 28 churches. Husbandry is almost the exclusive occupation, and there is no other trade than that of exchanging its surplus productions for foreign commodities. The chief of that surplus consists of corn, wool, and fruit, especially apples, with which the duchy supplies Berlin to a great extent. The revenue amounts to about L.23,000 sterling, of which the ducal patrimony in Silesia forms L.9000. The state has a debt which in 1816 amounted to L.160,000; but, by means of a sinking fund, which was then established, it has been regularly diminishing. There are no military beyond a small body-guard. A militia is established, but not called out. The duke, besides this land, is also in possession of the principality of Plesse, in the Prussian province of Silesia, and, in right of it, is a member of the states of that country. (G.)