MACERATA, a delegation of the papal dominions in Italy, in the march of Ancona, and on the Adriatic Sea, extending over 1072 square miles, and containing eight cities, sixteen market-towns, thirty-seven villages, and 197,890 inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name. It stands on a delightful plain overlooking the Adriatic, and is well built, with broad paved streets. It is the seat of a bishop, and contains eight monasteries, five nunneries, and, besides the cathedral, thirteen churches, with 15,500 inhabitants. There is a university, founded in 1290 and re-established in 1540, a Jesuits' college, and a gymnasium for nobles. Long. 13.21. E. Lat. 45.18. 36. N.