CZERNOWITZ, a circle in the Austrian kingdom of Galicia, formerly known by the name of Bucovina. It was anciently a part of Moldavia, but transferred to Austria in 1777. It extends over 3400 square miles, or 2,180,000 English acres. In 1817 the population amounted to 201,319, in 41,864 families, of which 915 were Jews. It comprehends three cities, three market-towns, and 274 villages. The inhabitants are principally of the Wallachian or Moldavian race, and mostly adhere to the Greek church; but there are also Armenian, Hungarian, and German settlers, besides the Jews. The face of the country, being a continuation of the Carpathian range, is mountainous, and much of it is covered with woods. Many of the valleys are highly fertile, and yield excellent corn, potatoes, flax, hemp, and garden fruits. The principal tree is the beech, from which the province received its ancient name. The district is rich in mineral products, affording gold from the sands of the river Bistritza, and from various mines silver, lead, copper, iron, and rock salt. The chief manufactures are of the several minerals, and of potash, corn, spirits, and leather. Under the house of Austria the district has much improved, owing to good roads having been opened through it, connecting Galicia with Hungary.