DON COSSACKS, land of, a province of Russia in Europe, taking its name from the river Don, by which it is traversed. It extends from N. Lat. 47. to 51., and from E. Long. 37. 20. to 44. 45., and contains about 62,300 square miles. The whole district is a plain, except on the S.E. part, where a low range of hills, a continuation of the Caucasian range, extends into the steppes. The soil is dry (consisting for the most part of a sandy clay), and the pasturage scanty, but near the river it is highly fertile. Besides the Don, it has other streams which mostly empty themselves into that river, but are in summer almost or wholly dry. Agriculture is but little pursued, and the corn raised is barely sufficient for the consumption. The breeding of cattle, especially of horses, is the chief occupation. Even the poorer Cossacks have from 5 to 10 horses, and many of the richer class from 500 to 1000. The fishing on the rivers and lakes is the branch of industry next in importance to the breeding of cattle. The feudal system prevails, the land is held by military tenure, and every man is a soldier. The country is divided into seven circles. Pop. (1846) 704,300. See COSSACKS.