POLTAVA, or PULTAVA, a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 48. 48. and 51. 4., E. Long. 30. 25. and 36; bounded on the N. by the government of Tchenigov, E. by those of Kursk and Charkov, S. by those of Ekaterinoslav and Kherson, and W. by that of Kiev; length, from N.W. to S.E., 212 miles; greatest breadth, 145 miles; area, 19,059 square miles. The whole surface consists of an extensive plain, sloping gradually from the N.E. towards the Dnieper, which forms the S.W. boundary of the government. Along the banks of this and the other rivers, its tributaries, in the country, there are a few hills, but these are the only interruptions to the monotonous flatness which prevails throughout the country. The principal affluents of the Dnieper in the government are the Sula, Psiol, Vorskla, and Orel, all flowing from the N.W. The Dnieper is navigable all along the frontier of Poltava; and the Sula and Psiol are likewise navigable during the spring. The whole of the arable and meadow land is very rich and fertile. A small part of the country is occupied by forests; and a much larger portion consists of grass-covered steppes. The government contained in 1849, 5,397,198 acres of arable land; 3,279,915 of meadow land; 1,640,467 of wood; and 1,006,685 of waste land. The quantity of corn produced in the same year was 40,883,029 bushels, and of potatoes 2,842,535 bushels. There were at the same time in the government 173,352 horses, 661,061 horned cattle, 1,704,294 sheep, 410,050 swine, and 3702 goats. The kinds of grain principally raised here are rye, oats, barley, wheat, buckwheat, and millet. Tobacco, linseed, rapeseed, peas, and other vegetables are grown, as well as many kinds of fruit. Bees are kept in large numbers; many farmers have more than 100 hives; and the honey that is produced is of very excellent quality. Hares and partridges are numerous; and fish abound in the rivers. The climate is mild and healthy; but the cold in winter is sometimes severe when the north
wind prevails. The only mineral productions are clay, lime, chalk, and saltpetre. Neither manufactures nor commerce are extensively carried on. There were, however, in 1849, 166 manufactories, employing 8014 hands. Among the former there were 55 of saltpetre, 24 of tallow and candles, 22 of tiles, 18 of cloth, 17 of sugar, and 9 of leather. The principal articles of export are corn and other rural produce, tallow, horses, cattle, wool, hemp, and flax. The majority of the inhabitants belong to the Greek Church; there are, however, 24,354 Jews, and a few Protestants and Roman Catholics in the country. Education is very much neglected, though nominally under the charge of the university of Charkov. There were in 1854, besides a gymnasium and other superior schools, 89 village schools, with 99 teachers, and 3643 scholars. Pop. (1851) 1,668,694.