FUNEN, or FUNNEN (Danish Fyen), an island in the Baltic, belonging to Denmark, and, after Seeland, the largest island of that kingdom. It lies between Seeland and the mainland of Denmark, being separated from the former by the Great Belt, and from the latter by the Little Belt,—between N. Lat. 55. 2. and 55. 38., and E. Long. 9. 42. and 10. 53. Area 1187 square miles. The surface is generally hilly, particularly in the S.W., but it seldom rises to above 400 feet. With the exception of the S.W. part, the soil is very fertile; but agriculture is still in a backward state. Its chief productions are barley, oats, buckwheat, rye, flax, hemp, hops, and fruits. The rearing of cattle and poultry receives considerable attention, and honey and wax are among its articles of export. The climate is humid and variable, but milder than that of Seeland. There are few manufacturing establishments, and their articles of clothing are chiefly of domestic manufacture. The capital of the island is Odense. Funen, with Langeland, Faensinge, and some smaller islands, forms a stift or province of Denmark, with, in 1850, 187,818 inhabitants.