GÖTTINGEN, a town of Hanover, province of Hildesheim, and capital of a cognominal principality, is situated in the fertile valley of the Leine, at the foot of the Hainberg, 60 miles south of Hanover. It consists of three parts, the Altstadt, Neustadt, and Masch, the first being separated from the two latter by the New Leine, an artificial arm of the Leine. The ramparts which surround the town have been planted and converted into agreeable promenades. The town itself is generally well built, and the streets are mostly wide and spacious. Neither the trade nor manufactures are important, the town being chiefly dependent on its famous university. This institution, entitled the "Georgia Augusta," was founded by George II. in 1734. Previous to 1831 it was among the first of German universities, and from 1822 to 1826 the average annual number of students was 1481. Since then, in consequence of political disturbances at Göttingen, in which the professors and students were implicated, the university has fallen into disrepute, and from 1831 to 1837 the average annual number of students was only 868. The dismissal of some of the ablest professors in 1837 by the king, for political reasons, reduced the number still lower, so that in 1845 it was only 633. The number now averages about 700. The faculties are theology, law, medicine, and philosophy. The library contains upwards of 400,000 volumes and 5000 MSS. The museum contains extensive and valuable specimens in zoology, geology, &c., with models, instruments, coins, &c. There is also a botanic garden, a chemical laboratory, anatomical theatre, observatory, lying-in-hospital, two infirmaries for medical and surgical cases. The Spruch Kollegium is a judicial society, for whose decision questions are brought from all parts of Germany. Pop. (1849) 10,174.