GOTTLAND, a large island in the Baltic belonging to Sweden, and lying about 55 miles E. of the nearest Swedish mainland, between N. Lat. 56.55, and 58, and E. Long. 18. 10. and 19. 10. It is of an irregular form, tapering from the centre towards the N. and S. extremities. From N. to S. it is about 80 miles in length, and its greatest breadth is about 34 miles. Area 1227 square miles. It presents the appearance of a large plateau rising from 80 to 130 feet above the sea, and is traversed by ranges of rocky heights, which, however, nowhere rise to more than 200 feet above the sea. The coasts are for the most part rocky and precipitous, but in some parts they slope gradually to the sea. They are deeply indented by bays forming numerous excellent harbours, of which those of Kapelhamn on the N., and Slite on the N.E., are the best. The soil is fertile, but indifferently cultivated. A great part of it is wooded, and swamps occur in some places. The climate is comparatively temperate; the chief products are wheat, barley, oats, turnips, potatoes, and hops; and in favourable situations the walnut, mulberry, and grape, ripen in the open air. The chief articles of exportation are timber, marble, sandstone, and lime. Game is abundant; and the rearing of cattle receives a considerable degree of attention. Gottland was taken from the Swedes in 1361 by Vladimir III., king of Denmark. By the treaty of 1644 it was restored to the Swedes, and has since remained in their possession, with the exception of a short period in 1807, when it was occupied by the Russians. Its chief town, Wisby, was, in the middle ages, the seat of an extensive trade. It
gives name to a lan of Sweden, comprising Gotland and several of the adjacent islets, and containing a population of (1850) 44,572. The town of Wisby contains about 4000 inhabitants.
GOUDA or TERGOUW, a town of Holland, province of South Holland, on the Yssel, at the influx of the Gouw, 11 miles N.E. of Rotterdam. It is generally well built, and has five churches, one of which, St John's, is celebrated for its organ and its splendid painted windows. The town-house is a spacious and substantial edifice, with a tower and spire. It has breweries, gin-distilleries, brickworks, and potteries; but the manufacture for which it is chiefly known is that of tobacco pipes, which affords employment to nearly one-half of the population. Gouda is also famous as a cheese market, the well-known Gouda cheese being brought here to the market and sold. Pop. (1850) 13,791.