NIJNI-NOVGOROD, or NISHNI-NOVGOROD, commonly contracted to Nijegorod, a government of Russia, between N. Lat. 54. 30. and 57. 5., E. Long. 41. 45. and 46. 15. It is bounded on the N. by Kostroma and Viatka, E. by Kazan and Simbirsk, S. by Penza and Tambov, and W. by Vladimir. Its length is 185 miles; greatest breadth, 136; area, 18,680 square miles. The surface is generally flat, but diversified in some places by undulating heights, which nowhere rise above 500 feet from the sea. The prevailing geological formation is limestone, and iron is the only metal found here. A sandy soil, much mixed with vegetable mould, forms the greater part of the surface,
which is very fertile, and produces plentiful crops of Nijni-Novgorod. corn, so as to serve as the granary of Russia. The principal river is the Volga, which traverses the government from W. to E., making a bend towards the S. It receives in the government the Oka, Kulma, Kirsenez, Sara, Veruga, and Alaty. In 1849 there were 4,689,798 acres of arable land, 729,384 of meadow land, 5,105,469 of wood, and 1,243,109 of waste land. Farming is carried on here in a much superior style to what prevails in most parts of Russia, and the farmers are distinguished alike by their skill and industry. Besides corn, the principal crops raised are hemp, flax, hops, peas, and beans; and considerable care is bestowed on the cultivation of fruit,—apples and cherries especially being remarkable alike in quantity and quality. The forests of this country are a great source of wealth, on account of the abundance of excellent timber which they contain, of which oak, lime, pine, beech, and alder are the principal kinds. The breeding of cattle is also carried on, though not to such an extent as agriculture; and there were in 1849 in Nijni-Novgorod 326,425 horses, 273,863 horned cattle, 475,801 sheep, 121,803 swine, and 1128 goats. The horses are the best that are bred in Russia; and the horned cattle are also of good breed. Although there are but few large manufactories in the government, it is inferior to none in the extent to which the people are engaged in the pursuits of manufacture; for most of the villages are filled with artisans, who produce on a small scale a great variety of articles. Spinning, weaving, and pottery, are chiefly carried on in these small establishments; and among the more extensive productions leather, cloth, cordage, soap, candles, iron, steel, &c., are the principal. There is an active trade in the exportation of corn, flour, hemp, flax, horses, and manufactured articles; and the importation of iron, salt, brandy, wine, &c. The commerce of the country is greatly facilitated by the large navigable rivers by which it is traversed. Pop. (1849) 1,124,251.