ORENBURG, a town, formerly the capital of the above government, stands on the Ural, 465 miles N.E. of Astrakhan, and 657 S.W. of Tobolsk. It is of an oval form, with wide and regular, but ill-paved streets; and presents an active and agreeable appearance. It is surrounded by fortifications; and the most of the houses are of wood, though a few are built of stone. It has a cathedral and other Greek churches, Roman Catholic and Protestant places of worship, and two mosques. The town has also two bazaars, a European and an Asiatic, each on the side of the river belonging to their respective countries. The former contains 180, and the latter 492 shops. Manufactures of woolen cloth, leather, soap, and tallow, are carried on here. Orenburg is the chief emporium for the Russian trade with Central Asia. Caravans arrive here yearly from Bokhara, with jewels, gold, silk, cotton, &c.; and from the Kirghizes with cattle and hides; while many merchants from China and India bring hither their goods. It is the principal military station on the Kirghiz frontier. Pop. 16,000.