SAMARA, the capital of the above government, at the confluence of the river of the same name with the Volga, 550 miles E.S.E. of Moscow. It was originally built in 1591 as a defence against the incursions of the Bashkirs and the Kalmucks, and for that purpose was surrounded by an earthen wall and a deep moat. These fortifications were destroyed in 1703, and a citadel built in their stead, but of this only a few vestiges are now to be seen. The town contains two cathedrals and three other churches, a gymnasium and various other schools, several charitable institutions, cloth and silk factories, &c. Near the confluence of the rivers is a double row of warehouses built of pine wood, and supported by tarred pillars. These, as well as others in different parts of the town, are used in connection with the great fairs held here twice a year,—one in the second week of Lent, and the other on the 14th (26th) September. Each of the warehouses can contain from 25,000 to 30,000 cwt. of corn. For a long time Samara has been one of the principal markets for corn on the Volga; and in 1852 there were sold here 631,412 quarters of wheat, and 16,613 of lintseed. The value of goods brought to the first fair is generally about L.41,000, of which L.13,000 worth are sold; that of those brought to the second about L.66,000, of which L.20,000 worth are sold. Pop. 24,405.