SARATOV, the capital of the above government, on the right bank of the Volga, 386 miles N. of Astrakhan, and as far W. of Orenburg. It stands in a valley between the river and a wooded limestone hill, and is neither handsomely nor regularly built, for the most part only of wood. It contains several Greek churches, some of them built of stone; as well as others belonging to the Protestants and Roman Catholics, a mosque, and two monasteries. Saratov is the seat of a Greek archbishop, and of a Protestant consistory; it has also government offices, a college, and various schools, hospitals, &c. There are large salt magazines, a botanic garden, and a bazaar or market-place, where a large annual fair is held. The principal articles manufactured here are leather, sail-cloth, cotton stuffs, cordage and hats. An active trade is carried on by the Volga. Pop. 61,610.