SMOLENSK

SMOLENSK, a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 53. 12. and 56. 30.; E. Long. 31. 50. and 36. 40.; bounded on the N. by the governments of Pskov and Tver, E. by that of Moscow, S.E. and S. by those of Kaluga, Orel, and Tchernigov, and W. by those of Mohilev and Vitebsk. Its extreme length from N. to S. is 235 miles; its breadth, 180; its area, 21,671 square miles. The surface consists generally of a lofty plain, the northern part of which is traversed by a ridge of low hills, the Volchonski forest, separating the rivers that flow into the Baltic from those that flow into the Black Sea. In other places the plain is undulating, or interrupted only by low hills. Several rivers of considerable size have their sources in this government. Among these are the Dnieper, with its affluents the Sosna and Desna, two small tributaries of the Volga, and the Ugra, an affluent of the Oka. The Duna forms the boundary between Smolensk and Pskov, and receives several small streams from the government. Smolensk contains a great number of lakes, some of considerable size, and many morasses. On account of the elevation of the land, the climate is somewhat cold, especially in the winter, when the weather is very severe, and frost continues till a late period. The temperature of the summer, on the other hand, is equally extreme, and fosters

Smolensk. a luxuriant vegetation. The weather is regular, and the air salubrious. Extensive and valuable forests furnish the most part of the wealth of this region; and the soil is generally fertile and well cultivated. Rye is the kind of corn most extensively raised, but flax, hemp, tobacco, and hops are also cultivated. In 1849 Smolensk contained 4,962,698 acres of arable land; 612,201 of meadows; and 6,760,972 of forests. The timber of these forests is excellent, not only for fuel but also for ship-building, and especially it furnishes very fine masts. For this purpose, large quantities are conveyed to Riga. Many wild animals haunt the forests, such as bears, wolves, lynxes, wild boars, elk, deer, &c. Cattle and horses are reared in large numbers, the latter in general of the Lethuanian breed. The oxen are extensively used in agriculture, and many are also exported. There are large numbers of swine, but sheep do not thrive well. In 1849, the number of horses in the government was 478,571; of horned cattle, 549,243; of sheep, 557,129; of swine, 249,103; and of goats, 11,349. Large numbers of bees are also kept. The minerals found in the country are copper, bog-iron, and salt. The manufactures are not very numerous. Linen and woollen cloth are woven by the country people for domestic use. Besides this there are 96 manufactories in the government, employing in all 2507 hands. Of the former the most important are, 46 of leather, 17 of tallow and candles, 9 of cloth, and 8 of crystal and glass. Of more importance than the manufactures is the commerce of the government. This consists chiefly in the exportation of the produce of the country, and the importation of colonial produce, wines, and manufactured articles. Most of the articles of home produce are conveyed by land to Riga, Welna, and Moscow; large herds of cattle are also driven through Poland into Germany. The chief commercial towns in the government are Smolensk, the capital, Wiasma, and Gshatsk. The population is generally Russian, intermixed with a few Poles, Germans, and Jews; and the great majority of the inhabitants belong to the Greek Church. Smolensk is divided into twelve circles, as follows:—

The total population of the government in 1856 amounted to 1,084,481.