PENZA, the capital of the above government, stands at the confluence of the River Penza with the Sura, 210 miles S.S.E. of Nijni-Novgorod, and 465 S.E. of Moscow. It occupies a beautiful situation on a hill, and is in a great part built of wood, having numerous gardens within its precincts. Among its many churches there is a large stone cathedral. It has several schools and benevolent institutions, the residences of the civil governor and of the Bishop of Penza and Saransk, &c. Tanning, soap-making, weaving, and silk-making are carried on here; and there are large magazines for corn and salt. An active trade is carried on in corn; and an annual market is held (from June 25 to July 4), at which about £9000 worth of goods is sold. In front of the town is a fine park, with an orchard and a school of agriculture. Pop. (1851) 22,723.