PETERSBURG, St, a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 58. and 60. 30.; and between E. Long. 27. 30. and 33. 30., bounded on the N. by the gulf and archduchy of Finland and by Lake Ladoga, E. by the government of Novgorod, S. by that of Pskov, and W. by Lake Peipus and the government of Esthonia. Length from N.E. to S.W., 265 miles; breadth, about 90 miles; area, 20,749 square miles. The surface is almost entirely level, and a great part of it is occupied with lakes and morasses. From a branch of the Valdai Hills, which occupies the S. of the government, the country slopes gradually downwards towards the N.W., and in this direction most of the rivers flow. The chief of these are the Nevá, flowing from Lake Ladoga to the Gulf of Finland; the Luga, which crosses the country from S.E. to N.W.; the Pliussa, flowing northwards, and falling into the Gulf of Finland near the mouth of the Luga; and the Volchov, by which the waters of Lake Ilmen in Novgorod are conveyed to Lake Ladoga. Besides the large lakes of Ladoga, Peipus, and Pskov, which lie on the frontiers of the government, there are many others of a smaller size in the interior. The soil is sandy, and the climate cold, moist, and unfavourable to agriculture. The forests of the government are of great extent, but carelessly managed. St Petersburg contained in 1849, 1,466,931 acres of arable land, 473,969 of meadows, 7,405,114 of wood, and 3,781,156 of waste land. In the same year the government produced 9,465,522 bushels of corn, and 1,463,278 of potatoes; and it possessed 118,849 horses, 183,783 horned cattle, 51,649 sheep, 20,666 swine, and 1075 goats. Rye, barley, oats, and wheat are the principal crops raised, but the produce of corn falls short of the demands of the people. Flax and hemp are also cultivated; and there are many kitchen gardens for the supply of the capital. Poultry of various kinds are kept, and fish are by no means scarce. The chief wealth of the country, however, depends on its timber, which forms an important article of export. Granite, limestone, marl, clay, and other minerals, are obtained in the government. Manufacturing industry is in a flourishing condition in St Petersburg; but this, as well as the commerce of the country, is for the most part confined to the capital. The government contained in 1849, 463 manufactures, employing 23,963 hands. Of the manufactures, the most important were 50 of tobacco, 47 of machines and hardware, 34 of silk, 23 of sugar, 27 of cotton cloth, 13 of woollen fabrics, 19 of glass and crystal, 15 of chemical substances, and 20 of leather. For the purposes of education the country belongs to the circle of St Petersburg, and contained in 1854, besides gymnasia and other superior institutions, 39 village schools, with 1220 scholars. The prevailing religion is that of the Greek Church; but there are 130,205 Protestants, 27,239 Roman Catholics, and a few Armenians, Mohammedans, and Jews among the population. In respect of race, the bulk of the people are
Petersburg Russians, though there are also in the country many Germans, Finns, and others. For administrative purposes it is divided into 8 circles, and except the capital, it has no town of any importance. Pop. (1851) 566,409.