TCHERNIGOV, the capital of the above government, on the Desna, 80 miles N.N.E. of Kiev. It is surrounded by earthen ramparts, which have been formed into public promenades. It has an old castle, a cathedral and several other churches, 4 convents, a gymnasium, an imperial mechanics' school, and orphan hospital. Some manufactures are carried on, and four annual markets are held in the town. Chernigov was built in 1024, and is considered the oldest town in European Russia. Pop. 12,000.