WALDECK, a small principality of the north of Germany, lying between Westphalia on the N. and E., and Hesse Cassel on the S. and W. The chief part of the territory lies between 51. 4. and 51. 31. of N. Lat., and between 8. 30. and 9. 11. E. Long.; but a small portion of it, the Graschaft, or county of Pyrmont, is detached therefrom, and lies between the Prussian and Hanoverian dominions. The entire extent is 461 square miles, or about 295,040 English acres. The whole of Waldeck is a mountainous and woody district; the soil generally is poor and stony, but the industry of the people is such, that enough of corn and potatoes is raised to supply the home consumption. Potatoes form a large portion of the food of the labourers. It has no large rivers, but many small streams, which ultimately fall into the river Weser. In some parts there are large flocks of sheep, which have been improved by mixing with Spanish and Saxon rams, and now produce fine wool. The horned cattle yield abundance of butter and some cheese, which are the only agricultural products that are sent out of the country in exchange for the few foreign luxuries that are needed. The forests abound with game of all kinds, and some of the wild animals, especially the wild hogs, are a great annoyance to the cultivators. The mountain streams abound in fish, and the trout in them are reported to be of excellent flavour. There are mines of iron and of copper worked, and the proceeds manufactured on the
Wales. Valdenses spots where they are obtained. The annual quantity of raw iron is about 200 tons, that of iron in bars about 400 tons. There are salt-springs, which provide the quantity needed of culinary salt; and there are some quarries of good marble. The county of Pyrmont consists only of a single valley, surrounded on all sides with lofty hills, through which the river Emmer runs, and on its banks are some rich meadows and a few corn-fields. The mineral spring is the great attraction; and accommodations are well provided for the numerous guests that repair to it in search of health. The executive power of Waldeck is vested in the prince alone; but there is also a diet of 15, forming a single chamber, which meets at Arolsen for legislative purposes. Korbach, the capital of the principality, is a town of 2250 inhabitants. The other towns are Pyrmont, with 1323, and Arolsen, with 1900. The whole population amounted in 1858 to 57,550. In religion, most of the people belong to the Lutheran Church, which since 1821 has been united with the Reformed under the name of the Evangelical Church. There are also about 1000 Roman Catholics and 500 Jews in the country. The annual public revenue for the years 1857-59, was L.53,850; and the annual expenditure, L.56,063; but the state is loaded with a heavy debt. Waldeck has, along with several other small states, a vote in the German Confederation, and is bound to furnish a military contingent of 866 men.