KHERSON, a government in the S. of European Russia, on the N. shore of the Black Sea, between N. Lat. 46. 10. and 49., and E. Long. 29. 20. and 34. It is bounded N. by the governments of Kiev and Poltava, E. by Ekaterinoslav and Taurida, S. by the Black Sea, and W. by Bessarabia and Podolia. It is about 250 miles in length from E. to W. by 180 miles in breadth, and has an area of 28,290 square miles. With the exception of the S.W. part, where are some of the last ramifications of the Carpathians, and a hilly portion in the N.E., the government consists almost entirely of an immense steppe, destitute of trees, but covered with long grass. In the S.W. and N.E. parts there are considerable forests. The Dniester flows along a great part of its W. border, and the Dnieper along its E. The principal of its other rivers is the Bug, which flows southward through the territory, dividing it into two not very unequal parts. The climate is very variable, and characterized by extremes both of heat and cold. Agriculture is but little attended to, the country being much better adapted for pasturage. The sheep are numerous, and of a superior breed. Among the horned cattle, buffaloes are common. Wild animals are abundant, especially wolves and wild cats. Flax, hemp, tobacco, saffron, and liquorice, are cultivated. Several varieties of the vine are cultivated, and wine of an inferior quality is made. The fisheries are important, both on the sea-coast and in the rivers. Its
Kherson commerce, carried on at Odessa and Kherson, is very extensive. Pop. (1851) 889,205.
Khiva. KHESON, the capital of the above province, is situate on the right bank of the Dnieper, 90 miles E.N.E. of Odessa. It was founded in 1778, and fortified in 1780, and soon rose to be a place of importance; but the want of sufficient depth of water for large vessels, and the rise of Odessa with superior advantages for trade, led to its decline. It is divided into four parts—the citadel, the admiralty, and the Greek and military suburbs. The first contains the different government offices, cathedral, arsenal, barracks, and prison. In the admiralty quarter are extensive docks, building-yards, and storehouses, but these are now little used. The trade of the town is inconsiderable, with the exception of that in timber. Howard, the philanthropist, died here in 1790; and over his grave, about 3 miles N. of the town, is an obelisk erected by the Emperor Alexander. Pop. (1851) 24,338.