LIÈGE, an important province of Belgium, is bounded on the N. by Limburg, E. by Rhenish Prussia, N.W. by South Brabant, S.W. by Namur, and S. by Luxembourg. Area 1115 square miles. Its surface is level in the N. and N.W., but in the S. and E. parts it is mountainous, and covered by extensive woods, including a portion of the forest of Ardennes. The Meuse, the principal river in the province, flows from S.W. to N.E., through a long and fertile plain, and is joined near the city of Liège by the Ourthe, previously augmented by its tributaries, the Ambleve and the Vesdre. Liège contains several mineral springs, the most celebrated of which are those of Spa. The hot spring of Chaudfontaine is on an island of the Vesdre, about 5 miles from the city of Liège. Its water, which is pumped up by means of a wheel turned by the river, supplies a large bathing establishment, much frequented by visitors. The climate in the N. parts of the province, although damp, is in general healthy. In the S. parts the air is keener and the winter longer. The soil in general is fertile and well cultivated, especially in that long sweep of level land traversed by the Meuse, where hops, corn, and wine are produced in abundance. Large numbers of sheep and cattle feed on its pastures. The chief minerals found in Liège are calamine, lead, alum, and iron ores. The coal mines, however, are the great source of industry and wealth, and in 1850 amounted, in this province alone, to 116. The articles manufactured are chiefly woollens, hardware, iron, and especially fire-arms; and all these, together with cheese, Spa-water, timber, coal, and minerals, constitute the exports of the province. The principal seats of the woollen manufacture are Herve and Verviers; those of the iron manufacture are Herstal, Seraing, and Liège. Glous is celebrated for its straw hats. For the purposes of government, Liège is divided into three arrondissements,—Liège, Huy, and Verviers, and subdivided into twenty-one cantons. Previous to 1789, this province was governed by the Bishop of Liège, who was a prince of the empire. It was afterwards subject to the French till the fall of Bonaparte, when it was incorporated into the kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1830 it became a part of the kingdom of Belgium. Pop. (1854) 494,793. See BELGIUM.