an island of the Mediterranean, near the coast of the Morea, 19 miles south-east of the island of Cephalonia, belonging to the Venetians. It is about 24 miles in length and 12 in breadth, and very pleasant and fertile; but its principal riches consist in currants, with which it greatly abounds. They are cultivated in a very large plain, under the shelter of mountains on the shore of this island; for which reason the sun has greater power to bring them to perfect maturity. The town called Zante may contain near 20,000 inhabitants; the whole island contains about 40,000. The houses are low, on account of the frequent earthquakes, for scarce a year passes without one; however, they do no great damage. The natives speak both Greek and Italian. There are very few Roman Catholics among them; but they have a bishop as well as the Greeks. This place has no fortifications, but there is a fortress upon an eminence planted with cannon. In one part of this island is a place which shakes when trod upon like a quagmire; and a spring which throws out a great deal of bitumen, especially at the time of an earthquake. It serves instead of pitch to pay the bottoms of the ships, and about 100 barrels in a year are used for this purpose. There are about 50 villages in the island; but no other large town beside Zante. It is seated on the eastern side of the island, and has a good harbour. The English and Dutch have each a factory and consul here. E. Long. 21. 3. N. Lat. 37. 53.