one of the governments (regierungsbezirk) into which the Prussian province of Westphalia is divided. It is subdivided into 14 portions called circles (kreise). It comprises within its limits part of the ancient duchy of Westphalia, the county of Mark, with Dortmund, the city of Lippstadt, the principality of Siegen, and the lordships of Witgenstein-Besleburg, Witgenstein-Witgenstein, and Hohen-Limburg. It extends over 3060 square miles, or 1,958,400 acres. The cities and towns are 74, the villages: 1119. The inhabitants amounted in the year 1817 to 380,182, of whom 202,766 were Protestants, 178,826 Catholics, 3489 Jews, and 101 Mennonites.

one of the circles into which the government of the same name is divided. It contains 32,352 inhabitants, in six cities, 12 towns, and 105 villages. In the northern part it is mountainous and woody; the rest of the circle has a loamy but stony soil, which produces rye, potatoes, and flax. It has little trade except in wood and wood-wares; but the females occupy themselves in spinning.

the capital of the government and circle of the same name. It was formerly a flourishing place, but has much declined. It is almost surrounded by the river Ruhr. It has 245 houses and 2623 inhabitants.