land of, a province of Russia in Europe, taking its name from the river anciently called the Tanaïs, which passes through it, and falls into the Sea of Azof. It extends from 46. 7. to 51. A. north latitude, and from 37. 15. to 44. 34. east longitude, and contains 79,442 square miles, or 50,842,000 English acres, being nearly equal to England and Scotland. The whole district is a plain, except on the south-east part, where a low range of hills, a continuation of the Caucasian range, extends into the steppes. The soil is dry, consisting for the most part of a sandy clay; but near the rivers it is highly fertile. The grass on the land is not thick, and the herds of cattle require a large space to feed upon. Besides the Don, it has some streams which mostly empty themselves into that river, but in summer they are nearly dry. Agriculture is but little pursued, and the corn raised is barely sufficient for the consumption. The breeding of cattle, especially of horses, is the chief occupation. Even the common Kossecks have from ten to a hundred horses, and many of the richer class from five hundred to a thousand. The fishing on the rivers and lakes is the branch of industry next in importance to the breeding of cattle. By a census taken in 1796, the inhabitants were 366,247; they are known to have increased since, and were estimated in 1827 as amounting to at least 500,000. The feudal system prevails, the land is held by military tenure, and every man is a soldier. The country is divided into seven circles. The chief city is Tscherkask, situated on an arm of the Don, and said to Donaldson contain about 15,000 inhabitants.