a circle in the Russian government of Witepsk. It is bounded on the north by Sebesk, on the east by Polozk, on the south by Minsk, and on the west by Restiza. It is watered by the Düna and its tributary streams, and is fertile in rye, flax, and black cattle. The inhabitants amounted in 1797 to 51,400, who have since that census rapidly increased. It contains four cities and 1055 villages. The capital, of the same name, is situated on the river Drissa, where it falls into the Duna. It is a small town, with a slight but growing population.