a city of Russia, in the government of Poltava, the capital of the circle of the same name. It is at the junction of the rivers Alta and Trachesh, and was at one period the seat of the ancient Russian princes, and afterwards the see of a bishop, with an extensive diocese. It is still surrounded with earthen walls, and has a cathedral, nine other churches, 1000 houses, and 8000 inhabitants. It is 902 miles from St Petersburg. Long. 31. 27. E. Lat. 50. 4. N.