See ZETLAND.

UNTERWALDEN, one of the cantons of Switzerland, and one of the most ancient of the confederacy, having been established as an independent state in the year 1308. It is bounded on the north by Lucerne and the lake Lucerne, on the east by Uri, on the south by Berne, and on the west by Lucerne. The extent of it is 198 geographical square miles. It is divided into two parts, called Obwalden and Nidwalden, or the upper and lower forest. The capital of the former is Sarnen, with 2000 inhabitants. The capital of the latter is Stanz, with a population of 2000. These two divisions form separate states, having similar democratic constitutions, but distinct administrations; and they alternately send deputies to the general assembly of the confederation.

The inhabitants of both are of German origin, and speak a patois of that language. They are a simple pastoral people, attached to their ancient customs, and bigoted to their faith, which is that of the Romish church, under the episcopal jurisdiction of the bishop of Constance. There are thirteen parish churches, and five churches in the same number of monasteries. In 1838 the population amounted to 22,571.

The sovereignty is in the whole of the males above twenty years of age, who assemble on the last Sunday in April, when the government is appointed, and the laws which are proposed by the executive power are agreed to or rejected. Each man is taught the use of arms, and is enrolled as a soldier in the militia. The tax paid to the general confederacy is 1910 francs, and the contingent of men is 383. The chief, called the landammann, is chosen yearly; and the members of the council also resign their offices each year, but are almost always re-chosen. This description of the government applies to both the states which form the canton, though there are some trifling variations between the two divisions.

On the borders of the canton are some of the lofty elevations of the Alps, the most remarkable of which is the Titlis, whose snowy peak is 10,700 feet. Next to it are the Wellenstock and the Jockberge, 1000 feet lower; and several of inferior height, as the Geisburg and Bruning on the boundary of Berne; the Nesselstock and the Pilatus on the frontier of Lucerne; and the Engelberg, the Rothstock, and the Brozen on the borders of Uri. The interior has only lower Alps, ranging from 3000 to 5500 feet in height. There are few rivers of much consequence. The most considerable is the Welch, issuing from the lake of Sarnen, and, after uniting with the Aa, losing itself in the lake of the Four Cantons. The chief productions are potatoes and hemp, with some corn in the valleys, but scarcely sufficient for the consumption. On the side of the Alps, and at a great height, in the summer, there is good pasture, and many cows are bred, and their milk made into cheese. The forests yield much timber. The only trade is the export of butter, cheese, hides, chestnuts, and wood, with which are purchased iron, spirits, and the few foreign articles that are used. There are not any manufactures; and besides keeping the flocks and herds, and cutting the wood, there is no occupation except that of fishing on the lakes. There are several mineral springs; one impregnated with sulphur, at Schwendel, is much frequented. The climate is severe, very hot in the short summer, and dreadfully cold in winter. Fruit trees cease to bear above the elevation of 4000 feet; but chestnuts, which are abundant, are to be found higher than that level.

UPPINGHAM, a market-town in the county of Rutland, in the hundred of Martinsley, eighty-nine miles from London and seven from Oakham. It is a clean and well-built town, standing on an eminence, and consisting principally of one long street, with a hospital and a free school, both erected in 1584, and a fine Gothic parish-church. It has a well-frequented market on Wednesday, and two large fairs, one in March, the other in July. The population amounted in 1821 to 1630, and in 1831 to 1757.

UPSALA, one of the provinces of the kingdom of Sweden. It has been formed out of the western part of the ancient province of Upland. It extends in north latitude from 59° 24' to 60° 39', and in east longitude from 16° 3' to 18° 17'. It comprehends 2112 square miles, with two cities, one market-town, and 3546 villages and hamlets. The population is 80,926. It is rather an undulating than a level district, with small groups of hills connected together, which in the north may be almost described as mountains. It extends along the Gulf of Bothnia, but has no good harbours; but the lake of Malaren, which forms its southern boundary, and is connected with the sea at Stockholm, provides a good egress for the productions. This lake is connected with a chain of others, by means of canals, forms a communication between the two seas that bound the eastern and western sides of the kingdom towards the south.

The soil of the southern part of the province is a rich black loam, highly fertile; but in the north, beyond the 60th degree of latitude, it is much less productive. The chief corn is rye, and in the north barley, with some oats; but the whole province usually yields sufficient grain for consumption. The inhabitants of the northern part assist almost wholly on oaten bread. It is not favourable to the growth of fruit, except that some cherries are seen, and in most parts abundance of wortle-berries.

In the north there are extensive woods, mostly of pines and firs, with some beeches. The cattle are generally small, but of late the wool of the sheep has been improved by the introduction of Saxon rams. The fisheries, both of the sea and the lakes, afford a supply of food, and give employment to many persons; but the chief occupation arises from the extensive mines of iron that are worked. The most considerable of them, that of Dannemora, is a glorious work, and furnishes to commerce the best barings and converts a part into various articles for domestic use.

The capital of the province is the city of the same name, standing on the river Fyrisac, which divides it into two parts. Upsala is one of the most beautiful old-fashioned cities in Europe. It has a castle or palace, the residence of the governor; a cathedral, in which many of the kings have been interred, and in which there is a fine monument to the memory of the celebrated Linnæus. It is the seat of an archbishopric, and likewise of the chief university of the kingdom. This institution, founded in 1478, has a great library of 50,000 volumes, a fine botanic garden, an astronomical observatory, and the several other aids to study usually found in universities. The average number of students is 800. The trade of this place is considerable, the manufactures being limited to making snuff and tobacco, and weaving coarse linens. The inhabitants amount to 15,000, who mostly depend on the university for employment and the means of subsistence. In the neighbourhood are many remains of Gothic antiquity.

UPTON-ON-SEVERN, a market-town of the county of Worcester, in the hundred of Pershore, 109 miles from London and ten from Worcester. It stands on the right bank of the Severn, over which is a stone bridge of six arches. The town is well built, and has a very neat church erected in 1758. There is a weekly market on Thursday and three annual fairs; but the chief trade is owing to the navigable river on whose bank it is built. The population amounted in 1821 to 2319, and in 1831 to 2343.

URANIA, one of the nine Muses, was supposed to preside over astronomy. She is commonly represented in a azure robe, crowned with stars, and supporting a large globe with both hands.