r ESTLAND, one of the Baltic provinces of Russia, lying between N. Lat. 58. 20. and 59. 30., and between E. Long. 23. 20. and 28. 20. It is bounded on the N. by the Gulf of Finland, W. by the Baltic, S. by Livonia and Lake Peipus, and E. by the province of St Petersburg. It comprises the islands of Dago, Worms, &c., and a portion of Lake Peipus; and has a total area of 7966 square miles. Estimated population (1846) 310,400. The surface is generally flat, occasionally diversified with undulating hills. The soil is mostly sandy, and a great part of it is occupied by swamps and marshes. It has numerous streams, but the only river of importance is the Narva, which flows northward from Lake Peipus to the Baltic, and forms the boundary between this province and that of St Petersburg. The climate is cold and moist. The winters are long, extending from the end of October to May, and fogs and violent winds are common throughout the year. Not above one-third of the province is under cultivation; but the chief occupation of the inhabitants being agriculture, the corn produced is more than sufficient for home con- sumption; the surplus being used for making spirits. Besides rye, barley, and oats, it produces wheat, maize, hemp, flax, hops, and tobacco. Several species of pulse are extensively cultivated, and form a large proportion of the nourishment of the peasantry. The forests are extensive, and include fir, pine, elm, birch, larch, beech, oak, &c. The province possesses large meadows and good grazing grounds; next to agriculture the rearing of cattle engrosses the chief attention of the inhabitants. The horses and horned cattle are small. Sheep, goats, swine, and poultry, are reared in great numbers. Of the wild animals, the bear, wolf, fox, badger, and lynx, are the most common; some elks are also found. The fisheries along the coast are very productive. The manufactures are few and unimportant, being mostly domestic. There are numerous distilleries, and the inhabitants, according to ancient usage, enjoy the right of working them without government license. The chief town is Revel. This country was sold by the Danes to the Teutonic knights in 1346, and became a province of Sweden in 1560. In 1710 it was wrested from the Swedes by Peter the Great.