JAROSLAV, a government of European Russia, bounded N. by the government of Vologda, W. by those of Novgorod and Tver, S. by that of Vladimir, and E. by that of Kostroma, between N. Lat. 56° 40', and 59°, and E. Long. 37° 40' and 41° 20'. It is 155 miles in length from N. to S., by 140 in breadth, and contains an area of 14,000 square miles. The surface of the country is regular, and in many parts even flat and marshy. The principal rivers are the Volga flowing from the N.W. to S.E., and its tributaries the Mologa and Sheksna. Several lakes occur in the S., the largest of which, called Nero, is 11 miles long and 5 miles in breadth. The soil in general is not very good, being in some places too dry, and in others too damp. Agriculture is consequently confined to the river sides, where the soil is subject to natural drainage, and the communication is rendered easy. Rye, flax, and potatoes form the chief products. The first, however, is not grown to an extent sufficient for the consumption of the province, and is imported down the Volga from the neighbouring governments. Extensive forests in the interior of Jaroslav at one time proved a source of revenue to a large portion of the inhabitants, but now from want of state protection they have been much destroyed, and fuel is consequently scarce. Some cargoes of fir deals, however, as well as tar and turpentine, are annually shipped to Archangel for exportation. The central position, however, which this government holds, affords greater scope for manufacture than agriculture. Linen, silk, calico, lead, and bell metal are fabricated in considerable quantities at Jaroslav, Mologa, and Rybinsk. The latter town enjoys an important transit trade; all the grain, flax, hemp, &c., brought up the river being either transhipped into lighters for navigating the narrower streams in the N., or unshipped there for manufacturing purposes. On an average 2000 vessels arrive annually at this river-port from the S., and about 8000 depart for the N. The trade of Rybinsk is rapidly on the increase. In habits the people of Jaroslav present the same general features as those of the other Russian provincials. The poorest of the peasantry leave their homes to work at the harvest in the neighbouring provinces, returning with a competency for the winter, which they spend in comparative idleness. Several of the villages are occupied solely by serfs, who work collectively at their respective trades, each village having its peculiar manufacture—one for shoemaking, another for tailoring, and so on. These serfs pay an annual fee to their masters, but are under no restrictions in their work. The gardeners of the province have long been noted for their skill in horticulture, and can always obtain high wages in other parts of the empire. The government of Jaroslav is divided into the five circles of Poshechon, Mologa, Rybinsk, Rostov, and Danilov. Pop. (1851) 943,426.