a government of European Russia, bounded W. and N.W. by Smolensk, N.E. by Moscow, E. by Tula, and S. by Orel, and lying between N. Lat. 53° 20' and 55° 20', and E. Long. 33° 20' and 37°. Area 12,178 square miles. The surface is an almost uninterrupted flat, and the soil is usually of a sandy, or hard clayey nature, requiring a large quantity of manure to render it moderately fertile. About two-fifths of the government are arable, and more than one-half of it is covered with forests. It is well watered with numerous rivers and streams, the principal of which are the Oka and its tributaries. There are also several lakes and marshes in the central and western parts of the government. The climate is considered mild for Russia; winter usually sets in about the end of November, and disappears by March. The principal crop is rye, but oats, wheat, and barley are also largely grown, as well as hemp and flax. Cattle are not numerous, but a considerable number of horses are bred. Neither game nor fish are abundant. The mineral products are bog iron-ore, millstones, lime, and gypsum. This government being naturally unsuitable for agriculture, the attention of its inhabitants has been chiefly directed to the manufactures, and in this respect Kaluga ranks immediately after Moscow and Vladimir. The chief manufactures are iron, brandy, sail-cloth, linens, woollens, calicoes, silk-velvet, ribands, leather, paper, and glass. Pop. (1851) 941,402.

the capital of the above government, is situated on the right bank of the Oka, 95 miles S.W. of Moscow. Though consisting of not more than 4000 houses, it is said to be nearly 7 miles in circumference. It is surrounded by a rampart, which has been formed into a public walk. The houses are chiefly wooden, and the streets narrow, crooked, and dirty. There are, however, some good public edifices,—as the government-house, town-hall, theatre, and several of the churches. Besides carrying on an extensive trade, it manufactures largely sail-cloth, woollens, cottons, leather, sugar, hats, &c. Pop. (1851) 29,580.