or Charkov, a government in the S. of Kharkov European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 48.30° and 51.20°, and E. Long. 34.20° and 38.20°. It is bounded N. by the government of Noursk, E. by Voronesh, S. by Ekaterinoslav, and W. by Poltava. Area, 20,900 square miles. The surface is generally flat, and not much wooded. The soil is very fertile, and in ordinary years about one-fourth of the quantity of corn produced is exported. Flax, hemp, tobacco, hops, and potatoes, are also grown. Bees are abundant, and cattle-rearing receives a considerable degree of attention. The principal rivers are the Donetz and Oskol, neither of which is navigable. With the exception of distilleries, which are numerous, the industrial establishments are few and unimportant, the principal being tanneries, saltpetre-works, and tallow-melting houses. Pop. (1851) 1,366,188.

capital of the above province, is situate at the confluence of the Kharkov and Lopan, in N. Lat. 49.59°, E. Long. 36.26°. The town is composed of narrow and crooked streets of wooden houses. The ramparts by which it was formerly surrounded have been converted into gardens and public promenades. It is the seat of the provincial courts, and has a cathedral, university, ecclesiastical seminary, military academy, and other educational institutions. The university (founded in 1803) had, in 1854, 75 professors, and 457 students. It has a library of 25,000 volumes, a botanical garden, and a museum. Kharkov carries on a considerable trade, and has four great annual fairs. Pop. (1851) 24,933.