a territory of Northern Germany, lying between 53° 8' and 54° 2' N. Lat., and between 10° 40' and 13° 45' E. Long., is bounded on the N. by the Baltic, E. and S. by Prussia, and W. by Hanover, Denmark, and Lübeck. It consists of the two grand duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz; and has a total area of 5588 square miles.

1. Mecklenburg-Schwerin consists of a low tract of country, forming part of the plain of N. Germany. It is, however, by no means destitute of elevations or depressions; these are numerous, but not very marked; and the only hills of any importance in the duchy are those of the Ruhneberg, which separate the waters of the Elbe from those of the Baltic; but they do not exceed 600 feet in height. The duchy contains numerous lakes of considerable size, the largest of which, Lake Muritz, is 18 miles in length by 8 in breadth. The principal rivers are—the Trave, Stepenitz, Warnow, Recknitz, and Peene, flowing into the Baltic; and the Elde and Havel, which join the Elbe. The sea-coast is not much indented, but there are a few large bays, of which the most extensive is that of Wismar. In some places the shore is steep and elevated, and in others low and sandy. The nature of the soil varies very considerably in different parts. On each side of the central ridge there is a tract of land consisting of sandy heaths and moors; near the sea, too, the country is of a sandy character; but the greater part of the surface consists of rich and fertile ground, covered in some places with large forests, and presenting in general a picturesque and lively aspect. The scenery of many of the lakes and of the sea-coast is very beautiful. Although the climate of Mecklenburg is mild, the cold in winter is severe; and the moisture of the soil and atmosphere gives rise to frequent fogs, which render the country somewhat unhealthy. The people are chiefly employed in agriculture; and the land is divided into extensive farms, which are well cultivated. The principal crops raised are—wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, beans, potatoes, and turnips. The timber from the forests, and which consists of oak, beech, and fir, is of excellent quality. Horses, cattle, and sheep, are numerous in the duchy, and of good breed. Mecklenburg, besides, has large herds of swine, which wander over the country; and extraordinary numbers of geese, which stock the rivers and lakes, and which supply a great part of Europe with quills, and are much esteemed for their large size and excellent quality. Minerals exist but scantily; and mines not at all, in Mecklenburg. The manufactures consist chiefly of linen and woollen stuffs; while there are also breweries, distilleries, cotton factories, paper-mills &c.; but although encouraged by the government, they are on the whole unimportant. The trade of Mecklenburg is of more value, and consists in the export of agricultural and manufacturing produce. This flourishing condition of commerce is to be ascribed in a great measure to the favourable position of the country between the Baltic and the Elbe, and to the comparative freedom of the trade from the restrictions of duties and imposts. The peasantry were till a recent period in a state of serfdom, such as was common throughout Europe in the middle ages; but the last trace of this disappeared by law in 1820, and in fact in 1825. A great part of the inhabitants are nobles; but of these the greater number, though "proud of pedigree, are poor of purse," and are obliged to condescend often to the most menial employments to gain a livelihood. The executive power of the duchy is in the hands of the sovereign; and the legislature consists of two estates—the landowners, amounting to about 572; and the deputies of the 44 towns, who are more than 200 in number. This body forms the legislature of the two duchies together, and meets annually, alternately at Sternberg and Malchin. They have, however, no power to originate motions, but must decide on the proposals submitted to them by the sovereign. The established religion, and that of the majority of the people, is Lutheran; there are, however, a few Calvinists, Romanists, and Jews. The duchy contains a university at Rostock, and many public schools throughout the country. The revenue of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for the year ending June 1854 amounted to L.480,193, and the expenditure to L.500,211. Pop. (1854) 538,997.

2. Mecklenburg-Strelitz is distinguished by the same general physical features as the other duchy. The surface, however, is in general lower than Mecklenburg-Schwerin; and the inhabitants are, like those in the adjoining district, chiefly employed in agriculture. The government is of the same nature as that of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, with which it is very closely connected; and the two duchies together hold the fourteenth place in the German Confederation, and have a single vote in the Select Council. In the full diet, however, Mecklenburg-Schwerin has two suffrages, and Mecklenburg-Strelitz only one. Pop. (1851) 99,628.

The most ancient inhabitants of Mecklenburg were the Vandals, who afterwards migrated southwards, and the country was taken possession of by the Obotriti and other Slavonic nations. The ancestor of the present ducal family of Mecklenburg was Pribislaw, who was made a prince of the empire by Charles IV. in 1340. Mecklenburg was afterwards given by Ferdinand II. to Wallenstein, and was conquered in more recent times by Napoleon; but the reigning family was always restored, and in 1815 assumed the title of Grand Dukes. The House of Mecklenburg is thus one of the most ancient in Europe; and by the marriage of a princess of that family to George III. of England, is connected with the royal family of Great Britain.