or Moghilev, a government of Russia in Europe, bounded on the N. by that of Vitebsk, E. and S. by those of Smolensk and Tchernigov, and W. by that of Minsk. It lies between 53° 5' and 55° 10' N. Lat., and between 28° 50' and 32° 40' E. Long., having a length of 210 miles, a breadth of 112, and an area of 18,724 square miles. The northern part of the government is traversed by a low range of hills, which separate the streams flowing north from those which take a southern direction; but the greater part of the surface is flat, and there are few lakes or marshes. The principal river in the government is the Dnieper, which enters Moghilev from the N.E., and after flowing through the centre of the district, forms its boundary on the S.W. Of the tributaries of the Dnieper in this district, the most important are the Swinaja, the Bolotinka, and the Souscha, on the left; and the Druez on the right. The climate is mild and dry; and the soil, which is fertile, is equally suitable for cultivation and for pasture. A great part of the surface is covered with oak and pine woods, which furnish excellent timber for ship-building, especially for masts. Along the banks of the rivers there are extensive and rich meadows, on which large flocks and herds are fed. Iron ore is found in great abundance, but it is only worked to a limited extent, the inhabitants being employed principally in pastoral and agricultural pursuits. The quantity of corn raised annually amounts to nearly 23,080,000 bushels. Rye, barley, oats, wheat, buckwheat, hemp, flax, and hops, are the principal crops grown; and the quantity of these so exceeds the demand as to leave a considerable amount for exportation. The horses and cattle are of an inferior breed; but the sheep have been much improved by crossing with those of Saxony. The manufactures are insignificant, and are chiefly in the hands of Jews. A considerable trade is carried on in grain, hemp, flax, leather, honey, wax, &c. The government is divided into twelve districts; and the principal towns are Moghilev the capital, and Mstislavl. The inhabitants are chiefly Russiaks, or Little Russians, and there are also many Jews and gypsies. The language spoken in Moghilev is a mixture of Polish and Russian. Pop. (1846) 931,300.

or Moghilev, capital of the above government, is situated on the E. bank of the Dnieper, 85 miles S.W. of Smolensk, and 110 E. by S. of Minsk. The town consists of four quarters, one of which, the Kremlin or citadel, is built on a hill. Two other quarters form the main body of the city, and are surrounded by ramparts; and the fourth quarter consists of a suburb. The houses are well built, partly of wood and partly of stone. Many of the streets are broad and well paved; and in the centre there is a large open space of an octagonal shape, surrounded by handsome stone buildings, one of which is the archbishop's palace. The town contains twenty churches, of which the greater number are Greek, but five are Roman Catholic and one Lutheran. Moghilev has also four convents, two theological colleges, two schools, and several benevolent institutions. The chief manufactures of the town are those of ironware, leather, and tobacco; and a considerable trade is carried on with Riga, Königsberg, Danzig, and Odessa, in hemp, glass, leather, hides, corn, oil, wax, honey, &c. Raw salt is imported. The town is ancient, but the date of its foundation is not known. It is the seat of a Greek archbishop and of the Roman Catholic primate of Russia and Poland. Many of the nobility reside here. Pop. (1851) 16,555.