(Germ. Pleskau), a government of European Russia, bounded on the N. by that of St Petersburg, N.E. by that of Novgorod, E. by that of Iver, S.E. by that of Smolensk; S. and S.W. by that of Vitebsk, and W. by that of Livonia: length, from N.W. to S.E., 202 miles; greatest breadth, 140; area, 17,705 square miles. The surface is low and very nearly level, having only a gradual slope from the Valdai Hills, in the S.E. of the government, towards the N. and W. Most of the rivers flow in a northeasterly direction, the principal exception being the Duna, which flowing S.W., forms the boundary between this government and that of Smolensk. Though numerous, the rivers are all of small size; the principal being the Velikia Pskova, Lovat, and Schelou, which are navigable for flat-bottomed boats. The latter two rivers flow into Lake Ilmen in Novgorod, the former two into Lake Pskov, at the N.E. extremity of the government; all discharging their waters finally into the Gulf of Finland. The principal lake is that already mentioned, communicating by a strait with that of Peipus. A great part of the country is occupied with marshes, and the soil is generally of inferior quality; but by dint of careful cultivation and manuring, it is made to produce more corn than the wants of the inhabitants require. The quantity of arable land in the government in 1849 was 3,462,151 acres; of meadow land, 522,425 acres; of wood, 5,760,155 acres; and of waste land, 1,183,105 acres. Wheat is little grown; the chief crops being rye, oats, barley, pulse, &c. Hemp and flax are also raised. In 1849, 15,584,447 bushels of corn and 1,694,839 bushels of potatoes were produced in Pskov. In the same year the government contained 144,720 horses; 226,960 horned cattle; 112,945 sheep; 122,890 swine; and 5,460 goats. Game and various other wild animals are found in the forests, and the rivers abound in fish. No minerals of any importance are found in the country; but timber, especially pine, is obtained from the forests. The people are chiefly engaged in agriculture, and manufactures are not extensively carried on. Of these there were in 1849, 112, employing 4057 hands; the most important being the tanneries, 41 in number. Corn, timber, hemp, flax, hides, &c., are exported; while colonial and other produce is imported. The majority of the people are of Russian origin, and belong to the Greek Church; but there are also a few Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Mohammedans. The government contained in 1854 thirty village schools, with 806 pupils. Pop. (1851) 637,283.

the capital of the above government, on the left bank of the Velikia, about 5 miles above its mouth in Lake Pskov, and 165 S.W. of St Petersburg. In the centre stands the Kremlin or citadel, inclosed by a wall; the middle town, also walled, surrounds this in a semicircular form, beyond which is the great town; the whole being inclosed by a wall 5 miles in circuit. The houses and many of the public edifices are built of wood. Some of the latter are splendid buildings, such as the cathedral and the palace of the archbishop, formerly that of the princes of Pskov. The churches are numerous; and there are also a gymnasium, several other schools, an orphan hospital, and three convents. The manufacture of leather is actively carried on; glass, linen, and sail-cloth are also made. Large markets are held here annually, and there is much trade in the produce of the country. Pskov was in the middle ages an independent town, and carried on a very extensive trade with the Hanse towns. Though much inferior now to its ancient greatness, it is still a large and important place. Pop. 10,842.