a collectorate of British India, in the presidency of Bombay, stretches along the shore of the Indian ocean, bounded on the N. by the collectorate of Tannah, E. by those of Sattara and Kolapore, S. by Sawunt Warree and the Portuguese territory of Goa, and W. by the sea. It lies between N. Lat. 15. 44. and 18. 6., E. Long. 73. 6. and 73. 58.; length, from N. to S., 167 miles; greatest breadth, 40; area, 3964 square miles.

The surface is in general very rugged, being occupied in many parts with mountains and jungle, and intersected with torrents, which rush down from the western ghauts to the sea. Only a small part of the soil is arable, but the facilities for water communication with the coast, where a ready market is found for agricultural produce, induce the peasant to make the most of his available ground. But this region is almost entirely cut off from the Deccan by the mountains, through which there are only a few passes, while communication is greatly impeded by the want of good roads and bridges. Rice and grain are the principal crops raised in the district; no great success has attended the efforts made to introduce more valuable kinds of produce. Pop. 665,238.