a fortified town of Hanover, capital of a province of the same name, in a marshy district on the Schwingen, about 3 miles above its confluence with the Elbe, 22 miles west of Hamburg. It is surrounded by walls, and has been recently partly fortified, although the plan once entertained of making it a complete fortress is now given up. The chief buildings are three churches; a normal seminary; a gymnasium, which occupies the site of an ancient Augustinian convent; a house of correction, and others. Flannel and hosiery are manufactured, and a considerable trade is carried on. Stade was in ancient times the seat of independent counts, of whom we read in history as far back as 931; but it afterwards became incorporated with the possessions of the archbishops of Bremen. Pop. 7950.