a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 50° 20' and 53° 10', E. Long. 30° 10' and 34° 40'; bounded on the N. by the governments of Mohilev and Smolensk, E. by those of Orel and Kursk, S. by that of Poltava, and W. by those of Kiev and Minsk. Length from N. to S., 240 miles; greatest breadth, 180; area, 21,167 square miles. The surface is level, broken only by some hills along the banks of the Dnieper, which forms for some distance the western boundary, and receives most of the rivers of the government. Of these the most important is the Desna, a navigable stream, which enters Tchernigov from Orel, and traverses the centre of the government. Its chief affluents are the Snov, Oster, Seim, and Sudost. The Iput, which joins the Soj, a tributary of the Dnieper, waters the north-west of the government. The soil is generally fertile, consisting of clay covered with loam; but there are tracts of sand in some places. The climate is mild, dry, and healthy. Most of the inhabitants are employed in agricultural or pastoral pursuits. The chief crops are rye, barley, and oats. Hemp, flax, hops, tobacco, and pulse are also cultivated. In 1849, the extent of arable land in the government was 8,274,872 acres; of meadows, 888,793; of wood, 1,840,060; and of waste land, 1,868,406. In the same year, the total quantity of corn produced was upwards of 19,000,000 bushels. Timber, charcoal, tar, and potash are obtained from the forests in large quantities and of good quality. Large herds of horses and cattle are reared. The former are of the Ukraine breed, small but active, and are much used in the light cavalry. The oxen are of a large size and good breed. Tchernigov contained in 1849, 359,495 horses, 271,661 horned cattle, 535,271 sheep, 396,656 swine, and 29,802 goats. The mineral productions of the country comprise iron, chalk, slate, alum, saltpetre, and potter's-clay; but they are only worked to a small extent. Manufacturing industry was long at a very low ebb here; but it has recently been increasing, although it is still in a somewhat backward condition. Besides a large number of distilleries, there are manufactories of cloth, leather, glass, and beet-root-sugar. The trade of the government centres at Neshin, where important fairs are held. Pop. (1856) 1,401,879.

the capital of the above government, on the Desna, 80 miles N.N.E. of Kiev. It is surrounded by earthen ramparts, which have been formed into public promenades. It has an old castle, a cathedral and several other churches, 4 convents, a gymnasium, an imperial mechanics' school, and orphan hospital. Some manufactures are carried on, and four annual markets are held in the town. Tchernigov was built in 1024, and is considered the oldest town in European Russia. Pop. 12,000.