a government of European Russia, lying between 52° 53' and 54° 56' N. Lat., and 35° 54' and 38° 50' E. Long.; bounded on the N. by the government of Moscow, E. by Riasan, S. by Tambov and Orlov, and W. by Orlov and Kaluga. It is about 130 miles in length by 85 in average breadth, and has an area of 11,774 square miles. The surface is an extensive undulating plain, here and there traversed by low hills, and having a general inclination to the N. and E. The principal rivers are the Oka and Don, the former of which forms its northern boundary, and the latter takes its rise in this government. There are numerous smaller rivers and streams. Tula is one of the most densely populated governments of the empire, and though the soil is not naturally fertile, yet from skilful cultivation it produces abundant crops. These are chiefly corn, beans, turnips, potatoes, flax, hemp, tobacco, and mustard. Sheep, cattle, and horses are also abundantly reared. About one-sixth of the surface is covered with forests. Iron is abundant, and there are various mines of it in the neighbourhood of the capital, but it is of inferior quality, and the supply for the manufactures of the capital is chiefly imported. Some coal of very inferior quality is also found. Except in the capital, almost the only manufactories of the government are distilleries, breweries, and tanneries. Pop. (1856) 1,125,517.

the capital of the above government, and an important manufacturing town, is situated on the Upa, an affluent of the Oka, 105 miles S. of Moscow. The imperial manufactory of arms, established here by Peter the Great in 1712, is the most extensive and important in the empire. It affords employment to about 8000 men, and turns out annually from 50,000 to 70,000 muskets, besides other articles. Cutlery and hardware, mathematical and physical instruments, jewellery, leather, candles, soap, woollen and linen fabrics, are among the other manufactures of the place. Tula carries on a great trade in these articles, and is the seat of two great annual fairs. The town contains about 28 churches, 2 convents, a gymnasium, theatre, founding hospital, prison, house of correction, and an institution called the Alexandrium for the education of children of noble families. Tula has several times suffered from fire, especially in 1834, when a large portion of its inhabitants were reduced to beggary. Pop. (1856) 50,641.