a government of European Russia, lying between N. Lat. 55.30 and 60.5, E. Long. 46 and 54, bounded on the N. by the government of Vologda, E. by that of Perm, S. by those of Orenburg and Kazan, and W. by those of Nizhni-Novgorod and Kostroma. Length, from N. to S., 310 miles; breadth, 230; area, 53,126 square miles. The surface is much broken by hills, which are for the most part of no great height, except in the N. and E. of the country, where some of the extreme offshoots of the Ural range enter the government. From these hills the general slope of the land is towards the S., but there is no very decided declivity. The principal river, the Viatka, flows in a very irregular course. Rising in the government, it flows at first W., and then takes a curve and turns to the S. On the S. border of the government it joins the Kama, another river which has its source in Viatka, but which flows for the most part of its course through Perm. The other affluents of the Kama are much inferior in size and importance to the Viatka, which is in all 500 miles long, and navigable for barges up to the town of Viatka. The Kama ultimately falls into the Volga, and carries with it all the drainage of the government. The prevailing geological formation of the country is chalk, and the most valuable minerals are copper and iron, which are worked to a small extent. The soil is in general clayey, and there are few tracts of much fertility. Wide morasses and extensive forests occupy a large proportion of the area. The climate is cold and variable, especially in the north, where it is sometimes very inclement, but towards the south it is much milder, and, on the whole, it is not unhealthy. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in farming, but the mode of cultivation employed is not very skilful. Still good crops of corn, especially rye, barley, and oats, as well as of pulse, hemp, and flax, are raised in this country. The extent of arable land in the government in 1849 was 9,794,923 acres; of meadow land, 3,593,086 acres; and of forests, 18,938,899 acres. From the forests abundance of valuable timber is obtained, especially pine, oak, elm, and lime. The pastures support great numbers of oxen, sheep, swine, and goats, the breeding of which is much attended to. Great numbers of bees are also kept. Deer and other wild animals abound in the woods, and fish in the rivers. Few manufactures are carried on except the building of boats and barges on the rivers, and the making of coarse woollen and linen cloth, leather, and wooden utensils for domestic use. Some trade is carried on, chiefly with Archangel, in corn, timber, flax, honey, leather, fur, iron, and copper. Tea and salt are imported from Asia through Perm. The people of Viatka belong mostly to the Greek Church, with the exception of 69,796 Mohammedans, 9419 Pagans, and a few Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Jews. Education is in a very neglected and backward state here. Pop. (1856) 2,051,914.

the capital of the above government, on the river of the same name, at its confluence with the Chlenopka, 500 miles E.N.E. of Moscow. It is built for the most part of wood, but some of the houses and all the 18 churches are of stone. Among the latter, the most remarkable is a fine cathedral, containing an altar of massive silver. There are also two convents, an industrial museum, and various schools and benevolent institutions. Soap and leather are made here, and a considerable trade in corn and flax is carried on. Pop. 9379.