province of Holland, which, besides the islands of Walcheren, N. and S. Beveland, Wolfsersdyk, Schouwen, Duiveland, and Tholen, formed in the river Scheldt, includes a section of the continental dominions. It lies between N. Lat. 51° 14' and 51° 45', and E. Long. 3° 8' and 4° 2'; and is bounded on the N. by the province of Holland, E. by that of N. Brabant, S. by Belgium, and W. by the German Ocean. Its length and breadth are each about 35 miles, and its area 667 square miles. The surface is flat and low, being but a few feet higher than the water at half-flood tide. As the shore in this province is not, as in some others, protected against the sea by sand-hills or downs, it has been found necessary to defend it by artificial dykes, which are from 14 to 16 feet in height, with a gentle declivity towards the sea, and nearly perpendicular on the land-side. In front they have placed stakes, which, by dividing the waves, in some measure break their force. The soil of the island is uniformly rich, being clayey, with a fruitful loam, which requires but little manure, and scarcely ever disappoints the hopes of the husbandman. All kinds of corn and green crops come to perfection in these soils. As agriculture is thus productive, there is every year a surplus of food. The wheat, especially in Schouwen, is considered the best in the kingdom; besides which, much rye is cultivated, and likewise barley, which is of peculiar excellence for malting. Beans and peas are raised in great quantities, chiefly for export; and flax is raised to a great extent both for home use and for foreign trade. Madder is a valuable article of Zealander cultivation, and that of the island Schouwen is in the highest estimation. The annual export of this dye amounts to more than 20,000 cwt. The dairies yield large portions of good cheese and butter, and great numbers of swine are fattened. The sheep are small, and their wool indifferently fine. The horses are a heavy breed, but strong and tolerably hardy. The climate is moist, and variable, and for strangers very unhealthy, but not so much so for the natives. It snows and freezes much less on the islands than on the mainland. The people adhere to their ancient customs, manners, and dress, and speak a peculiar dialect of Dutch, nearly approaching to that of the Flemings. Many of them are engaged in fishing and other marine pursuits. Their manufacturing industry is chiefly applied to spinning fine linen yarn; and there are many distilleries, breweries, oil-mills, limekilns, salt-refineries, and establishments for shipbuilding. The capital is the city of Middelburg, in the island of Walcheren, and the population of the province in 1859 was 166,483.

NEW. See New Zealand.