SAXE-00'BURG-G0111A (in German, SACTISEN-KOBURG-GOTHA), the third in point of size and 'population of the minor Saxon states, is a duchy comprising the duchy of Gotha, lying between Prussia, Schwarzburg, Meiningen, and Weimar, and containing 542 Eng lish sq.m.; pop. '71, 122,630; and the duchy of Coburg, 18 m. south of Gotha, lying between Meiningen and Bavaria, and containing 215 English sq.m.; pop. '71, 51,709. Total aiTa, 757 English sq.m.; pop. '71, 174,339; '75, 182,599. In 1871 there were 172,786 Protestants; 1263 Roman Catholics, and 210 Jews. Gotha lies on the north side of the Thuringer-wald, which extends along and within its southern frontier; but the rest of this duchy consists of low, undulating, and very fertile land, and is watered by the Werra, an affluent of the Weser, the tinstrut, a tributary of the Scale, and several smaller streams. Coburg lies on the southern slope of the same range, is watered by the Itz and Rodach, affluents of the Main, and has extensive forests, and many beautiful val-: legs between the spurs of the Thuringer-wald. Of the surface of the whole duchy, % is arable, • is wood, waste land, and the rest pasture and gardens. In the plains and valleys, the climate is mild and salubrious, but in the mountainous parts of Gotha it assumes a more inclement character. Agriculture is the principal occupation of the peo ple, and is pursued with energy and skill; corn and flax being produced in abundance, as also potatoes, and various leguminous plants. The breeding of horses, cattle, and sheep is also successfully conducted. The mineral wealth includes coal (chiefly in Gotha), iron, cobalt, manganese; also marble, porcelain-earth, mill-stones, and salt. The manufactures are not of much importance, and are chiefly confined to Gotha. There is a large beet-sugar factory at Gotha. The extensive forests of the duchy employ a large proportion of the population in the production of pitch, tar, and potash. The
duchy is m limited monarchy, in accordance with the fundamental la* of May 3, 1852. Coburg *Id Gotha have each a landtag, or diet; that of the former consisting of 41, and of the latter of 19 deputies; besides which there is a common landtag for the whole state, composed of 7 of the Coburg and 14 of the Gotha representatives, who are elected by their several diets. The particular diets for the two duchies are elected by the people at largo. There are two ministers for carrying on the government—one for Coburg- and another for Gotha. As a member of the empire, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has one vote in the federal council, and has the right to choose two deputies to the imperial diet. As in other Gerinan states, the troops are under the command of the emperor of Germany. Education is well diffused; and the higher education is cultivated by the several gym nasia, and academies.
The finances of the two portions of the chIchy are separately administered. For the period 1877-81, the estimated annual revenue of Coburg (both revenue front the crown domains and stale revenue) was close on £66,000, the expenditure being -£58,500. Of Gotha, the total annual revenue is given at £227,000, and the expenditure at £185,000. The joint debt of both in 1878 was £545,000, of which, however, a large portion is "active capital." The present ducal family is distinguished for the spirited and liberal character of its members, as well as for physical and mental gifts. It is allied with several of the royal families of Europe, the- present duke's younger brother having been the late prince Albert of Great Britain, end his uncle, Leopold I., the lat• king Of the Belgians. The heir-apparent to the duchy is Alfred, duke of Edinburgh, the second son of queen Victoria of Great Britain. All the Saxon riding families are descended from the counts of Wettin, a place near Magdeburg. See GERMANY.