SERVIA (Turk. Syrp), a principality formerly included within the limits of European Turkey, but independent since '1878. It is bounded on the n. by Austria; on the e. by Wallachia arid Bulgaria; on toe s. by Roumelia and Bosnia; and on the w. by Bosnia. Area about 18,816 sq.m.; pon. 78, 1,642,068. The country is mountainous and densely wooded. ' From the interior. numerous chains proceed northward, forming massive barricis both on the eastern and western frontiers, and pretty steeply toward the swampy plains along the Save and the Danube. In the extreme n.e. near Orsova they reach the very edge of the Danube, and along with the Eastern Carpathians no the opposite shore, inwrison the great river within a wall of rock, known as the lron Gate of the Danube. The highest of these chains is the Rndnik mountains (gathered ihto a knotty group about the center of the state), which in the Great Scbturaz attains an elevation of 3,400 feet. The Schumadia, or forest, extends southward from Bel grade for 60 miles. Beautiful landscapes are everywhere to be seen. The principal rivers (Serb. Rjeka) ficwing through the country are the Morava and Timok, affluents of the Danube: and *lin Kolubara, an affluent of the Save, which itself falls into the Danube at Belgrade. The climate is temperate and salubrious, but somewhat cold in the higher, regions. The soil in the valleys and level districts is fertile; and equally fitted for the tearing of cattle, the favorite occupation of the people, and the production of corn and wine; but not Intro than nth of the land is under tillage, and fully/ohs is forest or wilderness. Oak is the most common wood, but chestnuts and fruit-trees of all sorts abound, especially pears, of which there are whole forests in some places. The mount ains are believed to be rich in copper and silver, but mining is almost unknown, and manufacturing industry is in the most backward condition.
Constitution, Internal Administration, etc.—The constitution now in force dates from 1869.—The land is divided into 17 ocruzia, or circles (Turk. Kazan): each circle has a
prefect and a court of the first instance, and sends a deputy to the scubscletina, or national parliament. The circles are subdivided into 53 srezi, or arrondissements, and these again into 1152 obsch'tine or parishes, each of which has a justice of peace court. The civil legislature of Servia is modeled after that of Austria. The government com prises a president, who is also minister of foreign affairs, together with ministers of the interior, of justice, of finances, of public worship, of war, and of public works.—The military force is composed of a small body of regulars, under 6,000 men, including cavalry slid artillery, and an immense national guard of about 115,000 men, which can easily be raised to 150,000, for every Serb carries arms, and is trained to military habits. li 1867 the Turkish government, at the instance of fricndlypowers. surrendered to Scrvia the fortresses previously held by it, the chief of which was Belgrade.
Religion, Education., and Finance.—The inhabitants nearly all belong to the Greek Thurcli, but are independent of the patriarch of Constantinople. Ecclesiastical' affairs are managed by a metropolitan, whose seat is at Belgrade, and by the three bishops of Uzitza, Shabatz, and Timok. For the feiv whO acknowledge the authority of the pope and the Latin church, there is a bishop in part. infid., but who resides at Diaeobar in Austrian Slavonia. Servia, according to recent estimates, had 298 churches, 651 parishes, and 652 priests, besides 38 cloisters. It also possessed upward of 300 educational insti tutions, including several gymnasia, a lyceum for philosophicarandjuristic studies, a theological college. an artillery school, a school of agriculture, and 300 elementary schools for boys, and 13 for girls. These schools are not under the control of the clergy, and education is consequently making rapid progress. In 1875-76, of the country amounted to 35,256,692 piasters, and the expenses to 34,806,884. Servia has no public debt.