CINCINNATI, the commercial capital of Ohio, is situated on the right bank of the river which gives name to the state, and separates it from Virginia and Kentucky. It stands in lat. 39° 6' 30' n., and in long. 84' 26' iv., 458 m. below Pittsburg, in Penn sylvania, where the Ohio, as such, is first formed, and 500 in. above the junction of that stream and the Mississippi. Though C. was founded in 1788, yet in 1800 it had only 750 inhabitants. In the years 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860, respectively, the census returns showed a population of 9,602, 24,830, 46,338, 115,438, and 161,004. In 1870, it had increased to 216,289, including a large proportion of Germans and Irkh. The natural facilities of C. for commerce are great, and they have been increased artificially by the Miami canal, which unites it with lake Erie. Railways branch off from C. as a center in several directions, and the river Ohio gives facility for the carrying on of a large portion of the commerce. In the ten years ending 1875, the exports averaged $201,236,066, and the imports $314,528,009; being together equivalent to about £110, 000,000.
The staple article of the trade of C. is pork. In 1874-75, 560,164 hogs were slaughtered. Wine from the Catawba (q.v.) grape is made in the neighborhood to a great extent.
The city itself also is largely engaged in a variety of important manufactures, hundreds of steam-engines being employed in the different establishments, and the aggregate product having, in 1874, been computed at $144,207,371. The manufactories include iron-foundries, rolling-mills, lard, oil, and stearine factories; and countless works con nected with flour, clothing, furniture, paper, printing, tobacco, soap, candles, hats, etc. In 1874, iron was produced to the value of $17,000,000; food, $24,000,000; clothing, $13,230,000; and liquors, $24,000,000. There are about 75 newspapers and periodicals, including 9 daily, of which 3 are in German.
C. is substantially and handsomely built. Its ecclesiastical, literary, and commercial edifices are as numerous as befits the acknowledged queen of the west. The city occupies chiefly two terraces, which are elevated respectively 50 ft. and 108 above the level of the river. For the supply of the inhabitants, the water of the Ohio has been lifted up into an immense reservoir, at an expense of about £160,000. A large suspension bridge, 100 'ft. above low-water, connects the city with Covington in Ken tucky. There is a railway pier-bridge. Education flourishes, and there are numerous free schools.