MID DELBUDG, a t. of the Netherlands, capital of the province of Zeeland, in the island of Walcheren. It is connected with the sea by a canal, 5 m. long, which admits ships of heavy burden, and is a station of the railway from Flushing to Roosendaal to join the Dutch and Belgian lines. Pop. Jan. 1, 1875, 15,926. The city is nearly circu lar, and a leagne in circumference, surrounded by a broad canal. In former thnes Mid clelburg was one of the leading mercantile cities of the United Provinces, sending many ships to the East and West Indies, Atnerica, and all European ports, founding the colonies of Surinam, Berbice, Essequibo, Dernerars, etc.; but the opening of the Scheldt for Antwerp, and other causes, have reduced tha foreign trade to single ships to Java. Many of the inhabitants are wealthy, which, with its being the meeting-place of the provincial states of Zeeland, and possessing a considerable trade in grain, salt, etc.— making beer, vitteg,ar, starch, leather, having snuff, chocolate, oil, and saw mills, and foundries—make it still a city of importance. It is the finest city of the northern prov
inces, having handsome houses, ornamented with gardens, and the canals and streets shaded with tree-s. The town-house, founded in 1468, lia_s a beautiful tower, and is decoratet1 with 25 colossal statues of counts and countesses of Holland. At the begin ning of the 12th c. an abbey was founded, which was later enriched by Willem II., count of Holland and Zeeland. The buildings are now occupied as the meeting-place of the provincial states.
Middelburg does not date further back than the 9th century. In 1574 the Spaniards, under Mondragon, were compelled by famine to give up 3liddelburg, after having defended it for 22 months against prince Willem I. Though troops are stationed in Middelburg, it is no longer tenable against an enemy.