MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ (strWlits) , for. mer GRAND-DUCHY OF, a state of north. ern Germany, consisting of two sepa rate territorial divisions: the first and largest, the former duchy of Star gard, bounded on the W. by Mecklen burg-Schwerin, and surrounded on all other sides by the Prussian territories; the second, the former principality of Ratzeburg; united area, 1,131 square miles; pop. about 105,000. The general features of the country are the same as those described in the above article. Its mean elevation is, however, somewhat less than that of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, though the Helpterburg, near Woldeyk, rises to 640 feet above the sea. The chief river in Stargard is the Havel, and in Ratzeburg the Stepnitz. The land was divided among the sovereign, the nobility, and the towns, in the proportion of about seven-tenths to the first, two-tenths to the nobles, and one-tenth to the munici palities. Nearly one-fourth of the former grand-ducal property consisted of forest lands. Agriculture and cattle breeding are the chief branches of industry here, as in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The manu factures are even more insignificant than in the latter grand-duchy. The govern ment was a feudal monarchy, as in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Justice was ad
ministered in eight courts of primary jurisdiction, the superior court of Ratze burg, and the court of chancery in New Strelitz, from which appeal lay to the supreme tribunal at Parchim. Neu Strelitz was the capital and residence of the former grand-duke. The other chief towns are Neu - Brandenburg, Friedland, and Old Strelitz. In 1872 the army was incorporated with that of Prussia. Mecklenburg-Strelitz was orig inally peopled by the Heruli and the Van dals. who were expelled by the Obotrites in 782. Charlemagne failed in his at tempts to reduce this tribe to subjection; but in 1159 Henry the Lion subdued its chief, Niclot, and seized his territories. The two lines of Mecklenburg and Werle were founded by John the Theologian, and Niclot, on the death of their father, Henry Burwin II., in 1236. The latter became extinct in 1436. The entire duchy was conferred on Wallenstein by the em peror Ferdinand II., Mar. 4, 1628; but in 1631 it was again restored to Adolphus Frederick and John Albert, then existing representatives of the lines of burg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Gtis