HANOVER is a kingdom of Europe, which was formed in 1815 out of the electorate of Hanover and the principality of Osnaburg. It is situated in the circle of Lower Saxony ; and is bounded on the north by the territory of Hamburgh, Holstein, and Meeklenburgh, the Elbe forming the line of demarcation as far as Inapesse ; on the north-east by Prus sia ; on the east by the duchies of Brunswick and Prussia; on the south by Hesse and Prussia ; on the west by the lands of Lippe, Hesse, Waldeck, and Prussia ; on the north-west by the territory of Bremen, and the possessions of the Duke of Olders, and the territories of Aremberg and Looz.
Hanover is of a very irregular form. It comprehends the duchies of Luneburg•Zell, Bremen, Verden, and Saxe Lau enburgh, on the northern side of the Elbe ; the countries of Calenburg and Grubenhagen on the south; those of Diepholtz and Hoya on the west ; and that of Danueberg on the east. At the treaty of Ratisbon, Hanover lost the bailiwick of Wildehausen ; but in 1802, it acquired the principality of Osnaburg.
1. The principality or duchy of Luneburg•Zell, is bound ed on the north by the duchies of Lauenburg and Meek lenburgh ; on the east by the electorate of Brandenburg and duchy of Brunswick ; on the south by those of Bruns wick and Calenburg ; and on the west by the circle of Westphalia. The Elbe forms the north and north-east boundary. It is from 75 to 80 miles from north to south, and from 60 to 70 from east to west. It contains 200 pa rishes and 27 towns. It possesses some fruitful marsh lands along the Elbe, the Aller, and the Jetze ; but to wards the centre and northern parts, it is sandy, heathy, and barren. The principal towns are LUNEBURG, HAR BURG, ZELL, Danneberg, and Lucho.
2. The duchy of Bremen, is bounded by Holstein, Luneburg, Verden, and Westphalia. It is about 65 to 70 miles long from north to south, and 45 to 50 from east to west. The Marsehland, or low country, on the rivers Oster, Weser, and Elbe, is fertile, but liable to inunda tions. The Geestland, or high country, is in some places fruitful, and has its heaths covered with sheep. In this duchy are 2 cities, 12 market towns, 22,276 taxable hearths, 118 Lutheran churches, and 28 noble jurisdictions. The
principal towns are BREMEN, STARE, Buxtehude, Closter Seven or Zeven.
3. The duchy of Verden, which has a peninsular form, lies on the right bank of the Weser, between Bremen and Luneburg. 'I'he extent from north to south and front east to west, is from 25 to 30 miles. It is an elevated, heathy, and dry country, traversed by the rivers Aller and Wumme. Its principal towns are VERDEN, Rottenburg, and Lan guedal.
4. The duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg, is bounded by Hol stein, Mccklenburgh, and Luneburg, and the territories of Lubeck and Hamburgh. The country is level, and in some places fertile. It yields considerable quantities of wood and flax, and exports rye, butter, cheese, wool, wood, and fish. 'I'he small rivers Belle, Steckenitz, &c. which fall into the Elbe, water the southern part of the duchy. The principal lakes are those of Ratzeburg and Schell ; and the chief towns IZATZEBERG, Lauenburg, and Mollen.
5. The principality of Calenburg is situated in the south-west corner of Lower Saxony, and is cut into two parts by a part of the principality of Wolfenbuttel. The northern part is bounded by Luneburg, Hildesheim, Pyr mont, Lippe, Schauenburg, lloya, and Minden ; and the southern part by Wolfenbuttel, Grubenhagen, Eichfeld, and Lower Hesse: It is about 48 leagues long, and from 6 to 10 broad. The Weser, which forms part of the west ern boundary, is every where navigable. The country is in some places hilly, and in others marshy and sandy, and no where very fertile. The principal hills, are the Deister, Suntel, and Solingerwald. The principality contains 36 towns, and 221 churches. It is divided into three quar ters, viz. 1. The quarter of Hanover, which contains 11 towns, 2 abbies, 6 convents, 81 manors, and 212 villages. The chief towns are HANOVER, Munder, Wunstorf, Pat tenser), Eldagsen, &c. 2. The quarter of Hameln and Lauenau, which contains 13 towns, and 128 villages. The principal towns are HAMELN, and Bodenwarden. 3. The Gottingen quarter, which contains 15 royal bailiwicks, 11 noble jurisdictions, 12 towns, 8 convents, and 130 villa ges. The chief towns are GOTTINGEN, NORDISEIM, MUN DEN, Dransfeld, Moringen, Uslar, and Hardegsen.