POMERANIA, p6m-i-ra'ni-a (German, Pommern), Prussia, a northern province and duchy, bounded north by the Baltic, west by the duchy of Mecklenburg, south by the province of Brandenburg and east by West Prussia ; area, 11,629 square miles. It consists of a long and comparatively narrow tract of country, stretch ing longitudinally east to west. The coast is generally low and sandy and is lined by a great number of lagoons, separated from the sea by narrow belts of land or low sandhills. Along the coast are a few islands, but none of them, except Riigen, Usedom and Wollin, are of great extent. The principal rivers are the Oder, Persante and Stolpe. The soil generally is sandy and indifferent ; but there are many rich alluvial tracts, particularly along the banks of the rivers and lakes, producing a surplus of grain for export. Flax, hemp and tobacco also are cultivated. The domestic animals, of which sheep and swine are the most important, are numerous, and of tolerably good breeds. The forests are of large extent and well supplied with game. Fish also are abundant. The only minerals of any consequence are a little iron, salt and alum. Manufactures early made con siderable progress, in consequence of the influx of French refugees on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, who introduced the manufac ture of woolens and other fabrics. Through the
Oder the province carries on a considerable trade, both general and transit. The principal exports are corn, cattle, wood, wool, wax, amber and fish ; the principal imports are wine, cotton goods, coffee, sugar and other articles of co lonial produce. The centre of trade is Stettin, which ranks as one of the most important com mercial cities of Prussia. Pomerania was orig inally inhabited by Goths, Vandals and Slays. The first mention of it in history is in 1140. It long remained an independent duchy and was of much larger extent than at present. In 1637, on the extinction of the ducal family, the electoral house of 'Brandenburg claimed posses sion, but was obliged to give way to Sweden. On the death of Charles XII the electoral house again claimed possession and the whole was formally ceded to it except a part which received the name of Swedish Pomerania. This part having been ceded to Denmark, was by it given up in exchange for the duchy of Lauenburg, to Prussia, to which the whole of Pomerania now belongs. For administrative purposes it is di vided into three governments (Regierungs bezirke), Stettin, Ktislin and Stralsund. Pop. 1,716,921.