VLADIMIR, or \VLADIMIR, a government in the centre of European Russia, is bounded N. by Twer, Yaroslav, and Costroma, E. by Nischnei-Novgorod, S. by Miran, and W. by Moscow. Its area is 18,240 square miles; the population in 1846 was 1,246,500. The face of the country Is an undulating plain, diversified by low hills, by the steep banks of the river., and extensive forests i there are also many heaths and morasses.
The principal river is the Oka, which traverses the south-west of the government. It is joined by the Kliozma, which comes from the government of Moscow, crosses this province nearly in the middle, and joins the Oka In Nisehoei-Novgorod. Its affluents are the Nerl, Sudogda, Schitka, Kolokecha, Katnanka, Tesa, and some others. There are 22 large and small rivers, all of which have very pure water, and abound in fish. Among the numerous lakes, the two largest and most remarkable are the Peganowoe, in which floating islands are sometimes seen ; and the Plesehtschejew, which is about 5 miles long and 4i miles broad, and is celebrated on account of the nautical exercises of Peter the Great.
The rivers freeze in the middle of November, and thaw in March. The winter is very cold; the summer is very hot; the spring and autumn are variable. Night-frosts continue till May, and return at the end of September. The climate on the whole is healthy.
Agriculture is the chief occupation of the inhabitants ; but though the soil is in some parts fertile, the heaths, marshes, sandy tracts, and forests cover eo great an extent of surface, that the produce of the harvest is not sufficient on an average for the home consumption. Wheat, rye, barley, oats, millet, and peas are cultivated. The gardens produce all kinds of vegetables common in Russia, and most of them are full of apple- and cherry-trees; amongst the former is the beautiful transparent apple called Nakiwni, Some hops, flax, and hemp are also grown. Game, except hares and partridges, is rare; but bears, wolves, and lynxes are still met with. Wild berries of various kinds abound. The breed of horned cattle Is merely sufficient for the wants of the province ; the breed of horses is excellent, The peasants breed plenty of domestic poultry. The principal fish are sturgeon and shad :
what is not consumed in the province is sent to Moscow, The minerals are iron, alabaster, good pottees-clay, and freestone, Besides the manufacture of thread, worsted, linen, and coarse woollens for Lome use, the government has important manufactures of linen, cotton, leather. iron•wares, glass, and crystal. The exports comprise the products just named, and paper, soap, potashes, fruit, timber. fire-wood, stone for building and millstones, and lime.
Vladimir, the capital, is situated in the centre of the government, In 56'17' N. lat., 40° 20' E. long., on a group of hills which rise above a fertile plain on the left back of the Kliazma, which flows under the walls. It is one of the oldest cities In Russia, and from 1157 to 1328 was the residence of the grand-dukes and the capital of Great Russia. With the exception of its numerous churches and stone houses Vladimir has few traces of its former greatness; there are no vestiges of the palace of the princes, and the Golden Gate has nothing magni ficent except its name. The city is still large, but ill built, and has 6 gates, terminating the 6 principal streets. Of the 25 churches, tho cathedrals of St. Mary and Demetrius are remarkable in the history of Russia. There are 2 convents, an ecclesiastical seminary, and several crown buildings. The bishop of Vladimir and Suadal has a palace here. The inhabitants manufacture silk veils and handker chiefs, and have some tanneries and soap manufactories.
Paraleg!•Za1esL•oe is situated on the river Trubeach, where it empties itself into Lake Pleschtechejow. It is an old town with several churches and convents, which ere the only important structures in the place. The population is 4000, who manufacture linen, silks, and woollen-cloths. They have a profitable transit and commission trade.
Morons, with 0500 inhabitants, an ancient town, was once the capital of the Mordwins, and afterwards tho residence of Russian princes; it has 3 convents, 18 atone and 7 wooden churches, and several crown buildings. The inhabitants have some manufactures and considerable trades