MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN, maT.n hriTim A grand duchy and constituent State of the German Empire, hounded by the Rainy ..sea on the north, the Prussian Province of Pomerania and the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Strelitz on the east. the Prussian provinces of Brandenburg and Hanover on the south. and Schleswig-Holstein. the Iiiaeipality- of 1htrehurg (belonging to ,Slecklenbnrg•St•elitz), and the Ter ritory of Libeek on the west (Map; I ?ermany. D 2). Area. including the three enclaves in Bran denburg and Slecklenburg-Strelitz, 5135 square miles.
The country is generally fiat with the exception of the central part, which is traversed from southeast to northwest by a chain of low hills, forming the watershed between the Elbe and the Baltic Sea. The flat coast-line is 100 miles long and is broken by a number of deep indenta tions, including the Bay of Wismar. Numerous rivers traverse the country from north to south. The Recknitz. the Warnow, and the Stepenitz flow toward the Baltic, and the New Elde and the Sude are tributaries of the Elbe, which for a few miles forms the southern boundary of the grand duchy. The country abounds in lakes, the largest of which are the Sliiritz See (51 square utiles), the Schweriner .4et. (23 square miles), the Knlpiner. and the Planer See.
The climate is mild and healthful, although somewhat raw. The average animal temperature is 46° and the annual precipitation 21 inches. There are chalybeate springs: at Doberan and (;oldberg and saline springs at Siilze. According to the industrial census of 1895 nearly one-half of the population depended for their livelihood on agriculture. The land is divided between the Crown, the aristocracy, the clergy. and the towns, the peasantry forming an hereditary tenantry class. About 90 per cent. of the area is under cultivation in pastures and in forests. The crops exceed the local demand and are partly exported. Bye, wheat, oats. barley, and potatoes are the staples. Tobacco is eultivated to some extent. Stock-raising is carried on extensively, and dairy ing is an important adjunct to agriculture.
The manufacturing industries are far inferior to the agricultural interests. There are a num ber of foundries, machine works. sugar refineries, breweries, distilleries. paper mills, tanneries, to bacco factories, brick yards. etc.; but many man
ufaetures are imported for local consumption, and the native exports contain no manufactured product of importance. The trade is very ex tensive and favored by the situation of the coun try. The imports pass chiefly through the seaports of Warnemfinde and Wismar. The chief exports are agricultural, dairy. and animal products. live animals. etc., and are transported mostly by rail. The annual outward and inward shipping exceeds 000.000 tons. The transportation facilities are excellent. consisting of a system of navigable ivers and canals, and a number of State rail way lines with a total length of 740 miles in 1901.
The Constitution of the two duchies of Mecklen burg-Schwerin and Sleeklenburg-Strefitz is based on the agreement concluded in 1755 between the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his estates, and adopted in the same year by the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The crown is hereditary in the male line in both duchies and on the extinc tion of the reigning dynasty in either State the succession reverts to the other house. In the ease of the extinction of both houses., the right of suc cession passes to Prussia. The government of the two Nlecklenburgs is semi-feudal in character. and the proprietors of the laud, whether belong ing to the nobility or not, are endowed with many special privileges. The common assembly, or Landesunion, of both grand duchies consists of the representatives of the landed aristocraey. or IZitterschaft, and the burgomasters of 49 towns. The tenants of the royal domains are not repre sented.
The assembly convenes every year for a short period, alternately at Sternberg and at Malchin. There are also a permanent committee of nine members at Rostock representing the two estates when the Landtag is not in session. and convoca tion and deputation diets which can he assembled for special purposes in either of the duchies. The Principality of Ilatzeburg is under the direct authority of the grand Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz. The executive authority in Mecklen burg-Sehwerin is vested in a Cabinet of four min isters. Mecklenburg-Schwerin is represented by two members in the itundesrat and sends six Deputies to the Reichstag. The capital is Schwe rin; the summer residence of the Grand Duke is Ludwigslust.