PRUSSIA, EAST. The northeasternmo,t prov ince of bounded by the Baltic Sea on the northwest, Russian Poland on the east and south, and the Province of \Vest Prussia on the west (Slap: Prussia. J 1) - Area. excluding the Frisches and kurisches Dail'. 14.282 square miles. It forms a part of the southern coast plateau of the Baltic Sea. and its surface, largely flat. is in terspersed with marshy tract, in the northeast and south. and with along the coast. The southern part is remarkable for its numerous lakes, of which the largest are the Simmer. Spirding. and Liiwentin. The chief rivers of the province are the Niemen (here called the :Memel). the Pregel, and the Passarge. The larger rivers are navigable, and many of the lakes are con nected by canals. The climate is raw. Agri culture is the principal occupation, and rye, oats, barley. wheat, and potatoes are grown. Stock-raising is very important, and the horses of East Prussia are among the best in Germany, horse-breeding being furthered by several large studs.
The forests belong mostly to the State, and are exploited extensively. The manufacturing in dustries are as vet slightly developed. and most of them are in correction with agriculture, such as brewing, distilling, and the manufacture of beet sugar. Iron is produced in limited quan and the manufacturing of textiles is car ried on as a house industry. The transportation facilities of the province are very good, there being, besides the extensive system of natural and artificial waterways, 1375 miles of railway. Chiefly State lines. For administrative purposes East Prussia is divided into the two districts of KIinigsberg and Gumbinnen, with Kiinigsberg as the capital. The province is represented by 36 nemiers in the Lower House and 24 in the Upper llonse of the Prussian Landtag, and re turns 17 Deputies to the Reichstag. In 1900 the population was 1,996.620 (2.006.689 in 18951, including 1.698,465 Protestants. For history, see PRUSSIA.