WARSAW. The capital of the 14ivernment of Warsaw, in Russian Poland. formerly tire capital of the Kingdom of Poland. It is bean Wilily situated on a gently undulating. fertile plain, for the most part on the left bank of the navigable Vistula, on a elilIy terrace 100 feet high. it is 404 miles east of Berlin (Map: B 4). The suburb of l'raga is on the right bank, and is flanked by it modern suburb— New Praga. Warsaw is defended by nearly 20 detached forts. Although it has lost in political status, it is increasing its pu•estige in all other directions. it is still the gay, aetive metropolis of Poland, whose literature and arts it dominates.
The main city lies close to the river in a com pact form and is well built. The streets are regularly laid out except in the old city, where the ancient houses are quaint aml the thorough fares crooked and narrow. There are ll gates, beyond which lie the new suburbs. Two bridges cross the Vistula—a railway bridge and the Alexander Bridge, the latter dating from 1865. The former is guarded by a strong fort on each side of the river, the Alexander citadel (latterly much improved) being on the left bank. This fortress WEIS completed in 1835 and contains a prison for political prisoners. The centre of life in Warsaw is the Palace Square, near the river, and the terminal of the Alexander Bridge. The Theater Square lies a short distanee southwest and is flanked by the town ball, and by the fine Grand Theater, where operas and dramas are given. Two fine boulevard:, in imitation of the Champs-Elys(Ts district of Paris. are found in the southern part of the eity—Cjazdowska and 'Jerusalem streets. Southwest of the l'alaee Square is the small hut attractive Saxon Garden laid out. by Augustus II. There are also the Krasinski gardens. Along the river in Praga stretches the Alexander Park.
There are 0 Russian and upward of 30 Catholic clun•ches. The Catholic Cathedral of Saint John is north of the Palace Square. and is con nected by corridors with the royal palace, which lies on the right and between the square and the river. The church was founded in 1360. A new Russian cathedral is in course of construction near the Saxon Itarden. The Church of the Holy Cross lies southwest and dates front 11195. The
numerous palaces of the nobility have generally been put to municipal service by the Pat:sians. The ancient royal palace is occupied by the Gov ernor-General. The Saxon Palace, in the Saxon Garden, formerly the residence of the Saxon Polish kings, is also used by the public admin istration. In the Casimir Palace is the univer sity. In the southern end of the city, near the river, is the Belvedere summer palace, with beau tiful gardens embellished with ponds, etc. Ad jacent is the Lazienki Palace, built by l'oaiatow ski. There is an elaborate memorial, with eight reposing lions, to the Polish generals who in 1830 fell while remaining loyal to the Russians.
Warsaw is the great industrial and commercial centre of Poland. Machinery, carriages, food products, animal products, and woven goods are leading items among the many varied produc tions. There are nearly 50 book-printing estab lishments. Boots and shoes, millinery, plated etc., are skillfully made. There are over 50,000 skilled artisans in the city. The output of hand work is very large. The city is the cen tre of the Polish interior trade. whose products it sends to other countries. especially Russia. Leather, coal, and corn are leading coumnidities of trade. Warsaw is the seat of the Governor Ui•neral, the Governor, the superior courts, and of the high dignitaries of both the leading re ligious faiths. At the head of the city admin istration is a magistrate. Over him, however, stands a Russian general, who is in fact the chief of police. In public improvements, such as water-works, rapid transit facilities, etc., the city is backward.
The inhabitants numbered 038,208 in 1897, about one-third being Jews. The Oermans form a considerable part of the population, and the Russian garrison has over 30,000 men. At the head of the educational system stands the uni versity. (See WARSAW, 17NivEasery or.) The medical school of Warsaw is famous, as also the school of art, with a fine museum. There are a conservatory of music, an institute of agriculture, etc. In nearly every educational institution in the city the instruction is given in Russian.