Kieff
OR KIEV, formerly a government of Russia, but as the result of the World War now part of the Republic of Ukraine. Its area is about 20,000 square miles of closely wooded, swampy country. The district is particularly noted for the excellent breed of horned cattle raised on the steppes of the provinces. The sugar-refineries have sumed the leading pl asleading place place among its industries. Pop. about 4,500,000. KIEFF (kē'ef), or KIEV (kē'ev), one of the oldest towns of Russian Ukraine, and ecclesiastically one of the most important; on the Dnieper. According to tradition it was founded before the In 882 it was made the Christian era. capital of the Russian principality, and remained so until 1169. Here in 988 Christianity was first preached in Russia by St. Vladimir; and ever since that date Kieff has been one of the chief ecclesiastical and intellectual centers of Russia. The town was captured and nearly destroyed by the Mongols in 1240, and it remained in their hands for 80 years.
From 1320 to 1569 it was in the possession of Lithuania, then of Poland down to 1654, in which year it was annexed to Russia. The most notable institution in the town is the Petchersk monastery, which is visited by more than 250,000 pilgrims annually. Underneath the monastery are a number of caves containing tombs of the chief saints of the Russian Church. The cathedral of St. Sophia, erected in 1037 on the spot where Yaroslaff defeated (1036) the Petchenegs, contains the tombs of the granda dukes of Russia and a magnificent altar ornamented with beautiful mosaics; the interior of the cathedral resembles labyrinth. The cathedral church of the Assumption harbors the bones of seven saints brought from Constantinople, and has a beautiful belfry with a peal of 12 bells. There is a university, transferred from Vilna in 1833. The industry is unimportant, except tanning and the manufacture of wax candles. Considerable trade is done, especially at the fairs, the most celebrated of which is held during the last half of January. The fortress of Kieff was begun by Peter the Great in 1706. The town was the scene of a terrible massacre of the Jews in 1905.
It is the capital of Ukraine. Pop. about 650,000.
KIEL (kēl), a town of the Prussian province of Schleswig-Holstein; 66 miles from Hamburg, at the head of a deep. byal kidney bon underground одна.
EV, formerly a but as the rest part of the Rep is about 2 sely wooded, swa rict is particu breed of he steppes of the refineries have place among it ut 4,500,000. r KIEV (kē'ev) of Russian Ukr one of the mos dieper. Accordin founded before 882 it was mad ian principality 1169. Here in st preached in R d ever since that of the chief eccle al centers of Ru cured and nearl gols in 1240, a hands for 80 y it was in the po Then of Poland ar it was annex notable institutie etchersk monas more than 25 Underneath the of eaves contai saints of the Rus edral of St. So on the spot w (1036) the Pe tombs of the gr a magnificent eautiful mosaics thedral resemble hedral church of the bones of Constantinople, fry with a peal niversity, transfe The industry is anning and the m andles. Consider ially at the fairs which is held du nuary. The for by Peter the G was the scene of the Jews in Ukrains. Pog. a town of the Prus vig-Holstein; 66 1 the head of a KIEL CANAL fjord (11 miles long) of the Baltic, equality." Germany is, therefore, unwhich admits large ships to anchor close to the town. It is the headquarters of the German Baltic Sea navy, and is also an important commercial port. The chief part of its trade (before the World War) was carried on with the towns of Denmark and Sweden; corn, coal, timber, and cattle being imported, while coal, flour, beer, butter, cheese and fish were exported. There are iron foundries, es, shipbuilding yards, corn mills, breweries, and cabinet makers' works. Kiel is the seat of a university, founded in 1665.
The castle, built in the 13th century and enlarged by Catherine II. of Russia in the 18th, shelters the university library of 200,000 volumes and a museum with sculptures by Thorwaldsen. The Thaulow Museum contains Schleswig-Holstein carved work of the 15th-18th centuries.
The bay is defended by a series of forts placed near its sea entrance. The Baltic canal connects the Elbe and the Bay of Kiel. The old town, dating from before the 10th century, has been enlarged by the suburbs of Brunswick and Düsternbrook. Here was signed in 1814 the treaty between Denmark, Sweden, and England, by which Sweden exchanged for Norway. In the World War Kiel was Germany's principa naval base. Here mutinies among the sailors of the fleet broke out in 1917 and again in 1918. The mutiny in October-November of that year could not be suppressed but spread to Berlin and led to the overthrow of the monarchy. See WORLD WAR: GERMANY.