Vitebsk
before the World War a province of western Russia, surrounded by Pskov, Smolensk, Mohilev, Minsk, Vilna, Courland, and Livonia; area, 16,- 983 square miles; pop. about 2,000,000.
The surface is in general hilly; in the depressions are numerous marshes and more than 2,500 lakes, of which the largest are Lubahan, Rasno, Nevel, Sebesh and Osvea. The chief rivers are the Duna, Mesha, Kasplja, Ulla, Drissa and Evst. The soil is far from fertile, and the harvests, except under the most favorable conditions, are insufficient for the wants of the population. The principal occupations are agriculture, cattle rearing, hunting and fishing, besides tanning, weaving and the manufacture of brandy and tobacco. Flax, linseed, hides, building timber, and fancy wares are exported.