Kishineff

Kishineff, capital of the Russian government of Bessarabia, stands on a tributary of the Dniester, 162 miles NW. of Odessa by the railway to Jassy. When it came into the possession of Russia in 1812 it was a place of only 7000 inhabitants; since then, however, it has rapidly increased in size and prosperity. The old or lower town abuts upon the river; the new town stands on cliffs between 400 and 500 feet above the river. Pop. (1832) 35,000; (1849) 42,613; (1871) 102,427; (1897) 108,506, composed of nearly all the surrounding nationalities. Fruit, the vine, and tobacco are grown; and tobacco and flour are manufactured. Kishineff is an important trading centre for Bessarabian native products. It is the seat of an archbishop, and has a theological seminary.